New Forks

lawl
lawl Posts: 132
edited August 2009 in MTB buying advice
Hello guys, I have a Giant Brass 1 (2009) which ships with the RST Launch forks, im finding them pretty poor and adjustment does sweet FA :(

I saw a guy today running these;

Marzocchi Dirt Jumper 1

Are they any good, or do you suggest others, I do mainly downhill and trials runs with big dips and jumps.
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Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    you will need a new front wheel as yours is not 20mm compatible.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    Good advice mate, what size is mine currently?
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    for example are these 'standard' size ones, if it says 20mm then its oversized?

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=21570
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    yes, standard front dropputs are 9mm, and generally take a quick release axle.

    20mm axle forks are "oversized" and need a specific 20mm hub.

    For example, here is a 20mm hub.
    x_27.jpg

    and here is a standard 9mm Quick release compatible hub.
    4129_qr_400.jpg
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    Bloody hell, the only reason to go 20mm I guess is if your hitting big jumps, I guess they will weight a tone, looking at the DJ forks they arent any lighter then my current ones, I think im going to have to spend at least £400+ to getmyself a lighter front end.

    The RST's weight around 2.86kg
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    20mm makes the forks much stiffer, without actually adding much weight. It's common to see them on either dirt jump forks, or on long travel forks.
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    I have looked a bit harder and I think for the weight (and I dont really dirt jump that much) these would be better

    Marzocchi 55 ATA Micro Forks

    Altho a few hundred more
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    again you will need a new front wheel. they are 20mm axle.

    also the bike is designed for a 100mm travel fork so i would be looking at a RS Tora ot the Marz. DJ 3
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    As Nick says.
    The 55s are actually a hell of a lot of fork. 160mm travel, 20mm axle.
  • gaff_taff
    gaff_taff Posts: 346
    What about rockshox tora or reba if you can afford them? Or are you after longer travel?

    EDIT didnt realise it was a jump bike :oops:
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    nicklouse wrote:
    again you will need a new front wheel. they are 20mm axle.

    also the bike is designed for a 100mm travel fork so i would be looking at a RS Tora ot the Marz. DJ 3

    Why not the DJ 2's mate, they are 9mm I believe?
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    Are these the TOra RS,

    THe weight is VERY impressive.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=29881
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Lawl, I wouldn't opt for those, they're mainly intended for racing cross country on. Sounds like you need something that will take some stick, like the Marzocchi Dirt Jump 2 forks you saw.
    Just make sure you get the standard 9mm version, NOT the 20mm axle - unless you intend on replacing your hub or wheel to match.
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    lawl wrote:
    nicklouse wrote:
    again you will need a new front wheel. they are 20mm axle.

    also the bike is designed for a 100mm travel fork so i would be looking at a RS Tora ot the Marz. DJ 3

    Why not the DJ 2's mate, they are 9mm I believe?

    some are some are not.

    normally they are 20mm.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    I know i have a jump bike which probably says that I do alot of jumping, but I dont really jump I do a couple of berms, ups and downs and transition jumps (very small air).

    THe DJ 2's seem very heavy, my RST Launchs are 2.8kg they are about 2.9KG i think
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    [b]lawl[/b] wrote:
    THe DJ 2's seem very heavy, my RST Launchs are 2.8kg they are about 2.9KG i think
    On the link you gave us, the DJ 2's are 2008 model, and those weight 2.587 gr/5.7 lbs.
    300gr lighter than the RST. They should do fine for you.
    The 2009 ones are on the heavy side, 2900+gr.

    Btw, how much can you afford for fork and maybe a new wheel,
    we might come up with different fork that will suit you best.
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • Torres
    Torres Posts: 1,266
    Society Xeno's?
    Can be run either 9mm Qr or 20mm, so if you want to upgrade your wheel at some point in the future you have the versitility of either.
    What We Achieve In Life, Echoes In Eternity
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Ah, see when you said....
    I do mainly downhill and trials runs with big dips and jumps
    I thought you meant as in, big dips, and big jumps. :oops:
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    Oh sorry mate, Ill take a look at the 2008 ones :)

    I wana spend max £400 really, max max.

    The RST Launchs dont seem very good or is it just me, my wrist hurts.
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    DJ 2 *2008* sounds like a good choice, i like the little bit of weight loss
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    lawl wrote:
    I know i have a jump bike which probably says that I do alot of jumping, but I dont really jump I do a couple of berms, ups and downs and transition jumps (very small air).

    THe DJ 2's seem very heavy, my RST Launchs are 2.8kg they are about 2.9KG i think

    They are dirt jump forks, you have to expect some weight.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    Could I get away with using anything lighter, all I do is small transisition jumps on trails and small up and down dips, I dont have the balls to be hitting big doubles etc.

    Are there any other options in the 9mm axle size,for someone that isnt ever going to JUMP big :)
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Well yes, but then you are admitting you probably have the wrong type of bike for your riding and would be better off with a XC bike or trail bike!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    If you have £400 then I suggest:
    Rock Shox Pike 426 U-Turn 2009
    you'll save 400g, and you can use it in 120mm.
    With the rest £100 you buy yourself a new 20mm hub wheel.

    The Pike for £300: http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/product_ ... ts_id=4775
    The Pike for £290: http://www.bikeoutlet.co.uk/products/Ro ... 82-50.html

    Wheel for example:
    DT Comp DB
    Mavic EN 521
    Hope Pro 11 20mm Disc
    For £96.

    Just an example from Merlin.
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain- ... -disc.html
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    Cheers mate, I think getting a larger front wheel would be a good idea as it opens up the options, do the rears come in a larger size as well or do they generally just uprate the fronts to 20mm?

    One thing im stuck on and need to be careful of I guess is this IS and Post mount brakes, I looked on the RST website and they dont state which it is currently, looking at the forks I think they may me IS, but to be honest I dont know the differences.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Have a look at the stickies in the Workshop section.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    then have a look in the tech section for an explanation.

    and you do not want bigger wheels the fork is for a 26" wheel a bigger one will not fit. like wise a bigger wheel will not fit your frame.

    But if you nean a different axle size then there is no options for your frame other than the 10mm Qr as fitted or a 10mm nutted.

    Going to a 20mm axled front wheel does not give you much more choice.


    it just gives you different choices.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    There are 12mm bolt thru axle for the rear but that depends on the frame if it has
    interchangeable dropouts. Your's doesn't have. See this picture here.

    Btw, simple, IS left, Post mount right.
    TECH_Disk_tab_type.jpg

    EDIT: Can't belive that I need 10min to write a 20 words reply. :roll: :oops:
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016
  • lawl
    lawl Posts: 132
    So if i have LS mounted brakes at the moment they WONT fit on the post mount ( I guess this is the old style?)

    If I get DJ 2's I think they are post mount, at the moment the RST Launchs have IS mount I THINK! :)

    THanks for the help guys, im getting a bit addicted to mtb now
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    [b]lawl[/b] wrote:
    So if i have LS mounted brakes at the moment they WONT fit on the post mount
    Yes they will. You just need to buy the correct adapter.
    Actualy you might don't need any adapter.
    Because usualy the calipers are post mount and if your rotor is 160mm then you can bolt up the caliper directly on the post mounts.

    EDIT, see this picture:
    post-mount.jpg
    NS Bikes Eccentric Alu custom - 2016

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