Which long travel fork?

nick1962

Hi folks

In the process of completing my latest bike a long travel “hardcore hardtail” to go along with /sit between my full suss and XC hardtail and would value any opinions on suitable forks, travel 130mm -150mm. I won't be doing any death defying drop offs or downhill madness! I did consider the 302 Coil Tora U turn 85-130mm as I have seen the 2010 model for £150.00 but it looks a bit heavy . Looking for easy to set up, low maintenance, preferably sub 5lb weight and with a lockout. I have no real preference between Coil or air and from what I gather 15mm axle or 20 mm forks would give a more stable feel. Should I be going for a U turn type though?

Frame - On One 456
Wheels - Hope Pro 2s on DT EX 1500 rims (so should be able to change hub axle to suit)
Budget – Under £300.00

The 3 below look good value and initially caught my eye although the range of Rockshox is quite confusing.
Any comments or alternatives?

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=41564
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/marzocchi-and-rockshox-suspension-forks/rockshox-suspension-forks/rockshox-revelation-race-2010.html

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/23995/Fox_32_Vanilla_R_QR15_Forks_2009

Thanks

ride_whenever

you'll appreciate travel adjust on a 456, the front wheel does wonder a fair bit at 140mm unless you're right onto the nose of the saddle, which isn't great.

I'd say ideally you want revelations are cheaper and need less TLC than foxes. But go for the maxle lite ones, the extra steering stiffness really helps.

At merlin you can get the pike 426 coil u-turn which is 5lbs and a burly burly fork you going to need to spend a lot more to get the ideal: Revelation Race air u-turn maxle lite!

bomberesque

Basically what R_W says

PIKE or REV Maxle dep on budget

Fox (32 TALAS) 15mm Thro if you're really feeling flush or can find a deal

I have a 426 Pike (coil U-t) and it is one lardy fork but safe as houses

ride_whenever

my 454 air u-turn pike doesn't seem too lardy, but probably weighs a lot more than a revelation... if it really starts to bother me then i might buy a set of revs to see if it makes a difference...

bomberesque

iirc 426 is about 2.3kg and 454 is about 2.1 kg (both in coil UT flavours)

I'm not sure about the 20mm thro revs. Last year's looked like rebranded Pike airs but I never got hands on one. Claimed weights weren't low I recall.

TALAS 32 is about 1800gr, as is the Mag Thor. I've been struggling with the cost/benefit ratio though as frankly the pike is mint and, as you say, while lardy does it really matter? My bike is 30lbs anyway..... bah ... I just can't make my mind up! Actually I have pretty much got used to it now so the potential weightloss I've pretty much decided to forgo. I am intrigued by the idea of upping to a 36 TALAS though. Same weight as the 426 but quite a lot more fork methinks. I've asked Evil for permission, but no answer yet. Probably just aswell. daft idea really :P

CycloRos

Another +1 for Maxle Pikes.

Before I bought them I was umming and arring about the weight. They are noticeably heavier than the Reba they replaced but worth it for the extra stiffness, and having U-turn is a nice bonus.

ride_whenever

talas is an air fork, i haven't weighed my pikes, but they're pretty damn light, sram has them at 2113g so heavier than the talas 32

rev. race air u-turn is 1620g :shock: might well be getting a set of those!

lighter than both the race and the xx air u-turn both @ 1727g claimed.


Not sure if these are including the maxle though. although they all are considerably lighter than the talas forks, however I think i'd prefer the talas setup on a 456 for the ease of changing the travel rather than the annoying wind wind wind setup.

joshtp

Revelation 426 dual air u-turn maxle light. my dream fork, id choose t over anything else, and i think it should be right up your street!

supersonic

What are the rims?

Northwind

Revelations would be my shout... Dual air u-turns, with maxle if you like. Fox are probably a little better in terms of quality but u-turn is better than TALAS IMO, more adjustability and it doesn't affect the suspension action at all (though it's a little slow to adjust) And there's the price of course!

Pikes are classics, and great, but also a wee bit behind the curve now... I've not tried the new Revs but by all accounts they tread on the Pikes toes while still weighing much less.

nick1962

Rims are DT EX 500,not 1500 as I said :? .A newer (?)version of 5.1Ds I think.

supersonic

Middle duty rims - I think the Rev would suit it fine!

xtreem

Here's a Pike 426 for exactly £300.
http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/product_ ... &cPath=456

But can't find a Revelation with Maxle under 300.

supersonic

There is of course the new Recon 351 with maxle:

http://s233299868.e-shop.info/shop/arti ... -Lite.html