Changing forks advice

ianrams

I currently have Recon Slite 100mm forks fitted to my Rockhopper expert but I'm thinking of changing them. I have a couple of questions:

1. Can I fit 140mm travel forks or will the geometry be affected?
2. Can the Recon Slite's be set up better or am I missing something?
3. How do Fox 32 Float 140mm compare to Recon Slites?

Any tips on choosing forks would be appreciated.

In case it matters I do XC at trail centres but don't feel the Recons are very smooth or user friendly.

Thanks

Ian

Andy!

geometry will probably go to pot.

most you are likely to get away with is 120mm and you also have to understand that the frame is only warranted for a 100mm fork. You may be out of warranty and it may well be fine but it is more than it was meant to have and a longer fork does increase the loads.

what about a nice set of Rebas or a U-turn fork that you can keep at 100mm most of the time but wind up a little bit to try?

I run my 100mm only frame at 115mm and soften it up a bit when I am doing stuff that needs it but most of the time I wind it back in and admit that 100mm is best for it and the 130mm setting never gets used unless I am being silly down something very steep and rocky. Feels terrible when you get to tight bends though.

bennett_346

Andy! wrote:

geometry will probably go to pot.

most you are likely to get away with is 120mm and you also have to understand that the frame is only warranted for a 100mm fork. You may be out of warranty and it may well be fine but it is more than it was meant to have and a longer fork does increase the loads.

what about a nice set of Rebas or a U-turn fork that you can keep at 100mm most of the time but wind up a little bit to try?

I run my 100mm only frame at 115mm and soften it up a bit when I am doing stuff that needs it but most of the time I wind it back in and admit that 100mm is best for it and the 130mm setting never gets used unless I am being silly down something very steep and rocky. Feels terrible when you get to tight bends though.

Frames are usually within warranty if new forks are fitted by an authorised (insert frame manufacturer) dealer, up to 20mm either way of the stock forks travel. Best to check the manual that came with the bike first though, this will tell you.

supersonic

This frame is warrantied for 110mm max.

Andy!

Sorry, I had meant to say "may be warrantied.."

110mm is not giving you much extra. I guess they want you to stick with 100mm then!

+140 is going to be like a barge and a waste of money. buy a better 100mm fork instead.

Shaggy_Dog

The Recon's a great fork, you'll gain little by changing it.

jairaj

Maybe the OP can explain better on what they don't like with the fork and what they want to make better. Maybe we can give you set-up advise. Also have you read the FAQs? There is some good advise on setting up forks in there.