What fork for 2009 Santa Cruz Heckler....

dynamis_dk

I'm looking for some recommendations for a decent fork to match with a 2009 Santa Cruz Heckler. My plan initially was to use a set of Marz Z1 FR II forks but the steerer is a little too short so i'm looking to buy something to replace them.

Looking for something which is QR15 or 20mm, around the 130-140mm range i'm guessing.

Whats out there which is suitable??

I've a bunch of stuff to sell so i'll be posting up a wanted at some point once i've started to list other parts..

coxy17

rock shox revaluation
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... e_2152.htm

great fork

or a little cheaper but quick release
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... ON-RLT.htm

weescott

The Heckler is best in the longer travel 150-160mm travel fork range range.

I would go 20mm as a lot of people don't notice the difference between 15mm and QR.

Fox 36 or RS Lyric!

Shaggy_Dog

I personally find the BB a little high on a Heckler if you use anything over 140mm but each to their own. I'd go for a Revelation or a Sektor by Rock Shox with a maxle. If you go big on the fork, you can always reduce the travel internally or externally but you may end up hauling around more fork than you need

dynamis_dk

I'm not wanting to go massive on travel, for what i do i would say anything over 140 maybe overkill. I has some Revelations in the pass, the 135 u-turn's and found them nice. Like the Fox 36 stuff but not sure what would be best. Could really do with something which has a lockout or similar. Are there any Fox 36 air forks which would be in the right travel range?? Keen to save a little weight there if possible

Just looked at the Sektor by Rock Shox, price is decent as i'm looking for cheap (or 2nd hand) as i'm a little skint until i sell all my other bits off.

would the Sektor forks be up to the odd jumping/freeride session on top os general trail riding for a 105kg rider??

How do we rate the 2009 Fox 32 Vanilla RLC 140mm?? Would I be able to set one up suitable for my 105kg weight?

Shaggy_Dog

dynamis_dk wrote:

would the Sektor forks be up to the odd jumping/freeride session on top os general trail riding for a 105kg rider??

Yeah, they're nails, basically last years Pikes.

The Fox's aren't as tough, especially as you have a conventional 1 1/8" head tube. You could get Fox 36 TALAS's or FLOAT's and reduce the travel to 140mm but there's very little point especially as you're trying to save weight.

Manitou Minutes and Marzocchi 44's are worth a look too. the 44 has stepped up it's game for 2011

weescott

The new Fox 36's are 120-160 travel.The Talas RLCs have lockout. 120mm is only good for climbing.
Apart from the 1st generation of Fox 36's the older ones are 100-130-160. 130mm is just that bit too short to be used for regular trail riding, although you can get away with it.

The 32 Float RLCs would be the easiest to set up for your weight, have lock out and they are super plush too.

dynamis_dk

Well, i've looked over most of the suggestions and out of everything so far the i've concluded the Fox range is a little expensive for me at the moment can't really stretch to £600 for a 32 Float RLC,

Evans have a Rockshox Sektor Solo Air Maxle 2011 Fork - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/roc ... k-ec024511

Way I see it Pros: 15mm Maxel, Air so light weight option, lockout

Can anyone see any obvious cons for this fork for my heckler and my weight...??

Shaggy_Dog

Get the 20mm Maxle version. 15mm is hardly better than QR

dynamis_dk

If its worth it then thats fine - I've got 15QR already but if the 20mm is better i'm happy to move that way too, just need to get the Pro2 20mm kit

dynamis_dk

Looks like a few pleaces won't be getting Sektor stock for a while - gonna give rutland a ring to see if these are a stock item:

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/26980/Roc ... -2011.html

If so might go for those in 20mm version... seems to tick all the boxes and reviews seem ok

sofaboy73

If you can strectch the budget, deff go for the fox 36's

I've had 140's, 150 15mm QR and 160 20mm on the front of my heckler and its definately more fun with the fox 36's.

You may not need the extra travel, but the longer fork relaxes the head angle and the bigger stanctions / 20mm axle stiffen it a whole lot more than the 32's.

the down side is it wanders a little more on the climbs these days, but like everything on your bike it's a compromise.

Depends what type of terrain your riding, but for the rocksy, technical and steeper stuff the 36's come up trunps

Northwind

Revelations for me, Hecklers are lovely with 150mm, no need to haul around extra ironmongery for most riding. If you want to put it to sillier stuff, then sure, a 36 or similiar could be good but for everyday use it's not as good. IMO of course

dynamis_dk

Well I've taken the plunge and gone with some RS Revelation Team Air u-turn 20mm's....

I've no doubting the advantages on the 36 range for when things get nasty but bottom line is im not at that level riding ride and 85% of what i'm doing is red XC with a little harder stuff thrown in here and there. I think the Rev's will be fine for what i need and the price is ok.

I had Rev u-turns on my hardtail a couple year ago and they we're pretty damn good for the 6 months i used them. I'll post up some photo's on everything is together