Stiffness

EllieRockyPally

Given the choice, either or, is it better to have stiffness in a tapered headtube, OR in a Maxle?

Basically, Tapered RS Revelation Team Air 120-150mm, 9mm QR. Or 1.125" 140mm Pike Solo Air with (as standard, obviously) 20mm Maxle.

Cheers!

alexj2233

Well the Pike's will be stiffer than the Rev's anway. They'll also weigh a bit more.

What sort of riding will you be doing? Do you really need the extra weight of the pikes over the rev's.

I reckon you'd probably notice the most difference in the maxle but as they are different forks it would be hard to compare

nicklouse

whats the frame?

what wheel size?

EllieRockyPally

I posted under a different subject earlier this morning, although on the same topic. I'm new to web forums!

Below is the original post with all relevent information:

Hi Everyone,

I've been incredibly lucky this week and picked up a Stumpy Evo 2011 frame in USA colours (matt and gloss black) on warranty. Specialized swapped it for my 2002 Enduro Comp with a small crack in the welding where the shock mounts onto the frame! You really can't fault that for customer service!
Anyway, I've got all my componentry on a 2003 Ellsworth Id that I can swap over, although I'll be getting a brand new XT drivetrain. I've got a 1 1/8 steerer 140mm Pike Solo Air (OEM Pitch Pro) up front which has only got about thirty miles on it.

Here's the question:

Do I get a very well priced tapered steerer Rockshox Revelation 150mm to 120mm Team Air (9mm QR only!) from J.E. James for £259.99, or should I just get a headset reducer and stick with the Pike? I'm running Hope Pro2 hubs on Flow UST rims with Tech X2 183mm discs so the hub can be 20mm Maxle or 9mm QR, so no issues with compatibility with either. The full OEM build on the 2011 Stumpjumper Evo gets a Fox F150, which, unfortunately after doing a couple of other builds this year, my budget won't stretch to!

You're opinions over which fork to either stick with or buy will be appreciated!

Cheers People!

supersonic

Forks are stiff in more than one way. You get front to back flutter, especially under braking, which a tapered steerer will improve. Also torsional and transverse shear - the maxle helps here [improves steering, and the fork will hold a line better. Well, some can feel it lol]

EllieRockyPally

Thanks for the advice. The riding that I do is a mix of trail centre stuff (Llandegla) and XC in places like the Clwyds. Having never used tapered, the sort of flex which is associated with non-tapered is not something that I have ever noticed, so I guess that i've answered my own question really! I do love the way the Pike works, but was just wondering whether anyone had any opinions of which fork is better as i've never used a Revelation, and whether the latter would be an upgrade or more of a side step!

nicklouse

again what is the wheel size?

as the only EVO i can find is a 29er. is so then the discussion will change.

thel33ter

nicklouse wrote:

again what is the wheel size?

as the only EVO i can find is a 29er. is so then the discussion will change.

It's a 26er

http://www.specialized.com/gb/en/bc/SBC ... e=Mountain

It would be an upgrade as the Rev has Motion Control, although I think the 20mm axle will make it stiffer, but as I am only 60kgish, my Kona feels very similar to my Enduro (In terms of stiffness anyway)

EllieRockyPally

Sorry nicklouse! It is a 26er.

Thanks thel33ter