Fitting a suspension Fork to an old P7

robbroo

I have an old...1993 p7, yes they have been around that long, and now the kids are grown up (so yes its not just the bike that's old!) I am using it increasingly on single track trails.

Could anyone advise me if its worthwhile upgrading the bike by fitting a front suspension fork. If so which one would you advise and what other issues might i have to address.

will i need to replace the hubs etc.

i really love this bike it fits me perfectly so any advice would be appreciated.

Thx

Rob

supersonic

I take it that it has an 1inch threaded headset?

robbroo

I honestly have no idea

sorry

R

supersonic

You need to find out as is very important.

You need to measure the diameter of the fork steerer, the bit that goes through the headtube of the frame.

robbroo

Ok thx, for the advice. i am not too optimistic though...me and the bike were built before suspension,

R

nicklouse

TBH at that age I feel that you may end up with a bike that does not feel right.

this is unless you can find some old short travel forks that are still in working order.


and as above you meed to find some info out.

Pics of the bike will help us advise.

cooldad

Have a look on www.retrobike.co.uk
Should be able to get some good advice, and likely to find some short travel threaded forks in the classifieds. Old Pace or something.

cooldad

TBH you might be better off selling it, always a market for them and buy a new bike, Carrera or something.
Even an entry level modern bike is streets ahead of and old one on the trails.

Andy B

cooldad wrote:

TBH you might be better off selling it, always a market for them and buy a new bike, Carrera or something.
Even an entry level modern bike is streets ahead of and old one on the trails.

Do you have proof of this?

I regularly ride old skool bikes (as well as modern ones) and they handle just as well, if not better than lots of modern bikes aimed at the same types of riding.

It's not unusual to see a modern bike riders jaw drop as a retro rider passes them with ease out on the trails

The P7 is a well sorted frame that should handle a short travel fork (60mm) quite well

supersonic

The old P7 is a lot better than todays effort!

cooldad

Andy B wrote:

cooldad wrote:

TBH you might be better off selling it, always a market for them and buy a new bike, Carrera or something.
Even an entry level modern bike is streets ahead of and old one on the trails.

Do you have proof of this?

I regularly ride old skool bikes (as well as modern ones) and they handle just as well, if not better than lots of modern bikes aimed at the same types of riding.

It's not unusual to see a modern bike riders jaw drop as a retro rider passes them with ease out on the trails

The P7 is a well sorted frame that should handle a short travel fork (60mm) quite well

Proof? Well if they were that good who would ride new ones.
I have a retro bike, a rigid, thumbies, cantis etc. Good fun but no way can it compete with my modern with decent suspension and discs.
I think retro rider pass moderns because they can ride, not because of the bike.
IMO.

cooldad

But an old P7 is on my wish list somewhere, so maybe I just want him to sell it cheap.

james-m-h

i know the feeling we have a 1" sttered and have looked at geting forks there is a fork on the market for them by marzochi but weve just givenup and kept ours with its pace forks and convertedto single speed.

robbroo

from what you have said i think my best bet is to seek professional advice so i will head down to the local bike shop.

my gut feeling is that i am probably looking at a new bike so i will have to start saving my pennies.

I do love riding this old timer though and so for those of you who might be hoping to pick one up cheap....sorry, mines not for sale!

Tanks for the help folks

Rob