Fox Alps

The Silver Surfer

Fox Alps:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... TQ:GB:1123

Hi everyone. i've bought a 'new' pair of Fox Alps forks from ebay for £100. Looking about the internet there’s not much info on them. On a couple of forums they said they are much the same as Fox Floats but a bit heavier and aren’t adjustable. I can't find anywhere on the net that sells them.

The tech manual on the Fox website lists them under the Fox Float series:

http://www.foxracingshox.com/fox_tech_c ... eries.html

Here’s the thing. They’re OEM, ‘original equipment manufacturer’. Does anyone know what this means exactly? I can’t quite get my head round it, even the wiki page says OEM can mean different things:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Original_e ... nufacturer

Any info appreciated, thanks.

nicklouse

Basically they are not available as aftermarket forks. They are provided to the bike producers at the spec the bik producer wants.

So the same fork provided to, say, Spesh nd to against could be very different internally. Or they could be the same but have different travel or.......

The Silver Surfer

Ok thanks for that.

So i found a model of the Trek 8000 bike that has these forks fitted. Does that mean the forks i bought have been taken of a Trek 8000 (for example). They were listed as new so it seems unlikely?

xand_xand

No have these on my cube ltd race 2011. Love these forks well the step up from dart2 on my previous Mtb is massive.

The Silver Surfer

So if the Forks have been bought as new condition, where would they have come from if they aren't available aftermarket?

TheNorthernTrain

The Silver Surfer wrote:

So if the Forks have been bought as new condition, where would they have come from if they aren't available aftermarket?

Off a brand new bike and someone has swapped the forks out for something that they already have or a make that they prefer. Therefore still classing it as new condition...

EDIT: or what cooldad said....

cooldad

As remainders from a bike manufacturer who ordered too many and then sold them off. Probably

The Silver Surfer

Thanks for all the info so far guys.

So they are provided to the bike producers at the spec the bike producer needs.
So there could be several types of Fox Alps with slight variations?.. meaning that i'd need to find out what bike they came from to know the spec?

Sorry for all the questions but i may as well get it out my system now.

nicklouse

Well knowing where they came from may help find out the spec but then it may not give all the info.

The Spiderman

Only one real way to know and thats to take them apart!
Some OE models have more basic damping cartridges or willl have a heavier steel steerer to meet a price point.

cooldad

Just stick them on your bike and ride.

The Silver Surfer

Aye i will.

its really just knowing if they are worth the hundred pounds. Only time will tell I suppose.

I'm still waiting for them!

cooldad

Probably better to do homework before you buy something.

The Silver Surfer

you're right, i got fed up of looking and thought a new pair of forks for that price was ok. they're going on a 2009 Carerra vulcan with knackered forks so will do the job. I didn't know what to look for wish i'd found this place first!

cooldad

At the price, they sound like an excellent deal. Don't worry, you did well.