Replacing Forks Spec Problems

Hacker60

Need some expert help,....

I have a 2007/8 Spesh XC FSR - It's had everything upgraded except Shock (nightmare) which
I sent to X-Fusion and got a full refurb for £94.00 so that's works as New and I can live with that.

The Forks are Judy J3 SL Coil Sprung, and they pretty much work ok, but there just not
man enough for the job, they have 100m travel, but they don't really lock-out anymore
and the rebound/damping adjustment it a bit crude. So I want to replace the Fork with
something a lot better maybe with adjustable travel, about £300 to spend and don't mind
good used set. I ride single track XC and some amature downhill, I plan to upgrade to a
higher spec next year, but until then I have a lot of riding to do.

My problem is I bought the bike second hand and don't know the spec of the Forks,
ie: 210mm (measured top to crown) Tapered 1.5” to 1 1/8” Steer Tube, that sort of info: Can anyone help.

As the bike bike is old there's no current listing .

cooldad

Very useful site - http://www.bikepedia.com/

You need to be a bit more specific with the model but possibly this one:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/Bike ... &Type=bike

So doubt the Judys were fitted new.

They will be 1 1/8 straight steerer. Measure the existing one for length. 100mm travel

For £300 you could get a nice set of Rebas. Adjustable travel is a bit pointless on a 100mm XC bike.

Hacker60

Thanks Dad,

Found the model re Spec: All listed is: 1 1/8" (threaded headset) regarding length, my
steerer is around 195mm so as long as I don't buy anything shorter, is that ok ? Can I go for another 20mm
travel without upsetting things to much ? Or what problems will it cause.

nicklouse

Hacker60 wrote:

Thanks Dad,

Found the model re Spec: All listed is: 1 1/8" (threaded headset) regarding length, my
steerer is around 195mm so as long as I don't buy anything shorter, is that ok ? Can I go for another 20mm
travel without upsetting things to much ? Or what problems will it cause.

I would be vey surprised I it was a threaded headset.

Longer is better than shorter as adding metal is not easy.

If it really is threaded it needs to be exactly the same length.

benpinnick

Full spec here:

http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bc/SBC ... spid=21665

cooldad

Hacker60 wrote:

Thanks Dad,

Found the model re Spec: All listed is: 1 1/8" (threaded headset) regarding length, my
steerer is around 195mm so as long as I don't buy anything shorter, is that ok ? Can I go for another 20mm
travel without upsetting things to much ? Or what problems will it cause.

No it isn't, the one I linked to is listed as
Fork Brand & Model Rock Shox Recon 335, 100mm
Headset 1 1/8" threadless Steel loose ball

cooldad

Unless it's a 2006, then Ben's link. Either way makes no difference to what will fit. 100mm forks with a long enough steerer.

Hacker60

Ben, your link is the one, what's the recommend fork then, Rockshox or Fox, there do seem to be a lot
of Fox around looking on e-Bay now, Air or Coil what's the difference ?

benpinnick

Air will be fine for your usage - lighter than coil and easier to tune to suit you. F100/120s would suit - even better if you can find a FIT cartidge one. Personally I would get these:

http://www.actionsports.de/de/Komponent ... 9ea7134291. Even better if you could find a 120 set for around the same price.

Or maybe look around for something in 120mm such as the Reba RLs from Merlin.

Hacker60

Thanks Dad and Ben Looking now for a set now, think a will wait unitl next months pay
and stretch to those SID RLT's the spec looks great but the Reba RL's is also great,
think I'll buy new and see who can offer me the best deal I tink £400 should do it.

Fitting looks pretty easy, is there anything especially stupid I should be
aware of before I start, like a special tool I might need ? Any do's or don't of Fork Fitting.

benpinnick

Theres probably an FAQ for fitting them.

Frosticles

I bought a rockshox revelation rlt 140mm 2011 for £300 delivered. Absolute bargain.

Hacker60

Well, just been in the Garage to check some measurements, my Scott has 100mm Travel Solo Air,
and was just comparing them with my Spesh Forks and looks like the Spesh has 120mm, but I thought
they were 100mm as well, since the Factory Spec details say the bike came with 100's, but
they were made with 80, 100 and 120 so maybe it was bought with 120mm as an upgrade.

Won't 140mm mess-up the geometry ? although as I'm not a hardcore rider would it make any real
difference to me, or would the bike be unstable in ome way ?

cooldad

I wouldn't go to 140

benpinnick

Did you measure the legs or the actual travel? Chances are they all shared the same chassis, so the forks might look 120 but be 100mm, either way, I would probably not go over 120 on that bike.

The Rookie

Forget travel - it's a meaningless number when it comes to geometry, use the axle to crown distance.

Simon

ianrams

Hacker

I've recently upgraded my Spesh Rockhopper 2009 to Fox 32 Float RLC F120 from 100mm forks. I emailed Spesh and they confirmed I could go to 120mm without any effect on the geometry or handling. Its worth an email.

bennett_346

You can always space them down to 120

Hacker60

Thanks for the last few posts boys, just seen a set of Rebas in the Classifieds, what do you recon

5-3-2012 (Page 2) CLEAROUT

Rock shox reba SL (used) £170

X9 bottom pull front mech (used) £15

M770 front mech (used) £10

Fireeye bloodshot Frame (new) £40

Pics - http://sram666.pinkbike.com/buysell/

benpinnick

I reckon I sold a brand new set off of a Cube (so technically second hand but never used) for £200 recently, and I fitted them for the chap too. So £170 sounds a little steep. Merlin have been known to punt them out new (OEM) for £220.

The Rookie

ianrams wrote:

I could go to 120mm without any effect on the geometry .

You can't change the axle to crown distance without changing geometry! what baloney!

Simon

Hacker60

Cheers Ben, looking now ATB

Hacker60

Found a set of Fox Talas RLC 80-130 from Classifieds - Fitted and they are superb, smooth
as slik, using them at around 120mm almost all the time, almost "too" adjustable.

The bike still feels fine balance wise, even when at 130mm. Thanks for all the tips.
I will get some new pics up soon.