Forks....for a big lad

dynamiccoins

Hi,

I'm 16 stone and I am currently looking for a 29er for my first foray into mountain biking.

My LBS stocks Marin Alpine Trail which I was looking at - http://www.cyclesurgery.com/marin-alpin ... duct/40557.

Anyway I had a look round for reviews and found this - http://www.29eronline.com/marin-alpine-trail-review/.

But...the review says this....

"The Alpine Trail’s front suspension is a Rock Shox XC 28 TK. It comes with rebound control that can be adjusted externally. Preload can also be adjusted by dialing down a knob on the top of the fork leg. This works, as long as you weigh between 155-180 pounds. Everyone else would need to purchase a spring kit available through the shop"

Now not just for this one but in general what is the deal with forks - I am aware that they are adjustable but at 16 stone, should I be considering one type over another.

I'm new to all this so any help info would be great thanks.

nicklouse

for coil forks you will need to change the springs in just about any fork.

air sprung forks you just change the pressure to suit.

ElliesDad

I'm 16 stone and had no problems with a Suntour Epicon and currently a Rock Shox Sektor, both air forks.

dynamiccoins

Hi,

thanks for the replies. I had a quick google and found this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQBFutxFaM.

Although it looks straight forward, you obviously need the pump - what do most people do - buy the pump and do it themselves.....or get the LBS to do it.

Do different forks have different pumps ?

ElliesDad - can I ask (and I know weight is not the only thing that drives what bike to buy - in fact its probably way down the list...but out of interest) but what bike(s) are you riding.

Thanks

Rushmore

dynamiccoins wrote:

Hi,

thanks for the replies. I had a quick google and found this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQBFutxFaM.

Although it looks straight forward, you obviously need the pump - what do most people do - buy the pump and do it themselves.....or get the LBS to do it.

Do different forks have different pumps ?

ElliesDad - can I ask (and I know weight is not the only thing that drives what bike to buy - in fact its probably way down the list...but out of interest) but what bike(s) are you riding.

Thanks

ts basically like a bike pump but handles more pressuer and inserts less volume, all are the same..

however the bike you are referencing is NOT an air fork.. its a coil..

To get air forks you will be looking at £600 and up ( and thats if you get a really good deal! )

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1830/ ... dized.html

or this is REALLY good fro money
http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1830/ ... m-6-0.html

dynamiccoins

I've come to the conclusion that buying a bike for the uninitiated is a nightmare.

What i need is somewhere who has a good selection of bikes which I can actually try them proberly - rather than just sitting on them in the shop or giving them a quick spin round the car park / up the road.

I keep changing my mind on what i should do - just get the Voodoo and get it out there, get something from Wiggle or the like (I can try and always send it back), try and get a bargain from Ebay to run through the winter to try things out...or use an LBS but that means spending more for a bike I can really only try up and down the road befor committing to...confused!!

ElliesDad

"ElliesDad - can I ask (and I know weight is not the only thing that drives what bike to buy - in fact its probably way down the list...but out of interest) but what bike(s) are you riding"

I started off on a Boardman Comp HT and changed recently to the Boardman FS Team. Both brilliant bikes and superbly specced for the money. I only changed to the FS Team because our cycle 2 work scheme at work is only open for a month, so I took advantage of the saving.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499