Looking for v-brake compatible susp fork - help :)

Teammassa
Teammassa Posts: 12
edited December 2012 in MTB buying advice
I've just bought a cheap Trek Bruiser and I'm in the process of upgrading various bits on it, for mainly light trail use.

Any ideas what fork would be a good suggestion? The bike has v brakes at the min so would like to keep them for now due to budget.

The existing fork is a Sinner (Insync) edge - 120mm. It's not the best. Very harsh and hisses under compression - guessing its had it's day??

Thanks guys :)

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    What sort of budget?
    I think Suntour might still do a 120mm fork with bosses (Raidon) but whether you'll find one...
    Otherwise recent second hand - Magura still had them until a few years ago (Durin?).

    Otherwise you'll be looking older - scour Ebay.

    Not exactly a light trail bike though.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • mcnultycop
    mcnultycop Posts: 2,143
    It could be easier just to get a cheap front disc brake so that you can be more flexible on fork choice. £30ish for a Shimano M595 from Merlin.
  • cooldad wrote:
    What sort of budget?
    I think Suntour might still do a 120mm fork with bosses (Raidon) but whether you'll find one...
    Otherwise recent second hand - Magura still had them until a few years ago (Durin?).

    Otherwise you'll be looking older - scour Ebay.

    Not exactly a light trail bike though.


    Ill have a browse see what I can uncover. Yeah it's not the lightest, but heard it was a good frame so for the price I paid thought it was worth a shout :)

    Budget wise - thinking around £200ish. Will that get me anything decent?? It's not going to be used on anything too heavy so hopefully?
  • mcnultycop wrote:
    It could be easier just to get a cheap front disc brake so that you can be more flexible on fork choice. £30ish for a Shimano M595 from Merlin.


    Sounds like a sensible option? Anyone got any recommendations within the above budget for this setup?
  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    I got a set of rockshox recon golds with v-brake mounts (that I didn't need, they were just cheap) a good while back from on-one but it doesn't seem like there's any left.

    Other than that, a deore M595 or M596 brake (+adaptors/mounts and disc) would be fine with any fork. Any RS Recon would be worth a look - preferably air for more adjustability. I doubt the XC32 etc would be any better than what you currently have.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Trouble is it's still a fifty quid bike.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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    Parktools
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Disc conversion = brake plus wheel plus disc (if not with the brakes) on top of the cost of the forks.

    Just get a decent used fork, not worth blowing £300 on a fork that will increase the bike value from £50 only by the value of the fork second hand!

    Hissing isn't a sign on anything being wrong - maybe just give the fork a service! It is a good frame, but it's not and never will be an XC frame, for it's day it was a long travel hardcore hardtail....just 120mm isn't long anymore!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Disc conversion = brake plus wheel plus disc (if not with the brakes) on top of the cost of the forks.

    Just get a decent used fork, not worth blowing £300 on a fork that will increase the bike value from £50 only by the value of the fork second hand!

    Hissing isn't a sign on anything being wrong - maybe just give the fork a service! It is a good frame, but it's not and never will be an XC frame, for it's day it was a long travel hardcore hardtail....just 120mm isn't long anymore!

    Second hand fork sounds like the way to go. I know it's not an xc bike but then I'm not planning it being one either. Just something to chuck down a few trails nothing major. I've a big rig for that. I'm not trying to raise the value to sell it so whatever I spend its for me anyway so not too bad as long as the price isn't too bad :)
  • cooldad wrote:
    Trouble is it's still a fifty quid bike.
    Yep and a bargain :)
  • LJ.
    LJ. Posts: 149
    They got good prices on Rockshox XC30 and XC32 at on one if you want something cheap £60 and £80
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    LJ. wrote:
    They got good prices on Rockshox XC30 and XC32 at on one if you want something cheap £60 and £80
    80 or 90mm forks on a 120mm frame isn't going to work well.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Pretty short steerer tube though, I'd to a speedy measure of the current forks.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • cooldad wrote:
    Pretty short steerer tube though, I'd to a speedy measure of the current forks.

    Looks like steerer tube is approx 185mm measured without removing the fork, so +\- 5mm I guess
  • cooldad wrote:
    LJ. wrote:
    They got good prices on Rockshox XC30 and XC32 at on one if you want something cheap £60 and £80
    80 or 90mm forks on a 120mm frame isn't going to work well.

    Aren't these 100mm travel forks? What's the min without effecting frame geometry?
  • Also just realised the front wheel has a disc hub already buts its just running v's.

    Could open up options?? Although a v-brake fork would still save some pennies :)
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Could stick a cheap mechanical disc brake on there.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Teammassa wrote:
    cooldad wrote:
    LJ. wrote:
    They got good prices on Rockshox XC30 and XC32 at on one if you want something cheap £60 and £80
    80 or 90mm forks on a 120mm frame isn't going to work well.

    Aren't these 100mm travel forks? What's the min without effecting frame geometry?
    Not according to On One website. Probably why they are cheap.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • cooldad wrote:
    Teammassa wrote:
    cooldad wrote:
    LJ. wrote:
    They got good prices on Rockshox XC30 and XC32 at on one if you want something cheap £60 and £80
    80 or 90mm forks on a 120mm frame isn't going to work well.

    Aren't these 100mm travel forks? What's the min without effecting frame geometry?
    Not according to On One website. Probably why they are cheap.

    Ah could be! I'll Keep looking then :)