180mm Forks

The Northern Monkey

What are the options these days?

Don't think I've missed anything below.

No budget at this point, just looking at value for money and things I want in a fork - wide range of adjustments, durability, after sales support, home user serviceability, good weight.... v cost.

36 Float 180 FIT RC2 - Expensive and I'm not a fan of Fox stuff. Light though (although the 2015 fork weight isn't confirmed).
Manitou Mattoc Pro Forks - Bit of an unknown to me, but get a decent review. 1000g lighter than my Domain, but QR15 only so may not be as stiff.
Suntour Durolux - cheap. Good range of adjustments, 700g lighter than the Domain. Struggling to find ones in stock with tapered steered and fixed 180mm (not the travel adjust 140-180mm version).
X Fusion Metric - falls into Fox 36 price range (ish) at £800.
Bos Idylle SC - Can get them at around £800 so competing with the 36 and Metric, but heavier than both.

No Rockshox as they have dropped the Totem it seems, anything in the pipeline?

The Mattoc is good on paper and in reviews until the QR15.
Durolux sounds good, but I've nothing to back that up apart from reading the spec (anyone know what Suntour spare parts sourcing is like?).
The other 3 fall into the same category, IMO the only differential is weight, but they are all heavier than the Mattoc.

Any views opinions?

supersonic

The Suntour didn't get the best review in MBUK, it fell to bits and was a bit crude, but could be a one off.

The Totem is still available from some places - and Fisher always have parts.

The Northern Monkey

Id actually droped the totem anyway as its no lighter than the domain, just gets low speed compression.

Had looked at the lyric but I really dont want a shorter fork (which in that sense kinda puts the fox out as the 180mm 36 has the same stack height as a lyric)

supersonic

Where have you seen a 180mm mattoc?

The Northern Monkey

Good point, thays 170! Was comparing it to the Lyric I think

CitizenLee

It's a shame Marzoccchi no longer do the 66 and haven't replaced it in their current line.

The 55 RC3 EVO V.2 Titanium looks like a great fork but only 170mm.

welshkev

any good or do you not want the talas?

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/fox-36-t ... wwodaTAAsg

The Northern Monkey

Aye no talas.. would be the rc2 fit all singing dancing thing I want.

The 66 was awesome.. 38mm stantions!

CitizenLee

The Northern Monkey wrote:

Aye no talas.. would be the rc2 fit all singing dancing thing I want.

The 66 was awesome.. 38mm stantions!

Italian made 2007 66s RC2s were the plushest forks ever!

Why can't you do 170mm anyway? A2C?

rockmonkeysc

Totems are still available in plenty of online shops BUT they have the same A-C as most 200mm forks.
I would look out for a newish used Marzocchi 66 RC3 ti.
I think I would avoid BOS just because it's far too much to spend on a fork with no UK backup if you have problems.
There aren't a lot of choices at 180mm.

downhillbike

just bought a durolux and reduced it down to 160 for my jekyll its such a great fork so easy to service as the are plenty of vids on how to. parts are easy to find just contact greyville or go to the suntour durolux thread on mtbr they list loads of german websites that stock all the parts for them

The Northern Monkey

Yeahthats my thoughts on the BOS tbh, plus i've only heard good things, never had chance to actually try one.

A-C is relatively important as the bike is at a sweet spot atm, so don't really want to mess with it if I can help it. TBH, the Domain is such a good bombproof fork I want to keep it, its just heavy

Domain and Totem both have a 565mm a-c.

benpinnick

Of your fork choices the Metric all day long. That said, I would probably consider a Vengeance in 170 too if 170s were ok. The mattoc is a great fork (I have some on test right now) but I think its definitely a long travel trail fork, not a short travel monster you seem to be after.

The Northern Monkey

Yeah the metric seems to tick all the boxes!

Although, the 2015 36 Float is orange...ORANGE!