100mm or 120mm Forks ????

Avoneer
Avoneer Posts: 525
edited October 2015 in MTB buying advice
Hi Guys,

Help me out here......

I will be racing in some XC races, but also for longer training rides in the likes of Lee Quarry.

Currently got SID 110's on my Whippet, but they're getting a bit worn so after some new forks.

My strength seems to be on the flats and uphill and I'm still a bit nervous and slower than others on the rough downs.

Would 120's suit me better and give me more confidence / aid with the downs, or will they reduce my effectiveness going hard on the flat and ups.

Thinking of 120's REBAS or SIDS if some come up cheap.

Thanks,

Pat.
"Campagnolo has soul, Shimano has ruthless efficiency and SRAM has yet to acquire mystique. Differentiating between them is a matter of taste"

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    120's will slacken the geometry slightly and give you more travel, but to be honest such a tiny difference wil be unnoticeable, what would help is stiffer forks with better damping (depending on how old your SIDS are and what damper).
    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.
  • Avoneer
    Avoneer Posts: 525
    So would the 120's make tough downs easier due to the extra travel ???

    Or is that down to the damper internals ???

    120 Rebas seem really good value at the moment with the new black stantion ones coming in under £300.

    Thanks,

    Pat.
    "Campagnolo has soul, Shimano has ruthless efficiency and SRAM has yet to acquire mystique. Differentiating between them is a matter of taste"
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    As I said, 120's will make it marginally easier (we are talking a tiny margin) all else being equal the fork 'quality' and set up will create much bigger margins.

    The biggest margin comes from the rider, you would probably gain more from a coaching course than from new forks.
    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.
  • Avoneer
    Avoneer Posts: 525
    Cheers,

    Fortunately I've recognised my weakness (confidence going down hard rocky stuff) and am working on it.

    Forks needed replacing though, so in essence, there's not much in it, as long as they're half decent and setup to suit my riding style?

    Pat.
    "Campagnolo has soul, Shimano has ruthless efficiency and SRAM has yet to acquire mystique. Differentiating between them is a matter of taste"
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    Another +1 for Chase Skills, though I still have a mental block on rock gardens!
    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.

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