Which One of These Forks?

John Wh

Hi All,

Following on from the Suntour Auron thread I started, I'm nearly in a position to buy a fork for my Stumpjumper. I have around £500 to spend and have made a list of new and second hand that I've got my eye on.

Any experience or opinions would be appreciated.

(2nd hand) 2016 Fox 36 Factory RC2 160mm - £525
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1857394/

(as new) 2016 Fox 36 Talas FIT4 - £450
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1858535/

(2nd hand) BOS Deville AM 650b 150mm -£325
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1850055/

(New) Manitou Mattoc Pro - £384.99
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/manitou-mattoc-pro-forks-15mm-2015/rp-prod115307

(New) Marzocchi 350 NCR £499.99
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/marzocchi-350-ncr-forks-15mm-2015/rp-prod128498

(New) Suntour Auron £299.00
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371418153725?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I've also had my eye on various new and second hand Pikes from 2014 to 2016 versions. It's a long list so I need help please

rockmonkeysc

I would avoid the BOS fork because of them regularly falling out with distributors and the problems with spares and servicing.
Marzocchi is excellent but there's no long-term security for spares other than seals and bushes.
I would avoid the used Fox 36 just because it's a lot of money for a fork with no warranty etc.
For me it would be between the new Fox 36 or a Rockshox Pike RCT3 solo air. I got one for £499 from Rose Bikes recently. Great fork, simple to service an spares are readily available and cheap.

John Wh

I hadn't even though of the warranty to be honest! Well, the Marzocchi situation was in my head.

I've also been largely discounting Pikes, but I don't really know why. They seem the best all rounders from what I've read, apart from the creaking CSU issues people have had.

To be honest, I think I'll order some new Pikes then. Can't beat the value for money at £500 new.

poah

pike or the mattoc. the fox 36 look a good buy but very short steerer

rockmonkeysc

Creaking CSU isn't something worry about. Don't forget the Pike sales outnumber the others by a lot so you have to expect to find more reports of problems on the net. SRAM are pretty good with warranty repairs/replacement anyway.
The Pike is definitely the best performance for the money.

John Wh

Cheapest I've found the Pikes is in 160mm guise at Evans of all places! They are £580 on Rose at the moment without delivery. Might even be able to get a voucher code if I'm lucky.

To be honest I thought as much with the creaking. Same thing with the reverb; you hear a lot of problems because of the sheer number of units sold. I've done a u-turn now with this. Pike is at the front now!

rockmonkeysc

Marzocchi have now been bought by Fox so I would now buy the 350ncr.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http://www.pinkbike.com/news/fox-racing-shox-acquires-marzocchi-2015.html&sa=U&ved=0CCQQFjADahUKEwiV4rS5q9DIAhVHMhoKHdZ6Dr0&sig2=MVjxdQBN_4SWb82AIh-YBw&usg=AFQjCNGJuPuv6A3EBvYiREt2OC6AAqmZHg

John Wh

I've just read that on Face Ache!

Hmm, the 350 NCR is quite a looker too. It's either that or the Pike I guess now. I've pretty much discarded the thought of second hand due to amount I'm spending.

dusk

Surely the Mattoc is worth a punt at that price, I'm a big fan of mine.

John Wh

I did give the mattoc serious consideration, but the marzocchi won with the recent news. I've ordered it and it should be here on Thursday!

poah

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19726142#p19726142]RockmonkeySC[/url] wrote:

Marzocchi have now been bought by Fox so I would now buy the 350ncr.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http://www.pinkbike.com/news/fox-racing-shox-acquires-marzocchi-2015.html&sa=U&ved=0CCQQFjADahUKEwiV4rS5q9DIAhVHMhoKHdZ6Dr0&sig2=MVjxdQBN_4SWb82AIh-YBw&usg=AFQjCNGJuPuv6A3EBvYiREt2OC6AAqmZHg

they haven't been bought by fox, fox have acquired certain assets. what those assets are and what it means for current owners is unknown.

antludlow

Fox 36 all day long. Don't ever touch BOS suspension. They may look nice and have good reviews, but they are an absolute nightmare if anything goes wrong and very expensive to service (they don't even let you know what oil is used in them). The 36's are brilliant.