Forks and upgrading or not
johngti
Posts: 2,508
I'm very much still learning my way through MTB stuff so please bear with me. I like fiddling with bikes so I tend to buy something cheap then do it up rather than spend a lot straight off the bat hence me ending up with a B'twin rock rider 520. Big heavy lump that it is when built up, I think the frame itself isn't half bad so I'm in the process of upgrading bits just because. Already done a 1x11 change which looks and feels lovely but now I'm thinking about the fork.
The stock one is 80mm travel and weighs over 2.5kg so heavy. Don't get me wrong, it works and all that but...
So, done a bit of research and found out I can go up to 100mm travel without much of a problem so that's what I'm looking at. Question is, would something like a Bonaly air fork be better then the stock one that decathlon sell for £55? It seems to have all the features in terms of adjustability but I'm aware of it being very cheap for an air fork. While I said I like fiddling and learning, I wouldn't be spending a fortune on parts for this frame, everything very much needs to be done on a budget. My aim is to be able to make the bike lighter and a capable of a little bit more than just a gravel trail, maybe some easy-ish XC style riding. I'm too much of a wuss to be thinking about downhill or anything that involves jumping off stuff!
TL:DR - is it better to stick with a stock, cheap coil fork or get an air fork even if that's cheap?
The stock one is 80mm travel and weighs over 2.5kg so heavy. Don't get me wrong, it works and all that but...
So, done a bit of research and found out I can go up to 100mm travel without much of a problem so that's what I'm looking at. Question is, would something like a Bonaly air fork be better then the stock one that decathlon sell for £55? It seems to have all the features in terms of adjustability but I'm aware of it being very cheap for an air fork. While I said I like fiddling and learning, I wouldn't be spending a fortune on parts for this frame, everything very much needs to be done on a budget. My aim is to be able to make the bike lighter and a capable of a little bit more than just a gravel trail, maybe some easy-ish XC style riding. I'm too much of a wuss to be thinking about downhill or anything that involves jumping off stuff!
TL:DR - is it better to stick with a stock, cheap coil fork or get an air fork even if that's cheap?
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Comments
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Unless you pay a load of money for a coil fork, air forks are always better. They are easy to adjust and lighter. But you do need to buy a shock pump so that you can inflate them to the correct level for you, and maintain that pressure at intervals.
I know nothing about the Bonaly air fork.0 -
They look the part if nothing else! My guess is they’re something you’d find on aliexpress and eBay only (which is where I’ve found them)
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/1240349032000 -
@johngti have you tried Mr Google to see what you can find?
I just did and this was the top of the page response.
https://forums.mtbr.com/shocks-suspension/bolany-air-suspension-fork-post-your-experience-here-1086640.html
It also happened to be the only response that had any reviews in it.0 -
Yeah I saw that. Seemed 50/50 to me. I certainly wouldn’t want to spend more than that because it’s basically not worth it. Hmm have to have a think0
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Decision made. Its a "not" with this fork. I'll keep my eye out for something used. Thanks Steve!0
