Changing forks . . . newbie

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Hi Folks. I have a specialized hardrock sport with hyd discs. I was toying with the idea of replacing the forks but wondered of what issues were involved ?

Would be much appreciated to get some advice on what to look out for.

Cheers

newmember · May 2007

Not many, if you mean the actual changing of the fork, then its an easy job, 10 minutes or so, just unscrew the top cap, take off the handlebars, and the fork should tap out, make sure the lower cup doesnt fall out, if it does your bike is borked, but it shouldnt on a new one.... as for the actual choice of fork, don't go above 130mm travel and you will be fine in most cases...

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My Custom Steed</center>

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

I take it if you go for a bigger travel it will upset the way the bike handles ?

newmember · May 2007

it will make the steering noticeably slacker, but you will get used to it, a hardrock with 130mm travel is still a nice bike, and obviously if you get a fork with wind down travel (U-Turn for Rock Shox) then you can change the travel on the go anyway...

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My Custom Steed</center>

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Thanks for that. Just to be sure, when you mention the lower cup is this on the fork or the frame ?

Thanks again.

ddoogie · May 2007

The Hardrock has a fairly lax head angle as it is. Its 70 degrees with a 100mm fork so I really wouldn't put too much extra travel on it.

You will need to measure the length of the steerer tube on the current fork and then cut the new fork to the same length. Use a cutting guide to make sure its straight. The crown race will also need to be moved from the old fork to the new one. A blunt scewdriver should do the trick to knock it off the crown.

To save cutting the steerer (dependings how long it is really) you could just install a few more spacers underneath the stem. Not the best way to go about things as it makes the bike a bit taller.

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S-Works Stumpjumper FSR

newmember · May 2007

A friend of mine uses 130mm on his hardrock, its fine, although it's also fine with 100mm, its personal choice and riding style, the crown race is fairly important, google it if you arent too sure, but i would recommend getting your bike shop to change the crown race over as you can bork it with a screwdriver. and the lower cup comes out of the headset, which is in the frame, but it almost certainly won't fall out, so don't worry about it.

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My Custom Steed</center>

mongooseTE17 · May 2007

Don't forget the starnut!

My Elite!
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1331161/

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Hmmm, thought this was going to be easier [:0]

newmember · May 2007

it will be fine, best thing to do is take it to your bike shop, they should only charge a tiny amount for labour anyway

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My Custom Steed</center>

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Might just do that. Is there any particular forks I should avoid when looking around i.e is second hand forks a good route to go ?
Cheers

newmember · May 2007

should be fine, but post any links here just in case... what sort of budget do you have?

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My Custom Steed</center>

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Probably (whispering quietly so the wife doesn't hear) up to œ180 :-)

newmember · May 2007

You should be able to pick up Rock Shox Recons or even Rock Shox revelations (Air & U-Turn) if you are lucky... or if you go the 100mm route, Rebas or marzocchi of some kind, but im not great with marzocchi so i wont recommend anything incase me gets it wrong.

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My Custom Steed</center>

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

To be honest I am keen for the longer travel. I have seen fox float forks going 2nd hand in this price range and wondered about those. I take it whichever I go for I should see a big imporvment over the the stock RST's that come with the bike.

Red Lemon · May 2007

I'd be wary of buying fox forks second hand. Excellent forks, but they need to be maintained and you never know how much abuse they've taken.

If you want longer travel, the fork I'd go for is a Rockshox Revelation with U-Turn, if you can find one in the price range you're looking at. And I'd definitely be happier about buying a used Revelation than Fox Float.

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Thanks Red Lemon. Looks like I've a wee bit research to do before I buy. Cheers for all the input guys.

newmember · May 2007

I agree with RL - revelations are definitely the way to go, brilliant quality, and Fox Forks without a warranty are worthless said a wise man... i think it was RL actually...

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My Custom Steed</center>

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Interesting about the fox forks. Found a set of Revelations listed on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rockshox-Revelation-forks-06-same-as-2007-426-forks_W0QQitemZ220115226713QQihZ012QQcategoryZ36135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Might keep an eye on these [:)]

Nickswolves · May 2007

Rockshox Tora 318?

mr_b_at_home · May 2007

Certainly the right price range. What would I lose in getting these over the ebay one ? Is it a matter of weight ?

Nickswolves · May 2007

You know they haven't been mullered and at that price are as good as anything in your price range for new forks. Reliable good fork.

newmember · May 2007

the toras are good forks, but they won't match the quality of the revelations,
especially the ones you linked to, they are in good condition.

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My Custom Steed</center>

mr_b_at_home · June 2007

Bought myself a new set of RockShox Revelations from the states. Now fitted and making a big difference to the bike. Thanks again for the advice.

BTR · June 2007

If you don't know what you're doing, I'd recommend getting a bike shop to do it, because you might not set them up properly.

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<center><blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Red Lemon

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mr_b_at_home · June 2007

Setting them up is easy enough. I had Alpine Bikes fit them though for the princely sum of œ15, a bargain I would say :-)

Changing forks . . . newbie

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