New Fork Advice
MickyMick
Posts: 33
Hi!
Sorry if this is the wrong area for this post but I'm a First time poster...so please be gentle!
Cutting to the chase. I have a Specialized Rockhopper 2003 edition bought at end of 2002 which came with 2002 Manitou Axel front forks. I recently snapped them in half and now have to find a new pair. Bit of a bummer really as I've only got back into the sport after a couple of years of problematic leg injuries and jsut when the weight is starting o fall off and the fitness is incresing. Also, i'm currently unemployed and was hoping the bike would have lasted another year before I upgraded after finding new employment.
Anyway...because of this i'm ideally going to find a replacement around the œ100-œ200 mark that will suit a 17.5 stone 6'1" male who generally rides roads during the week for fitness and cross country at 7-stanes centres at the weekend (usually Glentress , Mabie or Ae).
from What i've read so far most people seem to suggest Rockshox Tora 318's or Marzocchi MZ Comps. Are there any others worth considering and are they suitable for my weight and 7-stanes riding. Will/can i adjust the shocks easily enough to suit my weight? I noticed on the Rock Shox website that the Tora 318's have a travel of: 80/100/130mm / 85-130mm what exactly does this mean? Does it mean i buy the forks with either 80/100/130mm travel or that they can be adjusted to between 85-130mm of travel? (did that make sense??!!)
Should have added that i used to notice that my manitou's used to bottom out if any drops were greater than 1.5' - 2' but this was probably due to my weight.
Thanks in advance for any help.
MickyMick
Sorry if this is the wrong area for this post but I'm a First time poster...so please be gentle!
Cutting to the chase. I have a Specialized Rockhopper 2003 edition bought at end of 2002 which came with 2002 Manitou Axel front forks. I recently snapped them in half and now have to find a new pair. Bit of a bummer really as I've only got back into the sport after a couple of years of problematic leg injuries and jsut when the weight is starting o fall off and the fitness is incresing. Also, i'm currently unemployed and was hoping the bike would have lasted another year before I upgraded after finding new employment.
Anyway...because of this i'm ideally going to find a replacement around the œ100-œ200 mark that will suit a 17.5 stone 6'1" male who generally rides roads during the week for fitness and cross country at 7-stanes centres at the weekend (usually Glentress , Mabie or Ae).
from What i've read so far most people seem to suggest Rockshox Tora 318's or Marzocchi MZ Comps. Are there any others worth considering and are they suitable for my weight and 7-stanes riding. Will/can i adjust the shocks easily enough to suit my weight? I noticed on the Rock Shox website that the Tora 318's have a travel of: 80/100/130mm / 85-130mm what exactly does this mean? Does it mean i buy the forks with either 80/100/130mm travel or that they can be adjusted to between 85-130mm of travel? (did that make sense??!!)
Should have added that i used to notice that my manitou's used to bottom out if any drops were greater than 1.5' - 2' but this was probably due to my weight.
Thanks in advance for any help.
MickyMick
0
Comments
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what brakes? V or disc.
taking the brakes out of the discusion.
Toras are very good especially with the pop lock.
the MX's with ETA are also very good but cost more.
so if you dont have discs toras, but if you do MX's due to the mounts.
nick
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Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
What about the MX pro's as they are more adjustable for weight, being air sprung?
My Bikes howies© Orange Bikes0 -
Thanks nick.
I currently have v-barakes but after the recent downpours at glentress the past 2 weekends have been thinking about disk brakes and could possibly stretch to get them if i don't spend too much on the forks. I have seen the Shimano XT M765's on wiggle for œ125? do you rate them? (http://www.wiggle.co.uk./ProductDetail. ... rake%20Set)
or better to hold off and spend a bit more? what would you recommend?
PS: what does ETA stand for?
M_M0 -
Thanks GravityEngine.
I notice that they come with either 80mm or 100mm travel. What would be better for me and how does this affect handling or 'Bottoming-out'(??) ?
Should also have mentioned i'm not quite upto speed with all the technology involved!
M_M0 -
ETA is Marz's lock down system.
XT are good brakes, you would gave to get the adaptor to fit the brake. tora is IS mount, MX is post.
you do have disc ready hubs?
re the travel what do you currently have?
nick
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Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Yeah i have disc ready hubs but they are disc-ready as of 2003 but from what i understand they should be OK.
As to current travel i'm not to sure? From memory they are 80mm convertible to 100mm but i hadn't performed any conversions so guessing they are 100mm. how would i go about finding this out?
M_M0 -
just measure the staintion that is visible (inner leg) make sure the fork is fully extended.the measurement will not be the travel but should be close enough for you to see.
nick
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Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
cheers again for the advice i'll have a look in the morning. how will this affect the decison on which fork to buy...should i buy a fork with the same travel so that the ride (i.e. the bikes geometry) stays the same?
M-M0 -
Ok...just measured the innerleg portion that is visible. it reads approx. 105mm. you can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9416008@N07/648411636/
Other photos of the break are located here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9416008@N07/
I should also have added previously how much maintainence is req'd with RockShox and Marzocchi forks, how easy it?
cheers,
M-M0 -
Just to update...after the discussion on here and with the sales rep in dales,my LBS, i decided to go a little out my range and go for the the Rockshox Recon 351 U-turns with poploc. i've stripped the old manitous off the bike and once i cut the stearing tube to size tomorrow (any hints on doing this?!) i'll finish fitting it and let you all know how they ride.
I'm following the guide for fitting the forks from this site http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/forkoff.htm
It seems straight forward...is it really as easy as it's made out on the site?
cheers for all the advice given
M-M0 -
Update!
Although a bit apprehensive i followed the above link for fitting the forks and it worked out just fine (Touch wood!)
The forks have been used more or less every week since i fitted them at one of the 7-stanes centres and I cannot believe i suffered on the manitous for 5+yrs! what a revelation they are. my friend has the air sprung version of them and loves them also!
also upgraded to the XT765 disc brakes...what a difference they have made to my riding-fingers crossed!! lol
I would heartily recommend both the forks and brakes to anyone thinking of changing to them!0
