What a difference new fork has made!!!
Coolnick
Posts: 380
I had some MX Pro forks fitted on Tuesday night following some sound advice on this forum in replacement of my old Manitou Axel forks. Went for a ride last night around local firs and could not believe the difference they have made to the ride and handling. I was much less tired afterwards as they don't bob around as much as old fork and they soaked up all the bumps and tree roots in there stride easily. Definitely the best œ145 I've spent and anyone considering a new fork with a budget of œ150 quid take a look at them, they will make such a difference. I feel like I have a new bike now!!!
Thanks to all who suggested these forks - you've made a rejuvenated biker v happy!
Thanks to all who suggested these forks - you've made a rejuvenated biker v happy!
Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 2012
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 2012
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MX Pros are what i am after for my new Kula frame, not got œ150 though so trying to find a bargain on ebay[:D]0
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Leisure Lakes in Daventry price matched and chucked in free fitting on mine - good luck with your search - they are a gem!Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
A good fork will transform many budget bikes. Glad you enjoy the improvement.
my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail0 -
Bikes a 2004 Rockhopper so rest of bike pretty good, brakes next stop!Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
Mcobie, if you are interested Merlin are selling MX Pro's for œ119.95. A very good price methinks!0
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<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Seagull</i>
A good fork will transform many budget bikes. Glad you enjoy the improvement.
my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">i keep telling people this but they insist on spending their money on other things first.
a good fork is imho the best upgrage anyone can make on an entry level bike, the rest can follow later.
nick
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110% agree - I was stunned by the difference it has made, it doesn't feel like the same bike it was before. Also proves you don't have to spend the earth to get a decent upgrade.Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
Thats the thing with bikes of œ500-œ600. The frame is a large percentage of the cost, and after wheels, disc brakes and a groupset there often isn't a lot left in the budget for a fork, so you often see forks worth less than œ100, when another œ50 of budget will get a good solid fork.
After comments from many people new to the sport, it seems that many are swayed by an XT rear derailluer, when most people would be far better off with a Deore groupset and a good solid fork. Thats the way Merlin do their bikes and its a winning formula IMO.
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Agreed. When I bought the bike back in 2005 in the sale I had œ500 to spend and nearly went for a bike with disc brakes but decided following some research to go with the Rockhopper due to review in MBUK that rated it's frame as one of the best in œ500 market for upgrading with in due course, despite only avg fork and v brakes. I wanted best frame I could afford for very reason of upgrading in due course. Now I have added better fork I'm glad I did. Deore/LX mechs were also std too.Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
You mean these?
Hmm, that price is affordable to me, quite cheaper than the RS Recons!
I actually haven't ridden other people's bikes on real trails, only my own fitted with 100mm RS Dart 3's so I cannot compare...
At first I thought I need a better fork only because the Dart is the lowest class among Rock Shox forks, and I'm not among the lowest-skilled riders [:D]. However, on the last few rides, the Darts seem to work pretty well for me! Like, I'm on a fast descent, big root #1, #2 and #3 one afther another, just attack them at the right angle and watch your balance for the mini drops behind each root, and whamm my Dart soaks them all up! And it seems pretty stable too in geenral downhill conditions...
Regarding bobbing, you mean, like your damping doesn't work good? Or the springs don't react to the bumps as they should so you still get a lot of vertical movement in the bars?
Because here I am, satisfied with my budget fork, having money for a new one, but willing to spend only if it would really make a difference...
<font size="1">To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...</font id="size1">
KTM Ultra Flite 2007http://tinyurl.com/357krj The mud hog0 -
Yep they are the correct one's I have bought.
If your happy with your Dart 3's I'd be tempted to keep hold of them for now, especially if they do what you need them to do well, which sounds like they are.
My Manitou forks were ok but didn't offer much in the way of damping. When I say 'bobbing' I mean as in when your out the saddle riding uphill they bob up and down too much wasting valuable energy. The MX Pro's are much stiffer and less prone to it. Also if you brake hard on them the bike doesn't lunge forward.Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Seagull</i>
Thats the thing with bikes of œ500-œ600. The frame is a large percentage of the cost, and after wheels, disc brakes and a groupset there often isn't a lot left in the budget for a fork, so you often see forks worth less than œ100, when another œ50 of budget will get a good solid fork.
After comments from many people new to the sport, it seems that many are swayed by an XT rear derailluer, when most people would be far better off with a Deore groupset and a good solid fork. Thats the way Merlin do their bikes and its a winning formula IMO.
my photos NYM biking routes My full Suss My Hardtail
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Yeah... My bike costs 540 GBP, and the nicest thing on it seems to be the frame, I just like looking at it, seems really well designed... I'm a layman when it comes to welding and metalworking, but I especially like this part around the head tube!
And the derailleurs (Deore front/LX rear) really do their work... Never misshifted yet, and operating smoothly even when totally clogged up in mud. I think the higher class ones are only lighter and maybe last longer, but mine are as precise and responsive as I'd ever want them to be.
So the fork seems to be the only upgrade that might be needed, though not sure even...
<font size="1">To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...</font id="size1">
KTM Ultra Flite 2007http://tinyurl.com/357krj The mud hog0 -
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Coolnick</i>
My Manitou forks were ok but didn't offer much in the way of damping. When I say 'bobbing' I mean as in when your out the saddle riding uphill they bob up and down too much wasting valuable energy. The MX Pro's are much stiffer and less prone to it. Also if you brake hard on them the bike doesn't lunge forward.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Hmm, I just use lockout on such climbs, ond road and out of the saddle. However I find the suspension quite useful for steep, slow uphills in the first gear. As very little weight lies on the front wheel, it can easily bounce upward off small rocks and roots, and the suspension reduces those bumps and improves stability when climbing. And it doesn't bob as you pedal, only works for about an inch of travel when it encounters stones, 'cause there isn't much weight on it and you move slowly...
<font size="1">To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...</font id="size1">
KTM Ultra Flite 2007http://tinyurl.com/357krj The mud hog0 -
Would there be a significant difference in performance with MX Pro over say some Judy J4's?
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Thats a question for the more experienced riders here, I'm not too sure what the Judy J4's are like. The MX Pro are air sprung and have rebound adjustment on them also. No lockout function unless you get ETA model that is about œ175. They are basic in terms of features but appear v good quality. MBUK said in recent review of Genesis Altitude 2.0 bike that MX Pro fork is probably there fave Marzocchi trail fork so thats praise indeed.Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
The main issue I have with my J4s is that they stick loads. I'm forever prising off the seals to lube them and stuff. Tried all sorts of tweaking of preload and stuff which rarely makes them more responsive.
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I would therefore say then, depending on budget (mine was only œ150) that the MX Pro will be a good improvement on what you currently have. If you have more money there maybe other options better, not sure. Rock Shox Tora also worth a look too so I'm told.Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
Hopefully a nice shiny new link will now take you to my bike pics. Ok so it's work in progress, not done much yet but pleased with start!Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
Nick! Really glad to hear that you're getting on well with your forks!
I don't think a MX PRO will be a significant improvement over a Judy 4, although if the Judy is old (and in need of tlc), of course a new MX PRO will feel much nicer!
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Oh I am....it's ACE! Can't wait to get back in saddle!
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=176616Boardman HT Comp 2012>
Spesh Rockhopper 2004 - 20120 -
Hey, do you need to buy a shock pump extra when you have air forks?
<font size="1">To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...</font id="size1">
KTM Ultra Flite 2007http://tinyurl.com/357krj The mud hog0 -
Some come with pump, some don't... Ask before you buy.
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I suddenly got an urge to buy a new fork, when I don't mind about spending the money... So I guess the time has come! [:D]
There's a shop where I can get them tax-free, so the choice is:
1) Marzocchi MX Pro 100mm for 134 GBP
Everybody is saying it's good...
2) Rock Shox Tora 318 U-turn for 118 GBP
I'd take the Tora because it is cheaper, simpler, doesn't need a pump and has adjustable and longer travel but I don't know if I'll be able to use it at 130mm setting with my frame for riding downhill. I really need clarification on this one!
<font size="1">To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...</font id="size1">
KTM Ultra Flite 2007http://tinyurl.com/357krj The mud hog0 -
Yeah forks play a real big part in the ride of ya bike. Personally I like Pace forks, I've got the rc39's set up top notch on my klien, It took me a while to get my fox jobbies set up as well on my scott, but once they were set up proper they were top notch.
one of my bikes Scott scale 20
Another one 2004 klein attitude xv
and finally 2006 Giant anthem20 -
So... Tora or MX Pro? [:)]
<font size="1">To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...</font id="size1">
KTM Ultra Flite 2007http://tinyurl.com/357krj The mud hog0 -
MX of the two.
nick
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The fork I want has an IS mount, and I have a post mount caliper... Do you think they'll have the corresponding adapter in the shop? I haven't seen the adapter listed separately on their website. But it's a pretty well known shop, they have lots of stuff... Do you think they'll have an adapter handy to fit the fork to my brake? I hope those adapters don't cost too much.
<font size="1">To clip or not to clip, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind of men to suffer the dings and contusions of unclipp'd riding, or to bind thy feet against a sea of gnarly singletrack and by these contraptions, ride o'er them with ease. To clip... to slip no more, and by clipping to end the buttache and the thousand natural shocks that ryders are heir to; tis a consummation devoutly to be honed. No clip - to slip perchance to be thrashed most heinously...</font id="size1">
KTM Ultra Flite 2007http://tinyurl.com/357krj The mud hog0 -
they might what size disc? 160mm iirc you may have to go 180mm (185) or get the MX which is post.
nick
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"Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
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I'd say Tora ;-)
Well, only if its the 2006 air version. 2007 more geared towards AM riding.
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