140mm fork for trek 4300 ht

frazered
frazered Posts: 333
edited April 2012 in MTB buying advice
Currently have the RST capa 80mm on my trek 4300. This has no movement on it any more and I would like to upgrade it to something smoother.
http://www.rst.com.tw/ct/product/produc ... 9546362647

Rode coed y brenin MBR on Saturday and really noticed how harsh it was.

I am out of touch and unclear what will be

1. A compatible replacement

2. A good vfm upgrade ( under 200 quid - new or used fork)

My research seems to be saying suntour epicon or rockshox Tora ?

Thanks

Comments

  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    I wouldn't go above 100mm maybe get a 100-120mm fork so that you can see how you go. There will be a big difference going to any quality 100mm fork. If you budget can stretch look for Reba dual air.

    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... L-2012.htm

    Buying used can be a false economy if the first thing you have to do is service them, which will cost you £80-100 unless you can do it yourself.
  • frazered
    frazered Posts: 333
    thanks, interesting, I was comparing to a ragley blue pig and thinking i needed to get towards a 140 to 150mm fork. I will have a look at some 100 - 120mm forks.

    £200 really is my limit as spending more would be a good chunk towards saving up for a full sus bike and leaving the existing fork on.

    would any of the ones mentioned be fine to move onto my frame? in terms of sizing, steerer etc? I would be guessing on these aspects and don't want to buy something not compatible.

    thanks
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Cheaper Rebas
    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRERL-BL ... qr___1_1_8

    Or Recons
    http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRECGLDA ... th_poplock
    They are not Motion Control though - blurb is wrong.

    Going from 80 to 140mm will kill your frame, and probably you. Stick to 100mm.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • jfry94
    jfry94 Posts: 392
    2014 Giant Trance 27.5 1
    2013 Cannondale Jekyll 3
    2007 Carrera Kraken
  • diy
    diy Posts: 6,473
    Is your current bike disc or v-brake? I'd pass on those recons if you have discs as they are disc/v-brake model and ideally unless you need the v-brake stubs you don't want them. Any quality air fork will be substantially better than an 80mm cheap coil spring forks. Its not about how much travel you have its how you can tune it, to your weight and riding style. Those rebas cool dad linked to are 100ml only, but on the money and well worth that extra, when you compare what you can get in the sub £200 range.

    To give you a comparison, my first mtb had 80mm cheap coil forks, I upgraded them to Solo air Tora's and the bike was completely different. As different as my first experience going from ht to full sus. Forks make a big difference to a bike and as cool dad says anything over 120mm (and probably 100mm) will destroy your bikes geometry and could well cause the frame to fail.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    Nothing wrong with the Recons at that price - they have V bosses but you don't have to use them - probably the best option on a strict budget. The Rebas are worth the extra - if you have the cash.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

    Parktools
  • frazered
    frazered Posts: 333
    cheers chaps - i have hayes disc brakes, i will look at decent 100mm forks, prob seek out a similar HT somewhere and compare