New Shock Advice

[scwva]

I am in need of a new front shock. I would use it for XC use, not DH so I don't need 9" of travel. My bike has an 1 1/8" headset and V brakes (no disc). I weigh 190lbs.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[markie]

You need to work aout how much travel your bike was originally set up for. If it had an 80mm fork before it is probably best to get another 80mm fork or else it will change your bikes handling....

What bike and fork do you have currently?

[scwva]

IF Deluxe. My current shock has 80mm travel. I would also like to stay in the $400 range.

[markie]

Umm, well there are not tons of choices for 80mm shocks.....

SID, flexy-OK if you are light

Manitou Skareb, similar to above.
New Manitou, (seven) or whatever it is called, it is like an updated skareb. Manitous quality control seems to be on the wane. The forks seem to be cheaper made than before.

Marzocchi. Not much option for 80mm forks. Either a cheap $280 option (MX eta?) or a Marathon SL.

Personally I chose none of the above and got a second hand Fox F80RLT. I highly recommend the fox option it is more than you want to pay, but it works really nicely and has much higher rated reliability/ more infrequent servicing than other forks excpet perhaps the Marathon SL. So it will probably be worth the outlay.

Either that or just go rigid.

Look at the user reviews on MTBR.com if you want to be convinced that spending money on a fox is the right thing to do.

[themonkeyman]

A manitou Black can be set up with 80mm of travel. The nice thing is even the Air-sprung version is only $350--and they're strong too.

Good luck--Graham


P.S. Look in the marketplace, there were a couple of Fox's for sale in there

[gaz]

It's going to be tough finding a good fork that can accomodate your v-brakes.

Also, I'm surprised that the SS Cult hasn't come out suggesting that in addition to getting a rigid fork, you should use the money you save to buy a chain tensioner! ;)

I have a Fox Vanilla 125RLC that can be modified down to 100mm or 80mm of travel, which I might be willing to part with for the right price. PM me if interested...

[markie]

A manitou Black can be set up with 80mm of travel. The nice thing is even the Air-sprung version is only $350--and they're strong too.



I didn't see Manitou Blacks at 80mm a few months ago when I was looking. It seems they are expensive now:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FK605A13-Manitou+Black+Super+Air+05.aspx

A quick froogle.com search revealed no bargains. I know the blacks have been on sale at performance and such, but they are mostly boss-less and with more travel.

[markie]

I have a Fox Vanilla 125RLC

The travel of those things can be wound down to 90mm, right?

[gaz]

Yup. I am dumb and just edited my post with that info!

[Snot-Rocket]

I am in need of a new front shock. I would use it for XC use, not DH so I don't need 9" of travel. My bike has an 1 1/8" headset and V brakes (no disc). I weigh 190lbs.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

You should detail your specific requirements, like are you looking for 80-mm or want to upgrade to 100-mm. What is your current shock, what did you like or dislike about it aside from color? PM me your checking account number with SSN? XC is a broad definition, how about- answering, when riding along and you come up to a 6" log pile, do you:

a. dismount and shoulder carry over it...
b. Bash and Crash, going WTF?
c. Bash and roll- thinking I cleaned that MF!
d. clean via nice rubber-to-rubber majickery
e. Bunny/J-Hop flawlessly over it
f. None of the Above- I XC on paved trails...ha, ha!

Also, is your front-hub disc compatible...if you are upgrading Front Shocks, you should sniff out running a front Disc Brake...sweet performance upgrade!

Off the cuff, if on a budget and 100-mm is legal for you, the Marzocchi MX Comp series has turned out to be a nice economical shock for me...I'm like 230+, very stiff, easy to set up- heavy, but who cares when your geared bike weighs 32-lbs...ha, ha!

Joy,

[Joe Yannie]

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/13696-315_ROCRS5-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Rock-Shox-Reba-SL-U-Turn.htm

[cjled]

I'd look for an 04 Fox Vanilla from Cambria (even though I dislike their service) and have it set to the height you need by a qualified shop if you are not familiar with moving the spcaers around inside the fork. An 04 should have V brake posts (05s won't) and they are nice forks, and will be adjustable to future needs. You may need a stiffer spring, but they are fairly cheap and widely available.

[drewdane]

I am in need of a new front shock. I would use it for XC use, not DH so I don't need 9" of travel. My bike has an 1 1/8" headset and V brakes (no disc). I weigh 190lbs.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Greenfish has a decent deal on the Black model with 80 - 100 mm adjustable travel:

http://www.greenfishsports.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=339

I have blacks on both of my bikes, and I like them. They're very sturdy, and feel nice. Use the money you save on Greenfish's sale to pick up some Avid mech disc brakes for a total front end upgrade! :D

[scwva]

[QUOTE=Snot-Rocket]You should detail your specific requirements, like are you looking for 80-mm or want to upgrade to 100-mm. What is your current shock, what did you like or dislike about it aside from color? PM me your checking account number with SSN?

Marzocchi Bomber Light Z3, I put a stiffer spring it because it was to soft and would bottom out.

Answer: e

Don't you need my mother's maiden name to properly access my accounts? :D

[mtnbkr]

If you're going to upgrade to disc, buy my FOX F100RL. I'm told it can be adjusted to 80mm, and it's super sweet. I'm asking $450 and posted in the marketplace.

Calvin

[Snot-Rocket]

[QUOTE=Snot-Rocket]You should detail your specific requirements, like are you looking for 80-mm or want to upgrade to 100-mm. What is your current shock, what did you like or dislike about it aside from color? PM me your checking account number with SSN?

Marzocchi Bomber Light Z3, I put a stiffer spring it because it was to soft and would bottom out.

Answer: e

Don't you need my mother's maiden name to properly access my accounts? :D


Ha- then you don't even need suspension [requisite Rigid SS Recommendation] :cool:

The Surly Instigator, was the easiest fork I ever dialed in, once I cut the steerer tube, stuck in a star nut, it mounted seamlessy to my frame. What is amazingly innovative about this technology, far above and beyond, Fox, Marzocchi, etc. They have imployed a technology where adjusting rebound and compression is integrated with putting air in or out of your tires- this really takes away all the necessity of manuals a special fork pump, etc. You can increase the max limits of Rebound/Compression by increasing tire size. I've never experienced any broken seals, leaks, pogo-ing, flex- NUthing...what is beyond amazing, all this technology for in and around $100.00 depending on shipping and handling...you can put the money you save into other performance upgrades for your ride! :D