Forks

[Cerberus]

Could have posted this in the other fork thread but I wanted my own. I'm in the market for a new fork and would like to know the best online sites. Already been to these:

www.jensonusa.com
www.pricepoint.com
www.blueskycycling.com
www.greenfishsports.com

Does anyone know of any others that may be worth a look?

[Jackson]

Could have posted this in the other fork thread but I wanted my own. I'm in the market for a new fork and would like to know the best online sites. Already been to these:

www.jensonusa.com
www.pricepoint.com
www.blueskycycling.com
www.greenfishsports.com

Does anyone know of any others that may be worth a look?

I've heard good things about speedgoat.com, but I've never used it. I've had no problems with jensonusa, though.

[jmblur]

www.universalcycles.com

Codes: vip10 (over $100 I think) vip15 (over $300) for 10/15% off.

Make sure you know how to install a fork - it requires cutting the steerer tube (and if you fuck up, your fork could be worthless to you), setting a star nut (ez), setting headset race (easy), adjusting headset (moderate), and possibly cutting/extending/bleeding hydraulic disc brakes.

If you don't know how to do these or aren't comfortable with them, speedgoat will cut + set star nut for $30, but I'd just buy it at a LBS with a MORE discount and have them do the work :)

[tuba_transport]

I've heard good things about speedgoat.com, but I've never used it. I've had no problems with jensonusa, though.

I buy a lot of stuff through speedgoat.com because their technical knowledge is excellent. They carry a lot of higher end stuff. Their prices are not the lowest but you will rarely have issues with customer service.

The only downside to Speedgoat is they are SLOW on custom stuff like bikes and wheel builds. The quality is outstanding but the wait is torturous.

For the stuff that is not custom they generally ship quick. And they are in PA so stuff gets here the next day via UPS ground.

If you can find the fork at Performance Bike then they have coupon codes ALL the time for killer deals.

[eloach]

I have purchased from all of the retailers you listed and have had zero problems.

[Buddylee]

Nothing wrong with any of the mentioned online retailers. But I gotta say. Support your local bike shop. There's a lot to be said for local service on a part which could very well end up needed service. Also, you are supporting local business and potentially a MORE sponsor. Even if you do pay a little extra, look at the extra money as going back into the local mtn bike community. Its very likely if you go around to some local shops and talk to them, they will find you as good a price as you can find online.

[Cerberus]

Nothing wrong with any of the mentioned online retailers. But I gotta say. Support your local bike shop. There's a lot to be said for local service on a part which could very well end up needed service. Also, you are supporting local business and potentially a MORE sponsor. Even if you do pay a little extra, look at the extra money as going back into the local mtn bike community. Its very likely if you go around to some local shops and talk to them, they will find you as good a price as you can find online.

Unfortunately many local shops lack the necessary scale to carry large ticket parts (or inventory) and, like you said, they rarely can compete on price. Having a friend that is a bike mechanic limits my need for service. In summation, when they have what I need, when I want it, at the best price, I will "support [my] local bike shop." Until then I will do my purchasing online.

[micky]

Why not see if the local shops price match. If they do, then everyone wins. The shop gets your business and you get the cheapest price without paying for shipping.

[CountZero]

I love my local shops, Princeton Sports, City Bikes, Conte's, and The Bike Lane.

If I were in the market for a new product, like a RockShox Lyrik, I would go to my local and ask politely for a 10% discount.

However, if I were shopping for a commonly found, mass produced fork, I would go straight to the online liquidators and look for a discounted prior-year's model.

[g_barr]

Do "Registered Users" qualify for LBS/Sponsor discounts? Isn't the MORE discount for 'card carrying' members?

Most local shops (if not all of them) have special order catalogs that have equal or better access to what on-line retailers offer. But on-line deals are hard to beat sometimes because they have a high volume advantage. I've also dealt with Universal and my experience was good.

There is also Nashbar, Cambria Bicycle Outfitters and REI. The later doesn't offer a wide selection or many deals. But REI is sort of a local bike shop too - they contribute a lot of money to MORE projects.

There is one distinct disadvantage to buying forks on-line if you have discs. I've found caliper mount descriptions on-line to be ambiguous at best. You should call the seller to verify IS or post-mount (unless you're buying new brakes or want to get stuck with a clearance fork that you can't return/exchange).

Off topic - do you wear three helmets Cerberus?

[punga]

...
There is one distinct disadvantage to buying forks on-line if you have discs. I've found caliper mount descriptions on-line to be ambiguous at best. You should call the seller to verify IS or post-mount (unless you're buying new brakes or want to get stuck with a clearance fork that you can't return/exchange).
...

I don't see this as an issue at all. There are adaptors to attach a caliper to either type. I needed one when I went from my Manitou to my Rock Shox. No big deal (and also why local shops are great: they usually have that stuff on hand, instead of ordering it online, waiting and hoping you got the right one).

p!

[g_barr]

I don't see this as an issue at all. There are adaptors to attach a caliper to either type.

I didn't think that example all the way through. The IS/post question is more of an inconvenience (if you don't plan ahead) than a deal-breaker. Thanks for keeping me in line P.

[BikerMiker]

Try asking your local bike shop what forks they can service in-house and see if those forks meet your needs so that WHEN you have a problem (not if), it can be taken care of locally and quickly. Also, if you buy it locally, you can ask that the service department stock a few parts for you (and others) if you run into problems.

Most local shops don't carry forks because most people buy them online. This isn't a chicken-and-egg thing. City Bikes has invested thousands of dollars in forks in the past to try and stock most of the stuff that we though people would buy (Fox, Maverick, etc) but no one bought forks or bought something we didn't have in stock.

If y'all bought more forks locally, shops would stock more. Plus, most forks are only two days away for us so why stock it? And no shipping charges for you! And a promise to take care of the fork when things go south...

mike

[Cerberus]

Off topic - do you wear three helmets Cerberus?

Someone knows their greek mythology. Nope, just one (really big one).

[Buddylee]

Unfortunately many local shops lack the necessary scale to carry large ticket parts (or inventory) and, like you said, they rarely can compete on price. Having a friend that is a bike mechanic limits my need for service. In summation, when they have what I need, when I want it, at the best price, I will "support [my] local bike shop." Until then I will do my purchasing online.

If you order online, you have to wait for shipping the same as you would if your local shop would order. So instant gratification is no different. Usually there are shipping costs involved as well. IF you ask around, most local shops can get the same products the discount online dealers are getting. Some might not be willing to do this, but i'm know some are. And if you try to put money back into the local community/economy. Then the LBS can do more for you. I actually never said they cannot compete on price. I said, yes, you MAY pay a little more, but not always. I know its fun to look at all the deals online. I know they are attractive and sometimes just can't be beat. But I feel very strongly about at least TRYING to support a LBS. Even if its REI or Performance. Having a friend who is a mechanic is a great resource. I do all my own work, can machine, weld, build just about anything, but i still need the service of my local businesses to get parts or to help me get warranty coverage from a manufacture. Some services are invaluable.

I don't mean to start a nasty debate at all. But I do think this is a pretty good subject. If not for the support of local shops and the people who run/work at them, we would not have organizations like MORE!

BTW, what kind of fork are you looking for? I wish you luck in finding what you want.

[mtnbkr]

A bit off topic, but has anyone tried the Manitou R-7s? I'd like to know how they compare w/ a reba and/or fox.

[Dirt]

I have to say that I'm moving away from forks almost entirely. I found that ThinkGeek.com (http://www.thinkgeek.com) has this little beauty for a very reasonable price:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/spork.jpg
Yup! You guessed right. That is a custom titanium spork! I guarantee you no-one on the trails (besides me) has one of these suckers.

It is light, springy and supremely functional. I've found that it works really well for pasta and cereal. I guarantee you that no fork mentioned in this thread will work as well as this thing for eating soup.

I'd also be willing to bet that the $9.99 price (plus shipping and handling) will fit most mountain biker's budgets.

I hope that helps.

Pete

[gddavid]

A bit off topic, but has anyone tried the Manitou R-7s? I'd like to know how they compare w/ a reba and/or fox.


I have two of them and I like them both. One is an 80mm platinum and the other is 100mm elite that I converted to a super lockout by replacing the damping assembly. I really have very little to compare them to as my previous forks have always been bottom of the line junk. I bought both used and rebuilt both so I'm pretty familiar with them I just don't have anything to compare them to. Anyone is welcome give them a ride. The platinum is a platform fork that gives you plenty of variables to play with but for simplicity I think I prefer the super lock out.