XC fork recommendations?

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04-13-2005, 11:14 AM
El Chupacabra

XC fork recommendations?

I want to upgrade the suspension fork on my bike, and am looking for recommendations.

Bike: ti hardtail Dean Scout, Avid discs, XT der/shift, misc goodies. Fork is currently a Manitou Black Elite 80/100, which stays at the 80mm setting almost all the time. I do 99% trail riding, no big jumps or hucks, no lift-served biking.

I want a fork that is lighter, stiffer (fore-aft direction), and better dampening adjustment (compression & rebound). Needs to be disc brake compatible, 1 1/8" steerer. Any recommendations? The Marzocchi and Fox forks have a rep for good damping, but used to be on the heavy end of the spectrum.

I haven't shopped forks in several years. The Manitou Black came with the bike as part of a parts combo when I bought it; it seems more like a light-duty freeride fork than an XC fork, so I don't know why it's on this bike...

-Karl
04-13-2005, 11:38 AM
biggins

Rock Shox SID- light, stiff, adjustable as heck. Racers choice nearly across the board
04-13-2005, 12:52 PM
El Chupacabra

The SID was the first fork that came to mind. However, I've heard from several riders (who weigh less than me) that it's kinda flexy. Truth? or has RockShox improved the SID over the years?

-Karl
04-13-2005, 12:55 PM
Telephil

I've also heard that about the SID, it is by far the lightest race quality fork, but I've also heard it is quite flexy, largely due to trying to make it light I guess. I would go with the FOX F80 RLT. I had that on my race bike I just sold. It's about 150 grams heavier than the SID, if I remember correctly, but the stantions are super thick so it doesn't flex at all. If you want more travel, the Float 100 RLC.
04-13-2005, 01:41 PM
snow_slider

Another vote for the Fox forks. SIDs are flexy as hell, but I'm at over 200 lbs when all decked out with gear, so what's flexy to me might be ok for some of you lightweights.

FOX is rock solid and still pretty light.
04-13-2005, 03:52 PM
El Chupacabra

Thanks guys -- 1 vote for the Fox F80 RLT. Are there other (light) Fox forks that I should look at? Everything I've heard on the Fox line is that they're stiff, plush, and well-made, but they used to be all fairly heavy. If they've managed to make them light, but keep all the good features, then that's the fork for me.

-Karl
04-13-2005, 03:52 PM
Gaffney10

anything Fox or Marzocchi..
04-13-2005, 04:40 PM
Particle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaffney10

anything Fox or Marzocchi..

Anything...like a Marz 66RC, 888RC, Fox DH40... ;)
04-13-2005, 04:49 PM
Mr. Altagirl

Quote:

Originally Posted by Particle

Anything...like a Marz 66RC, 888RC, Fox DH40... ;)

I'm getting a DH40, pretty light and stiff (for a DH bike) :wink:

I also want a DH36 for my trail bike but again, probably not what you are looking for. AG has a lightweight Fox on her XC bike and it has been stellar.
04-13-2005, 05:18 PM
AfroMullet

Sid is really flexy. If you like 80mm go for a fox F80RLT. I haven't been dissapointed in mine.
04-13-2005, 06:37 PM
scoober

If you find the Black too flexy, the SID will not be your cup of tea.

The new Manitou Rseven is looking like a serious threat to the XC race fork market. It is supposed to be as stiff as the Minute, but the 100mm Platinum version weighs a claimed 2.9lbs. (the heaviest model is 3.1lbs)

Rseven info from here
04-13-2005, 07:01 PM
focus

fox is supa stiff.

made a huge diff for me in how confident i feel on tech singletrack
04-14-2005, 07:48 AM
El Chupacabra

I'm shopping prices on the Fox F80 RLT -- damn this fork is expensive! Best deal seems to be $650 incl. King headset, = $550 fork.

-Karl
04-14-2005, 08:28 AM
Telephil

Make sure you check Ebay. I got mine brand new last year for under $400.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...149182063&rd=1
04-14-2005, 08:50 AM
marshalolson

el c- i'll check to see what i can offer you through my shop today, and pm you back.

oh and SID's blow. look at white bros also.

-m
04-14-2005, 10:09 AM
phatfreeheeler

I wouldn't quite say the SID's blow, but they are flexy and not as plush compared to others. I rode one for 5 solid years without problems and i loved the light weight front end. So light at 2.85lbs on my scale :eek: When it was time to upgrade (stupid garage and roof rack :cussing: ) I went with a Marzocchi Marathon and am totally impressed with the ride quality. Soooo much more precise, stiff, and tons more plush. Almost coil plush. It is 1lb heavier but is 105mm and can be locked down for climbs. Unfortunately, it's a little short for my new frame so I'll be letting it go at a great deal. PM me if interested, it's only been used for ~100 miles.

I also like the Fox forks, very stiff and plush once they are broken in.

I used to design & build parts for Manitou so I don't like their forks ;) but maybe things have changed.
04-14-2005, 10:54 AM
Gaffney10

I know the Marz and the Fox are probably the best out there but I was wondering if an air or a coil fork is better for XC riding. I ride mostly singletrack with some riding in the mountains.

I have a 2004 Kona Kikapu with a Marz MZ-Comp fork with 100mm travel.
What Marz or Fox fork would be a good upgrade, one that would be less than $300 (a 2004 closeout or one at a great price)? Thanks for the help!
04-14-2005, 08:35 PM
Spats

If you're willing to put up with a 3.8# (claimed) fork, Jenson has the Marathon SL on sale for $329. It's adjustable to 80, 100, or 120mm.

Personally, I think that non-rotating weight doesn't matter that much. 1 pound is about 1/200th the weight of you and a bike -- not a big deal unless you're racing and need every second.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...hon+Sl+04.aspx
04-14-2005, 10:27 PM
marshalolson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spats

Jenson has the Marathon SL on sale for $329. It's adjustable to 80, 100, or 120mm.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...hon+Sl+04.aspx

^^^that is a sweet deal... the forks are internally adjustable, not on the fly.
my old 2003 marathon sl was 3.4 lbs FYI and was really nice...
04-15-2005, 10:07 AM
El Chupacabra

I don't know jack about the Marathon SL -- should I go for this Jenson deal, or hold out for another (more XC-oriented?) fork?

What I don't like about the Manitou Black I have is that changing the travel (80mm to 100mm or vice versa) changes the spring rate. Does the Marathon suffer from this as well? (web link to Jenson site says it changes rebound damping automatically when travel is adjusted, but what about spring rate/ preload?)

-Karl
04-15-2005, 09:20 PM
marshalolson

those marathons are sweet. if you wnat something stiffer than you black, the marathon is a light as you are going to get.......
04-18-2005, 12:46 PM
El Chupacabra

Picked a fork--

2004 Manitou Skareb Elite, new in box. Light weight, disc compatible, and 80mm travel only -- no weird adjustable travel stuff to screw with. It was also only $150. :D

I actually liked how the Manitou Black damps in the 100mm setting (plush), just not at the 80mm setting (harsh). We'll see how the Skareb compares.

-Karl
04-18-2005, 03:04 PM
scoober

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Picked a fork--

2004 Manitou Skareb Elite, new in box. Light weight, disc compatible, and 80mm travel only -- no weird adjustable travel stuff to screw with. It was also only $150. :D

I actually liked how the Manitou Black damps in the 100mm setting (plush), just not at the 80mm setting (harsh). We'll see how the Skareb compares.

-Karl

The Skarab should be fine at 80mm. The spring rate changed on your Black at 80mm because all the travel adjust allowed on the older Blacks was to compress the 100mm spring 20mm. Your Skarab Elite will have a true 80mm spring, so it should have the same quality of travel that you expect.
04-18-2005, 04:21 PM
biggins

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggins

Rock Shox SID- light, stiff, adjustable as heck. Racers choice nearly across the board

heh heh... apparently not across this board. To be honest- racing and light riding are a foreign language to me, so I spoke presumptuously. Pretty cool how quickly a motivated response came about with a better suggestion. This place is sweet.

Confident the Fox'll do you well.
that sounded dirty.