Bigger fork?

[house]

well, im thinking of gettin a bigger fork. this is why: i flopped the link on my enduro, and like the extra clearance it gives me. but on the other hand, i would like to bring the front of the bike back up a little bit too. Sooo, im contemplating a 5 incher or so in front to replace the stock 100mm mx comp and make it a lil more downhill friendly. hows this idea sound? and if its good, what 5 inch-ish forks are good for me (i like to ride it all, this is my only bike)?

[crashnburn'd]

Sherman Flick or Z1 would be what I'd get.

[Art Vandelay]

I just got a Z1 drop off II for $220 and so far it's handled everything I've thrown at it. It's different than a Z1 fr, but plenty good for me. I ride light dh,dj,urban,trials,park and the fork has worked well in each. A sherman would be better if you have the money.

[Oarhead]

I have a fox vanilla 125 RL (with the heavy spring) and I have to give it a huge vote of confidence.

I tip the scales at 210 and have never blown a seal even after repeated 6-7 foot drops (that ended up killing my burly HT frame). It was light enough to race XC with (as long as you are not osme weight weenie) and it is really plush/smooth. I realize you pay an extra bit for fox's but I have been super impressed with the quality of the fork.

The vanilla RLC has compression dampening but I have not really needed it and it cost a fair bit extra. I think the RL is good enough for most and you can change the compression with the oil weight if necessary.

I would also reccommend that you buy a coil fork not air since they are more durable and it sounds like you are stepping up the abuse.

[CS]

I'm running the Fox Vanilla RLC on my HT and love it. All the good stuff like Oarhead mentioned.

Also, I'd recommed the Z1. Hard to go wrong with it.

[house]

dope, thanks for the advice. how bout the vanilla R. the RL would be nice, but i found a nice deal on the vanilla R here sooo, what yall think?

[Tap]

Push Industries is going to be offering an upgrade for Vanilla forks very shortly. By changing the shim stack, they will make it so more oil can pass through, and the small to medium hit compliance should be greatly improved. Something like $175 for the upgrade.

Also, Oarhead, I don't know how much sag/preload you run, but I'm 235 with gear and had the yellow big boy spring in my Vanilla 125 and wsa only getting 3/4 inch sag with no preload. I swapped it out for the green spring, got just over 1" with no preload, and the plushness/response was frikkin' great, much improved. Highly recommended depending on how you want it to ride - more firm XC or more plush.

[Oarhead]

Originally posted by Tap
Also, Oarhead, I don't know how much sag/preload you run, but I'm 235 with gear and had the yellow big boy spring in my Vanilla 125 and wsa only getting 3/4 inch sag with no preload. I swapped it out for the green spring, got just over 1" with no preload, and the plushness/response was frikkin' great, much improved. Highly recommended depending on how you want it to ride - more firm XC or more plush.

It is funny because I am super OCD about measurements for some sports (namely rowing rig) but others I totally go on feel. Biking is the one I never measure or anything. I suppose I should but whatever. I rode mine with the original spring and found I was preloading it up so I just got the shop to swap out the spring. I don't have a huge amount of preload and the sag is not big either but I prefer the feel of it now than the original set-up but I tend to be doing more of the dropping thing this year and less XC. I don't know if there are springs on one or both sides, but only one leg has the stiff spring and the other has the stock if it is on both sides. If it is only in one leg then I have the stiff spring.

House,
I would grab the R, I hardly use the lockout unless it is for a long uphill on a dirtroad or else riding along the road, but as Tap says, Push is coming out with some upgrades. There are no platic bits to break, everything is metal and fabricated really well.

Edit because I don't read so well.

[Tap]

spring on left leg, oil on right leg

rock on...