36 van r or rc2???

[hick]

Does anyone have experience with either one of these forks? I'm trying to decide if it is worth forking out the extra cash for the rc2 or if I should dumb down (lack of adjustment and suspension tuning knowledge on my part) and get the Van r. It sounds like it's necessary to upgrade to stiffer springs ($25) right away for really rough shit when you could just tinker with compression on the rc2 to dial it in. Is the rc2 worth the extra $$. What a dillemma. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[fondigley]

I was wondering the same thing.

[bagtagley]

My biggest hesitation with the TALAS has been price and I'm still a bit weary about some of the issues I've read about on the '05 models. It seems that they've been addressed with the '06, but people still talk about the linear stroke of the fork, and that it's more designed for trail duty than FR.

The VAN has the potential to be the perfect fork, if it only had a travel adjust, or at least some sort of lock-down. I've come to count on the ETA on my 5" Z1, otherwise the bike is a wheelie machine on the climbs. That's the only reason I haven't looked into it any further.

I had it narrowed down to the Pike Race (or 426) and the Z1 Light ETA. Nashbar even has the '05 Pike Race for $269 right now (bright red, unfortunately). However, it basically came down to being a satisfied Marzocchi customer, and wanting both the lock-down and the TAS - and, honestly, the extra 10mm of travel - so I scored the Z1.

None of that answers your questions, does it? Umm, if you're not concerned about travel adjust, I'd go with the VAN. If you're a tinkerer, and feel the need to adjust high and low speed compression, then the RC2 is probably worth it. Otherwise, save the cash and go w/ the R.

[kidwoo]

I've got a van36 RC2 on an intense uzzi. I really like the fork but it seems to lack a bottom out spring. This means you're relying on just one coil to keep it from smacking on hard whacks. I actually do use the high speed compression damper to keep it from doing this. Spring weight/sag are good on mine but I'd be bottoming more if I didn't have that adjustment. I couldn't care less about the low speed damping circuit. I like suspension that moves.

Take a look at the marz 66 forks as well. A little heavier but also good forks with a really similar ride height.

[hick]

I've got a van36 RC2 on an intense uzzi. I really like the fork but it seems to lack a bottom out spring. This means you're relying on just one coil to keep it from smacking on hard whacks. I actually do use the high speed compression damper to keep it from doing this. Spring weight/sag are good on mine but I'd be bottoming more if I didn't have that adjustment. I couldn't care less about the low speed damping circuit. I like suspension that moves.

Take a look at the marz 66 forks as well. A little heavier but also good forks with a really similar ride height.

So it sounds like even the RC2 needs a stifffer spring than the stock one. Might as well stick with the R I guess since a heavier spring is in order anyway. Thanks for the info guys.
hick

[L8APX]

I run a 36 R and I am a engineering techy tuner type. I love the ride of the R and find that for trail/fr stuff it's all you need. If you where talking 8" DH race fork I would say tune all the way. However get the R save the cash, set it up and enjoy the ride.

[kidwoo]

So it sounds like even the RC2 needs a stifffer spring than the stock one. Might as well stick with the R I guess since a heavier spring is in order anyway. Thanks for the info guys.
hick

I should clarify. The R and the RC2 both come with 3 springs. A stock, one softer and one stiffer. Plus you can get heavier or lighter if needed. Your spring weight is dictated by sag and ride height. Bottoming it is kind of an independent variable. Most forks have a really stiff bottom out spring that accounts for the last 0.5" or so of travel. For some reason the fox forks feel like they lack that.......just a hunch. All I've done with mind is change springs which is pretty elementary.

What I said about bottoming will occur with either fork for a given spring. You can tune the RC2 to get progressive, you can't do that with the R. With no compression damping on mine and a spring that feels dialed, I still bottom out my fork. Not so good in my mind. So if I were buying a fox, I'd get the RC2 version. Which I did.

If I hadn't been concerned with weight, I'd have gotten a marzocchi 66rcx2. But I was concerned with weight, and that's really the only reason I got the fox over the zoke.

[fondigley]

Ok, looking to purchase one of these, thinking the Vanilla RC2. Anyone got a deal on these? Please let me know.