Forks - not good. Need some opinions.

[MikeW-71]

I suppose I expected this to happen.

Giant Revel with the stock SR Suntour XCM forks. Just stripped them down after a second trip around the Ae red route. Oh dear. They had sucked up a notable amount of water, the stanchions are scored, the travel limiter (black piece of plastic, assuming that's what it is) is cracked. From the claimed 100mm travel I was getting just 50mm.

When they go back together again, they might be OK again, or they might not, but they aren't going to take that kind of riding for much longer. They aren't designed for it anyway to be fair. I didn't intend to be doing that when I bought the bike, but it turns out it's too much fun

Is it worth upgrading the fork in this frame, or would I just be wasting money? If it's worth it, any recommendations? Clearly it would not be worth fitting something really expensive, especially as my off-road descending style is summed up as: "like a pussy".

 

[goody]

I've recently bought an Epicon fork of ebay (uk seller £135 new) it's an air fork loads lighter than the XCM it replaced. Quite impressed really especially for the money. You can take it apart to adjust the travel 100-120-140mm. They are a big improvement over the XCM.

 

[MikeW-71]

Sounds like one to consider, I've heard the Raidon and Epicon are supposed to be very good.

 

[goody]

The classified section of the pinkbike mtb forum has some good deals if you want to go the used route.

 

[Cubist]

Look for some used Tora in good nick, superb plush coil forks with effective damping. Should get yourself one for about n£60. Or Recons. Check singletrackworld classifieds and leave a wanted ad.

 

[Globalti]

Do what I did and fit a rigid carbon fork from eXotic and you'll never need to worry about it again. It also makes your bike dramatically lighter and faster. I only miss suspension when riding down steps or kerbs, for regular cross-country riding the carbon is so comfortable it doesn't matter. On a big mountain trip over High Street involving about 3000 ft of carrying I had a lot more left in the tank at the end of the day than they guys on heavy FS bikes, who were exhausted.

 

[e-rider]

not long ago, CRC were selling off Manitou sus forks for £100 - I bought some and they are as good, if not better than my £300 Marzocchis - look out for bargains!

 

[dan_bo]

Do what I did and fit a rigid carbon fork from eXotic and you'll never need to worry about it again. It also makes your bike dramatically lighter and faster. I only miss suspension when riding down steps or kerbs, for regular cross-country riding the carbon is so comfortable it doesn't matter. On a big mountain trip over High Street involving about 3000 ft of carrying I had a lot more left in the tank at the end of the day than they guys on heavy FS bikes, who were exhausted.

Fully rigid bikes certainly feel a lot faster that's for sure.....

 

[Crackle]

I've just come off a fully rigid bike and enjoy my plush suspension thanks. Go with Cubist's advice or the Epicon. The Epicon's do have more flex than the Rockshox but they work well.

 

[Scoop940]

I bought some Reba's from bike-discount 18 months ago for a good price. Always some good deals

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k1024/cross-country-marathon.html?od=2u

 

[MikeW-71]

Thanks everyone. Struggling to find anyone selling Epicons and I'm not terribly keen on buying from Ebay. LBS might be able to I guess. Otherwise some Recons/Rebas. Ideally I would like to be able to service them myself.

 

[Cubist]

Thanks everyone. Struggling to find anyone selling Epicons and I'm not terribly keen on buying from Ebay. LBS might be able to I guess. Otherwise some Recons/Rebas. Ideally I would like to be able to service them myself.

Simple enough task, just takes a bit of nerve first time round. Rockshox Air forks are the business. If your budget stretches to a Reba then that would be my heartiest recommendation. You can find them for £120-160 used and what better way to be confident in them than to service them yourself before riding. Check Singletrackworld.com classifieds. The code of conduct on there means you are very unlikely to get a bum deal.

 

[02GF74]

I have a very clean and hardly used set of these forks that came of a Giant Revel - couldn't sell the bike whole so ended up splitting it.,. sitll have the forks if you are inteeested.
photo below.