Mountain Biking - Cheap Fork

I ride about 25-35 miles a week, XC. What is the cheapest fork that would be reasonable for me?

I was thinking Rock Shox Pilot SL ($169 from Nashbar). But I would like to go even cheaper. Hopefully the fork will only have to last until the end of summer, but it might have to last a year. I was thinking of going rigid, but I would like to have some semblance of a shock. Something that will last is a priority over quality of ride.

I have 100mm travel now but would be fine with 80mm.

JensonUSA has the MANITOU AXEL ELITE 100MM for $79 and the

and the MANITOU BLACK COMP '04 for $139

www.JensonUSA.com

I'd suggest Manitou Axl Comp. Buy it through ebay.

Ricardo

Thanks for the suggestions. I will look into it.

I sure as heck would never suggest Manipoo

Something that will last is a priority over quality of ride.


Well, if thats the case I would say that you would be 10 times happier with a 50 dollar rigid fork that a 79 dollar squishy p.o.s..

Get a surly 1x1 fork with a 2.7'' front tire with large volume and run it a bit soft. You will be much happier with its performance than those bottom of the barrel suspension forks.

If you're on a budget, go rigid.

If you're on a budget, go rigid.

ding! ding! ding!

I agree with the added benefit that you'll most likely be a better rider in the long run afterward too.

If you only want it to last for a year. than get the Manitou Axel as suggested above. Then when you're ready buy a new one.

My bike came with one of the cheapest Rock Shox, actually "the" cheapest Rock Shox in their '05 lineup. The Judy TT. They are awful, and I am going to buy a Fox Vanilla. But If superb performance isn't a huge issue, I have seen these Judy TT's go for like 50 bucks or less. They are heavy, and not to plush, but they "Kind of" work.

Well, if thats the case I would say that you would be 10 times happier with a 50 dollar rigid fork that a 79 dollar squishy p.o.s..

I think you are right. And I had considered that.

But I've decided to spend $15 for new seals in mine to keep it alive until I get a new bike.

My bike's in that stage where it's not dead, but it is not really worth spending much money on, unless I'm buying parts with expectation of them going on something later.

Well, if thats the case I would say that you would be 10 times happier with a 50 dollar rigid fork that a 79 dollar squishy p.o.s..

Get a surly 1x1 fork with a 2.7'' front tire with large volume and run it a bit soft. You will be much happier with its performance than those bottom of the barrel suspension forks.I'll vouch for the 1x1. Best $45 I've spent yet on that bike

If you're on a budget, go rigid.Yeppers

Well I've got the cheapy RST Gila forks on my Trek 4300 and I've been browsing around at different forks. I"m a beginner rider but I"m not afraid to ride on the edge so I"m already pushing these things to their limit. I see that forks are CRAZY expensive, even more than both front shocks on my ATV that have every adjustment imaginable and handle 60 foot jumps and nonstop pounding in 2.5 hour races thru some of the roughest terrain on earth, and It wieghs almost 400lbs.

What type of fork would someone like myself need, that is far from expert but not skeeert to ride like a wild man on rough terrain??

I weigh 195.

Price range is between $130 - $300 <----I wonder if that range even falls in the good forks catagory.... LMFAO

I see that manipoo is not worth the effort to install, according to Raiyn.

Fox shocks would require me to sell my first child.

Marzocchi would require me to sell my wife.

Give me some suggestions bike guru's....

I got my XC zocchi fork for 350 NEW.... check out jenson.com pricepoint.com or supergo.com I got it from one of those, cant rememver, but it has the eta lock out and dampening....I love it....but it is no comparison to my 66rc :D

Well I've got the cheapy RST Gila forks on my Trek 4300 and I've been browsing around at different forks. I"m a beginner rider but I"m not afraid to ride on the edge so I"m already pushing these things to their limit. I see that forks are CRAZY expensive, even more than both front shocks on my ATV that have every adjustment imaginable and handle 60 foot jumps and nonstop pounding in 2.5 hour races thru some of the roughest terrain on earth, and It wieghs almost 400lbs.

What type of fork would someone like myself need, that is far from expert but not skeeert to ride like a wild man on rough terrain??

I weigh 195.

Price range is between $130 - $300 <----I wonder if that range even falls in the good forks catagory.... LMFAO

I see that manipoo is not worth the effort to install, according to Raiyn.

Fox shocks would require me to sell my first child.

Marzocchi would require me to sell my wife.

Give me some suggestions bike guru's....

Even though this thread is 2 months old, I'll answer :D

In that price range, anything less then $200 (retail price, not some sale) would not be too stellar of an improvement over your RST. However, once you approach around $250 or so, a variety of pretty decent forks are available. These are Rock Shox Duke, Marzocchi MX Comp, Manitou Black-something.

good luck

Better two months than 2 years.

I went nosing arount and this is just about the best deal I've found
http://tinyurl.com/dap9y

i got two AXEL SUPER it have adjustable travel from 80-to 100 mm, its really nice it came with my bike it was used for no more that 10 rides , im asking $110.00 shipped.

Thanks for the replies fella's. That deal Raiyn posted looks great and sebastians reply looks even better but somebody stole the money tree out of my back yard the other day so I have a new question.


Can I get heavier springs to put in my RST forks and can I do it myself?? I"m pretty good with a wrench and know my way around a tool box. Mine seem to bottom out pretty easy on large obstacles. IF it is something I can do were do you buy heavier springs?? From the manufacturer or can you order it online??

http://www.rst.com.tw/index.htm

http://www.rst.com.tw/index.htm

Thanks for the reply, I googled RST and could not find their home site... http://www.quadzoneforums.com/forums/images/smilies/bowdown.gif

Well, if thats the case I would say that you would be 10 times happier with a 50 dollar rigid fork that a 79 dollar squishy p.o.s..

Get a surly 1x1 fork with a 2.7'' front tire with large volume and run it a bit soft. You will be much happier with its performance than those bottom of the barrel suspension forks.

This would be my suggestion, also.

not to hijack... but i'm on a really really tight budget looking for an all-mountain fork... any suggestions? i'm looking at the new RS tora...

not to hijack... but i'm on a really really tight budget looking for an all-mountain fork... any suggestions? i'm looking at the new RS tora...
How tight?

by the time i save money, ~150 CDN

by the time i save money, ~150 CDN
I'd suggest trying to find a good deal on a used fork for that budget. Pinkbike Buy&Sell has a fair amount of adverts, you might find something nice there. :)

good idea, but i'm not too keen on buying a used fork...

good idea, but i'm not too keen on buying a used fork...
Well, I know, but if I was you I wouldn't be keen on the idea of using a 150CAD fork for AM. It's your choice, and I have a feeling several others will tell you that used is the way to. :)

true true.... how much is the new tora gonna cost?

true true.... how much is the new tora gonna cost?
Haven't even heard of it so sorry, can't help here. :)

true true.... how much is the new tora gonna cost?
More than $150 in all likelihood. Wait for a close out deal on the '05's