Bicycle Mechanics - Forks

Any tips on buying new spring forck for a mountain bike?

Don't go too much longer on the travel length as it will affect the frame geometry. If it's currently 80mm I wouldn't go over 100. And Marzocchi seems to be the best liked shock around.
http://www.marzocchi.com/eng/spa/default.asp
Do a search on this forum and you should find lots of info on shocks.

Research, research, research until you find a fork that fits your riding style, your budget, and your bike. Be sure to add in the cost your local bike shop will charge you to install your fork - while the task is not terribly difficult it is certainly not worth making an expensive mistake or risking your safety. Rock Shox and Fox Forks have excellent customer service if that influences your decision any, and it should.

-Ryan

You must also determine if you have a threaded steerer tube, or threadless and the size.

The current standard is 1-1/8" threadless. Some older bikes have a 1" or even a 1-1/4" threadless.

If you have a large nut on the top of your headset, and a bolt on the top of your stem, it's a "quill stem" or threaded headset.

Best way to determine the diameter is by using a venier caliper, but a simple tape measure will work. Check outside diameter.

If you have anything besides a 1-1/8" threadless, you may have difficulty finding a fork. Odd sizes are rare at most online shops these days, but are still available if you know where to look.

You can get some suspension forks for under $100.00 these days, or up to several thousand.

This is by far the cheapest I've ever seen online: http://pricepoint.com/product1379.html

L8R

I have a welded stem to steere tube, can I still use it with the new fork or I have to get separate steerer tube with stem and head sets?

Sounds like your bike in mid to late 80's vintage. Is it one of those integrated stem handlebar thingy's? If so, it's a threaded headset. Now you'll have to determine diameter. You'll have to remove the stem/bar combo, and put a tape to the top of the tube.

Let us know!

L8R

Oh, yes you can upgrade to threadless, but it'll be costly, you'll have to buy the fork, a new headset, a new stem and a new handlebar.

This may cost more than your bike is worth (sentimental values notwithstanding). You may find a good used bike with front suspension may be the more economical route!

L8R

Well, the bike is not 80's but for some reason it has a design like that, I already chose the handlebar and the stem, just can't pick the 1 1/8" suspension.