Bicycle Mechanics - New fork questions

Since the manitou on my 03' stumpjumper ain't so good, and the lockout is going, i wanna but a new fork. After reading a lot of reviews, the one that stands out is the Marzocchi MX Comp ETA. This fork recieves the highest praise i have seen of any component i have seen on mtbr.com.

But before i order one i want to know what i'm in for as far as installing it, what you guys think about it, and if there are any problems i might incur putting it on my FSR stumpy. Also, what would the average install charge be at a bike shop? Oh yea, and whats a "star fangled nut" and do i need one?

Heres where i was thinking of buying it....

http://www.phattire.com/20marmxcomsu.html

Thanks

not a problem...forks are easy to install....a couple of things I would get the shop to do is cut the steer tube to the right length an put a star fangles nut in for your headset into the steer tube. Otherwise it is one of the easiest things to do on a bike is remove and install a fork.

That and also make sure you keep track of how the bearings come out. If they go in upside down the fork will bind.

Dazco,

You have a star fangled nut on your current bike. It is a part of a threadless headset that comes on nearly every bike now, and is definitely on your stumpjumper. You should be able to find a diagram on the internet (Like in the fork chapter of Barnett's that can be found at the top of the topic list in this forum) that would show you what you're talking about. You might want the LBS to play around with installing the fork for you if you don't have any experience with it, though I have heard that with the steerer cut to the right length, it's not bad. You shouldn't have any problems installing the fork on your bike unless that amount of travel is radically different. Some say that a range of 20mm either way won't radically effect handling, but I like to stay with the same amount, or real close.

-Moab

Hmm........maybe i'll just see if my LBS has one or can get one and get them to throw in a free install with it. It will surely cost me about $35 more than the site i found it at which has free shipping, no tax, and a low price to begin with. Every other site was charging list price on it, so i'm sure my LBS would too. But a free install would make it worth my while. All i need is to spend around $250 on a fork and then screw it up by cutting it wrong or something.

maybe not free..but generally 10$...

By the way, can i re-use the star fangled nut on my old fork or do i need to buy one?

You'd be best to get it from your LBS where you just got your bike-hopefully they'll give you a deal. A decent shop would do the install for you-we always say our forks and things of that nature are priced with installation.

Thats what i'm gonna try at least. Just depends on what kind of deal they can do with install and how long it'll take to get one if they don't already stock it.

Well, i went with my LBS for $10 less than most sites are selling it plus $20 install. Should be here and installed by wed/thur. It does feel good to know i don't have to go thru all the shipping hassles and then install it myself. Drop off bike, pick up bike. I like that.:)