Mountain Biking - Fork Upgrade question

Right now i have a 2001 RockShox Judy C with 80mm of travel. I must say that although i hear bad things about them, i have had no problems. Although i am a big boy, (250lbs)....i have taken this shock through Killington and through loads of trails around in NJ. I wan't to upgrade now to get more travel. I have the Avid Mech. Disc Brakes and i dont want to have to change them. I remember someone telling me that not all forks have the same mounting scheme as rock shox...which ones can i get and what are some good, moderatly prices forks?

P.S. Moderatly priced is around $200

Pricepoint has the marzocchi EXR for $219 with headset.. or the Marzacchi MX Comp with ETA for $269 with headset.. so those are around your price range and are very good forks. The EXR is a light freeride/XC fork and the MX is a Heavy XC/Light freeride fork.. Of course this depends on type of riding you will be doing.

I recommend the same. Marz also tend to be better for heavier riders too. :)

Do I need a new headset?....what is the difference between these 2?

Expensive with headset (http://pricepoint.com/product577.html)

Inexpensive without headset (http://pricepoint.com/product1530.html)

Also, is it hard to install...and will my disc brakes be compatible?

Look for a used fork, they can be really cheap and a good deal. Just a sugegstion

Yeah, that is true. But For $149.....that seems like a good deal. Do u guys know about that fork??? Anyone know if i need a new headset...or will it work fine with what i have. Also...easy to install...or how much for labor?

First of all, the installation is not too difficult, but can be easily screwed up if you're not careful. You will have to cut the steerer tube to the proper length. If you cut too short, you're escrewed! You also have to cut it even, or the top cap will not be flush. You also need to remove the bearing race off your old fork and install it on the new one. Individually, each portion isn't overly complicated, combined, it may be more than you want to hassle with. Most shops charge $25 to install a new fork. However, you may piss them off if you bring in an item purchased on-line for them to install. It's a sore subject with many shop employees, so be aware that you may be stepping on toes.

Secondly, as long as there are disc tabs on the fork, any disc brake caliper will work. You may need an adapter, but it'll work. There are two styles. The post mount, found on Manitou forks, and the ISO (Int'l Standared Org.) Rock Shox and Marzocchi both use ISO, so it should mount just fine!

L8R

Forgot to ask. Is your current fork a threadless, or is it threaded?

IOW, does the stem clamp to the outside of the smooth steerer tube(threadless), or is there a bolt on the top of the stem that connects a wedge bolt that fits inside the steerer tube(threaded)? Another quick way to determine. Is there a large NUT between the top of the frame and the stem?

If you've got a threaded (old style), you will not only need a new headset, but also a new stem.

L8R

I really have no idea....here is a pic from an old post that i made.....dont mind the writing........DOES THIS HELP?

You're good! That's a threadless.

L8R

I bought the Marzocchi MX Comp from price point and took it to my LBS to installed, did not give me any problems. I only wanted to spend around $200 for a fork, and cheapest fork they had was $289 at that time atleast. They took my money no problem to install it, I just don't trust myself to cut the steerer :) So I did not feel this was conflict of interest or anything, one of my LBS is supergo so I do get quite a bit from them. But if they don't have it or are drasticaly more money then I will go on-line.

The retail price on that fork is $219 and $269.. so they sell it at about same price you could get at your LBS but without the headset.

Oh yeah Saldawg to remove that. Remove the screw on top. Then loose the screws on the stem, the stem will come off and you can pull the spacers off and top part of the headset, the part of the headset (forget name of it).. is fitted in the frame no reason to remove that. Other thing you would have to do is put a new start nut in the steerer tube after you cut it.