Mountain Biking - Entry Level Fork Recommendations

Hi There,

Any suggestions for an entry level fork?

Nothing too aggressive, light trails, no major drops

How is the Manitou Axel? Any recommendations from Rock Shox?
Are Suntour Any good?

If you had a choice, would you go Manitou Axel or Suntour Duro?

Thanks.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/FK405A01-Rock+Shox+Dart+3+Fork+07.aspx

At theis price, for what you want to do, you can't go too far wrong. :)

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16025-315_ROCD27_KIT-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Rockshox-Dart-2-80mm-Suspension-Fork-'07-w_-Cane-Creek-S-3-Headset.htm (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16025-315_ROCD27_KIT-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Rockshox-Dart-2-80mm-Suspension-Fork-%2707-w_-Cane-Creek-S-3-Headset.htm)

Thanks.

Is it true that magnesium is not as strong as aluminum, and it can't handle much torque before snapping?

Is it true that suspension forks have weaker dropouts than a rigid fork?

Is magnesium stronger than steel?

Like this:
Strength:
1) Magnesium
2) Steel
3) Aluminum?

Thanks.

Is it true that magnesium is not as strong as aluminum, and it can't handle much torque before snapping?

Is it true that suspension forks have weaker dropouts than a rigid fork?

Is magnesium stronger than steel?

Like this:
Strength:
1) Magnesium
2) Steel
3) Aluminum?


I can tell you this....the Axel fork is the most flexy I've ever been on.

A Rockshox Tora air is going to be a little more spendy but is a much, much, much nicer fork and more durable than anything else you've mentioned. Its stiff as can be and has a great dampening system to rival some much more expensive forks.

Ohh, owww, pain, Manitou Axel forks do not agree with me. Do not recommend, often seem delayed and very defective.

Hi There,

Any suggestions for an entry level fork?

Nothing too aggressive, light trails, no major drops

How is the Manitou Axel? Any recommendations from Rock Shox?
Are Suntour Any good?

If you had a choice, would you go Manitou Axel or Suntour Duro?

Thanks.

My only recommendations for an entry-level fork are: don't get one.

A decent fork only costs 2x-3x as much as an entry-level fork, and it's worth 5x as much. It'll be more useful over it's lifetime, and will probably last longer. It will also be worth rebuilding when it gets worn.

Not to mention you can sell a decent fork for some cash down the road and cover 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of another new, mid-level fork.

If you can stand to wait and save, that's your best move.

If not, the Dart 3/ Judy J3 forks are nice enough for some XC. Not too flexy, but a little flexy. Good damping, although even the stiffest spring is relatively light if you're a big guy.

i have the dart 2....the only difference between dart 2 and dart 3 is dart 3 is magnesium(not sure if its any better) and has pop-lock...which means you can turn the suspension off...not worth the extra 50 bucks if you ask me.

I"ve got a freshly rebuilt Rockshox Duke XC Air fork that I'm selling. 80mm, black, air preload, ext. rebound adjuster, lightwieght and only $100.

So you own a fork, which you haven't even ridden yet, let alone have had mounted on your frame, and why exactly should people lend any credence to your opinion?

I never put any credit toward the quality of either...but i did read up on the differences between dart 2 and dart 3 and was only commenting based on that knowledge.

thanks for trying though ;)