28 or 29 inch suspention fork?

[Timo]

Hallo all,

I'd like to know which company makes a high-end, lightweight and/or strong 28" (28 Zoll?) suspention fork? Preferably for serious XC riding. Is a fork from one of those 29" mountain bikes an option?

Thanks in advance,
Timo

[khuon]

Is that 700c size? If so then something like the 700c versions of the RockShox GPS line (http://www.rockshox.com/03RSProduct/03RSGPSPage/03RSGPSPage.htm) might work.

[Timo]

28" is the rim (700c), normal RR size. But most 700c suspension forks I know are for touring and to weak for XC. Is the GPS suitable for serious XC riding?

[khuon]

Originally posted by Timo
28" is the rim (700c), normal RR size. But most 700c suspension forks I know are for touring and to weak for XC. Is the GPS suitable for serious XC riding?

Hmmm... good question. I've only seen them spec'ed on hybrids although I've seen them sold as aftermarket items in some cyclocross specific websites. Manitou used to make a model called the Luxe in 700c. I'm not sure if they still do (their website seems broken but it does list it - http://www.answerproducts.com/) but some 2003 bikes (mainly hybrids) list them as OEM equipment. I've been unable to find any hardcore reviews of it so it may also be just geared towards the hybrid market. The only other 700c suspension fork I know of is the Cannondale Headshock but I doubt that would work for you.

[khuon]

BTW, I'm not up on 29" wheels. Are the rims 700c? I think they are. if so, you could just get one of the Marzocchi Marathon SL or MX-Comp in 29" version. The problem is that I think Marzocchi only sells those as OEM. Maybe you can fanangle something through a bike shop or if you know someone who's a frame builder?

[Timo]

Thanks for your help. I want a suspension fork to prepare my cyclocross bike for a marathon. I don't have a mountainbike and I am used to the position on the CC bike.

[texaschevy]

Rockshox has the metro line. They are not very high end but they might work for a marathon.

Brad