Mountain Biking - Fork Questions

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midi314
05-31-08, 05:15 PM
I was loking through all the stuff in my garage when I came across my brother's old bike. It's a Treck 800, and I am pretty sure it has everything that it came with and no upgrades. Well the fork is a solid for and I am looking to put shocks on it. I don't know that much at all about bikes, so here are my questions:

What do I need to do to change my solid fork to a fork with shocks?
Do all forks fit all bikes?
How can I make a fork fit if it doesnt already?
What are some good forks? Cheap would be nice, but it doesnt have to be cheap.
Would it be easier just to buy a new bike?


By the way the bike is in good condition.

ad6mj
05-31-08, 06:18 PM
Would it be easier just to buy a new bike?
Yes
troie
05-31-08, 06:23 PM
What do I need to do to change my solid fork to a fork with shocks?
Do all forks fit all bikes?
How can I make a fork fit if it doesnt already?
What are some good forks? Cheap would be nice, but it doesnt have to be cheap.
Would it be easier just to buy a new bike?



1. Buy new fork. Remove old fork. Install new fork.
2. No. The main differences are 1 1/8" or 1.5" steerer tube diameters. I doubt the 800 is a 1.5.
3. If it doesnt fit, you cant make it.
4. Thats a matter of preference and functionality. What kind of riding will the bike be put through? How much travel do you need? Do you need damping, compression, or travel adjustments? Will the bike have disc or rim brakes?
5. YES

BenLi
05-31-08, 06:31 PM
1. Buy new fork. Remove old fork. Install new fork.
2. No. The main differences are 1 1/8" or 1.5" steerer tube diameters. I doubt the 800 is a 1.5.
3. If it doesnt fit, you cant make it.



2/5 isn't bad :o


1. Make sure fork does not upset geometry. I doubt it

2. The 1.5" headtubes are primarily in freeride and downhill bikes. Older bikes generally have either a 1 1/8" or a 1" headtube diameter

3. If the headtube is larger than the steerer tube, you can get a reducer headset
Svr
05-31-08, 07:19 PM
...when I came across my brother's old bike. It's a Treck 800,


The 800 is on the lower end of the scale, and probably not worth upgrading. A good suspension fork will cost more than the bike is worth.