Fork options
#1
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Fork options
I have been looking at bikes and am leaning towards the Giant Rainier. There are only two complaints I have heard about it.
1) bad tires, but that dosnt matter if it dosnt come with velociraptors im going to replace them anyway.
2) bad fork(manitou AXEL), If I can talk to bike shop in to trading out this fork for the difference in price between the forks, what would be the best fork to replace it with that wouldnt add much, if any cost to the bike? Oh im also 6' 195LBS that might be important when looking at forks huh.
Also, are there any other bikes I should be looking at before I go all the way here? I think I have looked at most of them, but why leave any out? I like having the disks, and I like the hard tail. other than that I just want the best bike I can for under $1k
1) bad tires, but that dosnt matter if it dosnt come with velociraptors im going to replace them anyway.
2) bad fork(manitou AXEL), If I can talk to bike shop in to trading out this fork for the difference in price between the forks, what would be the best fork to replace it with that wouldnt add much, if any cost to the bike? Oh im also 6' 195LBS that might be important when looking at forks huh.
Also, are there any other bikes I should be looking at before I go all the way here? I think I have looked at most of them, but why leave any out? I like having the disks, and I like the hard tail. other than that I just want the best bike I can for under $1k
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The Axel isn't THAT bad a fork. I would see about changing the springs to a heavier spring rate based on your weight. I just installed a Black Comp on my buddies bike and was impressed with it.
I'm currently riding a RS Psylo SL, and in the past I've been skeptical about RS products, but so far it's been great!
My favorite fork is a Marzocchi, and not the Air version. I'm a clydesdale (225lbs) and prefer the feel of a coil spring.
Also, you should consider the 20mm thru axel version of whatever fork you choose. It makes the front end SUPER solid. It adds some weight, but the added stiffness makes up for the extra weight.
BTW, I bought my buddies Black off of ebay for $150!
I just bought a Axel (for my single speed project bike) from a member here for under $100.
L8R
I'm currently riding a RS Psylo SL, and in the past I've been skeptical about RS products, but so far it's been great!
My favorite fork is a Marzocchi, and not the Air version. I'm a clydesdale (225lbs) and prefer the feel of a coil spring.
Also, you should consider the 20mm thru axel version of whatever fork you choose. It makes the front end SUPER solid. It adds some weight, but the added stiffness makes up for the extra weight.
BTW, I bought my buddies Black off of ebay for $150!
I just bought a Axel (for my single speed project bike) from a member here for under $100.
L8R
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#4
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ok, im new to the board so these might be stupid questions but...
What is RS? and what is the 20mm through axel? Are you saying that the Black would be a better choice for a fork?
Ahh, Think I figured out one question... RS = Rock Shock?
What is RS? and what is the 20mm through axel? Are you saying that the Black would be a better choice for a fork?
Ahh, Think I figured out one question... RS = Rock Shock?
Last edited by RussellM; 05-23-03 at 11:42 AM.
#5
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By the time you pay to upgrade the fork, you might be better off upgrading the whole bike. The next level up in bike will get you a better fork.
The other issues are; what are your intentions for the bike/fork? Freeride, XC, wannabe downhiller? Do you intend to race?
Finally, upgrading to the next level bike will also put you in the FS range. Something to consider.
The other issues are; what are your intentions for the bike/fork? Freeride, XC, wannabe downhiller? Do you intend to race?
Finally, upgrading to the next level bike will also put you in the FS range. Something to consider.
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The 20 mm thru axle is a hollow tube axle in a 20 mm diameter. But more than that, it is much stiffer than a standard quick release. It's a little more effort to remove the wheel, and heavier, but for big guys, it's worth it. I'll try to find a pic and post one!
L8R
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
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Here's a pic of mine!
L8R
L8R
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#8
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woodyupstate - My riding habits consist mostly of cross country sort of stuff. Definately not a downhiller, or a road rider, but I cover most of whats between those two depending on who im riding with. I will ride the technical stuff, 3' drops (usualy on to my head) rickety bridges, bolders, and roots, I also ride the cruising single track, and somtimes even the glorified dirt roads. I dont want to spend too much, but I also dont really want to just keep upgrading my old klunker forever. When you were suggesting the next step up, what were you thinking? any recomendations?
a2psyklnut - I can say I have never seen an axel like that before, ill have to look into it.
a2psyklnut - I can say I have never seen an axel like that before, ill have to look into it.
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A2 i disagree on the Axel. I have an Axel that came stock on my specialized and i still regret the fact that i didnt swap it before buying my bike. The reason for not swaping it basically is that i was away from mountain biking for 8 years prior to buying my bike in october ,so i cared about having any branded fork since when i was racing in 1993 having any suspension fork was a luxurious thing. However i have learned that its better to go rigid than having a bad fork. The Axel has costed me 3-4 crashes all caused by errating behaviour of the travel in the fork. Also it is very flexy in turns. It is a fork destined for low budget Xc racing. Anyhow following your advice i ll get a new Z1dropoff in a matter of days (10 i hope ).
#10
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5 or 6 years ago the Axel fork would have been considered "Top of the Line" and would've appeared on many Pro's bikes. It amazes me that as stuff improves what was once great becomes medicre or even sub-standard.
L8R
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"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, "WOW, What a Ride!" - unknown
"Your Bike Sucks" - Sky Yaeger
#11
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math2p14, what your saying is just what I have been reading in reviews about this fork. I have heard mention of the BLACK and Z1dropoff, but I guess what im looking for is what you guru's would consider the best fork in a similar price range as the AXEL that comes on the Giant Rainier, or if like woodyupstate suggested I should move to the next level of bikes, what would be a suggestion for a next level bike? I would like to stay under 1000 bucks here, and like having a hardtail with disks.
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1000$ american for a hardtail. Russell you are in for a lot of choices. That is a very good range for ht bikes. Especially just xc. Since xc isn't my specialty I can't give a great recommendation but you will get a great bike
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If you like a similarly priced fork to the axel you are better off to consider a Marzocchi MXcomp/ETA.
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I agree with woody, bikes are sold cheap hoping that you will upgrade. if want to add a new fork you end up putting out a lot of cash for a fork that isn't that much better. I would suggest buying a giant xtc 2. The bike is a lot lighter and comes with a shareb comp fork wich blows the axel out of the water.
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The Skareb is crap for a heavy rider as is the Axel. I propose to go with MXComp or MXpro from marzocchi.
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Originally posted by RussellM
ahh, thank you, a perfect answer ill look it up.
ahh, thank you, a perfect answer ill look it up.
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I have checked at the Bike shop I wanted to deal with and they wont trade out the shock for the price difference, I can try calling a couple more shops and see if anyone will do it. As for upgrading to the XTC2, I thought about that, but the XTC2 does not come with discs. They really should sell bikes like computers. pick your model, and then costomize all the components. That would be so much easier.
#20
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Originally posted by RussellM
They really should sell bikes like computers. pick your model, and then costomize all the components. That would be so much easier.
They really should sell bikes like computers. pick your model, and then costomize all the components. That would be so much easier.
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"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#21
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really? never heard of such a thing. I always figured you had to either buy a bike and upgrade components after market, or buy all the components and build it your self and spend twice as much as if you just bought the bike the way it comes. What companies do such things? And would they bother with a $1000 or less bike?
#22
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I'm not sure this is typically done at the sub-$1000 prices but most bike companies (especially the smaller ones) sell frame + bike-kit. You pick the frame and fork and then a base build-kit. You can then substitute some parts from the build-kit at a small incrimental cost or sometimes at-cost. The process is usually handled through an authorised dealer. This is how I purchased my Aegis. The cost between sticking with the pre-spec'ed kit and a custom component selection was not much more than the price difference of the individual components that were swapped. I still got to take advantage of the pre-bundling savings for those parts I did not swap.
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#23
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Manitou black would be good, or something comperable like a marzocchi MX series or a Psylo XC, they are all medium weight, and all have at least 100mm depending on the model, which is a good amount of suspension for all around riding