scelia

I have purchased a new frame and the geometry calls for an 80mm fork. I currently have a Rock Shox REBA Race Dual-Air, 100mm. I know that I could install the extra spacer and reduce the travel to 85mm. But, my son is building a bike on my old GT frame and needs a fork too. I would like to give him the REBA and install a new fork on my Gunnar Rock Hound (I got it used). I am hoping to leverage the collective experience here to see if a FOX F80RLC is worth the $$? Would I be better off with another REBA? Would an older TALAS RLC that is adjustable in 3mm increments is worthwhile? What other fork options should I consider?

I intend to ride XC with small jumps. I also ride some urban. I am a clyde (290lbs) and want something that will stand up to my use and last.

BFG

I've heard good things about the F80 and 100. Never tried one though.

z415

When I was in the market for a fork, a lot of the young gun racer dudes working at the local LBSs were very supportive of Fox as the best. They did not seem to take into account I was a young gun non racer without a lot of money.

taylor p

there are lots of brand aside from fox and rock shox

scelia

I have too, but I want to make sure it's worth it before dropping $650 on a fork.

I know there are a lot of other brands... I am asking for feedback as to which would be at least as good as my REBA. Feel free to name a few "other brands".

scelia

It seems the local stores each have their own favorite...Marzocchi...Rock Shox...Fox...Manitou...Etc. My wife has come to the conclusion that she should let me buy what I want (then I will be less likely to upgrade).

Rutnick

I've got that fork. I love it. Being a milder clyde at 205 at times, I've always had a hard time finding the right fork. Manitou XC air forks seem to be made for people no heavier than 170 lbs, Marzocchi forks seemed to work fine but heavier. I've got two of those fox forks, One in 80mm and one in 100mm. I can't comment on the reba but aftermarket repair seems better for the Fox. Push Industries does a hell of a job repairing fox forks and fox shocks. They also do custom work on them.

I have heard plenty of good things about the Reba but right now...I really like the Fox. Questions I would have about the Reba are:

Did it handle your weight fine?
Did you have any issues with it?
How did you like it?

I'm fairly certain the Fox fork will handle your body weight. Will that be 290lbs with gear?

Oleanshoebox

I have ridden a few forks and I would have to say that without question fox forks are my favorite. I have a 2004 vanilla R that my boss let me have (it needed to be rebuilt) and it is the best. The price does suck, but take care of a fox fork and it will last forever. I work in receiving for a company that sells them and I have never seen one come in for any kind of warranty issue.

Get a fox, you won't regret it.

gunga din

If "aftermarket repair" is a deciding factor in the purchase decision, then by all means consider the Reba since the "aftermarket repair" is the same as with Fox Forks.

Push does a "hell of a job repairing" Rebas.

gunga din

I wonder why my Fox forks wore out, despite being taken care of?

No fork will last forever.

Oleanshoebox

Of course, I was not being literal. If you change the oil regularly and replace the seals when needed a fox fork will last a very long time okay?

gunga din

You're ignoring the fact that even fox forks that have the oil regularly changed and the seals replaced when needed many times do not last a "very long tome" if they are ridden regularly.

The bushings wear out!

A Marzocchi, Fox, Rock Shox, etc. that are regularly maintained should last about the same amount of time. There is nothing magical about the materials that Fox is using.

Rutnick

Yes, aftermarket support should ALWAYS be considered.

Forgot that Push now does some Rock Shox models.

Manitou support is about zero right now (who owns them now anyway?) and I had to have a Marzocchi fixed under warranty and it took over a month and good luck trying to talk to them on the phone.

Push industries: Can get them on the phone. Have about 1 week turn around maximum. For a little extra, they will customize the fork. Provide their own warranty for the work.

Have had two Fox RP3s PUSHED. Great work and VERY friendly.

scelia

My REBA has held up to my weight well, but I keep hearing about the "set it and forget it" tuning with Fox. I know with my REBA, it took a long time to dial in the correct POS/NEG pressures. I have noticed that PUSH is now servicing the REBA as well. Maybe having PUSH tune a REBA for me might be an alternative to buying a Fox.

I am set on buying a new fork; this is the only way my son will be able to build his mountain bike (I am giving him my current REBA). He is my riding buddy and I am willing to donate the fork to him... I just want to get the best/most reliable/strong fork for my weight and riding style. The service and repair times are important, as I end up over the bars or running into things on occasion.

The 80mm restriction does limit the choices of fork(s) out there. I have read the debates on adding/subtracting fork travel and geometry changes. I have also read that the axle to crown distance is the most important. The Rock Hound frame is designed for an 80mm travel fork with a 445mm axle to crown measurement. If I put the spacer in the REBA (to change to 85mm travel) the axle to crown measurement is 458mm, which is still larger than what Gunnar (Waterford) suggests. I have spoken to a few bike stores and they stated that it will change the ride a little (at 100mm), but would be ok. I do not want to break my head tube from a fork that is too long. Does anyone know where to find the Fox axle to crown measurements? I have looked at Fox and did not find them.

Oleanshoebox

Okay Captain Consumer Report. You have debunked my myth.

I'm just giving my opinion and experience. I run a 4 year old fox fork that is in great shape. I see marzocchis and Rockshox come back defective a lot but have never seen a fox in 9 months at my current job.

The reba is a very nice fork. All I'm saying is, if you have the money, a fox is a better fork in my experience.

And no, they are not made from magical materials. Bushings wear out and can be replaced.

scelia

I have found the Fox information on axle to crown measurements. The F80 series is 450.9 (plus or minus 5mm). https://service.foxracingshox.com/consumers/index.htm

The REBA at 85mm travel has an axle to crown measurement of 458mm, a Fox F90 is 460mm and F100 is 470mm and a REBA at 100mm travel is 473mm. The F80 series is as close to the Gunnar spec of 445mm that I can find. Would an axle to crown of 460mm upset the geometry of the bike significantly, or would I be better off staying with a 80mm fork?

born2bahick

My 05 F80RLT is just under 18 inches/ 454 mm
My 06 F100RL is about 19.25 inches/ 488mm
EDIT: Oops Too Late

cachehiker

No.

I ran a 100mm fork (470mm axle-crown) for a while on my GT Zaskar which was designed for an 80mm (450mm axle-crown) fork. It allowed me to ride more aggressively after effectively losing a degree of head tube angle and raising the bottom bracket by 6mm. But the bike also lost 4-6 inches of comfort zone turning radius on tight switchbacks and wandered a bit more when climbing the really steep stuff. I eventually switched back to an 80mm but the 100mm was a lot of fun and I still think about going back to it.

xcracer13

PUSH does Rock Shox also

Rutnick

seals or internals because the INTERNALS of a Fox, Manitou and Marzocchi are VERY different.

Rutnick

I'd still go fox based on the measurements your frame needs.

The Reba would work but it would probably be best to buy a used Reba and have it PUSHED. Go to Push Industries and see the pricing of having a fork PUSHED to your specs.

mtnbiker66

I do. Thanks for your support.

BFG

Oh lawd, buy a Marzocchi just to be different and be done with it.

scelia

I have decided I am going with the Fox F80 RLC. It is as close as I have found to the axle to crown measurement for the frame.

Thanks to everyone for their help.

mx_599

i have a manitou travis...people still use them.

get the fox 100, i like mine. i just raced it today in fact.