03 Rock Shox XC U-turn - Opinions?
 

I want to upgrade my front shock on my Trek 4300, and I know everyone will say that it is a crap bike and not worth it, but I've already built up custom wheels for it, installed an XTR BB and put on FSA cranks and clipless pedals, I've knocked at least 2 lbs off it so far. It came with a RST Capa fork, which is crap to say the least, basically it is really stiff which I hate and it is super flexy, I can put on the front brake and flex the fork back and forth quite a bit. I was looking at a Manitou Skareb Comp, but I read many reveiws and they all broke the Reverse Arch off at one point or another, so that was kind of scary. So now I'm looking at a 03 Rock Shox Duke with U-turn, I read some good reviews about it and it is relatively light for a coil spring shock (around 4lbs) also since I'm a big guy I would probably suit the coil springs better then a air shock. I've had air shocks before and didn't like them because of the high amounts of stiction. Only complaint about the Duke I've heard is that it is a little soft for large riders without a heavier spring set, I actually like my forks alittle soft so they soak up small bumps good. Does anyone own a Duke and how do you like it? Also is it a good fork for climbing, I'll be using it for road riding (it's on my mountain bike which I put slicks and a rack on for touring) and maybe entering some sport class races with it so I want it to be not bad for climbing, I don't mind a little bob, but I don't want it to be like my Dirt Jumper III on my dirt jumper which almost goes through all 130mm of travel when your climbing out of the saddle. Also I want to make sure it is a durable fork, I won't be abusing it, but a 200lbs+ person like myself can sometimes be abusive without trying.

Have you looked into the Marz MX Comp w/ETA or MX PROs w/ETA.. great forks.

Yes I have, but unfortantly a little out of my price range.

I see that Duke XC retails for $300, while the the MX comp for $260 or so. Isn't that cheaper?

Or, are you looking at some kind of a closeout with the forks you mentioned on sale?

Yeah I would get the Duke XC with the U-turn for $159.00. It's new, just last year's model.

Wow.. $159 Canadian? I think that's a FANTASTIC deal for the Duke XC U-Turk fork, which, by the way, is pretty good!

if its $159.00, how can you not afford to get it :D
the u turn is a nifty feature and you can actually watch the travel reduce as you turn. The only bad thing is you hafta turn a lot and the knobs are plastic. But for 159 i would say go for it.

Thanks for the opinions guys, its actually 159 US, but with the dollar higher right now it is still a good deal. I think I'm going to go for it and get it.

I've heard that Dukes (And Psylos) are nice forks to begin with, but they break a lot. I however have never owned one, just friends...I tend to stray away from Rockshox ;)

Well apparently my Dirt Jumper III is supposed to break all the time too, but I haven't broken it yet, and I've crashed it hard enough to twist the stem around on the steerer tube. Some people ride the crap out of their bikes and then complain when they break. Most likely people were freeriding with the Rock Shox, which is only ment for XC riding, that would definatly break it.

Mmm...DJ III...I've been considering one of those or a Psylo for my hucking machine, how plush is the DJ?

It's pretty plush, but you can adjust the air in it and make it stiffer or plusher, what ever you perfer, it soaks up the little bumps but I've never bottomed it out on a jump yet. My only complaint is that it is long travel so with no lockout it is hard to climb with, also it is pretty heavy, but it's also a nice solid fork too. I like it :)

I have a Psylo on my Moab and have had no trouble at all......
I do all kinds of riding with it and it works great. you can adjust the U-Turn and rebound for your conditions
I'm sure your fork will be the same
i'd snag it for 159