Originally Posted by aussiewheeler
everyone on here always complains about the stock forks on bikes, but i dont mind the shocks on my hardrock (Gilla st5's i think) ...if you do grow out of it then you can replace it but i just think people are so caught up in having a smooth ride you bash lesser forks.
Please don't misread my caveat about his fork; and I agree with you - - to a point. I know that fork; it is the offspring of the 181R that hangs in my garage, with steel sliders, steel stanchions and no damping. There is nothing wrong with that. I'm just explaining why so many others may be down on RST forks - - because that is what they see most often from RST. I know differently because I've owned five of their freeride/dh forks and a couple of their top XC forks.
Your Gila is a cut above the 191 and why you have managed not to quickly outstrip its abilities to perform for you. All I'm saying is expect an 'entry-level' fork to be just that and no more. And it's not really about a "smooth ride." The first instance I
really needed some rebound damping from a fork was the moment I knew I needed something more.