downtown

I recently got me a Giant Talon 3 and it has a Suntour XCM fork on it. In the woods it rode fine but felt VERY heavy up front. In the near future I would like to get an upgraded fork but I'm overwhelmed of all the available options. A friend of mine recommended a Rockshox Recon. My main concern in a new one is lower weight. All advice welcome.

SpeshulEd 

First and foremost, make sure you're looking at ones with similar travel, the same kind of headset, and will match the size of your current hub.

Then, with a budget in mind, start looking at weight.

gsa103

Suntour has a very "Customer loyalty program" that allows you to purchase a higher model Suntour for a significant discount. I would look into that before making any decision. Definitely get an air fork if you're upgrading.

cobba

$200 will get you a $300 Raidon in the Suntour upgrade program.

https://www.srsuntour.com/upgrade/

https://emarket.srsuntourna.com/colle...iant=823586307

mtbr has a large thread about the upgrade program, there's plenty of people that seem happy with the Raidon upgrade.

Ronsonic 

I had an XCM on a Schwinn Rocket 2. Six pounds. Ride was okay, but only okay and six freekin pounds.

That bike has a tapered headtube and an adapter headset for the 1-1/8" XCM, so I was able to upgrade to a fork with a tapered steerer and used an inexpensive, but nice ten series cane creek headset. Cane Creek has a headset finder on their website that will tell you what you need.

I went with the Rockshox 30 Gold Air fork from Chain Reaction for $200. It only saved a bit over two pounds but the handling is worlds better and it was two pounds where it really affects the balance of the bike.

Skreech

Not sure what axle/skewer your using but you can get a New 2015 model Suntour Epixon (remote lockout, rebound adjust, 100mm travel etc) for $200 off Ebay. It is better than the Raidon and cheaper than anything the ST upgrade program can offer (unless you want to spend about $400). Only catch is its a 9QR fork. I just got one and it is awesome. For $200 brand new I don't think it can be beat but that is my opinion. Compared to the fork that came on my bike (2016 XCT manual lockout) it is MUCH lighter and it is also an air shock.

Just my .02

Oh and it has a straight steer tube which may be an issue.

hig4s

Rockshox 30 gold is single air chamber, single adjustment,, simple to deal with and a very nice fork. the 120mm version is what came on my FS bike.

cobba

Some of the cheap Epixon forks on ebay & amazon could be downgraded OEM models that are made for certain Asian markets, the build of them might not be the same a more expensive aftermarket model of the same name, a couple of years ago this problem was found with the Epicon fork which has since been renamed Epixon.
Some of the parts used on these downgraded OEM Epicon forks were supposedly what you'd find on the X model forks (XCM, XCR, XCT).

osco53

The Giant Talon 3 Is worthy of the Raidon for a few C-notes, Also the Lower end Rockshox XC 30 and 32's as the adjustments on all these shocks actually work as In make noticeable changes In the specified performace parameters as they were designed to do.

But moving up to the $450 or $600 and up fork level you would get diminishing returns when compared to spending that kinda coin on better wheels or a 1X11 drive train. The 2 pounds or so saved on the fork would be nice but chopping a pound off by loosing the front gears and shifter and more so the felt effect of lighter stiffer wheels and going tubeless would give far greater performance gains....

Every where I look that bike is a $600-$700 bike. Upgrading to a good $200-$250 fork, yeah I'd go for that, but,, BUT Keep In mind, once you do that you will want better wheels,, and on it goes.

Now your In that bike for more than a grand, This kinda coin would buy a new Hard Tail with better spec parts all over it..

I started up this same ladder,, the Raidon Worked great btw, It transformed the bike, helped me go crazy fast, no more fork flex and then It happend...
I was now hating my wheels because at this new level of riding they were not going to last long, I also got tired of watching them flex,,Yeah I could see It..

I moved to a better bike,
And still upgraded the drive train and wheels

Just something to consider~~~~~

hig4s

Will this fit? RockShox 30 Gold TK Solo Air Forks NO POPLOC 2016 | Chain Reaction Cycles

Shuffleman

This really is a nice upgrade. I went with the Raidon and have been extremely surprised and pleased with it. My previous mtb had a Reba on it and I loved that fork. I was going to stick with Rockshox but thought that for $200 it was worth a try. Mine is white and my bike is black so I do wish that I waited for the stock to come in but my patience is limited and ultimately, I do not care all that much.

Ronsonic 

That fork has a tapered steerer tube and I don't know if your Giant will take that. You'll have to look at, measure and maybe partially disassemble your front end to be sure.

JRCurzon

I have the Rockshox Recon Gold 120 air, and I can tell you that it is a very good fork. Granted, it's not the lightest thing but you can ride trail as well as XC using it. I love mine, and wouldn't upgrade it unless I wrote it off in a crash or decided to get a bike with the Rockshox RS1 fork on it for XC racing or a more heavy trail bike, in which case I'd go for a heavier 150-160mm fork