mountain bike fork upgrade question
#1
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mountain bike fork upgrade question
I have an old 26" Santa Cruz Heckler from the early '00s that is still a viable buddy bike and have used it as a backup bike
the bike is currently wearing a Fox Vanilla air shock and a RS Tora front fork- its air but has the heavy chrome stanchions
I like to tinker and feel this bike will make a viable bike for my girlfriend with some updates ---- plus the all important powder coat to her favorite color
its already 10 speed 1-by , so no changes needed there unless i wanted to go higher end on components - (its Deore now) but i have been toying with the idea of doing a 27.5 conversion which would need a new fork
My "modern" bike is 5 years old now, so i thought of updating the rear shock on mine and re-gifting my old shock to the project bike (eye to eye length is the same )
Guess my only real question is if you fellas know anyone who makes a straight taper 1 1/8" fork anymore thats not entry level --- actually not super easy to find used either
the bike is currently wearing a Fox Vanilla air shock and a RS Tora front fork- its air but has the heavy chrome stanchions
I like to tinker and feel this bike will make a viable bike for my girlfriend with some updates ---- plus the all important powder coat to her favorite color
its already 10 speed 1-by , so no changes needed there unless i wanted to go higher end on components - (its Deore now) but i have been toying with the idea of doing a 27.5 conversion which would need a new fork
My "modern" bike is 5 years old now, so i thought of updating the rear shock on mine and re-gifting my old shock to the project bike (eye to eye length is the same )
Guess my only real question is if you fellas know anyone who makes a straight taper 1 1/8" fork anymore thats not entry level --- actually not super easy to find used either
#2
Clark W. Griswold
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Rockshox makes the SID RCT3 in a 26" version still as well as the Reba RL and Manitou does the Markhor in 26" and there are probably still a whole lot of dirt jump forks but those are likely 20x100 axles. Not a huge ton of stuff but still some decent options.
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Honestly there are a lot of premium old forks for sale you could try. New forks that meet your criteria are "keep it running" quality.
27.5 and straight steerer might not overlap much.
27.5 and straight steerer might not overlap much.
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You mean you are looking for something for the Heckler? You might do best looking for at forks from around 2010-2013, as after that most companies dropped either 26" or straight steerers from their high end lineups.
When I was looking for a high end 26" straight steerer fork 3 years ago for my 26" 5-Spot, I ended up buying a 2013 Rock Shox Lyrik with the DH damper. I was looking mostly at Rock Shox stuff because they are so easy and cheap to rebuild to a like-new condition (as long as the stanchions and the lower leg bushings are OK). The fork is freaking brilliant.
I rode a Heckler from 2003-2006. It was the bike that really upped my game and transformed my riding. My first "All Mountain" bike. I think that bike more than any other was responsible for the "All Mountain" bike explosion which was really the start of the modern Trail bike as we know it.
When I was looking for a high end 26" straight steerer fork 3 years ago for my 26" 5-Spot, I ended up buying a 2013 Rock Shox Lyrik with the DH damper. I was looking mostly at Rock Shox stuff because they are so easy and cheap to rebuild to a like-new condition (as long as the stanchions and the lower leg bushings are OK). The fork is freaking brilliant.
I rode a Heckler from 2003-2006. It was the bike that really upped my game and transformed my riding. My first "All Mountain" bike. I think that bike more than any other was responsible for the "All Mountain" bike explosion which was really the start of the modern Trail bike as we know it.
#6
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Thread Starter
Thats what i was afraid of -- i just did a cursory search for 26" tires and was a bit non-plussed by the selection, but they are likely out there if i look a little harder. The intended user (my GF) is not going to notice the difference as it will likely be a pleasant day bike path cruiser for her anyway
I rode a Heckler from 2003-2006. It was the bike that really upped my game and transformed my riding. My first "All Mountain" bike. I think that bike more than any other was responsible for the "All Mountain" bike explosion which was really the start of the modern Trail bike as we know it.
Thanks for the report !
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Did not realize your Heckler was the Pre-2003 version.
I rode a 2000 superlight for 3 years (as you say, same basic bike as the Heckler). I would not go much over 100mm on that. 80-100 is really optimal IMO. In which case there are decent new options available, like the Sid that was mentioned earlier.
I rode a 2000 superlight for 3 years (as you say, same basic bike as the Heckler). I would not go much over 100mm on that. 80-100 is really optimal IMO. In which case there are decent new options available, like the Sid that was mentioned earlier.