New Fork
 

Hello,

I am looking to upgrade my fork on an old bike. What measurements do I need to take to find a fork that is compatible with my bike? I am looking for 1998 Trek y5. I am also interested in upgrading the rear shock and need tips for upgrading that as well. Any help is appreciated.

See if it has a threadless or threaded headset...probably threadless and I would bet 1 1/8" threadless. So that is the type of steer tube you need on the new fork.

Second, find out how much suspension is on your Trek y5. 80mm was common back then...what fork is on it now?

I've been checking for a fork for my 1996 Specialized Stumpjumper and came across a RockShox 30 Gold TK fork that might fit the bill for me. It would be a 100mm suspension fork replacing the 80mm suspension fork, but I'm thinking it may work fine. I will have to replace the front wheel with a disk brake wheel, but that isn't all that big of a deal for me.

I'm interested in other poster's opinions on this subject too.

Where are you riding the bike?

If it's on singletrack trails... I would not upgrade the Y5 and instead I would sell it to a C&V zealot and get a modern bike.

If you're a C&V zealot... :thumb:

Increasing the travel of the fork can be risky. It can affect the handling and it will raise the frame which may cause clearance issues. So you need to know exactly what the travel of your old fork is. If it was 80, moving to 100mm travel may be alright, but if it's less travel, like 60mm, no way.
It's hard to say how the change will affect the bike when you make a change. I upgraded an old 2001, Hardrock to 100mm and it worked out pretty well, but it did raise the frame. When I changed an old 88 Nishiki Ariel to a sus fork, it didn't work out.

I wouldn't go more than 100mm. Some 100s can be adjusted down to 80mm. Not a whole lot of quality forks to choose from these days in the straight steerer realm.

I'd probably do this one but the pic shows tapered, so I'd call first to see if it is indeed straight steerer 9mm QR.

Universal Cycles -- Rock Shox 30 Gold TK Solo Air 26" Fork 2014