Advice on choosing a sus fork

bearlymoving · Post by **bearlymoving** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 4:49 pm

My introduction to mountain biking was a fully rigid Singular Swift that I've been using for bikepacking and day riding. I started with 29x2.35 tyres, then gave 27.5+ (3" tyres) a go.

Now I've got comfortable with it, I fancy giving front suspension a try (to learn about it, as much as anything). I'm moving the 27.5+ wheels over to another rigid frame, leaving me with suspension corrected Swift and the 29er wheelset to experiment with.

The Swift's designed to be used with a 100mm travel fork, and has a straight 1 1/8" steerer.

Has anybody got any tips on how to approach choosing a fork? I keep reading that there aren't many good options still available with straight steerers, but I've no idea how to identify a good one. And is a suspension fork something you really want to buy new, or should I be posting a wanted ad in the classifieds?

Cheers!

Bearbonesnorm · Post by **Bearbonesnorm** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 5:30 pm

Nothing wrong with buying SH (generally) and as you say, your options for a new 1 1/8 straight steerer, 100mm fork are pretty limited. Best forks I ever had were from the 'zochi Z range. Simple, easy to service, very plush and no whistles or bells ... lovely things.

FLV · Post by **FLV** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:09 pm

Manitou can be had cheap. Other than that of look for a rockshox Reba as they have proven reliable for me.

Justchris · Post by **Justchris** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:26 pm

Keep away from xfusion. Great until they need a service.

TheBrownDog · Post by **TheBrownDog** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:42 pm

Another vote for the Rockshox Reba SL here. Reasonably light. Easy to set up and tune. Servicing is dead easy and they just keep going. Well, mine did anyway. Bloody pricey new but as Stu says do look for second hand.

And as if by magic, here's one ebay that'd be worth a punt. Just ask the seller about any scratches or dings on the stanchions.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rock-Shox-Reb ... SwfpVZNCwM

bearlymoving · Post by **bearlymoving** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 7:57 pm

Thanks folks, I had a feeling I'd get some great advice.

I've just messaged the seller...

FLV · Post by **FLV** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:09 pm

Just make sure the stanchions are in good condition. Then give whatever you get a lower leg service. Its really easy to do

bearlymoving · Post by **bearlymoving** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 8:54 pm

FLV wrote:Just make sure the stanchions are in good condition. Then give whatever you get a lower leg service. Its really easy to do

So that pair of Reba SL's should be winging it's way to me shortly. £100, and I'm told the stanchions are perfect. How easy was that?

I'm guessing I need to follow these instructions…
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/article/w ... rks-23142/

…and possibly get some new seals?
http://www.tftuned.com/rockshox-seal-kits/p2947

FLV · Post by **FLV** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:16 pm

Nice.
New seals aren't always needed.

New foam rings might be nice. Definitely new crush washers.

bearlymoving · Post by **bearlymoving** » Thu Jun 08, 2017 9:52 pm

FLV wrote:Nice.
New seals aren't always needed.

New foam rings might be nice. Definitely new crush washers.

Thanks for that. I'm looking forward to taking it apart…

Advice on choosing a sus fork

Advice on choosing a sus fork

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