MTB Fork Upgrade - advice request

Hatcho

Hi all,

I'm currently riding a 2009 Trek 6000 with Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, Deore shifters, chainset and rear deraillleur, and Alivio front derailleur. All of which I'm very happy with.

However, I'm looking at upgrading the fork with a better bit of kit. Bike came with a 'SR Suntour XCR with preload, lockout, 100mm travel' fork.

My riding is mostly typical of whats on offer in Ballinastoe/Djouce without doing any of the really tough stuff. Not into the mental downhill stuff but do enjoy a decent technical descent.

I've been looking at forks in online shops/ebay/LBS's and I must confess its a bit of a minefield. Even when narrowing down to a particular brand such as RockShox there's still 100's of options! Budget is up to about €350, I think 100/120mm travel would be plenty for my needs. Remote lockout would be nice to have (but not a necessity). Also, I'm not too sure if I need a tapered or straight stemmed fork?

So what would you reccommend to a newbie upgrader?

Thanks in advance for the help...:)

Hatcho.

C3PO

I would suggest that a Rockshox Reba would be ideal! Personally I would stick with 100mm because that's what your bike was designed for but you would probably get away 120mm too!
I would be very surprised if your bike has a tapered steerer but very easy to check!
Very good price here;

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++Forks/Forks++Shocks/Rockshox+Suspension+Forks/2012+Rockshox+Reba+RL+Forks+-+Remote+Lockout_RS-REBA-RL-2012.htm

cuculainn

Did a similar upgrade to yours just a few months ago....went for a rockshox reba......absolutely love it.... got it from on-one.

Just a point to note...check how your front brakes are mounted on the fork cause I had to upgrade my brakes cause the fork only came with post mounted...not ISO

Hatcho

Thanks for the advice folks - and the links - some very decent prices in there! New Reba on the way shortly I reckon. Help is much appreciated. :-)

With regard to fitting - did you need to cut the steerer tube etc. when installing? Thanks for the tips re brake mounting too - will check the forks on my Trek this evening.

cuculainn

Yeah had to cut.....It was fine just take your time....Measure twice (or three) times and cut once!!!

Also you will have to remove the crown race from the bottom of the old shock and press it on to the new shock. I would recommend removing this before measuring as it is easier to measure accurately with this off

To remove you need to get a flat head screw driver underneath the crown race (there is a gap to get the screwdriver in) and lever it off (possibly need to give the screwdriver a few tips of a hammer)

To get it on the new steerer tube is a bit tougher, as you need to get the race down without damaging it. You can tap it down with a hammer and screwdriver, just be careful not to damage the track where the bearings run

Hatcho

Nice one - cheers for the tips. Sounds handy enough - swapping out the crown race cant be much worse than changing bearings on a motorcycle wheel!

Ah, tis always nice to have some new bling to look forward to! :-)

Thanks again,
H.

funkyjebus

Hatcho wrote: »

Nice one - cheers for the tips. Sounds handy enough - swapping out the crown race cant be much worse than changing bearings on a motorcycle wheel!

Ah, tis always nice to have some new bling to look forward to! :-)

Thanks again,
H.

A bit of pipe and a wodden hammer is all you need. I have a Reba RL and love it.

Hatcho

Just a wee heads up for those wishing to upgrade to Rebas like myself. I did a bit of shopping round for Rebas and found some very good prices. Thing is, some places include a poploc and a shock pump, some one or the other, and some neither at all. So make sure you're comparing like with like. I'll probably go with Merlin in this case as On One don't include a poploc remote and Bike24 are currently out of stock. Shock pump is not a necessity as I'll probably just borrow one to set up the shock when installing. Poploc is deffo worth having as I'll use it every time I'm on the bike. So here's what I found:

Bike24
Rock Shox Reba RL Dual Air Fork 100mm black 2012
Price: €354.90
Shipping: €10.00
Total: €364.90
Shock Pump: Yes
Poploc: Yes

On One
RockShox Reba RL Dual Air 100mm Fork- 26 Inch
Price: €308.99
Shipping: €18.54
Total: €327.53
Shock Pump: No
Poploc: No

Merlin
2012 Rockshox Reba RL Forks - Remote Lockout
Price: €330.75
Shipping: €0
Total: €330.75
Shock Pump: No
Poploc: Yes

C3PO

Hatcho wrote: »

Shock pump is not a necessity as I'll probably just borrow one to set up the shock when installing.

Strongly disagree with you there! Not much point in upgrading your forks if you can't check that the air pressure in them is correct or adjust to improve performance! I would check mine every week or two and usually have to change a little!

Hatcho

Fair enuffski - I stand corrected. Was of the belief that regular pressure checks weren't required with shocks. A shock pump may well be a good investment so...or else go pedalling a lot with someone who has one! :rolleyes: