Let's talk forks...(And no Neil, not the eating kind )

[alan93]

So with a budget of 300-400eur whats the best 2nd hand fork out there (Around 160mm of travel), in terms of reliability and performance etc.

At the upper end of the scale I've seen a few Fox's (http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1518884/ & http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1512604/)

And at the cheaper side of things (http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1519030/ & http://www.madmtb.com/forums/showthread.php?13757-2012-Fox-32-Talas-150-120-RL-Evolution-Series&highlight=fork)

[Psycholist]

If it's for the Trance then 160 mm travel will almost certainly ruin the handling. If it's for a frame designed for this much travel then Fox 34/36, Rockshox Pike/Revelation, Marzocchi 55 or 66 or X-Fusion Metric/Vengeance/Slant... Assuming your using 26" wheels anyway...

[alan93]

no no it's not for the Trance don't worry

I've got a new build in the works.

[seanryan]

What frame you got Alan or do you have one yet?

For me I have a preference to rockshox but thats probably due to my lack of experience with Fox suspension.
Lyrik is a fairly well loved fork from what I've heard and read online.
Finding a new version of the pike would be practically impossible I imagine especially within your price range, but keep an eye out none the less as it's been described as a game changer.
Cormac will need to take over regarding X-Fusion as I know nothing about them.
General question would it be worth paying the extra money for a kashima fork does anybody know!?

[alan93]

In the process of sealing the deal on a Transition Covert and i'm looking at forks to go with it now.

I'll get some nice pictures when it's all assembled

[seanryan]

Nice!! Got any other parts drivetrain etc?
In my view lyrik is probably your best bet value wise. Even looking on PB now and if you set the price limit to 400 there are a lot of lyrik forks there that seem of very good quality!!
Yeah man looking forward to seeing it!

[seanryan]

This for example.
http://m.pinkbike.com/buysell/1522799/

[alan93]

Entire drive train is coming from the Trance. Kind of just shifting parts over onto the new frame and fork combo.

[seanryan]

Aw ok so your only running a 160mm bike no 100mm xc?

[alan93]

Yea indeed that's the plan alright and then use a club hardtail for Ballyhouring.

[seanryan]

Aw nice one! What shock comes with it?

[alan93]

A rockshox vivid air (160mm).

[seanryan]

Nice! How much did you get that for!!!?

[alan93]

Expensive, but not painfully expensive

[seanryan]

That sounds like a sick combo man! Depending on the fork it could also make for a serious resale value!!

[Joejoebeans]

You'll have to watch that Nathy doesn't murder you in your sleep and take your bike. At least it's not the carbon covert. But also, in terms of value for money the Lyric does seem like a winner

[seanryan]

I'd imagine Nathy isn't the only person he will have to worry about!

[dannyk]

Normally I'd say a fox 36 or the Lyrik, but those are both pretty weighty forks, and given that you're quite a light build, I'd say the Fox 32 TALAS 150 would be a much better fit. It'll be a good 400 or 500g lighter than either of the above, and you'll be running a lighter front wheel as well due to the 15mm Bolt thru VS the 20mm on the others. all of this should give you a much livlier, poppier, and more responsive front end; Food for thought...

[Psycholist]

If this is to take over as a go everywhere bike Dan makes a very good point. It'll be able to survive France too, but will feel a bit out of its depth if you're really caning it.

32 mm Fox forks do not steer particularly well in my experience - unless the bolt through does a spectacular job you will find the fork deflecting away when you push it into corners based on the way my 100 mm Fox is all over the place for XC riding. But then again I'm a lot heavier and my riding style works forks hard as I've no problem with putting a significant percentage of my weight on the bars when needed, so this should be less of an issue for you. I'd get at least a 34 Fox (Well I'd actually get an X-Fusion of similar dimensions) and fit light tyres when I want to XC it. The difference on my Canyon between 2.4" supertackies and 2.1" Advantages is like night and day - it goes from a heavy, slow plodder that can take a DH hammering to something that pedals pretty easily and feels amazing down the hills...

[alan93]

Going by the interweb the Fox 34's weigh in at 1.92kg-1.97kg which is grand by me, they're also a 15mm QR. The X-Fusion Slant also lies in the same weight band for the same 160mm travel. That seems like a pretty solid idea of having two different sets of tyres (one set for normal use and one set for bike parks) and interchange for the appropriate occasion.

The market for 2nd hand Foxes is a bit more populated than the X-Fusion 2nd hand market so prices seem a bit more competitive in terms of bang for your buck. Also the main problem being 2nd hand X-Fusion stuff is kind of hard to find at all.

[Psycholist]

Yes - I'm hoping the reason is because everyone who fitted one to their bike is still happy with it...

[nathybren]

I would've thought the reason for this is that they only started making high quality forks that people would bother to sell on in the last 2 years?
I could be wrong there, I just don't ever remember seeing a high end X-Fusion before last year.
Before then they were just bin-fodder.

[Psycholist]

I didn't think x-fusion made anything before a couple of years ago. There are a few brand names on low end forks that look pretty similar though, and the umbrella company that owns them make a shit tonne of bikes in Taiwan, so shitty forks are definitely part of that business...

[Arse]

Have a look at expert cycles for the xfusion stuff - based in Dublin. They should get back to you pretty quick on Facebook if you drop them a message.

If it was me - I'd be considering these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/marz ... prod112640

[alan93]

If it was me - I'd be considering these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/marz ... prod112640

Hmmm they do appear quite nice but there pushing over the weight of the Fox 36's and they're pricy enough. Maybe if CRC have a random fork sale someday