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View Full Version : Fork advice needed, please!

hoosierbiker28
08-03-2007, 08:14 PM
Dropped my bike off for a professional look over before a race coming up in a few weeks. One thing I REALLY wanted done was an overhaul on my fork. It's been feeling a bit sluggish on the trail.

Anyhow, the shop called this morning and said the age of the fork is a problem - Rockshox doesn't make the seal kit any longer (2001 Judy). The SRAM rep the mechanic spoke with said he might be opening a can of worms if he moves forward with the overhaul.

So here's my dilemma. . .I can make it through the race fine "as-is", but in the near future I'm going to need to replace the fork, and I'd like suggestions.

I ride a 2001 Trek 8000 that has been upgraded over time - it's a pretty lightweight XC bike nowadays. I tend to ride mainly XC trails due to the relatively flat terrain around here.

I'd like a lightweight, durable fork, and I'd prefer to give up a few ounces in return for something that is going to handle moderate abuse. I've heard nothing but great things about Fox. . .any thoughts?!?

One last issue - cost is a concern. I don't want to be dropping a grand on a fork. But I am more than willing to pay for quality, so it's a balancing act.

Thanks in advance for help/advice/suggestions!
Kamikaze
08-03-2007, 08:21 PM
Cheap solution:
Enduro Fork Seals Judy Seal Kit (http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id46.html)

Get one of those and overhaul the Judy

Expensive Solution: get a Fox F80 RLC. It's going to run you about 8 bills, plus or minus.

Less Expensive Solution: Reba, it will run you in the 500 range and be a nice fork. Or look for a used one, even cheaper.
Hand/of/Midas
08-03-2007, 09:20 PM
Cheap solution:
Enduro Fork Seals Judy Seal Kit (http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id46.html)

Get one of those and overhaul the Judy

Expensive Solution: get a Fox F80 RLC. It's going to run you about 8 bills, plus or minus.

Less Expensive Solution: Reba, it will run you in the 500 range and be a nice fork. Or look for a used one, even cheaper.



this is good advice i'd second. ive posted before my deep love of the reba. and also that ive put it through
more then its share of abuse, 25 ft gaps, 10 ft drops....and is really easy to rebuild. oh yea the reba is on my xc racer now and is awesome,and the h/bar remote works very well and you dont have to take your hand off the bars.
hoosierbiker28
08-04-2007, 08:51 AM
Thanks for the advice! I'm going to talk to the shop about the enduro kit and give that a shot. If it gets me through the rest of the season then I'll have time to do a bit more research before making a huge purchase.

Thanks again - have a great weekend!
rockhound
08-04-2007, 04:46 PM
Why don't they still sell parts for an '01 fork?

Does anyone else think this is ridiculous?
Spalls
08-04-2007, 08:18 PM
It is pretty sad that you can't get parts for something only 6 years old...

I run a Fox F100R and just love it. I have not ridden lots of other forks, but I find it hard to imagine something working as well with as little fuss. I ride XC and don't drop it, but my Truly Awkward Riding Style has subjected it to its share of knocks and it still runs fine.
Johnny
08-04-2007, 11:12 PM
I'm going to have second the vote for the Reba. I put one on the single speed recently and love it. The pop-lock is great for the climbs, but even if I don't use it, and climb like an epilectic monkey, the motion control seems to keep things under control. Plus it steers beautifully, way better than my SID, and probably better than my Fox f100 (although I am using Surly nutted hubs on the Reba, and I'm sure that has a fair amount to do with it...)
As for longevity I have heard good things, but mine is still new...
plume_mtb
08-09-2007, 11:04 AM
another vote for fox, and a honorable mention for the reba. If you can get the fox, do it. I just ordered a f100 rlc, I hope it's stiffer than the marz fork I just tried.
Navigator
08-26-2007, 09:10 PM
It seems pretty suspect to me that your LBS is saying you can't get rebuild parts.

Otherwise, I've been riding a Rock Shox Sid "Race" which you can get all day on eBay for about $350. It's actually the lightest Rock Shox Xc fork they make, even lighter than the World Cup model but it dosen't have the Pop-Loc remote control.I've be3en "pleased as punch" with it (Actually THEM as I recently bought one for my back-up bike).