Beefy Fork For A Beefy Guy

[skoozul]

Hi I'm new to riding and I just ordered an '08 Gary Fisher Mullet with the understanding that the Marzocchi Dirtjumper 3 fork could be upgraded with larger springs. Turns out they changed that in '07 because they started using a thicker tube. So I'm here to get some recommendations on which forks I should look at. The reason I'm having trouble with the stock fork is I weigh around 350 lbs. I would prefer not to have to go to a rigid fork, so I'm looking for something short of a motocross fork. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

[Teamfubar]

Check out the Rock Shox Argyle (http://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/freeride/argyle/). I think it is the fork for you.

[real_ss_budgie]

bit o reaming and some spacers, mate........ OI!!

[rockyrider]

Even the RS Argyle will be a challenge as the max air pressure on the air fork is 220PSI which is a rider weight of about 250 pounds.

That means you'd need to use the coil fork but even it tops out with an X-firm spring which is the standard unit it ships with so it is also a rider weight of 180+ pounds. There is no heavier spring available from RS.

http://www.sram.com/_media/pdf/service/coil_spring_chart.pdf

Most suspension forks are usable for riders up to 250 pounds and even as you get near that weight the damping doesn't really work well without modifications.

You're likely going to need to talk to someone like Push Industries and see if they can custom tune a Fox 36 or RS Argyle fork.

[mimbresman]

Hi I'm new to riding and I just ordered an '08 Gary Fisher Mullet with the understanding that the Marzocchi Dirtjumper 3 fork could be upgraded with larger springs. Turns out they changed that in '07 because they started using a thicker tube. So I'm here to get some recommendations on which forks I should look at. The reason I'm having trouble with the stock fork is I weigh around 350 lbs. I would prefer not to have to go to a rigid fork, so I'm looking for something short of a motocross fork. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

Spicer makes a ultra beefy rigid fork for big guys.
http://www.spicercycles.com/index.cgi

[ironspoke]

But if he goes and gets some retrofit work down on one of the forks you mention, he will be in for as much on the fork as the entire bike. What is the shop you are buying it from telling you?

I guess my question would be if he rides the fork he gets with the bike with no modification what will end up happening? Will he bottom out repeatedly? Could he actually end up breaking the fork? If its set up as stiff as possible and he is just cruising down some moderate trail there would really be no negative effect right?

If they say suggest a rider weight limit of 250 pounds isnt that just to get maximum functionality? The fork should be strong enough to go way beyond that maximum threshold. I mean its 2008, not 1995.

I could be way way off on this but those are my thoughts. I ride a Headshock because when I bought my Cannondale that was THE fork for heavier riders (I'm in the mid 250 range). Its always worked fine for me but then again I usually dont hit shit at full speed.


Skoozl you dont make mention of whether you are overweight or just built like an NFL lineman. If this is your first mountain bike you are probably going to be riding well within your limits initially. I wouldnt think that you would be bombing off shit right off the bat.

Just some thoughts. Good luck with whatever you decide. And welcome to DR.

[rockyrider]

Having the fork only be capable of supporting a maximum of 2/3 of the rider's weight would be a frustrating experience as it will constantly bottom out, and likely will run at about 50-60% sag at the best. At 350 pounds that would be pushing the construction limits of most XC forks, so even a Fox 32 will feel as wobbly as a SID fork to a 200 pounder. It might not snap off, but it will likely wiggle around like one of those white plastic takeout food forks.

A burly freeride fork like a Lyrik/Totem, Fox 36 Vanilla or Marz 66 could likely be modified to reduced travel (100-120mm instead of 160-180mm), and at least the structure of the fork should feel solid.

Even the majority of rigid steel forks will feel a bit wiggly, it really will take some searching to find solid and reliable components for any rider in the 275+pound category.

My big worry would be pedal spindles, cranks and seatposts. Something like a Shimano Saint or Hone crankset would be a good bet.

I'm not sure who makes the sturdiest pedals. Most steel spindle pedals aren't spec'd for a maximum rider weight, but they still break on occassion with riders under 250 pounds.

A frame with a 30.9 or 31.6mm seatpost would be advisable, and a good solid freeride seatpost like a Race Face Diabolous would be good.

It would be worth talking to Zinn Cycles (http://www.zinncycles.com/default.aspx) who build a lot of bikes for guys in the 250+ pound range, they may have a better insight into the options for their biggest customers

[tryandgetme]

A burly freeride fork like a Lyrik/Totem, Fox 36 Vanilla or Marz 66 could likely be modified to reduced travel (100-120mm instead of 160-180mm), and at least the structure of the fork should feel solid.


Maybe without modification, it would sag into the right travel range? Acting like lots of preload?

[rockyrider]

There's some good info here on forks for big guys (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=3962537#post3962537)

[skoozul]

Thanks for the info. I want this bike for cardo and will mostly be using it for urban and light trail use. The Bike shop I'm ordering through is calling around to the manufacturers asking their opinion and are being quite helpful. I've been looking toward dirt jumping because they are designed for the forces an average sized person in extreme situations, I would hope they would hold up to me taking it easy on it. Right now I'm trying to get more info on the AtomLab GI-60 fork to make sure it'll be compatible with the bike. So far from what I have read on it I'm liking it a lot and the $225 price tag is appealing too. The shop has tried to get a hold of them a few times, but seem to be having some trouble.

[ironspoke]

For light trail use and urban riding a rigid fork may be a better option. For $225 (see the Spicer link above by Mimbresman) I would imagine you could get yourself a damn good rigid job. Just my opinion but I would stay away from a suspension fork in that price range considering your weight and considering the shop is already having difficulty reaching the fork manufacturer. You think their customer service gets better after a sale? This may sound kind of shitty and will potentially offend some of the professional wrenches on this board, but the shop who sells you this low end fork is guaranteeing a customer (namely you) for required maintenance on said fork. Again I have no idea of the shop you are buying from and they may be the most honest, trustworthy group of guys and gals ever assembled. But at some point they have to make money to stay in business. That lower end fork is going to fail on you and they will be there to continusouly fix it.

Good luck...but go rigid. It'll be like driving a Honda or a Toyota. They dont look flashy but every day when you turn the ignition on the car starts. A rigid fork will never let you down. I realize that to a beginner rider a rigid fork may not look very appealing, but there are a lot of guys on this board with a lot of different bikes and many of them have a rigid set up as their favorite ride.

[squall]

There's some good info here on forks for big guys (http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=3962537#post3962537)

cant open the link.. huhuhuu:(

[JerodH]

Skoolzs,
The first bike I had had a Suntour suspension fork on it and at the time I was at probably 360. I had no problem riding it for seven years. Keep in mind I did not jump everything in site. Like you I rode it for fitness, but the occasional jumps and aggressive riding. Thanks god for bikes, I lost 110 lbs, just from watching what I ate and riding the wheels off that sucka! If I was you I would start off with the one the bike comes on and if it fails go for what the experts suggest. I am not an expert by any means. I just love bikin'!