Evening all,

I have a 2012 Saracen Ariel 14x with 150mm forks.

Just out of interest, anyone know what size fork it can take? Could it run a 160mm? Any Ariel owners out there?!!

Thanks, Iain.

Hi Iain
My Fox 36 talas 160 should be arriving tomorrow. I’ll hopefully have it fitted to my 143 for Saturday’s ride. I’ll let you know how I get on. I chose to go for the Talas as I was finding steep climbs a bit if a pig with my current 32 float. My old bike had a talas and it helped a lot

I had a 160mm fork on my 2011 ariel and it was great.

Needed a beefy fork I thought.

Great news thanks chaps. It’s good to know it can take 160.
Ivorhogseye – how were the 36 Talas forks on their maiden outing?
I’m very partial to the 34 and 36 Talas forks, so best get saving! 😀

Hi Iain,
The good news is I’ve fitted the fork and it feels like a baby downhill bike…..whilst sat on it in the kitchen.
As Chakaping mentioned, I think it’ll suit the bikes personality perfectly.
Took 3-4 hours to fit it. It was my first steerer cut and star nut fit, so I measured everything 10 times and proceeded slowly. I used a plumbers pipe cutter to do the cut and it worked perfectly.

The bad news is it’s been heaving it down and I’m a big Jessie, so haven’t been out riding yet.
I’m desperate to get out but I just know it will be miserable in this weather, will post a post ride report as soon as I can.

I don’t blame you at all, the weather has been shocking!
Would be good to get a ride report as soon as you can get out. Also how about a pic or two of the newly fitted forks?
I can sense I will be very jealous indeed!

Happy Christmas, Iain.

Finally got my first ride in with the new forks.
Rode Holmbury and Pitch hills and Winterfold in the north downs.
Conditions were pretty bad, deep thick sticky sloppy mud everywhere.
It was great fun but extremely knackering.
Not a great test of the new fork.
There were two sections where the fork had a workout and it felt excellent, smooth as silk and it tracked accurately.
Strangely the best thing about the new fork (in today’s conditions) was the Talas.
Being able to drop the front end on the climbs transformed the bike.
Before it was simply rubbish at climbing, today it was transformed, even in the gloop it helped a lot.

So I’m extremely happy with the upgrade and would recommend it.