Want some lighter forks than the Tora 302 that I'm running on the singlespeed and spotted Merlin's pretty keen prices on the Rockshox forks. I'm used to running Revelations on the full susser, but can't decide whether the extra £20 and a bit of weight is worth if for the [url= https://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=842&categoryId=18 ]2009 Reba Race[/url] over the [url= https://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=1070&categoryId=18 ]2008 Reba SL[/url].
Any thoughts or experience of either please? I think they look like a pretty good deal whichever ones I go for...
I would go for 2009. Newer lowers. Nice looks and only £20 more. Post Mount instead of IS, looks good.
But second hand You can get a vgc/mint 2008 SL for about 80-100 less than new SL at Merlin.
But if You consider new only than I would buy 2009.
I'm really happy with my 2008 SL, bought it second hand mint condition for a good price. No floodgate adjustment as it's pre set but still great fork. Had a MC 3.3 rear shock and the floodgate adjustment came handy as You might not like the factory setting. Again how often will You change it anyway? 😉
IMO the '08 look like better forks, lighter, poploc, cheaper and look cooler.
Dunno why I'd not considering the 2nd hand option on the '08s - just made a few enquiries so thanks for the heads up on that. I do also prefer the look of the '08s too...
[url= http://reviews.mtbr.com/blog/category/pro-reviews/ ]Reba 2009 Team review[/url]MTBR seem to think the 2009 models are a worthwile improvement over the 2008 series due to damping changes.
I believe it's only the Team that has the new Black Box damping. The Race has the normal Motion Control.
Why are '09 Reba's heavier than the '08 ones?
The new rebas are only 40g lighter than 09 140mm revelations!
"No floodgate adjustment as it's pre set but still great fork."
I thought the SL had internal floodgate adjustment (allen key head behind the rubber cap on the motion control). I seem to remember playing about with it on a mates bike once
Don't know whether you've seen [url= http://www.lexs.co.uk/acatalog/2009_RockShox_Reba_Team_26_Dual_Air_120_Maxle_Lite_Disc_BBMC_PushLock.html ]this offer.[/url]
Reba Tem 09 with Maxle lite for £412! They're £500+ on merlin...
I've had both the 2008 Reba SL's and the 2009 Reba Race and can't tell the difference.
The 09s have a new more linear spring rate.
Whether or not you think this is a good thing or not is up to you I suppose, but I found the old ones had way too much of a rising spring rate (even with the +/-ive pressues adjusted to be more linear).
09 teams have the new damper with improved high speed compression, but I think the race damper is the same as before.
I had the same dilemma yesterday gontothehills, I went again, for the 2008 SL's in the end.
I have had 2008 SL's in the past and they were spot on for me, only sold them because I needed the money at the time 😉
I've just fitted some eBay 2006 ones to the singlespeed - seem pretty sweet, and they're only just a few grammes over 1.5Kg, so whilst they might not be as stiff as the 08 / 09 ones, they're not much heavier than a pair of SIDs.
Thanks for the advice though - makes a lot of sense and I just wish I had a bit more cash to justify splashing on the 08 SLs.