[Closed] 29er 140/150 fork what are my options?

I had some 140mm Sektors on my 29er and thought they were ok but Pikes are miles better. Revelations are worth considering and better than Sektors.

Don't believe the hype re Fox. I replaced my Sektors with some 2014 Fox 34 140mm CTD Performance and think they're a much better fork. Maybe better than my mates Revs too but it's a close call. Don't be put off.

As above, Revelations way better than Sektors, Pike better again.

MRP Stage would be another good one to consider.

The new Fox 34s are excellent too, and way more affordable than 36s.

X-Fusion Trace would be another option if you want something more afforable.

With the pikes does the offset 51? Make any difference?
Mrp has anyone ridden/used them?

Pikes are ace, the new lyriks will be ace too (and stiffer iirc) and will come in 150mm flavour

The 51mm offset on the pikes does make a difference. I went from 46mm offset Revs at 140mm to 51mm offset on pikes at 150mm. The offset makes the steering much quicker. The downside is that it can be a bit more 'flip floppy' so, for example, when on a steep climb switchback, you turn the bars so far then they want to suddenly flip to full lock. Not a problem once you're used to it. Also a supposed downside is that due to the slightly longer wheelbase the bike should not be quite as manoeuvrable, but I think the quicker steering more than compensates for that.

If you decide on Pikes just go for the Solo's. I went for DPA's and after the initial novelty factor I stopped using the feature and just adjusted my riding. The Solo's are supposed to ride a bit nicer too.

I bought 51mm offset RCT Pikes to replace the flexy Fox 32 CTD that came with my bike and they're a massive improvement. Mine were 140mm but I'm running them at 120mm at the moment. I had to install a new air assembly to do this for £30. Great fork so far.

I'm running a Fox 34 CTD with trail adjust fork at 150mm on my Orange 5 29'er and personally very happy with it. I don't get any of the trail buzz in my hands that people talk about with Fox forks, good bump compliance and only ever bottomed out once I think. I am looking to upgrade to the latest damper though but that's just cos I can, not any real issue.

I've got Pikes (having just had them returned from warranty), wish I'd paid the extra for a nice set of 36s which perform better and seem to be much more reliable.

[url= https://www.bike-components.de/en/Fox-Racing-Shox/36-Float-29-150-Fit-RC2-Federgabel-Modell-2015-p45862/ ]Decent value 36s[/url]

Have spent a bit of time on several of the forks mentioned in this thread so far. Here's my quick thoughts on them.

MRP Stage. This is what I currently run on my full sus bike. I love them, probably the best fork of the lot IMO. I've heard of people struggling to get a good setup with them (there's a lot to twiddle externally, and the pressurising of the air Spring through the negative chamber makes it a faff), but persevere and they're superb. It's a very active fork, more so than any other I've tried. The air Spring goes from nicely progressive to "you'll never bottom that out in a month of Sunday's" with the adjuster wound all the way in (a nice feature). The damper is slightly squelchier than most in use, but it's not so loud as to be annoying. Some testers have said the axle is a faff, personally I think it's better than the alternatives. Crucially this fork is stiff, progressive, highly adjustable, very active, oh and they're pretty easy to work on too. My fork of choice.

Rockshox Pike. Superbly stiff, great damping control, very light for what it is. My biggest issue with the Pike is that it's still quite linear even with lots of tokens in. I found the fork needed enough air in that I was getting less than 20% sag and the fork felt harsh just so I didn't bottom out all the time. Would have another but would get it serviced/setup by LoCo Tuning or TFTuned first, and max the tokens out to get anywhere near the progression I like.

Rockshox Revelation RCT3. Way stiffer than their 32mm counterparts though noticeably not as stiff as a Pike/Stage. Great damping control just like the Pike, but again need plenty of tokens in to get anywhere near the progression I like. An almost forgotten fork now the Pike has become so ubiquitous, but certainly still a good performer. Best off as a 100-120mm fork on a HT IMO though rather than on a full sus.

X-Fusion Slide. The 32mm stanchioned brother to the 34mm Trace. These impressed me a lot for the price (much cheaper than just about anything else on the market). Adjustment is basic, but they're well controlled. Stiffer than a Reba/SID and reasonably progressive too. Heard they're a bit of a faff to work on compared to Rockshox, but have no experience of pulling them apart. Haven't tried the Trace myself but hear good things about it, though it puzzles me that it's so much more expensive seemingly just to go up 2mm in stanchion size!

Rockshox Reba RL. Rockshox's venerable workhorse, nice and basic, does a half decent job if you don't expect too much from a fork. Very easy to work on, cheap to buy and maintain etc. But any of the above perform better IMO.

Not ridden any of the latest Fox forks sadly, and only a brief go on any recent Manitou's in the last couple of years (which seemed very plush, but very linear, same as they always used to be).

FWIW I've logged the most miles by a margin on a Stage fork out of those listed above... Probably because it's the one that's impressed me the most and I've not felt I've wanted to change it for anything else!

If you decide on Pikes just go for the Solo's. I went for DPA's and after the initial novelty factor I stopped using the feature and just adjusted my riding. The Solo's are supposed to ride a bit nicer too.

From January you can go for the X-fusion Revel an USD trail fork that looks stunning. Also the Manitou Magnum is apparently a 29er version of the Mattoc but needs some fiddling with (see mtbr), something about longer bolts, shame I can't remember exactly - probably my age. but Manitou are rumoured to be doing a 29er version of the Mattoc, just don't hold your breath

Thanks mboy......lots to think on.......I have used Talas style forks for a long while and do like the option to drop the fork on long road climbs but seems no benefit on the current forks.
Not seen any mrp yet so off to have a look

The main reason is that you can only tune the solo with tokens - something you'll definitely value as you get used to their linear feel.

Not true anymore. Tokens are now available for duel Pikes (as in officially from Rockshox, rather than the custom hobbies that have been available for ever).

I'd buy a cheaper fork and go see Tony aka ukbikeskills.

Then I'd invest in the forks when your base skills/pace require better equipment.

Better kit doesn't make you a better rider. If you have been wise enough to self diagnose some skill issues, go make an investment to your riding.

I'd buy a cheaper fork and go see Tony aka ukbikeskills.
Then I'd invest in the forks when your base skills/pace require better equipment.

You're rather assuming he hasn't done that already though to be fair! Valid though your point is about improving your skills rather than just the bike, the OP may well have already done that anyway...

I go and see Tony every once in a while for a top up and a refresher, it's very valid. But in the meantime I see no reason not to ride the best kit I have available to me! 😉

I am getting on well with my trace 2.5 years in, at least well enough to not want to buy anything else.

Absolutely mboy, why wouldn't you want the best you can afford! When I did motorbike enduros my mates who were all at least expert class recommended I buy a 'beginners bike' that I would be able to cope with. I suffered several seasons of overweight, underpowered, poorly suspended slugs before I decided to ignore their advice and buy what they were riding, at the time a KTM 125. I certainly didn't get anywhere near the best out of the bike but it improved me considerably. I am a firm believer in skills compensators. My current MTB is way better than I will ever be but it does its best to keep me out of trouble. So buy the best you can afford has to be the motto!

I am a firm believer in skills compensators.

😆

Shouldn't take the piss (well actually, I should!) but alexh rides a Bronson! 😉 The most Skills Compensatory of Skills Compensators! Also, he does have a propensity to put his foot in his mouth from time to time!

I will caveat that by saying that to be fair, he doesn't hang about on it though... That bike gets ridden hard. Especially not since he's had a few sessions with Tony @ UKBikeskills. So his point still remains valid.

I'd definitely like to try the 36s... But a Pike is £400, without even trying, and a 36 is £727.

Wouldn't bother with any 32 options personally, they're already getting pretty marginal at 150mm for 26 never mind 29. I'm not fussy about flex generally but it's pretty noticable in the rev and slide. And there's not that much benefit to be had by going skinny anyway

By the op own admission, he has no skill.

A better fork is just a band aid over skills, and could even get him into more trouble. Still, 99% of people will plump for upgraded kit over tuition.

Yeah, yeah I occasionally ride a rough, abused Bronson 🙂 needs must at some places but I prefer a light it. there is a time and a place for a bouncy bike. I realised after my bump the Bronson really wasn't helping me . It was patching over my confidence, body weaknesses, poor positioning and bailing me out. Stripping it all back to riding my ht and bmx got me back where I needed to be, and now I'm starting to ride the Bronson a bit better.

* light ht, not it. Where is the dam edit button...

By own admission I have no skill, and regularly attend skills days though Jedi is not one I have used next on list
by own admission have prolapsed discs in C5/6/7 plus fused discs in lumber so big bouncy bike and big bouncy well damped reliable forks make life a little more fun.....saying that I do like my ritchey p29 hardtail..... So well damped supple forks help my medical ailments ..I cannot speak highly enough of DT Swiss 29er 120mm forks I have but they do not do them in longer travel
Yes big forks compensate for my ineptitude after over twenty years of riding and [/b]if [b]Pikes can be bought for 400 that is a reasonable price new which seem to be the go to forks.....

For 400, I think that's a good move.

Jedi is worth the trip, especially so if you have ridden so long and feel the way you do about your riding.

Weird, I googled at work and got some £399.99 Pikes. Now all I can see is £425

A better fork is just a band aid over skills, and could even get him into more trouble. Still, 99% of people will plump for upgraded kit over tuition.

Loving the skills fascism and the made-up stats. Have you considered a career in politics? 😉

Mrp has anyone ridden/used them?

Yes, have them on our Smuggler demo bike and really rate them.

Mboy has done a fantastic summary up there ^^ and I can't really add anything to that. They do take a bit of fiddling with to get right (so actually aren't ideal on a demo bike - I'll probably swap them out for something else and put them on my own bike at some point) but have lots of adjustability to allow you to dial them in as you wish.

Northwi d I think Rutland cycles had them at 399......mrp okay off to have a look

Has anyone tried the SR Suntour Auron's yet? Saw a good review in one of the mags, and there's some good feedback online, but nothing really in the UK...

Could be a reasonable option!

BadkyWiredDog, that would surely require me to answer your question with a question, would it not?

Those stats are 34% correct.

Would it?

🙂

I like my Stage. I don't think the rebound is quite as refined as the Pike, but the small bump sensitivity is much better and it's nice to be able to adjust the spring rate without having to add tokens.