I'm building up a hardtail just now to replace my Cotic Soul. I've had Souls for about 7 years now, but when I upped the fork to a 140mm travel fork, from the previous 100mm, the large frame never quite fitted me right after that.
So I recently gone all in and commissioned a custom built steel 650b frame from Jon at Chickens Frame Emporium. (I've known Jon for a while now, and always said I wanted one of his frames!- check out here if you're not familiar! [url= http://http://www.chickensframeemporium.co.uk ]Chickens[/url])
Now I need a fork, and I'm pretty stuck. It seems the 27.5 market is driven by enduro at the moment, and most forks start at the 150/ 160mm mark. I'm after something fairly light (although performance takes precedence!) and probably lower travel. Adjustable between 120 and 140mm would be ideal. Cost isn't my greatest concern, seeing as if I'm buying the custom frame, (I understand that the frame's geometry will take the fork in to account), I want to get it right first time. I anticipate this bike will last a long time!!
My riding is predominantly "trail" riding, but I do like to drop the saddle and hit a few dirt jumps, and I do like to get loose on downhills. (Cove G Spot for uplift days etc)
Any thoughts/ experience? I'm pretty tempted by a second hand x fusion sweep on here at the moment, but I almost feel obliged to spend a bit more! All the reviews really rate the sweep "for its price bracket" and it's hard to tell its "raw" performance regardless of price!
130mm Solo Air Pike. Job done.
As above, though I bought a 150mm Pike and then ordered a 130mm air shaft for £28 quid to convert it.
I have 130mm Pikes and love them. Stiff and plush.
X-Fusion Sweep. Mine is 140, but they can be spaced down or up. Lovely fork.
Appreciate that, I'm pretty illiterate when it comes to suspension, but I know everyone seems to rate the Pike. Seems like a pretty tasty price there too!
Eltonerino, I hear you there, I saw about the spacing, that's pretty nifty, and not too bothered about the fact that they're internally adjusted as I don't tinker that much any how. What sort of riding do you do with yours?
Pike is a good call, easily stepped down to 130 or 140mm. X-Fusion Sweeps would be a good choice too and are more easily adjustable. Depending on when you're frame's ready the new Roughcut dampers will be available soon.
It would have to be the pikes or revelations for me, with the black fork legs and stantions, look bad ass!
Excellent reviews to
Mr G Fisher where did you get the 130mm air shaft from?
Then I fell off my bike after being hit by the full weight of my own awesomeness on the trail.
Excellent!!!
Got 130mm Pikes on my Whyte T130. Love them. Stiff, plush, supportive, while being a bit more responsive and snappy compared to the longer travel versions.
The Pikes are a great fork (I've got a set) but I think it would be overkill for a Trail HT with 130mm.
I would suggest Revelation RC3 or Cannondale Lefty Max 130. These are both fantastic forks and probably suited more to your application.
If I was going for something special, as you are with a custom frame, I would get the lefty. Jon will be able to sort the HT length to suit the different clamp spacings.
Haha qwerty I know! Think that little blurb sums up his outlook on riding pretty well- definitely the kind of guy who doesn't take himself too seriously!
Appreciating the feedback here, will look in to the revelation and the pike. Cokie, you've definitely sewn a seed in my head with the Lefty idea though, how well are you clued up on the lefties?
Do it! I think a lefty would be very cool.
I have a fair bit of experience and knowledge. Let me know if you have any questions.
Here's some photos of steel hardtails with Leftys to wet your whistle..
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(and Ti)
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Antares, my LBS ordered it from Fishers. I asked for one late last year and had to wait a while for it to come in, but it should be easy to get them now.
Pikes, cheap and very good
MrGFisher - Member
Antares, my LBS ordered it from Fishers. I asked for one late last year and had to wait a while for it to come in, but it should be easy to get them now.
My LBS were unable to source a 130mm air shaft in the last week of Jan, so went with 140 instead. Fishers might have them in now, of course.
Aaaaand now I really want a lefty for my Ritchey.
Antares, my LBS ordered it from Fishers. I asked for one late last year and had to wait a while for it to come in, but it should be easy to get them now.
Cheers. I managed to track one down from place in Finland that had them in stock.
those [url= http://www.chickensframeemporium.co.uk/ ]chicken frames[/url] look nice! (and that link should work)