Holla, I'm building up a Bird Aeris 145 Frame.
Looking to keep it a cheap, minimax build.
Know what to get for most parts, forks less so.
Can see very good deals on RockShox Revelations on the German sites, but am wondering whether they are a sensible choice. I'm unlikely to upgrade it to a Pike Damper.
Also thinking, Marzocchi Z2, Suntour Sr Auron and Manitou Mattoc.
All pricier. The latter two, less convinced I'll be able to get seals and servicing for in a few years time.
I have an old solo air Motion Control fork from back in the day. It's OK, but a bit shit over small bumps, sticky, even after services. Are the Debonair MoCo forks any better?
Cheers, Alex
I have a mattoc pro. Umpteen times better than the revelation it replaced
Cheers, what in particular is better?
Mattoc pro are very good, can't comment on the availability of spares/seals etc though.
My default budget fork recommendation for anything north of a trail bike is a RockShox Yari. Not only they are a perfectly reasonable fork in standard guise, they also effectively share the chassis with the Lyrik.
Buy a discounted Yari of your preferred offset and wheel size at some German site (they're frequently on sale) and then update the damper to a Charger when you find a discounted one.
My current fork started it's life as a Yari RC Soloair purchased for €400, then got a Debonair airshaft for €30, then a Charger2 damper at a sale for €120 and recently a set of SKF wiper seals, so now it's a Lyrik. It cost me €560 total
Have a search on here got the thread about mattoc forks.. in a nutshell spares and warranty cover is basically non existent in the uk, and older forks are still selling with an inherent problem you’ll struggle to get sorted.
it was started by onzadog, who I think also worked out he could get a yari (I think) and an upgraded liryk damper time go inthe yari for less than ten mattocs!
I’d also be avoiding xfusion as well. Seemingly the only service centre for them now is the importer.
I've just built up a budget Aeris 145, I had Mattoc Pro's going spare from another build. They're great forks and you should be able to get some second hand for a very reasonable price. Spares might be a little harder to find than Rockshox/Fox but a lot of places service Manitou and I don't think they'll be going out of business so ongoing support should be fine.
I’ve got z2’s arriving today, heard nothing but positive reviews. Like the long service intervals and easy diy too.
Op, What travel, what budget what axle? (650b?)
I've got Suntour Aion and OH has Auron on his bike. Both are really good forks.
Don’t discount X Fusion on the basis of service centres; other places can support them too for example Sprung at FOD.
Ive got a set of Slants that I’m using on a 650 frame and the HLR damper is great. If you can find a set of Sweep / Slants for a decent price with the HLR damper then definitely consider them.
Don’t discount X Fusion on the basis of service centres; other places can support them too for example Sprung at FOD.
Sure I saw a thread on here that suggested nowhere apart from upgrade could do them now as xfusion/upgrade were being difficult with specialist parts/tools.
I might be completely wrong though. However having dealt with xfusion/upgrade before I'd have to say never again...
Damage brain.
Ideally 150mm, but happily 160mm
I'd rather keep it under 500 quid... But could go a bit higher.
I don't need a full on enduro fork, I will ride sort of heavy trail. I.e. I'm heavy and it will be singletrack!
That being said, suppose the weight difference between a Pike/Lyrik, Auron/Durolux is only 200 or 300 grams...
Basically I want something low hassle, quite supple at the start of the stroke, but decent progression so it doesn't blow right through.
Thought about going second hand? Surely a used Fox 34 is around that kind of money?
If you are heavy, and want 160mm travel, I'd be looking for a nice used Lyrik. Or even a discounted new one.
Because you are looking at 650b, you will have a lot more options.
In your shoes, I'd get the Revelation or the Yari depending on the chassis you prefer and look at a Novyparts Splug to upgrade the damper when you realise how easily overwhelmed the damper is.
I'm almost tempted to do that myself rather than a Lyrik Ultimate.
As for manitou in the UK. Imported by Hotlines and only sold by CRC/wiggle. Great forks from what I hear, but make up your own mind as to the level of service and support you'd get.
My recent experiences have led to the opinion that I'd rather have a great fork with support than the best fork without.
I've pm'd you Alex, not sure on volume so if it floats your boat buy before you psa, but then pop it up here 😉
For clarification - nothing to do with me, I just saw them the other day, the that's the UK distributor.
Not sure if SportPursuit still have the DVO forks - might be an option?
I'm liking the set I bunged on my hardtail.
My current project led me to DVO Beryl D2 for £440 (winstanleys)
Turned up as Diamond D2 which (As far as i can ascertain) are the same fork but OEM versions.
Not actually build the bike yet (frame still being made) but they should be adequate for my needs.
The alternate was some Fox 34s for similar money i found on Wiggle.
Sign up to the newsletter from these guys, always have yari etc at big discount with a code
https://www.rczbikeshop.com/default/
Was actually going to recommend the Mattocs myself, that's what I've got on my Aeris 145.. great forks..
Im due a basic service soon on them.. haven't got the shopping list together yet to DIY.. .so will see what happens
Start Fitness have a boost Pike rct3 for £519. It gives you the option when you go to sign up to their site and get a 10% code which would bring the price down if it works. Getting a decent chassis there - stiffer than a 34 and lighter than a Yari - plus a charger damper.
Other than that I’d try and pickup a Yari over a Revelation. The 145 will have you going faster than you expect in most places in my experience.
After recent posts on here, it'll be a while before I consider a Manitou.
Used Lyrik +1
Personally I love the Rev that came on my bike, & would happily recommend them. I have a (basic) Lyrik on my 2nd bike, and as much as I'd like to upgrade my current bike (just because) I can't justify if for X% slightly stiffer fork (& I don't ride one bike & think this is loads stiff or loads more flexy than the other). I'd buy the Rev's if I was you, easy to service, easy to get parts for & upgradable if you do feel like it later.
That said if you can get Yari's for less than or the same as the Rev's, I'd be seriously tempted to go that way instead.
My z2's arrived and been ridden since posting in this thread. Love 'em. Prefer it over the rev even with a charger 2.1 in it. I replaced the RS deluxe (with megneg) with a Suntour triair too and it's like a new bike, just better everywhere. "Budget" gear is just so good these days.
some seriously cheap DT Swiss F535's on wiggle ATM.
I have a 145 (in 160mm mode) with a Pike. The Pike is fine, does it's job, but isn't amazing.
Recently bought a cheap mattoc to try on the hardtail, the damping is way better than the Pike, so I'm looking at a Mezzer to replace the Pike with at some point.
Haven't put the Mattoc on the bird as I wanted something a bit stiffer as it gets a lot of DH days, and it's smaller tubes on the mattoc than the pike so will be a bit flexier.
If you're just using it as a general trail bike, I'd get a Mattoc. Plenty about 2nd hand cheap too.
Have a look at R2-bike.... Theyre doing some cracking deals... I think they've got Yari's at a steel. I picked up some Lyrik ultimates and turned up within 3 days.