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If money (say £1k) wasn't an issue and you wanted to try a coil fork would you go for a cheaper option (say smashpot conversion) or just buy a coil fork to start with?
Air fork in question is Pike Ultimate 29 btw.
If money is no object the only reason I can see not to buy a new fork is to keep matching logos. Or ease of service for (typically more common) dampers etc used on air forks.
I converted my lyriks with the smashpot kit and can recommend it. The advantages over buying a coil fork are that there are more options of spring weights, it can be swapped between forks and can change the travel, the bottom out adjuster is pretty neat too and works well. Vorsprung seem like a good company, I emailed them a couple of times and got quick replies.
I'd buy a mezzer pro
Buy a coil fork. If you don’t like the coil you may not be able to switchback to the air spring after using a coil conversion. Not to mention the lovely new fork you get to use.
I had a set of 36s that I almost liked, and at the time there wasn't much out there for new coil forks, so it was a no-brainer to go Vorsprung. But if I was doing it today it'd depend on a lot of things, mostly how much I liked the current fork I think
(I would not be "money no object" though! Cost and resale values would definitely come into it.)
I have a coil Helm and if money was no object I'd get a coil fork. You'd either have a spare fork or be able to sell a fork on.
I'd sell the Pike and buy new personally.
Even with the UK distributor's customary overpricing, the Marz Z1 coil looks like it might be the best blend of price and performance in current coil forks.
put a smashpot in 18 lyrik rct - like night and day ----way better
I'd go new coil as there are plenty of great options for coil forks with MRP Ribbon, Helm Coil & Formula Selva.
I can certainly recommend the MRP.
@orangespyderman how is the helm coil? Have seen the original on offer and they are just releasing a helm mark 2 I think.
how is the helm coil? Have seen the original on offer and they are just releasing a helm mark 2 I think.
I think it's brilliant - really a very very good fork, with a bunch of adjustment and a super smooth action. Coils are the future* The axle thing is a bit more complicated than it needs to be, but I think that's working round patents. It works fine though.
*Possibly 🙂
Bomber Z1 coil too.
If you put a coil in an air fork, you probably can't go back so I'd buy a seperate coil fork.
I've had a Lyrik Smashpotted, would echo the comments above that it feels lovely. If money really is no option, just buy a new coil, then you can more easily compare the two.
another very happy MRP ribbon coil user here
best damper on the market is grip 2, so a smashpotted 36 is where it's at.
This is interesting reading:
https://nsmb.com/articles/marzocchi-bomber-z1-coil-29-160mm/
Must admit I'm seriously considering coils front and rear for my next bike (hard hitting trail/enduro bike)
If you put a coil in an air fork, you probably can’t go back so I’d buy a seperate coil fork.
You can switch between coil & air with Ohlins. The air cartridge is self contained so doesn't require a seal against the stanchion wall.
The new M.2 is meant to be brilliant. Not cheap mind.
With most top end dampers I think they are much of a muchness, feel dependent. If you were dropping a coil into a fork i'd be more interested in the chassis they were going into.
best damper on the market is grip 2
And which have you tested it against?