I generally buy to keep until death do us part and last new set of forks i bought was over 6 years ago - long before the Great Wheel War of 2013. I'm very, very close to replacing my perfectly functional Fox 32 Floats on the Stumpy Evo but while trying to decide between Slants and Pikes, i got to wondering [i]why not get some 650b forks?[/i]. All my bikes are currently 26 and although i don't plan on changing them any time soon, they wont last forever.
I don't see me going 29 for a long while yet (if ever) but when the time comes to change bikes and if 650 is all that's available, then that's what i'll get. Therefore I think i'm being clever with this pre-emptive fork strike, but am i? Are there any reasons not to go for 650b forks instead of 26?
Oh, and i'm guessing if i asked the forum for opinions on Slant v Pike, pike would win?
650b Pike is 10mm longer axle to crown and has 2mm more offset; so pretty much the same difference as adding a Fox 36 instead of your 32 (without buying a really old and heavy design of fork).
If your frame can handle the extra 10mm of fork length I see no downside to buying the 650b Pike, its certainly what I would be doing in your shoes (unless someone comes on here and explains why I am wrong).
Nah - get some top of the range 26" forks (in the sales if you can) - and they'll hold their value in years to come if you sell them. People will still need want to buy good 2nd hand 26" parts in 10 years, especially if they're no longer available new. Get some 2.4/2.5 tyres if you want slightly bigger wheels.
Could you get a 650b Pike but change out the shaft (£30 part) to lower the travel? I dunno what rear travel the Stumpy Evo has or what travel (a2c) your current fork has, but it could mean that you'd be able to offset the 10mm increase in axle to crown by running it with less travel, then if you ever get a 650b frame you can swap out the shaft to lengthen the travel again.
I'm thinking of doing the same thing if I end up getting a Pike for my Blur.
Good time to buy secondhand 26" forks.
I have a mint set of Lyriks for sale, RC2 DH's 😀
What absolute hilarity - no new 26" forks in 10 years?!
You'll still be able to buy new 26" forks in 10 years. Don't fret.
TBF X-fusion sell several of their other forks (VENGEANCE, METRIC, REVEL and VELVET) as all being dual 27.5/26" compatable, you picked one of the few forks they do which they don't make that claim for...
I got 650b Pikes on my 26" wheeled Spitfire. No intention of running bigger wheels at the moment but it's nice to have the option, plus there's plenty of mud clearance...
Cheers lads. So were talking a slight increase offset and a possible small difference to a2c height? Hmmm, i'll check out the prices and see which best suit the wallet as i don't believe either of those would cause me or the bike any issues.
you picked one of the few forks they do which they don't make that claim for...
Slants were my original first choice (mainly due to price) but while bored in work over the weekend, i actually bought a set of Pikes but because they cost 0.06p more than i had in my account at the time, i was denied 😆
and they'll hold their value in years to come if you sell them
😆