Hello - I managed to snap the axel fitment in the lower leg of my Fox 36 Rhythm (150mm -2021, 44mm rake), had to cut the lower leg attachment off with a hacksaw. The fork is repairable, but at a significant cost. The bike is a Giant Trance X29er (2022) with 135mm rear and 150mm up front. Need help deciding on the following fork options (budget around £350)
- Repair existing, new lower legs are £270 from Fox. Quite like this option as it's a great fork, but fairly well used. Benefit is the bike geometry remains the same. Seems quite a lack of 150mm fork options out there currently.
- Base level 150mm Lyrik from Merlin for £300. Seems a good deal, it's the rush damper.
- 2024 Marzzochi Bomber Z1 - 160mm, new £370. Seems like a great fork and nice simple setup.
- DVO Diamond D1, 160mm, £300 - Really like the look of this, but the servicing and lack of easily accessible volume tokens slightly holds me back. Is the DVO a complex fork to run/maintain? seems lots of setting options on the fork and a claimed weight of 2,100gms, so no heavier than the above.
-Fox Performance 160mm from Merlin, £350, looks a really good deal for the money.
Slightly leaning to the DVO currently, but would appreciate all feedback.
If your stanchions are in good order, I’d be searching for a used fork for the lowers. It’s way more common to damage stanchions than lowers.
Even if I bought a new fork I’d keep an eye out for a used fork for parts.
I bought a cheap set of Lyriks from Merlin a while back, think they were £230ish. I dropped the damper from my damaged lyriks in them.
Second hand helm mk2 off ebay.
I got a near mint set of 150mm coil forks for my hardtail and they are the best forks I have ever had. Better than the ohlins on my fs
From what I understand a z1 is a 36 rhythm with different branding.
DVO I'd look into if the ott adjuster problem has been resolved. Read something about the rod twisting and causing problems. I've never had one of their forks but previously had a topaz which was great.
DVO is robust construction, both the air spring and damper are fully contained units. You can easily add progressiveness by adding oil on top of air spring. Mine was with OTT adjustment but newer Diamond models do not have anymore and are bit lighter as well. The problem with OTT (= adjustable negative spring)was that it does not stay in adjusted position, meaning that your setup will change over time.
For something completely different I would recommend Formula Selva, it is 160mm travel but axle to crown is about 10mm shorter than Fox or RS at same travel.
From what I understand a z1 is a 36 rhythm with different branding.
It was, sort of, when they had GRIP sweep damper, now they have the RAIL damper in them. Unless they have changed the Fox fork too.
I have the old GRIP Z1 and have no complaints. My son has a Z2 with the RAIL damper and equally has no complaints.
For ease of parts and or servicing I'd go Fox/Marz from that list.
As mountain bike parts seem to have very little value at the moment and you like your forks, I'd agree with those that suggest second hand. If you get the same model with different travel you can just swap the airspring from yours.
It shows how things change, untill I read this thread, I didn't realise that the 36 was a 'trail' fork but presumably the 38 made that so.
I've had DVO Onyx and Diamond.
The OTT adjustment made both amazingly plush, the best forks I'd had before I went to Ohlins
Did you find the DVO an easy fork to service and set up ? I believe the fork I am looking at has OTT fitted. Would a dab of thread lock on the OTT screw stop it from slowly coming loose in time?
I like the suggestion of getting some second hand lowers for the Rhythm, can't currently find any that work at the price point, most beaten ones on ebay are >£200. I assume the lowers for a 150mm and a 160mm would both fit a 150mm airspring i.e. buy an old 160mm rhythm/GRIP and swap the legs over.
Update - I ordered the Fox Performance 160mm from Merlin for £350. It was a close call with the DVO, but lots of reviews indicated the DVO was a finicky fork and there appears to be some issues with the OTT springs seizing.
I have the 36 Performance from Merlin and zero complaints. Used 34 Performance for years too and zero issues with those either.
I'm very much a "set the fork and then never touch it again" rider, hence I love the simplicity of Fox forks and find working on them very straight forward. The specification on the performance for £350 was the swinger. Never owned a Lyrik, but I'm sure the same could be said for them.
I'm very much a "set the fork and then never touch it again" rider, hence I love the simplicity of Fox forks and find working on them very straight forward. The specification on the performance for £350 was the swinger. Never owned a Lyrik, but I'm sure the same could be said for them.
Same - set the pressure and rebound. Ride it until it needs a service. And repeat.