Plenty of them about online for under £200. Very tempted but can it handle 15 stone of clumsy xc? or is coil the way to go.
[url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/RockShox_Recon_Race_OE_2009_Suspension_Forks/5360045719/ ]Recon @ Wiggle[/url]
What makes you think it couldn't take it? Especially when you feel the coil (327, 335, 351) one (same chassis) would be fine?
As a guide, the Solo Air Recons (327, 335, 351) fall under the 'Trail' Category on rockshox's site. They used to fall under the 'All mountain' Category (before they added a 'trail' classification)
The Recon SL, XC and Race (all 100mm) fall under the XC category
If you're getting confused:
327 = no lockout (OE only)
335 = turnkey lockout (OE only)
351 = motion control damping + lockout
There maybe other differences in eg steerer tube material (steel or alu.)
EDIT: Just followed your link. Its a Race model, so Rockshox call it an XC fork. Chain Reaction and Merlin have some recons for £175 (not sure which models]
Go on rockshox's website and see what you can decifer
My old 351 solo airs took plenty of strife and were fine.
Years ago I was told that pie eaters like me should always go for coil forks instead of air.
Thanks for the guide. Tried looking at the RS site but its not easy to work stuff out there. Also didn't find any kind of upper weight limit on each model.
Try looking at their recommended fork air pressure for weight - if it goes up to 15 stone then that would infer that 15 stone is ok?
Years ago I was told that pie eaters like me should always go for coil forks instead of air
Not necessarily so, especially these days.
Coil forks have less stiction, so are better for lighter riders. Heavier riders overcome the increased stiction of air easier.
Also, air is far esier to adjust the spring rate, and the heavier you are the more important this is, and the cheaper it is because you won't need to lash out on a heavier spring!
Air forks are a lot more reliable than they used to be and very rarely blow seals any more too.
SO there's no reason for a heavier rider to use coil over air any more at all... 🙂
To the OP - The Recons will be fine. In fact more than that, they'll be great, just get some!