My mates are trying to convince me to get a set of Pikes (to replace a set of Fox 32 CTD Talas) and I'm happy with mine and don't think I'll see any major difference.
Sure they have 34 stantions and are supposed to be slightly better - but do you really notice it? I can't imagine it'll be as much of a massive leap forward in how the bike rides. I'll still ride what I ride and enjoy it - will it make me enjoy it more?
I'm 90% certain it won't make a difference but that 10% does make me wonder.
Anyone got any impressions they care to share?
How long are the Fox 32's? Pikes are a very stiff chassis, which 32's aren't noted for...
If you dont want them dont buy them.
If your happy with what your using keep using them.
But........
I fitted a set of 150 pikes to my old Turner 5 spot, they replaced some nice 150mm fox 32 kashima forks. They were in another league. I guess it depends what your riding etc.
For me it was a good upgrade, they just perform better everywhere.
The stanchions are 35mm I think, so slap bang between a fox 34 and fox 36. 🙂
My current forks are 140mm and would be going for 150mm (bike can take it)
Riding a lot of fun stuff - local dh trails, usual xc stuff etc you could call it enduro 😉
[i]I'm 90% certain it won't make a difference but that 10% does make me wonder. [/i]
I reckon you'll notice the difference. Mainly as I can notice the difference between my HT that has 150mm straight-steerer Revs and my FS that has tapered-steerer 15mm0 32's - the Revs feel so much stiffer.
Enough of a difference that I've bought a set of 160mm Pikes for the FS. I was going to get more Revs, but got the Pikes on a deal (Alltricks) - and, FWIW the Pikes weigh less than the 32's 🙂
Pikes are 35mm too.
I'm no Fox hater but "32" (at 140mm+), "CTD" (somewhat depending on year) and "TALAS" are all bad things to read in a fork spec IMHO.
I changed my Fox 32 Floats for Pikes - huge improvment (biggest being in stiffness) and converted my Fox 36 TALAS to FLOAT - again, huge improvment.
Pike RC's at ~£325 from alltricks are impressive bang for buck.
I noticed a significant difference going to Pikes from Revs. From looking down and visibly seeing less flex when going over bumpy terrain, to them just feeling much better 'plusher' and grippier. Have they made me a better rider? Absolutely not. Do I enjoy riding them more than the revs? Absolutely.
If you are riding anything remotely rocky like the peaks or the lakes then you will notice a huge difference in chassis rigidity. The dampening would be much better as well.
The Pike is the first fork in years that I have used and noticed a big difference over previous forks. I went from a coil Lyrik to a Pike and I no longer suffered from arm pump and they gave noticeably better control. Not noticed the stiffness, but the suspension performance is excellent.
But if you are happy with what you have I wouldn't bother changing.
I was set on speccing them for my 5 but it came with Factory spec 34's for a great price, & all I can say is that Pikes must be incredible, because these 34's seem solid enough.
Then again, I'm coming from a couple of years on rigid steel forks, so a Raleigh Activator fork would feel plush. 🙂
...then you will notice a huge difference in chassis rigidity...
You may also notice the incessant top out clunk that made me sell mine and go back to Fox.
OP, just have a quick blast on your mates bikes (who I presume have pikes if giving you peer pressure) and see if you can tell a difference.
If you don't want them, don't buy them.
I always got on with my 32's (although it is a while since I had any). Are your current forks QR? If so, then there'll be quite a big difference in stiffness.
They won't turn you into an a better rider over night.
One of the secrets to a happy life is being content with what you have.
The biggest thing I noticed when I demo'd bikes with both was how much plusher the Pikes were. That's the main benefit over yours IMO and you would notice the difference.
If you're happy with what you have and can't fault your current forks then I probably wouldn't bother. If you did change though you wouldn't regret it.
If you're happy don't buy any replacement forks, obvs 😉
I'm running my Sektors into the ground first as I like them and they seem fine for me. Then maybe an upgrade. Why not take that route?
Well I bought Revs for my Rocket originally, as I found the F32s I tried on a demo bike horribly noodly compared to what the frame was capable of. Just changed again to Pikes, and it's a massive difference again in term sof stiffness, but also they're much better controlled.
YMYV at the end of teh day, though...
Have they got pikes? If so, borrow a set for a ride. Quick job to swap out a set of forks and then you can judge for yourself...
The top clunk issue is overstated in my view. Mine occasionally make a klunk when unloaded, but it is more of a feeling than a noise and doesn't feel loose or anything, just feels like its supposed to do that - It actually gives me a feeling that it is a good old piece of solid engineering. Maybe they could have fitted some form of rubber stop or something but it doesn't bother me and has no adverse affect on their performance/operation. If you're the sort of person who wants a silent running bike and chases down every squeak, creek, rattle or klunk, then it might get on your wick.
Same as LoCo says. if your happy & ride how you want, enjoy the trails with what you've got without spending your hard earned cash.
That said there's real positive difference from Fox 32's to Fox 34's, but from 34's to Pikes is fractional, I've had all over the years, just sold a Bronson with 34's & popped 36rc2's on the new Bronson, Ok they are a beefier fork but the performance increase is a big step but a costly one, If you enjoy your bike as is keep the money or maybe look to other upgrades, 1x10 1x11 etc.
Mine would clunk every time they were unweighted.
LBS diagnosed high air pressure (I'm a heavy lad) so fitted an extra bottomless token & removed about 15psi.
Now much plusher and no longer clunk.
I like my forks but the marketing and my mates say a set of pikes will be better. I suppose I'll have to try. As my kids say yolo!
I went from 140mm 32's to 150mm Pikes on my 5 and the difference was night and day! The 32's weren't bad by any means (FIT damper, Kashima, 15mm bolt-thru, lovely and smooth over bumps) but the extra confidence from the forks not flexing (that I hadn't really noticed) made a massive difference, even on smoother trails.
Give a set of Pikes a try somehow and then decide. You may find them too stiff!
I like my forks but the marketing and my mates say a set of pikes will be better.
Why not just ride your mates' bikes and see if you like the difference. Or have your mates not put their money where their mouths are? 🙂
If you're happy with yours, why change? Well, maybe you'll discover you like the change more. Possible to testride a bike with a set of 34s or Pikes?
Personally I'd not be happy with long travel 32s, especially TALAS. But maybe I would be if I'd not ridden anything better. Maybe the answer is to never ride anything better than what you have?
The marketing also says 35mm handle bars are better, that bigger wheels, overdrive steerers, bb30 cranks and a multitude of other things are better.
If you can't see a problem with your talas why not run them into the ground. You enjoy riding them now, they do what you need and logic would suggest are fit for the purpose you use them for if both the above are true.
Sure pikes maybe better but is that going to make you enjoy your riding more (or make you reanalyise what you've previously done and think less of it because you could have done better on better kit?)
Spend the money on a week away with your bike, enjoy that lots, and when it comes time, replace the talas with whatever is [s]in vogue[/s] good at the time.