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Trail fork advice
 

[Closed] Trail fork advice

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[#6231576]

My new build is based on the Giant Trance 29er frame (120 rear shock). Want to build it up for maximum fun without adding too much weight - will have to do lots of miles on it...

Trying to choose a fork that will allow lots of miles as well as a "take anywhere" bike.

Thinking of a dual position 140/110 option but aware that adds weight.

Two top options for 140/110 are

- X-Fusion Trace RL2 DLA - 34mm stanchions but 1995 grams
- Rockshox Revelation RCT3 140mm Solo Air - 1800 grams
There is also a 130mm variant of the Rockshox available on chain reaction...

Or am I adding unnecessary weight for the adjustable height... I note the Dt Swiss XMM 120 comes in at 1610 grams

Any thoughts welcome. Thanks


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 8:26 am
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Personaly I never use travel as just and just ride my forks at full travel, so is just more weight/expence/stuff to go wrong for me.

Love my Xfusion slants. So I imagine the trace is great too.


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 8:29 am
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Agreed, I wouldnt bother with travel adjust, oh and the solo air rev is fixed at 140mm. A 140mm fork with lockout wont wander too much.

I have revs and Sids and find the RCT3 solo air to be really good. Xfusion get a lot of good reviews from everyone, so I guess its about the best deal you can get.

If Weight is really important why not look at a 120mm Sid which is really light and can still handle a fair amount.


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 8:55 am
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Swapped out my Fox Float 32's 140mm for X-Fusion Slants and never looked back.
So another vote for X-Fusion here...


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 9:04 am
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My bike climbs a lot better with the travel wound down so I am a fan of travel adjustment. Worth the weight penalty to me.


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 9:18 am
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The traces will be quite a bit stiffer in my experience, even the xfusion slides are stiffer than revs.

I wouldn't bother with travel adjust for that much travel either, 110 - 160 or similar I might but not 30mm.


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 10:21 am
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If you're looking for an all day adventure bike, then comfort and reliability should be in front of the need to lose just under half a pound.

If it were my money, I'd be forking out (no pun intended) on the Revelation. They're reliable, lightweight, tuneable and the travel adjust will help on the climbs.


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 10:48 am
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Thanks for all the advice
Still tempted by dual height...

Options appear to be
X-Fusion Trace 140/110
RockShox Revelation dual air 140/110

Both similar price

Or there is a
RockShox Pike - 150/120 for a bit more - and seems to get great reviews

Any knowledge of the Giant Trance - will it handle 150 ok?


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 4:40 pm
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TBH, i've never found the travel of my forks to be the limiting factor in any climbing i've ever done. For me, really it's about my legs! ๐Ÿ˜‰

if i were going to ride rougher, more techy stuff with any regularity i'd just plump for something around 140mm on a 29er, and if i only ever rode smoother stuff, i'd happily go down to a nice capable 120mm fork.


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 5:06 pm
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If you are an aggressive rider then I think either Revelation or Trace otherwise the SID or Reba from Rockshox or Slide from X-fusion.

You said you'll be doing lots of miles and you want something light so I would probably be going for a SID, Reba or Slide.

Also personally I would stick to a 120mm fork as that's what the bike was designed around. The bike is designed as an all round trail bike not a XC racing snake so should still be fun with a 120mm fork. And don't forget the bigger wheels means it'll roll over bigger bumps so you might not need the extra travel you think you might need on a 26" bike.

Also don't forget you might need to factor in a new headset and stem as Giant use their own Overdrive2 steerer standard on a lot of their bikes now.


 
Posted : 29/05/2014 5:55 pm