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Hi,
I'm new to Singletrack, was looking for some advise on upgrading my front forks. I currently have a stock 2010 Cannondale Trail SL5 and am looking to upgrade forks with about £300 to play with. [url= http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s2p3118 ](bike spec)[/url]
I am currently thinking of the DT Swiss EXM 130 Forks Launch Control II 2010 [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=68493 ](fork spec)[/url]
I'm assuming they will fit my 1"5 headtube as the current forks are 1"1/8 omegas...?
Does anyone have any experience with these DT Swiss forks, or even better the whole bike setup? the fork length will be 510mm, (10mm over the recommended), and I'm thinking about bike geometry.
Other fork suggestions in the price range would be great. I've looked at Fox Suspension 32 Float RL - 1.5" 2010 [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=65147 ](fork spec)[/url], but think 140mm travel will be too much for my frame, and they are not as well reviewed as the DT Swiss'.
Use is mainly trails, (swinley, north downs, coed y brenin etc)
I weigh 75kgs, 6ft, favourite colour is blue, (not really what else to add here?)
Any info / opinions would be great.
Thanks,
Steve
yup, that'll be nice.
I'd keep it around 100mm travel TBH as it will feel a bit slow up front if you go too big (and may invalidate warranty/ rip head tube off/ take a childs eye out.
Plenty of forks out there, for the budget you're probably looking at second hand/ old stock but a new "nice" fork will make the bike feel loads better.
I'd go 2nd hand too - a recent-ish Reba/Fox/Magura around 100-120mm would be fine. If you go 2nd hand remember to check how much steerer tube you need (measure from top of stem to bottom of headset) - if you get a set that's been cut too short you won't be able to use them.
I got some unused Fox forks for sale at the moment that could be perfect. They have a tapered steerer so you would need to change you headset to one that suited.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fox-forks-deore-drivechain-brake-cheap-wheels-more
I'd avoid DT Swiss, they seem to only have issues with reliability, much more so than fox.
EDIT: (I cant seem to edit my original post?)
The current forks have a length of 490mm, the DT Swiss ones are 510 which doesn't sound like it will impact the ride too much
For those advising against DT Swiss in favor of second hand, what should I look out for when buying a second hand fork, I've read about scratching on the fork stanchions, anything else? i can imagine there are a lot of knackered ones out there.
Thanks for the advice,
Steve
Is there anything by Rockshox on offer at Merlin at the moment? I'm thinking something like Reba or similar. You can spacer them down to 100mm travel.
I've never tried DT Swiss forks, but I have owned the Pace forks that the DTs are derived from. They had lovely damping but the reliability was pretty ropey. I understand that DT have been largely successful in eradicating some of the more boneheaded design features of the Pace forks though.
If you're buying second hand then a recent service is a must as is a clear idea of how much the steerer tube has been cut down by. You need to measure the steerer on your current forks and ensure whatever you're buying has as much or more steerer tube. Any less and you'll need to dispense with spacers or in worst case scenario it simply won't be long enough for your stem to safely clamp onto.
I'd just buy my ones if I were you ... hint hint. I'm not very far from your either, located just the other side of Uxbridge. I could even fit them for you if you needed some help.
Most people seam to love Rockshox Sid/Reba and Fox F100/F120/Floats. Both makes are fairly reliable, light and stiff. Not much to choose between them. I'm only selling the Fox forks because I have a slightly older set of Reba forks that I can use instead to save myself a bit of money.
This is the sort of headset you'd need to fit tapered forks to your frame I think:
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=426
Pretty picture of shiny new forks 🙂
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
Sektor coil u-turns at CRC.
colours match, travel adjustable between 100-140 so you can tweak the for length and travel
reliable
work well
within budget
probably lighter than your existing fork, not light though!
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=80275
To join the masses pimping their forks:
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/fs-maxle-reba-teams-120mm-loooooong-steerer-250
Only 4 months use, just selling as I went 29er and haven't looked back... (will come with the spacer to adjust them down to 100mm if needed)
Steve1867 - the other thing to make sure of is that the fork will fit your front wheel's hub. There are a variety of different fittings, from a normal quick release skewer to 15mm/20mm through axles, and some hubs can be adapted to fit different sizes. If you've got a quick release type then IA's forks above wouldn't fit, which is a damn shame cos that looks a good deal.
20mm difference will slacken your head and seat angle by about a degree and raise the BB a little. Might ruin the ride for you, or it may make it better for you - depends what you like. I'd be inclined to stick with 100 to 120mm.
EDIT 2:
Thanks for all the advice, really appreciated.
@ GeForce Junky - thanks for the offer, I want to avoid a new headset if I can though and ideally want 120mm travel.
Or.. am I being stupid sticking with a 1"1/8th steerer when my frame can take 1.5"?
I'm now thinking the RockShox REBA RLT 2012 - 120mm Dual Air Lockout [url= http://www.rutlandcycling.com/34823/RockShox-REBA-RLT-2012---120mm-Dual-Air-Lockout-Mountain-Bike-Suspension-Fork.html ](link)[/url] could be the way to go, [b]anyone have any experience with these? [/b]
Still need to find out the length though.
Any other suggestions for £300 please let me know!
Thanks,
Steve
ohh and I have a standard quick release, thanks thepurist and AI for your posts.