[Closed] Which fork for my Enduro Bike

Have you considered getting an Avalanche kit for the current forks instead?

Just a thought

2015 Fox 36 Float RC2, lighter and stiffer than the 34, better damped than all the others, travel adjustable internal and can you can fit air volume spacers.

Have got a set and they are very good in comparison to the previous Revelations, Pikes & sweeps that were fitted to the bike.

The only forks better are the Bos Devilles, however they are a pain when it comes to warranty of any major parts so avoided them sadly.

Go for the Kevin Bacon choice..

The Pike... it's a 'no brainer'.

unfortunately the 2015 fox 36 float RC2 are just too far out of my budget.

i have not considered the Avalanche kit, is there many people running these on the 34's?

Pikes then, the damping in the CRs is a bit basic IMO and they're heavy, good 'budget' option though

coming from riding bigger heavier bikes, im not too worried about weight, looking for something which can do jumps and drops as well as pedal uphill. wanting something that is very plush and responsive to bumps on the downhills.

I have some 55 rc3ti forks in good condition that I am looking to sell

Pike

forgot to mention forks need to be 27.5.

If the 36 is too much then its got to be a Pike.

Nobody really seems sure what the 34's for any more, it was always just their admission that the 32 couldn't compete with the Revelation in long travel versions but now the 36 seems to make it completely pointless...

Do you want the height adjust? If not, then don't get TALAS, it's still a bit of a compromise.

im not bothered about height adjust, have it on 2 marzocchi's and never use it.

Not feeling much love for Manitou in these kind of threads, is the mattoc not even woth a mention?

I have the 350CR took a little time to get bedded in and I'm still dialling them in. I weigh 70kg without kit, how I have them setup at the moment is about 25% sag, compression fully open and a fair bit of rebound dampening I would say 3 clicks beyond centre. I don't notice dive under braking and when it is rough they seem to stay in the mid stroke very well but recover quick enough for bigger hits. What I did notice is that they are extremely stiff but I guess that is not surprising for a fork that is 2040g.

Stevet1 - Member
Not feeling much love for Manitou in these kind of threads, is the mattoc not even woth a mention?

i would consider the manitou mattoc as well

From your list, I'd go for Pikes.

However, having been through the same thought process as you I've landed on BOS Devilles. Very happy

Regarding 350s theres a very useful thread here including input from the marketing guy at Marzocchi. http://forums.mtbr.com/27-5-650b/marzocchi-better-late-than-never-908511.html
The 2015 NCR is the one to go for if you want a fork to really compete against a pike or 36. Apparently very much like a mini 380. I have high hopes for this fork.List price is £799 but im sure they will be sold for less.

Have you seen the deals on Pikes at alltricks.fr ???

NorthCountryBoy - Member
Have you seen the deals on Pikes at alltricks.fr ???

just looked and its no cheaper than i can get in the UK.

I've has Bos Devilles for nearly two years with zero issues. Tried Float 36's and new Pikes and also have 150mm 2014 Revelations. Nothing else is even close in my experience.

First of the many forks I've used which is just so perfect you never notice it working.

jamj1974 - Member

First of the many forks I've used which is just so perfect you never notice it working.

A mate of mine has Devilles, I've never noticed them working either but I've often noticed them broken...

A mate of mine has Devilles, I've never noticed them working either but I've often noticed them broken...

Countered by mine being completely trouble free! YMMV obviously! 🙂

Not feeling much love for Manitou in these kind of threads, is the mattoc not even woth a mention?

The reviews I've read suggest it is a very good fork and its first on my list when my current fork dies. Seems to be more of a long travel trail fork as its not quite as stiff as a Pike or the Fox 36 chassis. Manitou are not very popular in the UK and the marketing budget probably isn't as big as RS or Fox so less of a hype around it means it doesn't get noticed as much. It also seems to be a fork the experienced fettler as it has more adjustment options so easier to get the set up wrong if you don't know what you are doing.

However, having been through the same thought process as you I've landed on BOS Devilles. Very happy

I'm sure you are ... until you need to do a service or get a replacement for a common part and BOS won't supply you with spares. Their after sales support to their distributors is terrible hence going through 3 UK distributors in the last few years. They perform great but I don't think I can recommend them to any one because of that. From anecdotal evidence I don't think they are any better or worse for reliability than the usual options but when something does go wrong it could be a long wait ...

just thought i would find out when and how much the Marzocchi NCR and NCR titanium are and then they are available

Marzocchi 350 NCR - available now ssp £799.95
Marzocchi 350 NCR Ti - should be available in the next 4 weeks ssp £999.95

in still considering the pikes but after the article i read on the 350 NCR it has made me really curious and considering waiting and saving up some more money.

Frampo what wheel size you running? what travel are you looking for?

Will be Interesting to see what the MRP & DVO Enduro/LT single crown forks are like too.

NorthCountryBoy - Member
Frampo what wheel size you running? what travel are you looking for?

Running 27.5/650b and looking for 160mm, they are to go on my 2014 Rocky Mountain altitude.

I'll add to the conversation... My old 150mm RS Rev RLT Tis were a very good fork but a bit flexy so I was wanting to bump up to 160mm and go with a 36/Lyrik/Pike. A set of nearly new Devilles popped up for really good money so went with those and I'm glad I did. Granted, I've not had to go through the servicing ritual yet but I believe Stif (who are localish to me) service them so will pop them up there when they need doing. Secondly, I don't think I've got them setup right yet but they blow away anything else I've ever used. Stupidly stiff and track really well. It did cross my mind the other day about dropping them for something lighter but they're hardly carrying anymore weight over something like a Pike so it'd be a stupid exercise to drop 100g but potentially x% performance...

Plus they look frickin awesome.

Fox 34 Owner, First gen that people hated so much. It was always nearly there in terms of the damping just it wasn't all there if that makes sense.
Swapped the CTD for the Avalanche cart and it's great. Downside is it adds about 200g to the fork.
It was fitted in the garage in 15 mins really easy to do and I've moved 1 click of compression and rebound since I got it.
This was my first thoughts on them
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/avalanche-dampers-first-impressions

Stiffness never had an issue with it, the 15 vs 20mm crap that gets chcucked around is fairly meaningless had flexi 20mm forks before. Overall it's as stiff as it needs to be, the 36 is generally overkill for most things and the 34 makes sense as the lighter version. The 32 just doesn't work in long travel but gets specced loads in mainstream "accountant" specced bikes where getting a Fox on the front means "better".

I was hesitant to swap from my much-loved 55 RC3 ti to a Pike (when going 29er), but after riding some proper mountains I'm happy to report that it's more than good enough.

Not quite got the same fluid but bombproof feel of the Marz at it's best, but it's pretty effective at eating up rocks and staying composed - and the light weight is nice.

Fingers crossed on reliability.

Fox 34s are cheap to pick up now due to the poor reviews and arrival of the new 36.

I'd pick up a bargain then send it to TF, Mojo etc etc for a custom tune job and smile at the money i'd saved instead of going for £700 fork with generic/one-size-fits-all internals.

I believe TF do coil conversions on air forks, that would be my shout...buy the cheapest Fox 34 i could find (you only need the chassis anyway) and send it away for a lovely plush, smooth coil conversion.

I'm a BOS fan boy having picked up a pair second hand. I've just serviced them myself (Fox 34 seals and Motul oil)...there's not really much in them to be honest. Having spoken to J Tech consumables like bushes are OK to get hold of, it's big stuff like lowers and CSU's that are a real pain.

Having had them for the last nine months or so, I think they're ace and a big improvement on my old 36 RC2's with a lot more control. The 36's were a bit stiffer I reckon.

Only forks that I sometimes wich I'd bought instead are 55RC2ti's because I love old Marzocchi's and these seem like a return to form.

160mm pikes for 27.5 wheels £400 at alltricks

http://www.alltricks.com/mtb/forks/forks/rockshox-2014-fork-pike-rc-solo-air-275-160mm-axle-15mm-tapered-black-131-173048.html

Can you get them for that price in uk?
The 5% code may still work not sure

NorthCountryBoy - Member
160mm pikes for 27.5 wheels £400 at alltricks
> http://www.alltricks.com/mtb/forks/forks/rockshox-2014-fork-pike-rc-solo-air-275-160mm-axle-15mm-tapered-black-131-173048.html

Can you get them for that price in uk?
The 5% code may still work not sure

Those are only the RC model, I was looking at the RCT3 Model

The only feature they don't have is the travel adjust, would you use it often?
I had Fox talas before the Pikes found winding it down for climbing made it feel horrible due to steepening front end and clipped cranks a lot when climbing....

The RC model has all the same damping assembly.

Not worth paying the extra over the RC model unless you're looking to support your LBS or something, IMO.

Fork doesn't really need a lockout and the compression dial is easily reached to stiffen it up if you were climbing a super-long fireroad or had a big road section.

marzocchi 350 ncr seem to be available for £699 in some places, are they £200 better than pikes?
Everyone has pikes, but I dont want to spend more for exclusivity for a similar or worse performing product.

I've just went through this exact same process and I ended up with the new 36s which should hopefully be here next week. I very nearly went for a set of 350s as I didn't want Pikes because I wanted something different. I have a set of X-Fusion Sweeps that were custom tuned by J-Tech before I got them that are coming off the bike when the 36s arrive which are pretty decent. I could be looking to shift them if your interested.

Out of interest how did the x fusion sweeps perform ?

Actually my frame supplier came back with a price of £625 including a headset last night, for the 350NCR, so for that price I think I will take a punt.
I had considered the fox 36, but the company has left a nasty taste due to the garbage 2013 ctd range.

I think the Sweeps are a pretty good fork, I've only got about 25 hours riding on them but they've handled everything with ease, don't dive under braking and track fairly well. I did find them a bit basic as it only has a lockout and a rebound adjuster, but then for some people that's all you need.