Rockshox Domain

 As forks on my hardtail seem to be knackered I’ll be putting my current Yaris on that, so need new “big” forks for my full sus.

Options at the minute are the new Domain gold, or for bit more money could get some older Zebs, any thoughts?

Not massively fussed about a few hundred grams in weight or masses of adjustability.

Cheers

I’d get an older Zeb with a proper charger damper personally.

The Domain Rc and R both have a motion control damper which is a bit limited – especially for a big fork that you’re charging hard on. The Domain Gold RC has an ‘isolator’ damper whatever that is – sounds like a budget ifp type thing.

I know you said weight isn’t an issue but the Domain is just over 2.5kg which is pretty bloody heavy.

What’s your budget for this new fork?

Like joe said, the bigger the fork the better the damper it needs, the basic Domains are the wrong fork for just about everything except smooth park laps. (honestly I reckon anyone that’s happy with a big fork and basic damper on anything else probably should just be getting a smaller bike)

I’ve had a Yari that I upgraded with a charger damper immediately because it was far to “spiky” and harsh.

I now have the previous model domain on both of my bikes and I’ve not yet seen a reason to upgrade the damper (if you can find one ?) I reckon for 90% of riders it is a more than adequate fork.

In a couple of weeks I’ll be finding out how well it copes with the TransMadeira Enduro.

For me it seems the lack of flex gives it a bit more suppleness as it moves rather than bends ? maybe any extra oil present over the Yari because of the bigger diameter helps too. I just know it’s much better than the Yari was.

What’s your budget for this new fork?

On the basis that I can get an older Zeb for around £600 that’s kind of the top.

Latest Domain I can find for around £400

Any other options I should be thinking about?

For context this is going on my main bike used for doing a bit of everything, but I’m around 115kg at 6’4″ so have a tendency of breaking stuff so would rather get burlier stuff that’ll last.

If you didn’t break the Yari then maybe add a Lyrik or Fox 36 to the list too?

Lyrik I’d want select + or Ultimate.

36 the Performance model with Grip is meant to be pretty good and will be cheaper than a performance elite / factory with the Grip 2 damper.

In true STW of recommending what you own…

Had a look at the Marzocchi Z1?  The older one with Grip Sweep damper is very very good and can be had for around the £500 mark.

I’d definitely go for some older Zeb ultimates, there’s been some great prices on them recently, I personally stocked up on older lyrik ultimates to run 170mm 180mm as I like the front end as light as possible, saves me 300g over a Zeb but heaviest I’ve been is 80kg.

Have a set of 170mm Yaris, freshly serviced by a bike shop, I’d let go for £150 🙂

There’s a few cheap DVO forks at Winstanleys.

There are some DVO’s much discounted at present, Winstanleys for a start.

IKNALTF

Zeb Ultimates from Merlin at £600 is a decent buy. Charger 3 which can be upgraded in a year come service time to 3.1 if the desire is there. Just done a year on my Lyrik 3’s with no complaints..

There’s a few cheap DVO forks at Winstanleys.

I just ordered some 36 Factorys from them, yesterday… They are being delivered today! Brill service.

Couple of people mentioned Grip damper’d foxes and zocchis, maybe worth mentioning that these are brilliant dampers but lacking in adjustment so some people just can’t get a good setup out of them. I’m too light and there was just no damping setting that worked, they were either reactive but super divey, or supportive but choked. Just a limitation of the compression damper/adjustment, high and low are tied together.

PS, come join the Cult of Coil. Big forks are always better with coils in, always.

Thanks everyone. Went for the zeb ultimates from merlin in the end. Just had them fitted and glad I spent the extra money, far nicer than the yari’s and that’s with just the standard settings from trailhead.

Unfortunately, this upgrade now highlights the next weak link. Rear shock next I think

Was gonna say I now have some Zebs I’d let go cheap, but you’re sorted with some decent ones 😀