Fork upgrade ?

[Stretch40]

Hi all I'm running a giant trance 2019 it's been great and it's done me proud just back from bike park wales but I can't afford a new bike til next year so I'm wanting to upgrade the fork any suggestions ? Any alternatives to fox or rockshox ? 160mm 27.5 I'm not paying ohlins or ext prices lol cheers in advance

 

[steve_sordy]

Your post reads as though you are thinking of replacing your fork. Have you considered upgrading the fork itself by changing the damper and maybe also the air-spring? If you are handy you can DIY, or get your LBS to do it for you.

For example, I transformed my Rockshox Revelation by swapping out the Motion Control damper for a Charger 2.1 damper (+new seals, lubes and decals etc). Less than £300 even if you don't do the work yourself. Given where I started from, I ended up with a fork that was equivalent to a top of the range Pike. I'm sure that similar upgrades can be done on Fox forks too as I had the damper changed on a Fox32 some years ago, so you must still be able to do similar today.

 

[SteveRS]

What fork is currently on your bike?

 

[SteveRS]

Your post reads as though you are thinking of replacing your fork. Have you considered upgrading the fork itself by changing the damper and maybe also the air-spring? If you are handy you can DIY, or get your LBS to do it for you.

For example, I transformed my Rockshox Revelation by swapping out the Motion Control damper for a Charger 2.1 damper (+new seals, lubes and decals etc). Less than £300 even if you don't do the work yourself. Given where I started from, I ended up with a fork that was equivalent to a top of the range Pike. I'm sure that similar upgrades can be done on Fox forks too as I had the damper changed on a Fox 32 years ago, so you must still be able to do similar today.

I agree. Additionally, a lot of people don’t service thier suspension. I just bought a brand new levo that came with a fox 38 and it was terrible because of all the grease in the negative chamber. So just by doing a service and correcting the mistakes from the factory the fork has now transformed into an incredible fork. So most of the time there’s no need for an upgrade. The suspensions that come on these new bikes are really good if they’re serviced properly. Personally I wouldn’t waste my money on a fork upgrade unless it was a real budget fork, if I was planning on buying a new bike in the near future.

 

[steve_sordy]

@Stretch40 Building on what @SteveRS said, if you haven't had the fork serviced since purchase, then it might be worth spending £120 or so to get it serviced properly (loads of companies do it). It would at least enable you to sell the fork for top money if you decide to go down the replacement route. Would you buy a second-hand fork that had not been serviced?

 

[Stretch40]

Hi lads it's a suntour aion 35 it's already had the auron damper fitted and full rebuild it worked fine tbh it was a good fork but it's knocking like hell from Wales punishment and I just fancy a change ?

 

[SteveRS]

When you purchase your new bike next year are you purchasing it complete or is it going to be a build? If you’re going to build it, then get the fork you really want now, then put it on the new bike Later. Otherwise find a decent second hand fork in the size and travel that suits your bike and riding style and use it on the Giant. Personally I would be looking at a pike or lyrik from rockshox, or a 36 from Fox.

 

[Doomanic]

Manitou Mezzer.

Manitou Mezzer Pro Boost Mountain Bike Fork | Chain Reaction

Manitou Mezzer Pro Boost Mountain Bike Fork - Lowest Prices and FREE shipping available from The World's largest online bike store - Chain Reaction Cycles

www.chainreactioncycles.com

 

[Stretch40]

Doomaniac I've seen that looks different options so far are suntour durlux 36 £350 new rockshox lyrik rct3 2020 new old stock £379 or that mezzer

 

[tprojosh]

Marzocchi Z1 Bomber coil, so good, 150-170 travel changeable on the fly

 

[Shjay]

The Mezzer 100% awesome fork I have in 29, had it on 3 bikes & price on CRC is very good very stiff with 37mm stanchions but as light as a fox 36

 

[Planemo]

Hi lads it's a suntour aion 35 it's already had the auron damper fitted and full rebuild it worked fine tbh it was a good fork but it's knocking like hell from Wales punishment and I just fancy a change ?

I really liked the AION 35 I had on my stock Trance. In fact I think it was as good if not better than my current Lyrik.

I did change the negative spring on the AION though which really improved small bump compliance. I removed it before sale, £15 if you want (shameless plug).

 

[Stretch40]

Thanks planemo, but I e already done the negative spring the auron damper that gives u high/low speed compression also the upgraded seal kit, I agree it's a very underrated fork. but after Wales it felt a little lightweight ? I'm 6ft 6 and 90kgs plus the 24.5kgs of bike it's alot of weight I think for it So was thinking something a bit stiffer. ? I'm no enduro rider but I am getting faster which is strange at 44 lol

 

[SteveRS]

Thanks planemo, but I e already done the negative spring the auron damper that gives u high/low speed compression also the upgraded seal kit, I agree it's a very underrated fork. but after Wales it felt a little lightweight ? I'm 6ft 6 and 90kgs plus the 24.5kgs of bike it's alot of weight I think for it So was thinking something a bit stiffer. ? I'm no enduro rider but I am getting faster which is strange at 44 lol

Not strange, I’m 54 and have never ridden as fast. Granted a lot has to do with new tech and geo, but still gotta be some of my own skills right . At your height and weight I would definitely recommend the Fox 38. Without question, you’re going to need a very stout fork. Like I said you could always put it on the new bike when you get it.

 

[irie]

Your post reads as though you are thinking of replacing your fork. Have you considered upgrading the fork itself by changing the damper and maybe also the air-spring? If you are handy you can DIY, or get your LBS to do it for you.

For example, I transformed my Rockshox Revelation by swapping out the Motion Control damper for a Charger 2.1 damper (+new seals, lubes and decals etc). Less than £300 even if you don't do the work yourself. Given where I started from, I ended up with a fork that was equivalent to a top of the range Pike. I'm sure that similar upgrades can be done on Fox forks too as I had the damper changed on a Fox 32 years ago, so you must still be able to do similar today.

As I said in the "What did you buy your ebike this week" thread:

2021 C1 Debonair Air Spring Upgrade Kit Pike/Revelation 2018+ (160mm)

Upgrade my Pike Ultimate forks FS-PIKE-ULT-B4 air spring and increase travel from the current 150mm to 160mm which is the stock fork travel on my 2022 Trek Rail 5.

 

[Juise]

Anyone had their hands on öhlins ttx 18 upgrade damper (for fox 40, boxxer etc)

I'm interested on the dimensions of it. Mainly the threads sizes as i was thinking if it could be fitted to a manitou mezzer with some reasonable amount of work.

 

[Richridesmtb]

Mezzer sounds like the go for someone your height and weight. 38 or Zeb could look a bit massive on the trance.

 

[Juise]

Mezzer sounds like the go for someone your height and weight. 38 or Zeb could look a bit massive on the trance.

Mezzer is a 37mm and zeb 38 mm. By eye they are equally massive.

But i'll suggest mezzer pro also as the three air chamber system is, in my opinion, the best way to go (öhlins does it, and they know their business).

 

[Shjay]

Mezzer about 250g lighter than Zeb & far superior fork

 

[Richridesmtb]

Mezzer is a 37mm and zeb 38 mm. By eye they are equally massive.

But i'll suggest mezzer pro also as the three air chamber system is, in my opinion, the best way to go (öhlins does it, and they know their business).

Stanchions, not much in it, but the arch and lowers are much more sleek on the mezzer. For some reason I was thinking a normal trance and not a trance e. The ebike you'd get away with the big forks fine. On a normal trance though...

 

[Juise]

Stanchions, not much in it, but the arch and lowers are much more sleek on the mezzer. For some reason I was thinking a normal trance and not a trance e. The ebike you'd get away with the big forks fine. On a normal trance though...

I'd say it just looks that way as the grey colouring makes zeb look fatter than if it was black. Edgy arch also looks bigger compared to rounded one, but yeah, minor details and nuances

Some also say you could have a too stiff fork, can't really commdnt on taht, depends on the rider weight.

I personally would like to have a double crown fork in my rail, but formula selva xl never seemed to make the market..