Mountain Bikes · Public discussion

~$250 US - Which XC fork?

Slash · 2003-02-18T19:00:07+00:00

So I've been pondering this for about 6 hours straight now, doing the usual Google surfing, MTBR.com filtering and forum perusing. I'm hoping to upgrade my fork to something in the range of $200-250 US or so, but the sheer number of models out there make this a difficult decision. My bike setup is nothing impressive, but it's functional and it's all mine - a 2002 REI Novara Ponderosa FS. The frame is similar to that of a 2001/2002 K2 Attack or Jamis Dakar, for reference. The stock fork is a 2002 RockShox Judy C, with 80mm of glorious coil travel. I use the bike all the time on terrain that would probably be best described as rough XC. This time of year, the riding I do is on ski trails. Unfortunately it's been a rather mild winter with some near-freezing temperature seesaws, so the trails are strewn with millions of nice little ice ruts, frozen skid gouges, holes from people's feet and people's ski poles and, of course, moose. The riding conditions lately have prompted me to consider an upgrade. Some of the forks that seem to be in this range are (2002 or close) Marzocchi MXR's, MXC's, Dirt Jumpers, Z series, Manitou Black's, Rock Shock Duke's, etc... I'm looking for something with 100mm of travel (geometry should not be a problem, there are stem spacers and the saddle angle is adjustable) and v-brake bosses. I'm reading good things about the 2002 Marzocchi MXR, but then again I'm reading fairly good things about all of these forks. Is there any place that is having a clearance on specific 2002 forks that might fit my bill? I think I'm going insane from reading too much, maybe I'll just put them on a wheel, spin it and throw a dart at it. Short Attention Span Version: I've got $200-250 and do mostly bumpy XC. Cold is a factor at the moment, dunno if this is a consideration on fork type. 2002 Marzocchi MXR? 2002 Marzocchi MXC? 2001 Z4? 2001 Z3? 2003 Dirt Jumper 2? EXR? Manitou Black Comp? RS Duke? Good? Bad? Plush? Sexy? Fugly? -Slash -- "Ebert Victorious" - The Onion

Started by Slash · 18 February 2003 · Last activity 19 February 2003 · 11 posts · 1,374 views

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01 / Original post~$250 US - Which XC fork?Slash · 18 Feb 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–11Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #11Shaun Rimmer · 19 Feb 2003

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Original section: Mountain Bikes
Published: 18 February 2003
Last activity: 19 February 2003
Original author: Slash
Posts: 11
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 1,374
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Cantilever and V-brakes

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Original post
Slash
Archived post

18 February 2003, 19:00 UTC #1

So I've been pondering this for about 6 hours straight now, doing the usual Google surfing, MTBR.com
filtering and forum perusing. I'm hoping to upgrade my fork to something in the range of $200-250 US
or so, but the sheer number of models out there make this a difficult decision.
My bike setup is nothing impressive, but it's functional and it's all mine - a 2002 REI Novara
Ponderosa FS. The frame is similar to that of a 2001/2002 K2 Attack or Jamis Dakar, for reference.
The stock fork is a 2002 RockShox Judy C, with 80mm of glorious coil travel. I use the bike all the
time on terrain that would probably be best described as rough XC. This time of year, the riding I
do is on ski trails. Unfortunately it's been a rather mild winter with some near-freezing
temperature seesaws, so the trails are strewn with millions of nice little ice ruts, frozen skid
gouges, holes from people's feet and people's ski poles and, of course, moose.
The riding conditions lately have prompted me to consider an upgrade. Some of the forks that seem to
be in this range are (2002 or close) Marzocchi MXR's, MXC's, Dirt Jumpers, Z series, Manitou
Black's, Rock Shock Duke's, etc... I'm looking for something with 100mm of travel (geometry should
not be a problem, there are stem spacers and the saddle angle is adjustable) and v-brake bosses. I'm
reading good things about the 2002 Marzocchi MXR, but then again I'm reading fairly good things
about all of these forks. Is there any place that is having a clearance on specific 2002 forks that
might fit my bill? I think I'm going insane from reading too much, maybe I'll just put them on a
wheel, spin it and throw a dart at it. <ow, brain hurts>
Short Attention Span Version: I've got $200-250 and do mostly bumpy XC. Cold is a factor at the
moment, dunno if this is a consideration on fork type. 2002 Marzocchi MXR? 2002 Marzocchi MXC? 2001
Z4? 2001 Z3? 2003 Dirt Jumper 2? EXR? Manitou Black Comp? RS Duke? Good? Bad? Plush? Sexy? Fugly?
-Slash
--
"Ebert Victorious"
- The Onion

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Slash
Archived post

18 February 2003, 20:00 UTC #2

On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 09:54:30 -0900, James Connell <[email hidden]> scribbled:
Quoted message said:
what is a factor (and you didn't mention) is your body weight and basic rideing style. an excelent
fork for a light rider can be a real POS for a guy over 200 lbs!
6', 182lbs and dropping. 🙂
My riding style is fairly straightforward. I don't do much intentional jumping, I don't do drops, I
don't do urban assault...I don't abuse my bike - but I do use it. 13 miles a day on bumpy, icy,
snowy ski trail. I more or less hunker down and hammer down. Trail cruising, I guess. I'm not trying
to impress anyone, just riding for the fun and challenge of going new places, new terrains, farther
and faster. Staying in shape is just a bonus. The classic non-competitive XC definition?
-Slash
--
"Ebert Victorious"
- The Onion

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David L
Archived post

18 February 2003, 23:15 UTC #3

"Chris" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:
Short Attention Span Version: I've got $200-250 and do mostly bumpy XC. Cold is a factor at the
moment, dunno if this is a consideration on fork type. 2002 Marzocchi MXR? 2002 Marzocchi MXC?
2001 Z4? 2001 Z3? 2003 Dirt Jumper 2? EXR? Manitou Black Comp? RS Duke? Good? Bad? Plush? Sexy?
Fugly?
-Slash
I've had nothing but good times with a Black Elite - if you are looking at one, either get a 2003
or upgrade a 2002 with the Evil Genius seals.
Whats with the Evil Genius seals, and why is it worth upgradng my 02 Black Elite? How much do the
new seals go for, and can i do it myself?
I am
Quoted message said:
also happy with an '02 RS Duke SL on my hardtail, but it doesn't compare

to
Quoted message said:
the Black.
Marzocchi forks are the most reliable, precise, and capapble forks around...if you can get
one, get it.
You don't want a DirtJumper...'cause you're not dirt jumping or urban assaulting.
For 2002 discounts, go to your LBSs and see what they can deal you, or

check
Quoted message said:
out:
jensonusa.com pricepoint.com supergo.com (last resort) cambriabike.com
Chris

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Jd
Archived post

19 February 2003, 02:00 UTC #4

Slash <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>... <snip>
Surly 1x1, $50. Use the rest of the money for a weekend riding somewhere cool.
JD

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scottieski
Archived post

19 February 2003, 05:30 UTC #5

Quoted message said:
From: [email hidden] (JD)
Quoted message said:
Slash <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<6ou45voq9p8u1gc9fpnoi58u6csv3
[email hidden]>... <snip>
Quoted message said:
Surly 1x1, $50. Use the rest of the money for a weekend riding somewhere cool.
Quoted message said:
JD
Well will you look at that, Motorhead giving advice to Slash!

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Slash
Archived post

19 February 2003, 09:00 UTC #6

On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 23:21:25 -0500 (EST), [email hidden] scribbled:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
From: [email hidden] (JD)
Quoted message said:
Slash <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<6ou45voq9p8u1gc9fpnoi58u6csv3
[email hidden]>... <snip>
Quoted message said:
Surly 1x1, $50. Use the rest of the money for a weekend riding somewhere cool.
Quoted message said:
JD
Well will you look at that, Motorhead giving advice to Slash!
Hey, we like riding bikes too ya know.
-Slash
--
"Ebert Victorious"
- The Onion

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Shaun Rimmer
Archived post

19 February 2003, 13:30 UTC #7

Slash <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
On Tue, 18 Feb 2003 09:54:30 -0900, James Connell <[email hidden]> scribbled:
Quoted message said:
what is a factor (and you didn't mention) is your body weight and basic rideing style. an
excelent fork for a light rider can be a real POS for a guy over 200 lbs!
6', 182lbs and dropping. 🙂
My riding style is fairly straightforward. I don't do much intentional jumping, I don't do drops,
I don't do urban assault...I don't abuse my bike - but I do use it. 13 miles a day on bumpy, icy,
snowy ski trail. I more or less hunker down and hammer down. Trail cruising, I guess. I'm not
trying to impress anyone, just riding for the fun and challenge of going new places, new terrains,
farther and faster. Staying in shape is just a bonus. The classic non-competitive XC definition?
Well, I can say ('cos it's true) I have the MXR SSVF coil/oil 100 (MXR = Z-3), and it's been great
for the 10 months or so I've had it.
Oh, and it seems tough.
Shaun aRe

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Slash
Archived post

19 February 2003, 13:45 UTC #8

On Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:42:33 -0000, "Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> scribbled:
Quoted message said:
Well, I can say ('cos it's true) I have the MXR SSVF coil/oil 100 (MXR = Z-3), and it's been great
for the 10 months or so I've had it.
Oh, and it seems tough.
Shaun aRe
How does it handle climbing? Hard front braking? Cold temperatures? Ice, snow, rain, mud & muck?
The MXR is very likely what I'll end up ordering, unless my spontaneous side decides to order a 2002
Marathon 100 from Speedgoat.com... they've got it on sale right now for $300, which seems like a
damn fine price. And the Marathon is oh so damn sexy. I just don't know if I can justify the price
difference.
From what I've read on the net, a coil fork seems like the best suited for what I ride (fast bumpy
semi-flat stuff, nothing too eXxXtReMe or outrageous), beating a typical air fork out in plushness.
If I were doing jumps or downhill I suppose it'd be different, but I'm not.
Though the Marathon does add one feature that seems quite useful - lockout. But is it worth the
difference?
-Slash
--
"Ebert Victorious"
- The Onion

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Jd
Archived post

19 February 2003, 14:30 UTC #9

[email hidden] wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
From: [email hidden] (JD)
Quoted message said:
Slash <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<6ou45voq9p8u1gc9fpnoi58u6csv3
[email hidden]>... <snip>
Quoted message said:
Surly 1x1, $50. Use the rest of the money for a weekend riding somewhere cool.
Quoted message said:
JD
Well will you look at that, Motorhead giving advice to Slash!
That along with Howdy Doodoo humping their legs. How quaint and unexpected.
JD

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Bomba
Archived post

19 February 2003, 14:30 UTC #10

Slash said:
Quoted message said:
Well, I can say ('cos it's true) I have the MXR SSVF coil/oil 100 (MXR = Z-3), and it's been great
for the 10 months or so I've had it.
Oh, and it seems tough.
How does it handle climbing? Hard front braking? Cold temperatures? Ice, snow, rain, mud & muck?
Although I've not had my MXR for as long as Shaun, mine has been through all of the above and I've
been very impressed - no problems at all.
Quoted message said:
Though the Marathon does add one feature that seems quite useful - lockout. But is it worth the
difference?
I'd say not, however, I've never felt the need for a lockout.
--
a.m-b FAQ: t-online.deambfaq.htm
b.bmx FAQ: t-online.debmx faq.htm

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Shaun Rimmer
Archived post

19 February 2003, 14:30 UTC #11

Slash <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
On Wed, 19 Feb 2003 12:42:33 -0000, "Shaun Rimmer" <[email hidden]> scribbled:
Quoted message said:
Well, I can say ('cos it's true) I have the MXR SSVF coil/oil 100 (MXR = Z-3), and it's been
great for the 10 months or so I've had it.
Oh, and it seems tough.
Shaun aRe
How does it handle climbing?
That would depend on how you handle climbing - if you can go up, it will go up. It's a very
capable fork.
Quoted message said:
Hard front braking?
No probs for me. I have pulled the Hope Mini (big rotor - powerful) on quite fiercly, while going
quickly over bumpy ground (stutter bumps, wet polished rocks etc.) and the fork seems to soak it all
up, keeping the tyre well planted for good traction (no skipping/bouncing at all).
Quoted message said:
Cold temperatures?
For a pre-breakfast snack matey - easy as pie, piece of [censored], no problems at all.
Quoted message said:
Ice, snow, rain, mud & muck?
Makes no odds to the fork - I live in the north of England, it gets plenty wet and messy around
here, an the fork just seems to shrug it off - no wear or 'stiction' problem so far.
Quoted message said:
The MXR is very likely what I'll end up ordering, unless my spontaneous side decides to order a
2002 Marathon 100 from Speedgoat.com... they've got it on sale right now for $300, which seems
like a damn fine price. And the Marathon is oh so damn sexy. I just don't know if I can justify
the price difference.
From what I've read on the net, a coil fork seems like the best suited for what I ride (fast bumpy
semi-flat stuff, nothing too eXxXtReMe or outrageous), beating a typical air fork out in
plushness. If I were doing jumps or downhill I suppose it'd be different, but I'm not.
I'd still go for a coil fork, in fact definately more so - stuff the weight difference, just revel
in the extra reliabilty and suppleness of action.
Quoted message said:
Though the Marathon does add one feature that seems quite useful - lockout. But is it worth the
difference?
I dunno - do you race up hills? Can you spin well? Do you know how to keep the front end down on
steep climbs while maintaining rear wheel traction? I'm not brilliant at this stuff, but I've not
found myself thinking "Oh feck - shoulda got a fork with lockout!" at any point, maybe "oh feck -
need to improve my skills at this [censored]!"
',;~}
Shaun aRe - As ever, these are only my opinions, which are cold, hard _fact_.

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