Wisdom request: Front fork

Take some pounds off, maybe up to 30. So start riding more and eating less Or you could get a new
fork so maybe you would ride more. Let me see, you go with a Minute 1 2 or 3.

MTB Ride hard die free.

mrbubl said:

I have a Specialized FSR XC Comp with a Manitou FF that has been modifed to it's stiffest
available configuration (air-elastomer) and it is still too weenie.

What would be a good (read economical) replacement for decent performance that doesn't bottom out.
I am a big guy too 6'1" 250lbs

advice??

Closeout Marzocchi Marathon S from any of the discount outlets.

Bill "or a beefier model even" S.

"S o r n i" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

mrbubl said:

I have a Specialized FSR XC Comp with a Manitou FF that has been modifed to it's stiffest
available configuration (air-elastomer) and it is still too weenie.

What would be a good (read economical) replacement for decent performance that doesn't bottom
out. I am a big guy too 6'1" 250lbs

advice??

Closeout Marzocchi Marathon S from any of the discount outlets.

Bill "or a beefier model even" S.

id have to say go for a 2001 manitou magnum R ... has damping control (helps with the weight) and is
cheap... if you want full air... go for a white bros. AT4 a very burly air fork.

dave

"Fred Hinkson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Take some pounds off, maybe up to 30. So start riding more and eating less Or you
could get a new fork so maybe you would ride more. Let me see, you go with a Minute 1
2 or 3.

MTB Ride hard die free.

Why do you assume he's fat, there's a lot of men who are 6-1 and very muscular that could weigh
close to 250. BTW, I'm not one of them, I not quite 250 but could loose 15 or 20 lbs.

"di" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:yEARb.1976$EW.1210@okepread02...

Quoted message said:

"Fred Hinkson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:15810-4016A577-352@storefull-
3211.bay.webtv.net...

Quoted message said:

Take some pounds off, maybe up to 30. So start riding more and eating less Or you
could get a new fork so maybe you would ride more. Let me see, you go with a Minute
1 2 or 3.

MTB Ride hard die free.

Why do you assume he's fat, there's a lot of men who are 6-1 and very muscular that could weigh
close to 250. BTW, I'm not one of them, I not quite 250 but could loose 15 or 20 lbs.

I'm not fat I'm just extremely muscular. It used to be "big boned"!

Selwonk wrote: <snip>

Quoted message said:

I'm not fat I'm just extremely muscular. It used to be "big boned"!

I'm not fat either. It's all 'resting' muscle.
--
Westie (Replace 'invalid' with 'yahoo' when replying.)

mrbubl said:

I have a Specialized FSR XC Comp with a Manitou FF that has been modifed to it's stiffest
available configuration (air-elastomer) and it is still too weenie.

What would be a good (read economical) replacement for decent performance that doesn't bottom out.
I am a big guy too 6'1" 250lbs

advice??

Someone of your size, only one will do, IMHO... Z1 Look for a previous model year closeout for
cheap, but you'll still need to replace the stock springs with heavier ones.
--
Slacker

Westie said:

Selwonk wrote: <snip>

Quoted message said:

I'm not fat I'm just extremely muscular. It used to be "big boned"!

I'm not fat either. It's all 'resting' muscle.

I'm 6'1" too, and I consider myself "big-boned", and about a stone overweight, but I only weigh
200lbs! Where could you put the extra half hundredweight? I wouldn't like to carry half a bag of
cement everywhere I went! Like the man said, eat less and pedal further!

Having said that, I am happy with my (now very old) Manitou Magnum forks - they don't bottom out
even on the softest setting (Maybe I just don't go fast enough, though . . .)

Twohat - because two heads are better than one.

On Wed, 28 Jan 2004 21:39:13 -0000, "Twohat" <[email hidden]>
blathered:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm not fat I'm just extremely muscular. It used to be "big boned"!

I'm not fat either. It's all 'resting' muscle.

I'm 6'1" too, and I consider myself "big-boned", and about a stone overweight, but I only weigh
200lbs! Where could you put the extra half hundredweight?

maybe they're 'retaining water'......or 'retaining pies', more likely...

Pete
----
btinternet.com~peteajonesOpen ↗

"mrbubl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have a Specialized FSR XC Comp with a Manitou FF that has been modifed to it's stiffest
available configuration (air-elastomer) and it is still too weenie.

What would be a good (read economical) replacement for decent performance that doesn't bottom out.
I am a big guy too 6'1" 250lbs

advice??

Marzocchi. Buy the most robust one you can afford. Travel-matched to your rear suspension.
--
Jonesy

"mrbubl" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I have a Specialized FSR XC Comp with a Manitou FF that has been modifed to it's stiffest
available configuration (air-elastomer) and it is still too weenie.

What would be a good (read economical) replacement for decent performance that doesn't bottom out.
I am a big guy too 6'1" 250lbs

advice??

I'm a road biker, so this advice is probably worth little, but I wonder if adjustments to
stem length and seat position would move your weight backwards on the bike and offload the
front somewhat.

Erik Brooks

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have a Specialized FSR XC Comp with a Manitou FF that has been modifed to it's stiffest
available configuration (air-elastomer) and it is still too weenie.

What would be a good (read economical) replacement for decent performance that doesn't bottom
out. I am a big guy too 6'1" 250lbs

advice??

Marzocchi MXC or MX Comp with the x-heavy spring set should do it. Is your back shock holding
up alright?
--
_________________________
Chris Phillipo - Cape Breton, Nova Scotia ramsays-online.comramsays-online.comOpen ↗

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

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have a Specialized FSR XC Comp with a Manitou FF that has been

modifed to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

it's stiffest available configuration (air-elastomer) and it is still

too

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

weenie.

What would be a good (read economical) replacement for decent

performance

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that doesn't bottom out. I am a big guy too 6'1" 250lbs

advice??

Marzocchi MXC or MX Comp with the x-heavy spring set should do it. Is your back shock holding up
alright?
--
_________________________

Hmm... I'm 250lbs and, as opposed to my experiences with my other Marzocchi forks (a 99 Z2
Alloy, a 99 Z2 Atom Bomb and a 99 Z1 alloy - all equipped with the stiffest springs available
for them), my experience with Marzocchi MX Comp forks has been that the x-heavy springs are too
heavy for my tastes.

When I built up my custom Curtlo steel hardtail last summer, I ordered a MX Comp from Doug Curtiss
(the framebuilder) because he said he could get me one with x-heavy springs already installed in it
at a great OEM price ($185) direct from Marzocchi. But it looked like there was going to be a delay
in getting this fork until after the frame was ready because Marzocchi USA was out of stock on
2003's and waiting for 2004's. Since I had an MTB event coming up in which I wanted to use the new
bike, I bought a 2003 MX Comp from my favorite LBS because they were able to get me one in a couple
of days through Quality Bicycle Products at a price that beat a lot of mail order places ($216 US).
At the advice of the LBS owner, I held off on ordering heavier springs for it until I saw how the
stock springs performed for me. To my surprise, the stock springs actually felt pretty damn good.
There was none of the mushiness, excessive bottoming out and brake dive that I experienced with my
other Marzocchi forks when I rode them with stock springs.

When I did receive the MX Comp from Curtlo, the first thing I did was swap the heavier springs into
the fork that was on the bike. I was suprised to find out how much harsher it felt with the heavier
springs. A major difference in the 2004 fork is that is uses an air preload mechanism opposed to the
mechanical screw type pre-load adjuster on the 2003 model. One of the advantages of the air-preload
set-up is that it gives you a means to adjust the overall spring rate without having to actually
swap coil springs. Since the preload mechanism is dictated entirely by the top cap assembly and
these parts are easy to swap between my two forks, I've been easily able to play around with
different springs and preload setups with both forks on the same bike . The setup I ended up with is
the stock springs from the 2003 in the 2004 fork with the air pre-load. For most of my riding I use
no added pressure in the pre-load. The only time I may add air pressure is when I know the ride is
going to be a long one on relatively smooth stuff.

Based on this experience I'd recommend heavier guys just buy a stock 2004 MX Comp and see how it
works out before getting heavier springs - especially if you have to pay extra for them. All you
may need is a bit of pressure in the pre-load to give you extra spring stiffness when you need
or want it.

KLydesdale said:

Hmm... I'm 250lbs and, as opposed to my experiences with my other Marzocchi forks (a 99 Z2
Alloy, a 99 Z2 Atom Bomb and a 99 Z1 alloy - all equipped with the stiffest springs available
for them), my experience with Marzocchi MX Comp forks has been that the x-heavy springs are too
heavy for my tastes.

When I built up my custom Curtlo steel hardtail last summer, I ordered a MX Comp from Doug Curtiss
(the framebuilder) because he said he could get me one with x-heavy springs already installed in
it at a great OEM price ($185) direct from Marzocchi. But it looked like there was going to be a
delay in getting this fork until after the frame was ready because Marzocchi USA was out of stock
on 2003's and waiting for 2004's. Since I had an MTB event coming up in which I wanted to use the
new bike, I bought a 2003 MX Comp from my favorite LBS because they were able to get me one in a
couple of days through Quality Bicycle Products at a price that beat a lot of mail order places
($216 US). At the advice of the LBS owner, I held off on ordering heavier springs for it until I
saw how the stock springs performed for me. To my surprise, the stock springs actually felt pretty
damn good. There was none of the mushiness, excessive bottoming out and brake dive that I
experienced with my other Marzocchi forks when I rode them with stock springs.

When I did receive the MX Comp from Curtlo, the first thing I did was swap the heavier springs
into the fork that was on the bike. I was suprised to find out how much harsher it felt with the
heavier springs. A major difference in the 2004 fork is that is uses an air preload mechanism
opposed to the mechanical screw type pre-load adjuster on the 2003 model. One of the advantages of
the air-preload set-up is that it gives you a means to adjust the overall spring rate without
having to actually swap coil springs. Since the preload mechanism is dictated entirely by the top
cap assembly and these parts are easy to swap between my two forks, I've been easily able to play
around with different springs and preload setups with both forks on the same bike . The setup I
ended up with is the stock springs from the 2003 in the 2004 fork with the air pre-load. For most
of my riding I use no added pressure in the pre-load. The only time I may add air pressure is when
I know the ride is going to be a long one on relatively smooth stuff.

Based on this experience I'd recommend heavier guys just buy a stock 2004 MX Comp and see how it
works out before getting heavier springs - especially if you have to pay extra for them. All you
may need is a bit of pressure in the pre-load to give you extra spring stiffness when you need or
want it.

I must've missed this post earlier...glad to hear tho! I plan to buy the 2004 MX Comp and I'm about
220lbs. I ride pretty hard, and I've heard that this fork rides stiff. I'm glad to hear you confirm.
No need to swap the springs. Those are some great prices tho...Everyplace I check it's $299, but
seems to be well worth that.

Can't wait to try it out...3-4" of snow on the ground now tho. Tomorrow I'll be riding, but it will
be on a K2 Fat Bob snowboard.

Still can't talk the local hill into allowing winterXbikes...I'll keep on 'em tho.

Gman

"Gman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 31 Jan 2004 10:06:11 -0500, KLydesdale <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Hmm... I'm 250lbs and, as opposed to my experiences with my other Marzocchi forks (a 99 Z2
Alloy, a 99 Z2 Atom Bomb and a 99 Z1 alloy -

all

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

equipped with the stiffest springs available for them), my experience

with

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Marzocchi MX Comp forks has been that the x-heavy springs are too heavy

for

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

my tastes.

When I built up my custom Curtlo steel hardtail last summer, I ordered

a MX

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Comp from Doug Curtiss (the framebuilder) because he said he could get

me

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

one with x-heavy springs already installed in it at a great OEM price

($185)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

direct from Marzocchi. But it looked like there was going to be a delay

in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

getting this fork until after the frame was ready because Marzocchi USA

was

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

out of stock on 2003's and waiting for 2004's. Since I had an MTB

event

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

coming up in which I wanted to use the new bike, I bought a 2003 MX

Comp

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

from my favorite LBS because they were able to get me one in a couple of days through Quality
Bicycle Products at a price that beat a lot of mail order places ($216 US). At the advice of the
LBS owner, I held off

on

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ordering heavier springs for it until I saw how the stock springs

performed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

for me. To my surprise, the stock springs actually felt pretty damn

good.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

There was none of the mushiness, excessive bottoming out and brake dive

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I experienced with my other Marzocchi forks when I rode them with stock springs.

When I did receive the MX Comp from Curtlo, the first thing I did was

swap

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the heavier springs into the fork that was on the bike. I was suprised

to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

find out how much harsher it felt with the heavier springs. A major difference in the 2004 fork
is that is uses an air preload mechanism

opposed

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to the mechanical screw type pre-load adjuster on the 2003 model. One

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the advantages of the air-preload set-up is that it gives you a means to adjust the overall
spring rate without having to actually swap coil

springs.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Since the preload mechanism is dictated entirely by the top cap assembly

and

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

these parts are easy to swap between my two forks, I've been easily

able to

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

play around with different springs and preload setups with both forks on

the

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

same bike . The setup I ended up with is the stock springs from the

2003 in

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

the 2004 fork with the air pre-load. For most of my riding I use no

added

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

pressure in the pre-load. The only time I may add air pressure is when

I

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

know the ride is going to be a long one on relatively smooth stuff.

Based on this experience I'd recommend heavier guys just buy a stock

2004

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

MX Comp and see how it works out before getting heavier springs -

especially

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

if you have to pay extra for them. All you may need is a bit of

pressure

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

in the pre-load to give you extra spring stiffness when you need or want

it.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I must've missed this post earlier...glad to hear tho! I plan to buy the 2004 MX Comp and I'm
about 220lbs. I ride pretty hard, and I've heard that this fork rides stiff. I'm glad to hear you
confirm. No need to swap the springs. Those are some great prices tho...Everyplace I check it's
$299, but seems to be well worth that.

Yeah those were good prices - that's why I ended up with two of them.

Here's a link to 2004 MX Comp forks from a place called Alfred E. Bike that has some pretty good
prices on them. aebike.compage.cfmOpen ↗

KLydesdale said:

Yeah those were good prices - that's why I ended up with two of them.

Here's a link to 2004 MX Comp forks from a place called Alfred E. Bike that has some pretty good
prices on them. aebike.compage.cfmOpen ↗

Hey those AE Bike prices are very good...and from the 5 minutes of research I did, they seem to be
pretty reputable...thx for the link!

G

"Gman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 7 Feb 2004 16:21:42 -0500, KLydesdale <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yeah those were good prices - that's why I ended up with two of them.

Here's a link to 2004 MX Comp forks from a place called Alfred E. Bike

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

has some pretty good prices on them. aebike.compage.cfmOpen ↗

Hey those AE Bike prices are very good...and from the 5 minutes of research I did, they seem to be
pretty reputable...thx for the link!

AE Bike is a LBS in Kalamazoo, MI and according to people I know from the Michigan Mountain Biking
Association, they are indeed a reputable place. Their website parts catalog is an online version of
the Quality Bicycle Products catalog. I've come across several website that do this (Harris Cyclery
for instance) but AE bike definitely seems to have the best prices. In my experience they keep it
fairly up-to-date with what's in stock at QBP. I often use the AE Bike catalog to look stuff up that
I want my favorite LBS to order for me and if it's not listed in the AE bike catalog, my LBS usually
can't get it for me from QBP either. The only real downside is that you may wait a few more days for
your order because they don't keep the stuff in stock but rather order it from QBP when you order
from them.

.

KLydesdale said:

AE Bike is a LBS in Kalamazoo, MI and according to people I know from the Michigan Mountain Biking
Association, they are indeed a reputable place. Their website parts catalog is an online version
of the Quality Bicycle Products catalog. I've come across several website that do this (Harris
Cyclery for instance) but AE bike definitely seems to have the best prices. In my experience they
keep it fairly up-to-date with what's in stock at QBP. I often use the AE Bike catalog to look
stuff up that I want my favorite LBS to order for me and if it's not listed in the AE bike
catalog, my LBS usually can't get it for me from QBP either. The only real downside is that you
may wait a few more days for your order because they don't keep the stuff in stock but rather
order it from QBP when you order from them.

I ordered some fork upgrade parts from these guys. Great communication, great prices, fast
processing. I'd do it again. Granted, that's only a sample size of one, but they'll be one of the
first places I check from now on.

Tom