air or coil

small change said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on
'04s. The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd
appreciate any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls,
thanks

Coil is plusher and more reliable. Air is lighter and more tuneable.

I own a Marathon SL; not that thrilled with it. (Slight air leak and a bit
flexy.)

If I were to buy a new fork today, I'd get a Fox Talas (not sure of current
model names).

What's wrong with the SID -- play in stanchions?

Bill S.

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

Quoted message said:

small change said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on
'04s. The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd
appreciate any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls,
thanks

Coil is plusher and more reliable. Air is lighter and more tuneable.

I own a Marathon SL; not that thrilled with it. (Slight air leak and a
bit
flexy.)

If I were to buy a new fork today, I'd get a Fox Talas (not sure of
current
model names).

What's wrong with the SID -- play in stanchions?

Bill S.

Being a through and through 'zocchi fan with shiver, bomber and EXR I too
would now consider the Fox range...
They've really raised their game in the past 12 months, and this years kit
looks and sounds (on paper) fantastic.
Still, my 03 Z1's are continuing to function flawlessly, despite using them
for xc & dh as the mood suits.

AndyC

small change said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on '04s.
The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd appreciate
any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls, thanks

penny

I just finished replacing the Marathon on the SS with a coil shock (I
think it's an EXR, it was late). It weighs almost 3/4 of a pound more
but after being sprung 7' upside down (even with adjusting the rebound),
I'm going plush. It just feels much more stable when I hit the ground
on logovers (we have lot's of those here).

--
o-o-o-o Ride-A-Lot o-o-o-o
www.schnauzers.ws

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

Quoted message said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on '04s.
The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd appreciate
any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls, thanks

penny

Marathon SL is great, or better yet, go Fox

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

Quoted message said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on '04s.
The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd appreciate
any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls, thanks

penny

Marathon SL is great, or better yet, go Fox

Bill Sornson said:

What's wrong with the SID -- play in stanchions?

Bill S.

What's wrong? There is a mystery noise on the front of the bike that I have
yet to isolate.

Not sure if anything is wrong with it. I've got just about 2 K on the bike,
the shock probably has more than that as I got the bike slightly used, two
rebuilds... I was just thinking it was a good excuse for an upgrade. While
is seems to work ok, everyone I ride with regularly and knows my riding
style tells me I'd be much happier with something else. Some of them are
parts geeks, I assume they know more than me. Haha, that explains why I'm
asking internet buddies. ;-)

also been recommended is a Manitou Skareb, Fox Talas, Bomber marathon....

jenson has an '04 marothon S for $279, but that's 105-120 mm of travel, and
the SID is only 80, I'm thining that's too much, right?

Penny

small change said:

jenson has an '04 marothon S for $279, but that's 105-120 mm of
travel, and the SID is only 80, I'm thining that's too much, right?

You're riding a FS Kona, right? How much travel does the rear shock (wheel)
have?

/Generally/ you want an approximate match between front & rear travel, but
not set in stone. You could probably get away with a 100-mm fork (and maybe
set the sag a tad more than "spec" -- easier to do with air than coil), but
120 is definitely pushing things IMO. (Bike's geometry will be affected
enough to be noticeable.)

If you feel like your current 80 mm is enough travel, then buy a new 80-mm
shock (they're usually cheaper to boot). If you think you could use a tad
more travel, then buy a 100 or 105. (Also true if you have a hardtail,
BTW.)

Happy Shopping!

BS

Bill Sornson said:

/Generally/ you want an approximate match between front & rear
travel, but not set in stone. You could probably get away with a
100-mm fork (and maybe set the sag a tad more than "spec" -- easier
to do with air than coil), but 120 is definitely pushing things IMO.
(Bike's geometry will be affected enough to be noticeable.)

If you feel like your current 80 mm is enough travel, then buy a new
80-mm shock (they're usually cheaper to boot). If you think you
could use a tad more travel, then buy a 100 or 105. (Also true if
you have a hardtail, BTW.)

Fox Float RC on the back, so that gives me what, about 3-3.5" or so.
I understand the concept of balancing the front and back.
I"m thinking 100 would be a good thing the way I ride. (?)
Other suggestions? Keep in mind I'm a small thing, don't need 5# of fork on
the bike....

In article said:

Bill Sornson said:

What's wrong with the SID -- play in stanchions?

Bill S.

What's wrong? There is a mystery noise on the front of the bike that I have
yet to isolate.

Not sure if anything is wrong with it. I've got just about 2 K on the bike,
the shock probably has more than that as I got the bike slightly used, two
rebuilds... I was just thinking it was a good excuse for an upgrade. While
is seems to work ok, everyone I ride with regularly and knows my riding
style tells me I'd be much happier with something else. Some of them are
parts geeks, I assume they know more than me. Haha, that explains why I'm
asking internet buddies. ;-)

also been recommended is a Manitou Skareb, Fox Talas, Bomber marathon....

jenson has an '04 marothon S for $279, but that's 105-120 mm of travel, and
the SID is only 80, I'm thining that's too much, right?

Penny

If you're looking for something nice, plush, pimpy and travel
closer to that of your RS have a look at the Pace forks. My RC36s can be
set for either 80or 100m of travel and are very very nice. Though
they're possibly a lot more pricey than you'd be looking for since the
cheapeast I've seen them is 300UKP. In the UK that's still a lot cheaper
than the equivalent Fox though.
--
Tim.

small change said:

Bill Sornson said:

/Generally/ you want an approximate match between front & rear
travel, but not set in stone. You could probably get away with a
100-mm fork (and maybe set the sag a tad more than "spec" -- easier
to do with air than coil), but 120 is definitely pushing things IMO.
(Bike's geometry will be affected enough to be noticeable.)

If you feel like your current 80 mm is enough travel, then buy a new
80-mm shock (they're usually cheaper to boot). If you think you
could use a tad more travel, then buy a 100 or 105. (Also true if
you have a hardtail, BTW.)

Fox Float RC on the back, so that gives me what, about 3-3.5" or so.

The suspension design is what determines amount of travel, not the shock.
(For example, my Switchblade has two rear travel settings for the same
shock.) Still, you're probably right -- 3 to 3.5" was pretty standard a few
years ago.

Quoted message said:

I understand the concept of balancing the front and back.
I"m thinking 100 would be a good thing the way I ride. (?)
Other suggestions? Keep in mind I'm a small thing, don't need 5# of
fork on the bike....

That's the only reason (your small size and light weight) I asked what was
wrong with the SID.

If you want to keep it light AND increase the travel, then I'd go air.
Marathon SL or Fox Talas or...? That way you can run more sag to keep the
front end down, which will make for a plush ride AND provide "negative
travel", too.

Bill

small change said:

Bill Sornson said:

/Generally/ you want an approximate match between front & rear
travel, but not set in stone. You could probably get away with a
100-mm fork (and maybe set the sag a tad more than "spec" -- easier
to do with air than coil), but 120 is definitely pushing things IMO.
(Bike's geometry will be affected enough to be noticeable.)

If you feel like your current 80 mm is enough travel, then buy a new
80-mm shock (they're usually cheaper to boot). If you think you
could use a tad more travel, then buy a 100 or 105. (Also true if
you have a hardtail, BTW.)

Fox Float RC on the back, so that gives me what, about 3-3.5" or so.
I understand the concept of balancing the front and back.
I"m thinking 100 would be a good thing the way I ride. (?)
Other suggestions? Keep in mind I'm a small thing, don't need 5# of fork on
the bike....

The Mrs.' Racer-X 80 has the same rear travel, we have a Fox Float 80 on
the front and she is very happy with it.
One of the problems I have found with coils in the front is that the
coil is usually for a heavier rider than well conditioned women weighs.
Cindy is 110lbs, from pics of you, I would guess similar, an air fork
provides good adjustability in a light package.
The XC women I ride with (including the Mrs.) don't need all that travel
and usually prefer a ligher overall bike. Afterall, when you barely go
100lbs, hauling a 30 lb bike up an unridable hill is noticably harder
than a 26 lb bike.

--
Craig Brossman, Durango Colorado
remove "mydebt" to reply

"Anyone who isn't confused really doesn't understand the situation."
Edward R. Murrow

small change said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber

Quoted message said:

marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on

'04s.

Quoted message said:

The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd

appreciate

Quoted message said:

any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls, thanks

The bike I inherited from my brother had a Z1 Flylight 80 (air.) It
was light and tuneable. And flexy. The Z3 coil/oil on my Marin is
tough and stiff, and really plush. I like it, and I like it better
than the Flylight. The Marin was designed with an 80 in mind, but the
100 feels OK (slightly harder to climb steep stuff, and slightly slower
in steering.)

I replaced my Flylight with a Fox TALAS RLC. Stiff as heck, adjustable
travel (80-125) and tuneable with air pressure. It's just as plush as
my Z3 (so close that if I didn't have them both to ride in a
side-by-side test, I would say no difference at all.) It's on a bike
meant for an 80mm fork, and does fine at 90-100.

Yes, Marz air forks can be had for a song. If price is the primary
object, then the Marz will be a very high-quality replacement for the
Sid. If performance is the goal, then the Fox would be my pick.

I don't know it all, and I won't pretend I do. I do like the Fox, and
will buy another to replace my Z3 when it's time comes.

E.P.

<Quote small change
shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on '04s.
The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd appreciate
any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls, thanks

penny>

I'm about to start shopping around a bit... I have always used Marzocchi coil and never had a problem.
I am debating the need for a 4 lb 100mm shock for the trails around here.
but I will say that coil is pretty much set it and forget it...
I personally think you will be upgrading to a bit better performance and maybe adding a touch of weight...

---> Jim

"Jimbo (san)" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

<Quote small change
shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on
'04s.
The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd
appreciate
any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls, thanks

penny>

I'm about to start shopping around a bit... I have always used
Marzocchi coil and never had a problem.
I am debating the need for a 4 lb 100mm shock for the trails around
here.
but I will say that coil is pretty much set it and forget it...
I personally think you will be upgrading to a bit better performance
and maybe adding a touch of weight...

---> Jim

--
Jimbo(san)

Set it and forget it....describes my experience with coil to a "T"

small change said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on
'04s. The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd
appreciate any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls,
thanks

penny

If you can at all afford it, get the Fox Talas RLC fork. It is by far the
best working air fork I've ever ridden. I can't tell it from a coil fork.
It's also adjustable from 85mm to 130mm (3mm per click) so you have a short
travel active fork for the ride up (lower front end) and a long travel for
for the ride down! It's expensive but it's been worth every penny. I had a
air Marathon that had problems with the negative air cartridge leaking and
getting stuck down. I replaced that with a coil Marathon with the ETA
lockout that wouldn't hold. Even when it worked it was a locked out rigid
fork. For the kind of trails you ride the Fox would be an excellent choice.

Mike

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

Quoted message said:

shock shopping again, and I've pretty much narrowed it down to bomber
marathon, S or SL. There are some pretty good web deals out there on '04s.
The old SID has about 2K on it, time to retire it I think. I'd appreciate
any comments on air vs coil from all you know it alls, thanks

FWIW, both I and my friend had/have RockShox Dukes. They were easily
adjusted for rider weight, and had surprisingly little stiction when broken
in. I wouldn't recommend one if you were buying new due to complaints
people have had, but if you happen to see one for cheap, I might consider
it. Now that I think about it, I haven't heard much on the down side about
Dukes, just about RockShox's other forks.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Quoted message said:

also been recommended is a Manitou Skareb, Fox Talas, Bomber

marathon....

Quoted message said:

jenson has an '04 marothon S for $279, but that's 105-120 mm of

travel, and

Quoted message said:

the SID is only 80, I'm thining that's too much, right?

Nuttin wrong with your SID. If you've been happy with it then just
have it rebuilt. This certainly is the least expensive/less hassle
solution.