1991 Rocky Mountain Cirrus

[zonoskar]

Got the fork in yesterday. I test fitted it and it looks like the steerer is long enough to be used with a quill stem. Of course, I don't have a quill stem, so it's not ridable at the moment. So now I'm debating between getting a quill stem and use the Deore LX headset that came with the fork, or do I cut the threads from steerer and lengthen it to be used with a nice ahead set stem/headset.

But I also tried the fork in my '96 Blizzard, I think it looks better in that frame, hmm. but the pace forks are a better match period-wise for the Blizzard and the AMP fork is better for the Cirrus.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

But I also tried the fork in my '96 Blizzard, I think it looks better in that frame, hmm.

I've always thought the Amp shock is perfect for an e stay frame; the suspension shape mimics the angles of the stays. But the color match on the Blizzard is lovely too

 

[zonoskar]

I was more referring to the skinny tubes of the fork blades, they match the skinny tubes of the steel Blizzard frame better than the thicker tubes of the alu Cirrus frame. But indeed, the angles better match the eStay frame.

 

[vtwinvince]

LOL, these are the sorts of dilemmas confronting us bike nerds. I would vote for the AMP\Cirrus combo.

 

[zonoskar]

Took the forks apart, sanded the fork blades and sprayed then with primer. I have to order the black paint and cut the decals (or get new ones).

 

[zonoskar]

Painted the fork blades black and lightly polished and cleaned the fork crown. It came out looking great. I still need to get/make decals and apply a 2K clear coat. Maybe I also need a new main pivot, there's a slight indent from wear. Also the "damper" has some issues, there seems to be no damping in the initial movement. But that might be how these forks work.

 

[zonoskar]

AFter cutting some decals and applying a 2K clear coat, I put the forks back in the bike. I need to adjust to the look

Finished fork:

In the bike (I need to shorten the steerer sometimes). I also found some Michelin 26x1.95" tires. They look really skinny.

 

[zonoskar]

I got a Flite TT saddle and I put the Crossmax wheels back in because I thought they looked better than the Mavic SUPs. I also fixed the steerer and the bike is now rideable. Hopefully the weather cooperates this weekend.

 

[zonoskar]

I went for a ride on the Rocky Mountain Cirrus today. Can't say that I'm impressed by the forks, very flexible and the top-out clunk is loud. And I lost some circlips, so the main shaft kept working it's way out, so I had to press it in a few times.

 

[Canuckbiker]

Bike looks fantastic and the AMP sure look great!

Maybe some of the others who know this fork can offer some advice, new/tighter circlips? Stiffer spring? I think they always had a reputation as being on the flexy side

Personally I'm a rigid fork guy with only one exception in my vintage stable