Decisions, decisions (fork/frame matching!)

[Ziggy]

I can't make my mind up!

I currently have the following frames built up to ride:
Proflex 856 (modern kit)
Orange P7 (single speed)
Fat chance buckshaver (retro kit)

& the following forks to match with them:
Girvin vector (1's, with coil/ods conversion but built-in stem)
Noleen X-links (1/8th, smartshock, excellent but not shiny like the vectors!)
Pace RC-30 (1" threaded, painted to match the Buck)
Manitou Pro C (1" ahead, coil conversion, generally kn@ckered!)
Judy-SL (1" ahead)
Rigid steel (1" threaded, to fit the p7, but not orange forks AFAIK)

I'm quite happy with the X-links on the 856 tbh - they might not look as good as the vectors but they ride a hell of a lot better. Might even polish them one day!

The P7 did have the manitous on, but they're pretty much FUBAR...

The Buck has the Rc-30s on.

So, should I just take the easy option (Judys -> P7), or will that really not suit?! Would the Judys work better on the Buck, or should I leave that rigid? Maybe I should try & get the vectors to work on the P7 (steerer's too long to be ideal)? I like the Buck rigid, but I really want to use the Judys on something! Don't think rigid would really suit the way I like to use the P7... Aaargh I can't make my mind up! (feel free to ignore this post, or come back to it later as a good cure for insomnia!)

 

[kingroon]

If it were me [and I know it ain't ]..

Orange P7 > RC30
Fat Buck > Judy
Pro 856 > Vectors

 

[Ziggy]

If it were me [and I know it ain't ]..

Orange P7 > RC30
Fat Buck > Judy
Pro 856 > Vectors

Bah! Then I'd have to paint the RC30s again, & live with the knowledge that the vectors aren't as good as the x-links! :?

 

[Corduroyboy]

The Vector 1s won't look right on the 856 - too early. The X-Links should be OK, especially as you say it's a modern build! (Didn't the XP-8 come with X-Links or was it the 857?)
Got to agree with Kingroon on the P7 & Fat though.

 

[ededwards]

For what it's worth I had some NOS rigid forks from Orange a couple of years ago, £25 posted if memory serves.

Not sure about others but the RC30s would look great on the P7. What colours do you have, non colour matched forks can sometimes look really good and a bit factory.

 

[Ziggy]

The Vector 1s won't look right on the 856 - too early. The X-Links should be OK, especially as you say it's a modern build! (Didn't the XP-8 come with X-Links or was it the 857?)
Got to agree with Kingroon on the P7 & Fat though.

The 856 came with Vector 2s IIRC - I did have the 1's on it for a while, but the X-links are so much better that I think they're gonna have to stay. May well polish them up at some point though, to match the swingarm

For what it's worth I had some NOS rigid forks from Orange a couple of years ago, £25 posted if memory serves.

Not sure about others but the RC30s would look great on the P7. What colours do you have, non colour matched forks can sometimes look really good and a bit factory.

They're metallic purple, to match the front end of the Fat (were very flakey chrome when I got them)! Can't see that looking great on a black P7 with orange decals & parts (bars, tyres)... Re-painting them wouldn't be the end of the world though, & orange legs could look rather awesome! :shock:

Guess I need to have a look at the steerer lengths & see if either's feasible... I've slung the SLs on the P7 for now (5 minute job, & I wanted to check they work!), but I think the Buck might have a slightly longer head tube, so it might not work out anyway. Guess I'll go for the big swap-around if it does turn out to be possible!

 

[Ziggy]

Bit the bullet! Buck now has the ahead SLs, P7 now has the threaded RC-30s (I've not re-painted them yet as I wanna see how it rides...). Doesn't look bad as is tbh, & first impressions are that both handle rather well

Pics tomorrow...

Just need to find a new 1" ahead stem now, got a Syncros on there at the mo, but it doesn't really 'go'...