Early 90's suspension forks
- Thread starter sweety
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There were other suspension fork too : made in italia and sold in 1990 :
Ceriani, Marzzochi 'it was the Star Fork if I remember" and "Spring".
I've got a french article of that. But, the best fork was the Rock-Shox. The other were too heavy (around 2 kg !)
The really fist manitou you can see on Tomac or Furtado's yeti is quite rare. It's easier to find Answer-manitou, but they are around 91-92
Ceriani, Marzzochi 'it was the Star Fork if I remember" and "Spring".
I've got a french article of that. But, the best fork was the Rock-Shox. The other were too heavy (around 2 kg !)
The really fist manitou you can see on Tomac or Furtado's yeti is quite rare. It's easier to find Answer-manitou, but they are around 91-92
Echo the Pace RC35 good vibes - excellent for rough tracks and won't screw your frame handling.
Try the flexistem though if you can get one - a bit weird at first but worth a go, although I use it for commuting duties mainly, not the real outdoors
Try the flexistem though if you can get one - a bit weird at first but worth a go, although I use it for commuting duties mainly, not the real outdoors
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RockShox MAG21/MAG10 but look for 1994 versions and after as they have improved response to the trail buzz over the earlier MAG forks and you may as well get the better ones.
OR RockShox JUDY in 50mm format, very hard to find but you'll probably find you'll be happy with the 60mm versions and run some slightly softer springs OR a wide range spring (like Wings Spring) and less pre load. It's what I'm currently running, the spring react well and the handling is fine for riding (unless you're into really twisty turny stuff, but I keep up fine with everyone
) Still running 130mm stem no problem.
Using less preload and less damping with the longer travel (60mm be it JUDY or MAG at 60mm) lowers the front end a touch as well as giving you a smoother setup to remove trail buzz (well by buzz I mean small bumps).
This was one of the reasons to use the 60mm travel MAGs over the 43mm one's as you could 'soften' them and still have 40mm usable travel.
At least that what I've found and
JUDY are probably easier to come by but are heavier especially if springs are fitted, but hey not really going to matter as comfort needs to come first.
Proabably a bit waffly in the typing as I'm rushing
Not saying don't look at other options but they are both common forks and I don't know much about the others
OR RockShox JUDY in 50mm format, very hard to find but you'll probably find you'll be happy with the 60mm versions and run some slightly softer springs OR a wide range spring (like Wings Spring) and less pre load. It's what I'm currently running, the spring react well and the handling is fine for riding (unless you're into really twisty turny stuff, but I keep up fine with everyone
) Still running 130mm stem no problem.Using less preload and less damping with the longer travel (60mm be it JUDY or MAG at 60mm) lowers the front end a touch as well as giving you a smoother setup to remove trail buzz (well by buzz I mean small bumps).
This was one of the reasons to use the 60mm travel MAGs over the 43mm one's as you could 'soften' them and still have 40mm usable travel.
At least that what I've found and
JUDY are probably easier to come by but are heavier especially if springs are fitted, but hey not really going to matter as comfort needs to come first.
Proabably a bit waffly in the typing as I'm rushing
Not saying don't look at other options but they are both common forks and I don't know much about the others
If you're running the bike as standard, you're probably using a loooong stem and flat bars which might not help.
I know it'll spoil the aesthetics/retro vibe but a shorter stem and riser bars will shift your weight back a bit and take some of the strain off your arms and shoulders.
I know it'll spoil the aesthetics/retro vibe but a shorter stem and riser bars will shift your weight back a bit and take some of the strain off your arms and shoulders.
Manitou 1's were 91/92 and Manitou 2's were 92/93.
I run a set of Manitou2's on my Claud Butler they are not the last word in plushness but they do take the sting out of the trail. The reason I had them fitted to replace the originally specced zocchi XC400's was because they flexed less the competitors and this included the RS Mags I tested.
You can get a good set for around £50 but budget for another £40 to replace the sure to be screwed original elastomers with ones from suspensionforkparts.com.
I would go for the 2's as they sound like just what you are after and they are a bit nicer than the 1's in design, weight, flex and response.
Carl.
I run a set of Manitou2's on my Claud Butler they are not the last word in plushness but they do take the sting out of the trail. The reason I had them fitted to replace the originally specced zocchi XC400's was because they flexed less the competitors and this included the RS Mags I tested.
You can get a good set for around £50 but budget for another £40 to replace the sure to be screwed original elastomers with ones from suspensionforkparts.com.
I would go for the 2's as they sound like just what you are after and they are a bit nicer than the 1's in design, weight, flex and response.
Carl.
What can I say but thanks again to you all as it's helping me through the minefield of sus forks
Hi Russell my Son has just bought a new Giant Tralon 2.5 I think it is & we both couldn't get away with the standard stem so he's fitted a 100mm one which he likes but it would have to be a 120mm for me as I felt to crapped up. Measured the standard stem on my Kona CC which is 120mm & just right. I might look at getting some wider bars as I cut mine down to 21" the day I got the bike home from the shop but i've got a little wider since I was 16
Hi Russell my Son has just bought a new Giant Tralon 2.5 I think it is
& we both couldn't get away with the standard stem so he's fitted a 100mm one which he likes but it would have to be a 120mm for me as I felt to crapped up. Measured the standard stem on my Kona CC which is 120mm & just right. I might look at getting some wider bars as I cut mine down to 21" the day I got the bike home from the shop but i've got a little wider since I was 16 
paulwakinshaw
Retro Guru
How about the forks from a Raleigh Activator....
No, really some Pace RC35's would do the trick and as I have seen, either on here or ebay they come up regularly fo sale. Even if you get a pair that need some TLC, Tim @ fork English (justbackdated on this forum) is the resident Pace fork service guy who can give forks a new lease of life.
Wako
No, really some Pace RC35's would do the trick and as I have seen, either on here or ebay they come up regularly fo sale. Even if you get a pair that need some TLC, Tim @ fork English (justbackdated on this forum) is the resident Pace fork service guy who can give forks a new lease of life.
Wako
