Fitting longer travel forks to an old frame

[kudos100]

I will soon have an old saracen frame from about 97 (kili comp I think) which I plan to add some forks to. Rather than faff around trying to find some old one's with a long enough steerer that are in good nick, I'm looking to put some modern forks on it.

The bike originally was spec'd with 80mm forks, but I'm wondering if I could get away with 100mm? The reason being is that i've found some that are cheap on ebay and would like to get them if they will not mess up the geometry of the bike.

What do you think?

 

[Andy B]

Kinda depends on the axle to crown measurements of the forks

What forks were the original ones & what do you want to put on it?

 

[lewis1641]

I did this on my rocky mountain. That was designed with rock shox indy's in mind and i ran 100mm reba's instead.

It rode really really well i thought.

 

[kudos100]

Kinda depends on the axle to crown measurements of the forks

What forks were the original ones & what do you want to put on it?

I've seen it come with rigid forks http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/mai ... emId=55443 and also Rock Shox Judy xc (80 mmm) I'd be looking to put marzocchi xc 500's on it which are 100m.

The frame is a 21 inch (don't know if this makes any difference)

 

[Andy R]

Kinda depends on the axle to crown measurements of the forks

What forks were the original ones & what do you want to put on it?

I've seen it come with rigid forks http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/mai ... emId=55443 and also Rock Shox Judy xc (80 mmm) I'd be looking to put marzocchi xc 500's on it which are 100m.

Then just do it and ride it - it'll be fine.
Any slight handling differences you'll just adapt to and then forget about.

 

[velomaniac]

Currently riding a mid 90's DB Topanga that I suspect was designed for no more than 50mm forks but currently using 80mm Manitou Six forks.
Handles really well with a short stem and wide bars although front end gets a little light and sketchy on climbs but works great on flat and downhill.

Give it a go, it'll probably work OK

 

[longun]

itll be fine,ive 100mm manitous on my 96 kona and rides fine,if not a little better

 

[kudos100]

Cheers I'm going to go with the 100mm marzocchi's

 

[Dead Rats]

maybe fit a shorter stem to compensate for the slower handling of the longer fork?

 

[sam_white]

Like others have said, it'll be ok. FWIW I had Z1 bombers on my '97 Cinder Cone and that looked great and rode well.