Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT STS?

[ishaw]

I have posted before about some of the things I am about to ask, but I'm now in a position to crack on, so want to get some current advice on a few things.

First things first, and perhaps most important - background. I have a 97 (I know that this is the 98+ section, but the forks are clearly within the zone) GT STS, and want to run a fox rear shock and matching front. Currently the grey fox Talas RLC on there are letting the side down colour wise, so I bought some new old stock matt black lowers, and plan on respraying a crown to match from a set of forks I have, then rebuilding and using. Here is where my questions begin:

What travel would be best for the STS? I've read a few threads about too much travel = cracked frame. Is this true, and if so, I want to avoid this so what travel would be best?

Leading neatly on, I have been collecting fox forks with the above in mind (well not really, I have been like a magpie on eBay which has resulted in a few sets being viable for the job). All are in good working order with good CSUs, so which internals would be best:

• Fox F80x (will need to rebuild anyway to replace the brass mass damper)
• Fox F100x (crown is flaky, so a great candidate for a respray, internals recently serviced)
• Fox Float 100 RLC (nice condition all round)
• Fox Float Talas RLC (as above, serviced and have been fitted but not ridden, though it was a few years ago)

I'm also a bit curious as to whether the CSUs are the same for the forks, as I could go mad and build the best set of forks I can from the ones I have, so a CSU from one, internals from the other, though I'm not experienced in Fox forks, I have done a few sets of RS forks, and can read a manual. Tips and tricks appreciated.

Last but by no means least, respraying the crown. Fox forks seem to suffer badly from poor paint jobs, especially around the crown. I'll be using v brakes, so there should be no opportunity for cable rub, but I want to get a good and long lasting finish. What would be the best way to prepare and spray the crown? I'm a little out of practice, but I used to be pretty descent with a rattle can in my youth, even got some very nice fades back in the day (not that I am planning that now - just a simple matt black). Speaking of which, what would be the best type of paint to go for? Enamel, car, plasticote?

I think that's it, unless someone knows the exact paint match I need for a set of matt black fox lowers (I am tempted to a point to do the lowers and uppers in gloss, but I don't think I should, especially as the lowers are new).

Cheers

 

[ishaw]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

I forgot to add that I have a spare 80mm rlc damper which I could use in place of any of the other internals, or would I be best using travel spacers on a longer damper?

 

[ba57ards]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

as im goin to have all ur fox spares after u finished with them better give some advice

gfs sts is running 100mm bomber forks and it rides nice and sits well on the trails

The f is the lighter version of the fork. f = xc, float = trail, vanilla = dh/fr. At least to some extent.

so this would be my fork to ride (jus paint and stickers to work out )

__Fox Float Talas RLC (as above, serviced and have been fitted but not ridden, though it was a few years ago)

painting god knows i jus go halfords and get some hammerite lol

 

[ishaw]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

Cheers, though you've thrown a spanner in the works. The plan is to use the new lowers (newer shape, v bosses though), and these have the web brace, so float, not f series light. I thought I'd read somewhere that running 100mm forks was potentially a cause for issues at the head tube due to being longer than the frame was designed for, but could just be over caution on my part. Bought a lot if decals to get something approximating what the forks should have, whichever route I go down which was until now looking like f100 rlc but reducing the travel down to 90 or 80mm. The talas forks start at 80mm, so doable, but the only decal I couldn't get.

 

[ba57ards]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

lol yep spanner in the works for u lol

i rode my lts with 100mm for years without issues and gfs bike sts1 has been like it for at least a year now

u need to do some thinkin on forks lol

 

[ishaw]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

I do need to do some thinking that's for sure. I was hoping that someone on here would be able to impart some wise words to help me along with that.

 

[ba57ards]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

http://s1355.photobucket.com/user/ba57a ... t=3&page=1

couple of my old sts frames in there and gfs sts 1 showing forks

 

[Barneyballbags]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

I ran Pace RC40s on my STS. The bike was quite 'gangly' with the forks set at 130mm, but sat nicely with them set at 100/110mm..

 

[ishaw]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

Cheers so far. Part of me is liking the idea of the Fox fork transplant and respray, the other is thinking I could buy a fork that suits, and sell the ones I have to pay for it. The other, evil part is saying just use the rebas you have, but the Fox rear and rs mix doesn't sit right with me.

 

[ishaw]

Re: Fox forks - transplant, respray and suitability for GT S

Dilemma and lots of potential fettling and painting now no longer needed. Decided to buy a new set of forks instead. Just need to swap the lowers over, and it should all be good to go.