Marin Bear Valley SE - Frame and fork sizes

[CJND]

I am restoring my 1994 Marin Bear Valley SE. I believe it has a 19" frame (C to C - centre of bottom bracket to where seat tube meets top tube - is that correct?)
I need a replacement Marin rigid fork and headset. Must this be from a 19" frame or could it come from a 17.5" Bear Valley frame bike?
I am looking at a donor bike on Sunday.

 

[timbike]

I recently bought a Marin Bear Valley SE it has many upgrades including manitou answer forks the original forks along with other parts came with the bike the forks are in unused mint condition I'm open to offers I have other parts,I bought the bike to strip for components for another project if you are interested get in touch and I can send photos of any parts I have you are interested in.

 

[winjohn]

It is unlikely that the steerer tube length on the 17.5" fork will be the same as that on the 19" frame fork.

 

[CJND]

timbike. I am interested in the original non-suspension forks. What size is the bike?

 

[Tsundere]

My first mtb, many happy memories.
Please start a thread when ready.

 

[CJND]

I recently bought a Marin Bear Valley SE it has many upgrades including manitou answer forks the original forks along with other parts came with the bike the forks are in unused mint condition I'm open to offers I have other parts,I bought the bike to strip for components for another project if you are interested get in touch and I can send photos of any parts I have you are interested in.

Hi, I'm interested in the non-suspension Marin forks. What size is the frame?

 

[E2024]

Hi all, I have a 1995 Marin Bear Valley E (XL), equipped with a suspension fork...I want to replace it with a non suspension fork...does anyone know the A-C length of the original rigid fork? Unfortunately I will need to move to a-head as finding a threaded fork with a suitable steering tube length is unlikely.,..

 

[Tootyred]

Old thread, but incase anybody is interested....

Marin measure centre of crank to centre of top tube.

A to C is 395mm.

No you need forks for the frame size ad each steer was proportionality bigger. The head tubes were roughly 180mm xl 20.5", 150mm l 19", 130mm M 17.5".

Plus you need to add the stack height of your chosen headset.....marin used quite low stack headsets, so original forks will need a similar low stack. Try tange passage or an older ritchey (those are always a couple of threads short, but ive never had an issue using one).

You should easily find a fork with a 203mm + ish steerer in 11/8" . Ask on here theres probably hundreds hanging on hooks!

If you want to know exactly what your after....measure your head tube and add the stack of your headset. Then go fork shopping with a tape measure in hand. Remember you can always cut the down a touch (without increasing the threads), but its much harder to glue more on!

All the best.

 

[E2024]

That is why I love Retrobike! Thanks a lot for the response! I have the longer head tube version indeed (it is the 20" frame)..I have a surly LHT fork threadless with 39.5 cm A-C length. It will do the job....I won t be able to keep the beautiful Marin quillstem though.....but get rid of the ugly and heavy red RST suspension fork. I won t go shopping for more stuff....my better half instructed me to stop stuffing the house with bikes and parts...have to use what I have.