When did front suspension start not being crap??

[marky2484]

Some of us want period correct (if appropriate) front sus forks. But really, most of them are pretty duff, aren't they. Plenty of boing, but minimal rebound control, flexy, leaky. I mean, elastomer? Really? MCU - least said the better. So , rose tinted specs firmly off, were any of them good as a form of efficient suspension?

NB. Rant prompted by riding a new bike with £700 worth of Fox forks up front.......soooooooooo good, I couldn't believe it

 

[konaman1]

Obvious choice Marzocchi Bombers '96 onwards

 

[ridevintagemtb]

It's all relative. The Mag 21 was a fine upgrade from a rigid fork, where your modern Fox is certainly an upgrade from that. I depends on your riding style, really. If you like to sit down and bash through stuff all-mountain style, than yeah a 418mm long fork isn't really going to feel great. But if you're of the lightweight XC-racer set, my opinion is that even a Judy with Englund kit is a fine tool for the job.

 

[Andy B]

I'd say later than the Marz Bombers, which were good compared to their contemporaries. But really good suspension to me started when Rockshox started using Motion Control damping on their forks

Thing is comparing a £700 fork to those on say a £700 bike is like Apples Vs Oranges, there is no real comparison.

 

[Raging_Bulls]

I understand where you're coming from. I've owned a few suspension bikes in the past, and found all the forks to be horrid, right up to the RS Dart2 of my former 2006 Cannondale F6. However the RS Reba on my new Copperhead simply blew my mind.

I'm considering contacting RockShox to ask why they don't make modern forks with classic looks and ditto suspension travel. Any retromodder would go crazy over those really.
Actually ... I just might have such a thing made for my bike. Air suspension with 50mm travel, mounts for cantis/Vs, fully adjustable damping with remote lock-out ... I wouldn't mind spending £1K on that really.

 

[ridevintagemtb]

I wouldn't mind spending £1K on that really.

Yes, but where would everyone else with 1k want their money to go? Probably not a 50mm suspension fork with brake posts. If there's not wide enough market, they're not going to manufacture it. Same reason the Big S wont repop skinwall Ground Controls despite having the molds to do so.

 

[jimo746]

I'd say around about 2000 when more air forks were coming onto the market. I had a set of Pace RC37's or 38's (I forget which) shortly after, so 2001 or 02' and they were light years ahead of anything I'd ridden pre-2000, far far plusher and actually worked very well.

 

[Rio]

I agree with the above, it's to relative to answer. I think modern day forks are better suspensionwise, but I do prefer 50 or 60 mm travel in a hardtail, instead of the 80/100 mm travel you see on every modern bike.
I'm riding a 93 mag 21 at the moment on my stump. I love everything about it (even the damping), except the fact that it's too flexy. But then again, al the SID forks up untill 2006 (is that the year of the complete new SID?) are too flexy in my opinion.

 

[Raging_Bulls]

If there's not wide enough market, they're not going to manufacture it. Same reason the Big S wont repop skinwall Ground Controls despite having the molds to do so.

The Big S might do a batch every now and then if we all voiced our interest. IMO most manufacturers are too busy innovating and making new products to notice that there actually is a retro scene.

 

[Rio]

I think big companies could be willing to make products that they know won't be big sellers. They could promote the brand and let everyone know they are in mountainbiking since ages. With that in mind I don't think any company is willing to make a 50 mm suspensionfork with canti bosses (costs are too high, probably very few buyers), but tires might be something that could happen if we "join forces" a bit more. Or is that wishfull thinking?