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OK, I think we're supposed to call it downcountry now, but I'm on the lookout for a new fork for my XC mincing duties.
The 130mm Pike on my FlareMax has always been really harsh over the chattery stuff. I finally cracked and sent it to TfTuned who informed me that there is a scratch inside the air chamber. Not entirely convinced this is the whole story. The forks aren't sucking down, which was supposed to be what would happen if the scratch was having an effect and the advice from the tech was that they'd probably be fine with a bit more LSC, but I think it might be time to try something else.
I've recently switched the FlareMax to lighter tyres and am really enjoying the more lively feel, so a more XC fork might be good. But it still gets chucked down some pretty rocky Scottish stuff, so I don't want a noodle. I still want the confident feel I get from the Pike just without shaking my eyes out of their sockets on the descents. I might drop to 120mm, but I'm not sure about that yet.
The new Fox 34 SC and the 35mm SID would be the obvious choice but both limit me to 120mm and neither are available at the moment.
I've spotted some MRP Ribbon SL forks on sale, but don't know much about these.
Pros:
Reviews seem generally positive (but aren't they always)
Separate +ve and +ve chambers to tune feel
Pressure release valves on the lowers (yay)
Looks as though you can service them yourself
120mm but looks as though you can just remove a spacer to make them 130mm.
Cons:
Some reviews mention them not being as plush as a Pike (which would make the whole thing pointless)
Will parts be available in future?
Will anybody else be able to service them if I don't want to?
What's the long term reliability like?
Any thoughts on these forks or any other options? Extra points for options that can actually be purchased.
.
Coil in the Pike? Cheaper than a new fork
How old/what damper is in the Pikes?
If there’s a coil conversion for the Pike like a smashpot you could look at that. Should give you nice plush feel.
As someone else posted, what damper is in the Pike? If it’s not the latest 2.1 rc2 charger and one of those will fit then you could stick one of those in.
My Pike ultimate rc2 at 140mm travel is really really nice.
I think when someone's asking for recommendations for a lightweight fork for XC mincing, the gnarpoon rider response of "wang a coil in it" probably isn't appropriate.
Sadly it doesn't look like the Ribbon SL will help either - Seb Stott's review of the Ribbon (I'm right in thinking the damper is the same, aren't I?) specifically mentions it's harsh over trail chatter. I was riding a SID Ultimate last week and it was a great fork in that I didn't notice it - it was comfortable on chatter but capable on descents. It didn't feel noodley and vague like older XC forks. I'd really like a set for my own bike if they fit 3.00" tyres.
If SIDs are too much to stretch to then you could swap the damper as suggested above, or maybe try a Luftkappe?
I think when someone’s asking for recommendations for a lightweight fork for XC mincing, the gnarpoon rider response of “wang a coil in it” probably isn’t appropriate.
Equally, needing a fork that's plusher than a Pike and discounting actual XC mincer options because they don't have enough travel, isn't really XC mincer territory 😀
I'd try a Luftkappe or one of the newer Debonair upgrades before spunking a load of cash on a new fork. FWIW the Luftkappe made a really noticeable difference to my older Pike, plusher & smoother with no downside.
Conflicted op question.. down country, mincing, chucking it down rocky descents,
Not 100% sure what roverpigs 'wee day out' looks like.
Thanks folks.
TFTuned did mention the coil conversion and it is an option. But I've been making this bike a bit more XC recently and much prefer it that way. I see that Cotic have realised this is a good way to go with the FlareMax and now offer their downcountry build on the gen4 with a SID and lighter tyres. So sticking a coil in seems the wrong way to go for me.
It's already got the charger 2.1 damper (plus an upgraded air spring, low friction seals etc). But, to be clear, I'm not saying that a Pike isn't plush enough, just that my one isn't plush enough (for me). If the TFTuned tech is right then the problem is this scratch on the inside of the air chamber causing it to pack down.
I am thinking of dropping down to 120mm for the next fork but that's the shortest that Cotic recommend so I don't want to go below that.
Would a 32mm (proper XC) fork be enough for my mincing? Possibly, but even I noticed the difference when I switched from a Fox 32 to a Pike a few years ago. That was a 140mm 26" fork but I haven't felt the urge to go back to a 32mm fork since.
Thanks @munrobiker I'll have to look out that review but it does sound as though the ribbon isn't going to be what I'm looking for.
@fathomer It's an option, but I'm reluctant to spend money upgrading the fork now I've been told that there is a scratch inside the air chamber (even though I haven't seen it myself)
@BearBack Wheels mostly on the ground natural Scottish stuff, if that's any help 🙂 I'm not interested in jumping and drops are not usually anything that I couldn't roll if I wanted to. I go out looking for nice views (and fun climbs) more than tech, but still often find myself bombing over rough rocky tracks and that's where my Pike really lets me down (to the point where I have trouble seeing).
If you are thinking of moving to a 120mm fork, why not go for the SID?
edit, though for the smallish weight increase the coil conversion would be a lot cheaper and would certainly make the fork work better.
TFTuned did mention the coil conversion and it is an option. But I’ve been making this bike a bit more XC recently and much prefer it that way.
I only suggested a coil conversion because you have a scratch inside the air spring stanchion and you also want something plusher / less harsh. Seemed to go hand in hand and saves you forking out (no pun intended) for a whole new fork.
I’m not sure there are many 130mm forks that are the same weight or lighter than a Pike, that keep the stiffness you want and would be plusher.
If you can drop to 120mm then the 35mm stanchion SID is the obvious answer.
I've a FlareMAx and a Pike set at 140mm.
Works a treat whether it's mincing or chasing big bikes at the Golfie etc.
In fact when my previous Pike failed (crack in the crown not helped by cable rub) I just got a new one.
“I am thinking of dropping down to 120mm for the next fork but that’s the shortest that Cotic recommend so I don’t want to go below that.”
If you want plush and comfy then I’d run more travel and loads of sag. With a shorter fork you’ll have to set it up firmer.
I think DT Swiss’s newest fork was reviewed as being very comfy but not good for shredding.
https://www.mbr.co.uk/reviews/forks/dt-swiss-f535-one
https://m.pinkbike.com/news/review-dt-swiss-f535-one-fork.html
That’s the one!
Looks great. Not that you can actually by them of course, but you can't have everything 🙂 Also, it looks as though it could be as heavy as the Pike with a coil.
It's a good point about running longer travel and more sag to get a softer feel. I've actually found that I've had to go the other way and run my Pike with less sag so that I can keep it in that early (softer) part of the travel for a bit longer, but that's possibly just because it is broken.
Öhlins rxf34? Bomber z2?
A Luftkappe might help! It’s a bit extreme on long travel smaller wheel forks but on a short travel 29er you could be in the sweet spot for getting that coil-like plushness from the big negative chamber and smaller positive chamber. Are you running any tokens?
And there’s the thing - nothing of similar stiffness to a Pike is the same or lower weight really. Closest thing is probably a Fox 34 (non step cast).
DT Swiss / Formula Selva / Bomber Z2 / Cane Creek Helm / Ohlins RXF 34 are all heavier.
So really it’s Pike or Fox 34 Factory or performance elite at 130mm travel or the Sid 35mm at 120mm. Otherwise you’re giving up plushness, weight or both.
You’ve already got the fancy Pike Charger damper - your only issue seems to be the airspring. Hence coil suggestion - I can’t believe that’s going to add huge weight.
I run a 130mm Fox 34 on my XC bike with plenty of sag. Fit4 damper, no custom tuning. Works like a charm and very plush.
I'd bet a tenner you wouldn't notice the small weight of a spring in your forks - you will notice the plushness though!! 🙂
It looks as though a coil conversion would cost £300-£400 and add 300-400g Cheaper than a new fork for sure and maybe I wouldn't notice an extra pound in the weight of the fork, but it still seems to be going in the wrong direction.
So, I guess that leaves me back where I started. Another Pike or a Fox 34 at 130mm or drop to 120mm and go for a SID or Fox 34 Stepcast. But it doesn't look as though any of those will be in stock for a few months at least, so I've got plenty of time to ponder my options.
New stanchion? Some companies can remove knacked ones and press New ones in.
Yes, Tftuned did mention a new CSU, but didn't expect to have any in stock until the summer. I think August was mentioned. Price is similar to the coil upgrade and I may have to wait until then for a new fork anyway, so that's still on the table.
If somebody was able to just replace the scratched stanchion that could be even better although Tftuned weren't interested in that option.
I've got a pike and a ribbon. Both set at 160mm
The ribbon mostly gets used on smoother trails.
I did a 40 mile loop in the (Rocky) peaks.
It's not quite as smooth as the pike.
I was still perfectly happy on it. It has taken a lot of fiddling to be happy!
The pike has been upgraded to the latest internals.
If you're up for a used fork I have a DT Swiss XMM I'm selling at the moment. 120mm travel, lighter than the Pike and very supple. My riding seems very similar to yours and I've happily ridden it down some of the easier Dunkeld trails and it never felt out of its depth.
I don't think I'm a million miles from you so if you are interested I could be persuaded to go for a sale or return deal.
What about a DVO Sapphire? No idea of the weight, but I've been really impressed with the Diamond on my bike and the sapphire looks to be a skinnier version of the diamond.
J-tech might still have some Ohlins RXF forks in stock. These are the slightly older ones (not the newer M2 version) that are being discontinued but are at an amazing price.
They have a bunch of updates to the air spring to make them plusher and perform better than the initial reviews that say they are lacking in initial plushness. J tech assured me performance will be much better than an off the shelf Pike.
Each fork is checked over by J tech before hand and can be tuned to your preference before being sent out.
I was set to buy one but then the new frame I was hoping to buy is out of stock and no idea when new ones back in stock so I canned the idea.
Thanks for the offer @boriselbrus but I’m going to look at fixing the Pike first. I’d also want a boost fork and would struggle with putting white forks on my bike #shallow 🙂
Consider the DVO sapphire for improved small bump over a pike. Manitou also had a 29er version of the mattoc in short travel which is also better than a pike on the chatter.
Pike is a very good all-rounder and better than the MRP and fox 34 for small bump compliance so just depends how bad yours is.
SID 35 ultimate is a great fork but it is harsh in comparison to a pike.
B1 airshaft is plusher off the top than the C1.
I find running lots of tokens and soft pressures make the fork feel harsh, as you are sitting in the ramp up all the time. No tokens and more pressure is my preference, holds the front up as well.
If there is a scratch internally, then get it sent off. Strange that there is an internal scratch, something has got in there, make sure your shock pump is clean and store it in a bag.