You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I’ve just about knackered my current cheapie forks so I’m looking for a new frame/fork build that can take a bit of abuse and fulfil the trail but multi-duty-do-everything role. I don’t have any real experience with any of the major fork manufacturers and there’s limited options for trying bikes out where I live (Finland). This also means that the second hard market isn’t really all that accessible either (so no Pikes!). Oh, and the minus temperatures here also don’t really work with coil shocks. I don’t have any serious budget limitations but would like to be realistic, BOS might be a little overkill!
The Cotic BFe looks to be the most likely contender for a frame at the moment (small: I’m 5’7”, 12 stone). Looking for a 140mm or 130mm fork as ideal middle ground, the extra travel will be put to use but I don’t want a wondering front end for the technical stuff.
Unfortunately there’s not a whole lot choice that I’ve seen, my current list so far is:
Rockshox Argyle RCT 2013 140mm (£400) – closest thing to the original pike, I think I can internally adjust the travel unlike the current revs. 20mm Maxle sounds appealing too.
Fox 32 float 140 RLC FIT (£525) – Looks nice but I’m concerned about maintenance, don’t really want to be servicing it every 20 hours. I’ve also heard that it can be might not be stiff as some of the alternatives.
X-fusion Slant RL2 (~£400) – Can internally adjust the travel and 34mm stanchions looks nice and stiff. Lack of compression adjustment?
Any comments, further frame/fork suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Cheers
I have a medium BFe with a 150 dual air revelation fork on with 15mm maxle. I found that the front wandered as you said when I had a long stem on it but I dropped it to 60mm and now I can't really fault it! I give it a bit of a thrashing as well as some longer xc rides (doing 100 miles off road on saturday with it). I'm not sure if they do a dual air any more but they definitely do a single one and I would expect to pay in the region of £300 for that. I've also had strava KOM's on some hill climbs so I don't feel that I have compromised really - best do it all bike I could have hoped for!
EDIT: you might find some 140mm revs actually. just remembered that my brother has a set of them and they have travel adjustment
On my ti slackline I use a fox float 36r that I've spaced down internally to 140mm, I reckon for the bfe a 36 spaced down to 120 or 130 would be spot on. Depends on what your riding but my hardtail does everything from xc to dh so happy with the slight weight penalty of a bigger fork.
Cheers guys for the input!
I think I would probably be going with a short stem any way (50-60mm)since I'm a shortarse and I know the BFe top tube is relatively long. Nice to know that the 150mm travel is still workable with the frame. I've seem some 140mm revs with travel adjustment to 110mm which would be ideal but they just seem to be out of stock everywhere so I assumed they have been out of production, no harm in enquiring I guess.
Never looked into spacing down the travel on any of the fox floats, so that could certainly be an option for the 34/36mm forks. Which year are yours steve?
I know that they don't make them any more, but last years 140mm Marzocchi 44s looked really nice. I'd love a pair for my BFe, which I run constantly at 140mm.
Also, RS Sektors are worth a look. My friend has a set and they're very nice for the money.
Mine are 2011's but you can space any float 36 down I believe, here's a how to guide http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1VelBrbVfLY&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1VelBrbVfLY easy enough.
Ragley Piglet might be worth checking out as an alternative to the BFe. Takes a 130mm or 140mm fork depending on internal or external bottom headset cup.
Just built one up (in large) and the fore-aft balance is spot-on.
I know that they don't make them any more, but last years 140mm Marzocchi 44s looked really nice. I'd love a pair for my BFe, which I run constantly at 140mm.
Actually those where the first forks I looked for, seems like I can only find the 150 travel adjust versions now though. Bit of a shame really.
Mine are 2011's but you can space any float 36 down I believe, here's a how to guide
Yeah looks pretty simple and ideal for what I'm after, just have to chase down some cheap floats if they're out there!
Ragley Piglet might be worth checking out as an alternative to the BFe. Takes a 130mm or 140mm fork depending on internal or external bottom headset cup.
Just built one up (in large) and the fore-aft balance is spot-on
The Piglet is a contender, pretty similar in design as the Bfe in terms of geo and features. The Reynolds steel did give the Bfe a bit of an edge even if it is a bit more expensive. Thanks for your experiences with it though.