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Hopefully a simple set of questions...
I have recently bought this bike second-hand:
https://archiv.cube.eu/en/2020/316100
I would like to upgrade the front fork, but I'm "coming back" to MTB after what seemed like a very simple world of 1 1/8" steerers and 26" wheels only!
Will either of these two forks fit: https://www.merlincycles.com/rockshox-reba-rl-solo-air-oneloc-forks-29-282487.html ?
OR (very spendy) https://www.merlincycles.com/fox-32-float-factory-sc-fit4-boost-mtb-fork-29-284509.html
If they won't, what should I be looking out for?
Optional extra: Is there an "obvious" choice of fork upgrade that can be recommended? (URL link would be handy, as I don't trust myself with ordering!)
Both will fit.
Why are you looking to upgrade it ? for what performance gain/issue/fix ?
Your bike has a tapered headtube and a boost 110x15mm front axle so those forks should fit. The Judy isn’t a very good fork and think it has flexy 30mm stanchions.
The Reba will be stiffer and generally better - the damper in it is probably ok cross country but on repeated big hits it can spike a bit.
The Fox 32 probably isn’t quite as stiff as the Reba but has a better damper in it.
Something like a Fox stepcast 34 would be a better fork than either of those but can’t find one cheap with a quick glance. I’d be inclined to go for a standard fox performance or performance elite 34 then either of those 2 forks if you can find one in budget personally.
Personally Im not seeing £250 worth of benefit in buying the Fox
What sort of riding are you looking at ? Both will be a step up from your current fork, stiffer so a bit more control and better damping & adjustments, including tokens gives you more options to set it up better
If youre thinking that you want to take on rougher terrain you could consider something beefier with a it more travel, youll be paying a weight penalty but a 120mm Revelation would be great fun!
I wouldn't pay that much for either of them TBH.
I'd have a trawl for a cheaper Reba instead, maybe secondhand.
Thank you so far. Partially upgrading due to weight - 29" wheels to me feel markedly heavier than their 26" counterparts. And, perhaps its the wheels or perhaps its in my head, but the current forks do feel slightly flexible to me on rougher downhills. I am not hitting any huge jumps or rough terrain - I mostly ride natural trails around Hampshire/Wiltshire or easy trail centres like QECP and Swinley with friends. Anything serious I would be on a different bike (I rent at BPW for instance), so having something light-weight and "fun" is more important than anything really burly.
On my previous 26 Cube LTD bike I had Rebas and was really impressed with them, so had a mild preference for them.
You might find it’s heavy wheels and tyres as well as the fork - although once up to speed the 29” wheels maintain their speed better than smaller ones.
If you liked rebas before then go for it - although I thought I’d previously found cheaper ones than that.
Might be worth getting faster rolling tyres too perhaps for some free speed if it’s not going to be used for burly stuff. Vitoria mezcals are meant to be really fast.
Edit - Shimano hubs are pretty heavy and I bet own brand Cube rims are hiding a bit of weight. Think those are bottom end schwalbe tyres on there - possibly with wire beads / not tubeless.