new forks for my he...
 

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[Closed] new forks for my hemlock?

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currently running some talas rl 130mm and a rp23 on my hemlock. fancy a change and somthing thats a bit more small bump sensitive. done a fair bit of research and thinking about some relelation rct3 or some 2013 fox floats with ctd. there is bit of a price differance, heard good things about both but rct3 seem more popular (maybe as they are cheaper)

if i went with the rct, is the monarch rt3 rear shock better than the rp23? the fox at the moment feels a bit wallowy with the sag set correct? maybe it would be better with a tune?

has anyone used tf tuning before? any problems


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 5:18 pm
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RP23 is as good a shock as an RT3 IMO- though getting the tune right is more important. Which Hemlock version is it?

As for forks... I stuck coil lyriks in mine, never looked back, I wasn't that impressed by the frame at 130mm but with the long forks in it came alive (and with a headangle slackener headset in, it's the best full suss I've ridden tbh) But my 150mm Revelations did the job well too. 150mm 32s are pretty flexy IMO.

But, I guess you have to decide what you want the bike to do.


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 5:22 pm
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its an early one, not sure on year, its got the newer chainstay which had made the rear feel stiffer. i think you cant fit the slackner headset to the older frames?


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 5:26 pm
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Yeah, you need the fat headtube to get a big difference (can do 1 degree with a standard headtube, not sure I'd do that tbh)

Well to be fair it's all a matter of taste, probably some folks would think mine's horrible 😉


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 5:36 pm
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I also run coil U-Turn Lyriks on mine. Experimented with different lengths, but in the end they pretty much just stay at 160mm. Funnest bike I've ever ridden!


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 5:55 pm
 rob2
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As above 150revs on mine much better than 130mm.

Rp23 is fine


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 6:00 pm
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how are the revs with small bumps, my talas feel plush just pushing down on them. they do well on rough stuff but small bumps, roots etc they seems like they are stiff?

so not worth the £80 for 1 degree slackner?


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 6:15 pm
 rob2
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Revs are ok. It's a personal thing but I don't think they are as good as fox forks but they are still good


 
Posted : 07/06/2012 6:44 pm
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thanks for the help, i spoke to loco and he said maybe the revs would be better suited, they are cheaper and req less maintance, the fox is slightly better performance wise


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:06 pm
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The best Revs are very nearly as good as the best Floats IME... But the cheaper Revs are better than the cheaper Floats. And also have anodising on the fork legs that doesn't fall if if you look at it hard.

Dual air Revs are pretty tunable but that does make them a wee bit fiddly... If you increase the negative spring pressure they become very plush but they can use their travel a bit too easily. All a balance really. That's my only real criticism of mine, the standard damping tune isn't to my taste, just a bit too soft.


 
Posted : 08/06/2012 7:08 pm
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thanks for the reply guys. going to give the rct3 a try


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 10:30 am
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In the meantime, try upgrading to the new SKF fork seals, they significantly improved my Talas small bump sensitivity.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 10:51 am
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already done this when i serviced them last time. i did make an improvement but this still feel harsh


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 10:55 am
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If you want small bump sensitivity my Marzocchi 44 rc3 Ti are the best I've ever used. They're Ti coil sprung and don't weigh much more than air forks. Review here:

http://m.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/components/forks-suspension/product/review-marzocchi-44-rc3-ti-12-46134


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 11:54 am
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+1 for the 44 RC3 Ti's... Having owned Floats and Revelations, and moving onto the 44s, there's quite a difference in performance. Yes they're a tiny bit heavier but they're very stiff tracking and far more small bump sensitive. Furthermore, they are just a more progressive plush fork all round. If you want to save maximum weight and compromise on function, air forks like the Revs and Floats are great, but consider the 44Micro Ti air forks, also meant to be superb (haven't ridden personally). But if you want the best functioning suspension and compromise a tiny bit on weight, it's the Ti coiled 44s all the way in my opinion.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 1:22 pm
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i did notice the 44 rc3 on bike radar fork test. i didnt take much notice of them, prob because its not a brand name and ive never heard of them before. i have googled them and the only bad thing some one did mention was the brake mount was not faced well and caused sqweel?

but a 3 year warrenty and no service req'd if good. i wouldnt say they are 'heavy', its 200g more than revs rct3, i could eat a few chocolate bars and put that on in no time. you guys may have changed my mind now


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 3:51 pm
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You've never heard of Marzocchi? Really? They've been making suspension for decades - I had some Marzocchis on my 1968 BSA C15t/B40 hybrid.

Anyway, the 44 Rc3 Ti is an incredible fork. I have mine on my Orange Blood and the biggest problem I have is how they make the rear RP23 feel a bit ordinary.

As mentioned above, they're nice and stiff so track well and don't particularly deflect much (my old Floats were a bit on the flexy side).

I'm actually thinking about selling them (to buy some 55's) if you're interested?

Absolute mint and only a few months old.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 6:45 pm
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only been mtb a few years now and only really started changing things on my bike.
ygm


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 8:46 pm
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150mm 32s are pretty flexy IMO.

Would you say they are flexy even with a maxle? Just wondering as I am pondering some 150 Sektor forks.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 8:50 pm
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I've never actually ridden a Sektor, but I gather it's the same as the Revelation chassis, which is a lot stiffer than the Fox 32 chassis (which to me always just feels like an XC fork, stretched- good performance but twangy)

Both are fine at their job mind but personally, I wouldn't have a long Fox 32, I don't think they have enough advantages to justify their shortfalls.


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 9:34 pm
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has any one got a comparison between the rp23 and Marzocchi Roco LO Rear Shock?


 
Posted : 09/06/2012 9:59 pm
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I ran my Hemlock with 160/130/110 talas 36 forks.

You really should try a longer fork before you dismiss the idea. Buy at least 150's.


 
Posted : 10/06/2012 6:06 am
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i want 150, every fork we mentioned is this travel


 
Posted : 10/06/2012 9:27 am
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In that case, I'll get me coat 🙂


 
Posted : 10/06/2012 11:08 am
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no hang about, i will prob change my mind again 😀


 
Posted : 10/06/2012 12:51 pm

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