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Hello all, first post here but been lurking for a while. I recently bought a Trek Mamba (29er) after not having a bike for 30yrs. I'm looking at upgrading the spring fork (Tora) to an air fork (Reba). Would the 100mm be better on the Trek Mamba being a hardtail?? I mainly ride llandegla and North Wales trails an ideally need forks that lockout.
also - what does the steerer refer to??
and whats the axle size refer to??
The forks I'm looking at are below. Cheers for any help/ advice. 🙂
Rockshox Reba RLT Dual Air 100mm 29er
Colour : White Silver
Steerer : 1 1/8"
Axle : 9mm
RockShox Reba RL 120mm 29er Fork With Poplock
Colour : Black
Axle : 20mm Maxle
Steerer : Tapered 1 1/8 to 1.5
ok the 2 forks I believe you have found on the On-one site?
the second is a tapered steerer fork so unless you have a tapered head tube they will not fit. this solves your axle size dilemma as the 20mm may require you to change your hub/wheel.
you have 80mm travel forks are on the Mamba at the moment, the 100mm replacement will alter the height at the front of the bike, making it a slacker angle, this may make it slightly less appealing on climbs but better for decents.
so really the Reba RLT's are your best bet assuming the travel is the same/acceptable
Cheers Valleydaddy. Sound like the RLT's are the best bet. Ive just checked the trek website and its says theyre 100mm travel shocks. Im assuming theyll be the same height, but not the same G2 geometry??
Next - need to find a book / manual so can switch em.
Swapping the fork over is a doddle. Just make sure you measure the steer tube once, twice and thrice before cutting it.
YouTube will have plenty of guides as well as a Google search.
Make a note of the position of the spacers so that when you fit the new fork your riding position will be the same.
You will need to take off the brake caliper from the old fork but before you do make a note if the front brake hose routing. When you come to attach the caliper to the new fork you will want the brake hose tucked neatly out of the way.
Undo the top cap.
loosen the bolts on the stem and pull the stem and bars off. This should leave the free to pull out of the head tube.
On the old fork there should be a crown race. This should be at the bottom if the steer tube. You will need to swap this onto your new fork.
Measure the steer tube on the old fork and cut the new one to the same length.
MEASURE TWICE CUT ONCE.
You should then be ready to do the reverse and pop the new fork up through the head tube. Fit the slavers, stem, bars and top cap.
Pop the caliper back on and Bob's ya uncle.
There is a bit more to this but look at the vids on YouTube and you can't go far wrong.