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Hi All,
After quite a break from riding my MTB, I'm getting back into it. I've reached the conclusion that my old bike isn't worth upgrading parts on, and best starting afresh. So I'm saving some cash at present to invest in a new bike.
However while I get some cash saved, I'm still hoping to use my old bike. The one thing that I'd really love to change is the front forks for suspension. Herein lies the problem.
The bike is an old 1990's Giant Coldrock. The head is about 1 1/8th diameter. However the stem is the sort which goes inside the steering tube and wedges into place. Additionally the brakes are v-brakes.
Can anyone advise if:
a) I'll be able to change the forks to front suspension? (and still utilise the v-brakes).
b) Any recommended makes and models of forks which will work with the current stem fitting?
c) If I'm restricted to looking at second-hand forks (which isn't a problem), are there any that I should be looking at? Quite happy to trawl ebay etc!!
Thanks in advance
As well as some forks, You'll need a new threadless headset and a new stem as well,
I think you can still get forks for v brakes though..And there's loads of old marzocchis on eBay for peanuts as well
Is the headset "about" 1 1/8th, or definitely 1 1/8? Its just that threaded 1 1/8 is fairly rare (but does exist), most threaded headsets are 1".
You could probably get a set of forks to fit either size, they're unlikely to be much good, but could perhaps serve some purpose for a short time. They would almost certainly be from or for a cheap hybrid, something like [url= http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=6705?&utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=organic ]this[/url] or [url= http://www.dotbike.com/p/12545?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=FGL ]this[/url]. Probably cheaper ones on ebay, but I doubt that there is much worth recommendation, beyond getting something coil sprung and not expecting it to stand up to too much mistreatment.
If it is 1 1/8, then you could change to a threadless ahead system and have access a much better selection of forks, but it would require a new headset and stem as well as forks, which is becoming a bit more of an investment. Thats probably something like £15 headset, £15 stem, £10 new cables, £15-£30 installation (unless you can do it all yourself), plus however much the fork costs. Old bolt-arch Marzocchis of a coil sprung variety are pretty bomb-proof and simple internally so can go almost forever, but if its only for a couple of months then something that is still working well/recently serviced probably trumps buying a knackered Marzocchi and the tools/seals/oils required to get it running again, however simple it may be.
Depending on how long you think it might take to save up for your new bike, I'd probably just stick with the rigids. Changing your current bike over to suspension may be more hassle than its worth, and I always tend to find, particularly with old bikes, that its sometimes best to leave them as is, as any changes end up requiring far more bits and pieces than you initially thought.
The other thing is,is the frame suspension corrected?,coz if not you may have trouble finding forks that dont ruin the handling.pleaderwilliams is right ,ride the bike as is until you've got the money for the new bike,otherwise you may end up wasting over £100 to get the old bike sorted.
ian
you can get some cheap toras/recons for about 80eu sometimes,from rose.
as been said,you'll need a hs-about 10-15eu
a stem is another 10-15.
I'd just get some really good tyres,you can swap them over when you get your new bike.
maybe some ergon grips;I remember they took a lot of the sting off riding rigid.
You could get some old PACE forks off eBay that would do. However forks from back then are a bit, well, crap really. Steerer would be 1" so modern ones would not fit and would be too much in any case. To be honest not worth the effort at all, as even if you find some to fit the internals would be shot. You'd end up spending good money to get nowhere. Indeed some of the forks that would fit, even if in as new condition, would probably ruin the ride as some were dire - Quasar Evo, Manitou etc. we're really bad.
Thank you all for the swift responses. My first post on here, and such a welcoming forum.
So really my old bike isn't really worth the time or money messing with. Plus any forks I might get, won't really be much cop.
I think I'll take everyone's advice and leave it be. Still, it's another £60-100 in the new bike fund! 😀