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Humour me. Yes I know there may be 1better ways of spending the money but what the hell.
2006 Spec Enduro frame. Always liked it. Forks knackered. Problem is they are straight steerer jobbies and thus rocking horse poo, especially in the 150mm range.
As it's for the odd potter really, are there any useable cheaper options? Chinese stuff I guess. All sorts of new fangled names out there now! Stuck this bike in the shed almost exactly 11 years ago and haven't missed the riding style so maybe thats an indication of what I want it for.
Dafter question still. Back in the days when I used it people played with 69ers. Now, what about a 27.5 fork in it? Sure it would slow the handling down to train levels but thats modern bikes anyway.
Could you get a modern fork of your choice and send it somewhere like RSF and have the steerer swapped?
How carefully have you examined the forks? Are they really knackered, or would they be ok for an occasional potter after a strip and rebuild.
If it were me, I'd look for a Marz 55 RC3 ti, there were plenty with straight steerers and they were nice and durable (as well as being brilliant).
Probably be 160mm travel, but stick some offset bushings in the bike to slack it off a touch anyway and that'll work fine.
Lyriks?
I've a 26'' pair here. I think you are close to the FoD? If so you could always nip over (Tintern area) and 'try before you buy'. I'm sure we could cut a deal, although I've no idea of their value.
PM me if they are suitable.
Have a good look at the rest of the bike to make sure its all usable. My nephew still rides his which was bought second hand on here years ago but its getting ready for some serious money spending on it which probably isn't the best way to go. I also had the Expert version from new but have had a few newer versions since then.
Pinkbike is probably your best option on forks and you can drill down to wheel size and travel. A quick look on it shows some Fox 36 that may work for what you want
I had that bike, as an S-Works back in 2006 - cost £3600..., mine had Fox 36's set at 150mm.
TBH it was a tall & short bike, and I actually sold it on (frame) after I'd bought a steel 456 as a winter 'project'. The 456 just rode better, mainly as it had better geometry.
There's probably plenty of people with the right fork in their shed, I've got a Manitou Nixon in my garage somewhere.
Check the headset specs. If it has an internal headset, you will probably be able to fit an external cup on the bottom and use a tapered fork. A 27.5" tapered fork will be much easier to find and compatible with newer frames.
ooh... so looking on ebay at older style forks brings up loads of 'blasts from the past'...
1.5 inch straight steerer lyrics anyone!
DrP
Edit - I was talking nonsense
So do I. Lots. See OP
Ta all. Food for thought.
If your doing it up for pottering and it has a 44mm internal headtube you can fit an external lower headset. (Cane Creek/Hope and I think NP do one now)
There are a few YMMV's in the headtube is long enough for the taper to go straight*... and you lose 10mm of stack on the CC and 12mm on Hope) that could otherwise be travel.
In order of taper RS Carbon (not likely to be relevant) .. Fox .. RS alloy.
Old coil lyriks are still a great option, and very robust as long as they've not been totally neglected. Honestly prefer them to most modern forks, enormous weight aside.
Taking this one step further. The rear shock. Am I inviting trouble to put a slightly longer travel shock in. say 63 instead of the standard 57? I suspect that this may involve the wheel smacking the frame. Likely.
Also this bike, a 2006 Enduro has two shuutles for the top shock mount. My flawed memory suugest that one lays the bike back a bit chucking the front bend out a tad. Am right?
Why bother?
Quite possibly the cheapest way of getting a full suss bike back on the mid again.