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Following on from the help I received about getting some cheap secondhand forks, I've found a good classifieds site in France and I can get the silver TK for about £80 delivered or the 351 U-Turn for £90 delivered.
The specs on these just confuse the hell out of me (remember, I've only ever ridden on an MZ Comp spring in a tin). The TK has Solo Air but I don't think the U-Turn does. However, the U-Turn has Motion Control ???
I'm sure either one is going to feel great but which one ?? Or avoid both ?
Will they go on my Dawes Watoga OK ? Even the 85 - 130 mm of the U-Turn ? I'm eventually going to change frame when I can find something cheap like the On One 456 suggested to me but that might take a while to find in France.
By the way, I can also see a couple of Reba Team Dual Air secondhand (claiming to be well serviced, etc) but for twice the price. If the Reba sellers want to sell cheaper, what price is it worth going for the Rebas over the Recons ?
Cheers in advance.
Unfortunately, the 351s have gone but just saw these at Merlin for not much more money, 2013 model new. http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/frame-forks/forks-shocks/rockshox-suspension-forks/rockshox-recon-silver-tk-crown-lockout-2013.html
There not Solo Air or with Motion Control though are they ?
Does anyone have any tips on what to look for in the Recon or Reba range over the past few years ? There are so many models with various features. Is Motion Control a must have ? I'm looking for something that just makes for a smoother ride on fast XC (no massive jumps or drop-offs).
Some Recon Gold have motion control, one at Merlin for £200 with 15mm axle has it, good deal. The Gold are lighter than the silver too, Rebas are a little lighter than that. The silver is a decent fork just not very light. I would be careful about buying a years old second hand for based on the name, technology is constantly moving forward so a Reba that is four years old is not the same as what they are now for example
Motion control is far supirior to turn key damping, if you can find a fork in your budget with motion control go for that.
Going back a few years with the Recons (up to about 08-09) Recons were a slightly longer travel version of reba's 130 over 80-100mm and generally the Recons were in solo air rather than dual air.
Since about 2009 the roles of the two forks were redefined Recons moved more to the budget end and a heap of different models came out, Reba's were redefined as a xc fork, the mainstream xc fork one step below the race fork of the Sid.
In general you will get better spec in the reba's they really are a quality fork but if you get some recon 351 solo air forks you will have a very good set of forks that in my opinion will give you greater options if you change your frame later.
@Rusty Mac - thanks for that - really helpful to get some more info about this.
Slowly getting my head around the changes that have taken place with the various models. Decided to avoid Toras, but am seeing loads of Recons and a few Rebas - none with motion cotrol AND Solo Air. I'd like them now but as I can wait, I'll just hang on 'til I see the right ones.