Im struggling to find any decent new forks for my 26" build. Id prefer to buy new but the options all seem to be towards the bottom end of the market. Id like something mid level with 34ml stantions. Revs or Pikes etc.
Tapered steerer? If so, just buy 650b.
Thats what I was thinking but above 120ml on 650b makes the front of my bike too high and cant find any decent 120ml forks.
Maybe its time to retire the Genesis latitude 853.
2004.
As above, just use 27.5.
Some rockshox on here, Recons and Pikes. Will probably incur additional fees though...
https://hollandbikeshop.com/en-gb/bicycle-parts/fork-and-headset/suspension-fork/?page=1
Thank you
I thought Holland Bike Shop had stopped exporting to the UK?
Ah, well that's buggered that then if they have!
Tapered steerer? If so, just buy 650b.
This. It'll raise the front of the bike a fraction and slacken it by about 1 degree. Not enough to really worry about.
Why new? Aside from the shiny shiny what are you hoping to achieve on an obviously old bike?
That's not a criticism of your bike BTW, I have two with straight steerers to contend with so it's even worse. There are plenty of decent second hand forks out there if you're patient. If not I THINK Rockshox did a Judy or 35 in 26 recently, it may be a "kid" oriented version but I can't see there being any real difference.
I suppose I wanted new so that I didn't have to mess around miss servicing any time soon and to be honest I've never bought new forks so wanted to treat myself!
I'm also in that predicament of should I throw money at this old outdated frame or put the money towards something new and more up to date, maybe 29"?
Don’t throw money at a 26” frame with old geometry. Buy something newer - it’s a game changer on virtually any terrain. I’ve stick with 650b for ages with modern geometry and it’s been great. Really fun on tight twisty stuff and my hardtail which I use for playing on easy stuff most of the time will stay 650b.
I bought a 29er full suss on impulse just before Christmas and it’s fantastic so far. Feels similar to my 650b bike (same reach pretty much) but just goes faster everywhere. All worries I had about losing playfulness / pop / being able to manual / harder cornering were completely unfounded.
I think Manitou was making some entry-level 26" forks?
The problem is it's just not worth it for the manufacturers to make something specifically for older bikes aftermarket. Why chase a handful of sales to people who'll say "I'll definitely want ...... in the next 5 years when my ...... wears out" when you can amortize that same amount of R&D and tooling costs imediately across tens/hundreds of thousands of OEM sales.
I’m also in that predicament of should I throw money at this old outdated frame or put the money towards something new and more up to date, maybe 29″?
Given the lack of discounts/sales on parts in general at the moment this might be a sensible option if you can find a bike you want.
A decade ago 26" parts were cheap as manufacturers cleared their stock.
5 years ago parts were cheaper pre-Brexit.
2 years ago parts supply existed at all
Chain reaction seem to have some 100mm Reba's with straight steerer
I suppose I wanted new so that I didn’t have to mess around miss servicing any time soon and to be honest I’ve never bought new forks so wanted to treat myself!
Fair enough though it's worth remembering to check oil levels when you buy them.
I’m also in that predicament of should I throw money at this old outdated frame or put the money towards something new and more up to date, maybe 29″?
As said, good luck getting anything at a reasonable price with decent spares backup (drivetrain especially) any time soon.
A lot of frames that came with straight steerers and internal headsets can take a tapered steerer if you fit an external lower headset cup (you need a 44 mm internal headtube for this). If that's the case, a 27.5" fork with a tapered steerer will be compatible with any recent 27.5" frame. It will lift the front of the bike a bit, but that's not as huge a problem as many people seem to think. Most forks can be reduced in travel if you really want to keep the front low and can handle losing 20 mm travel.
If your frame can't take a tapered steerer, much better to just buy a decent used fork.
A quick Google of the Latitude 853 26" suggests that it has a XX44 headset. A further Google ('cus I don't know a great deal aboutbike tech) suggests that it's designed to take a tapered steerer using an external lower cup.
Rockshox are apparently making 2022 Rebas in a 26" flavour in a range of travel options up to 140mm. There's a potential problem though, in that they seem to be aimed a lighter, smaller riders and are specifically tuned for lighter riders and lower pressures.
I've not idea if anything could be done with there and whether they could easily be adapted to run at normal pressures.
I gave up trying to find any decent 26in forks new, so I managed to find some new non-boost 27.5 Pikes for my 26in Kona from Merlin. It did change the geo by about a degree, but I didn't really notice it as the forks were so much better than my knackered old Bombers!! You do also end up benefitting from the extra mud clearance running a 26in wheel with 27.5in forks, which is great at this time of year!
Why chase a handful of sales to people who’ll say “I’ll definitely want …… in the next 5 years when my …… wears out” when you can amortize that same amount of R&D and tooling costs imediately across tens/hundreds of thousands of OEM sales.
I would have thought that those costs had been amortized a long time ago - but manufacturing costs and production capacity are probably still a factor
Yes my frame can take a tapered head tube so I could easily use a 27.5 fork.
I guess I was worried about lifting the bb too much. I currently have a 140ml fork on there anyway which feels OK. I'd guess a 120ml 27.5 fork would be a similar length.
I guess I was worried about lifting the bb too much. I currently have a 140ml fork on there anyway which feels OK. I’d guess a 120ml 27.5 fork would be a similar length.
I really doubt you'd notice the difference. I'd just look for something like a Pike or Revelation at 140 mm, try it and see how it goes, then reduce travel if it was too slack.
Rockshox are apparently making 2022 Rebas in a 26″ flavour in a range of travel options up to 140mm. There’s a potential problem though, in that they seem to be aimed a lighter, smaller riders and are specifically tuned for lighter riders and lower pressures.
I’ve not idea if anything could be done with there and whether they could easily be adapted to run at normal pressures.
Different company but if Manitou Mattock J-Units are anything to go by they should be fine, folk are using the 20" models for full sus BMX builds.
Rockshox Pike DJ, 26" and upto 140mm I believe or Manitou Circus Pro
I’m also thinking at some stage to upgrade the forks on my On-One 456ti .
It’s the Evo version with tapered stearer.
It recently got a new lease of life with 800mm bars and a 35mm stem and rides like a dream. It has Revelation forks at the moment and I might buy some new 27inch Pikes as suggested above. I find the 26 wheels fine for my riding and really like the frame.
