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I'm looking for a new 140mm fork to stick on my FS (26") bike. Normally, I'd go for Rockshox, but am considering X Fusion. Does anyone have experience of both Revalation RCT3's and XFusion RL2 dampers?
One of the reasons I ask is because I prefer forks that have good small bump sensitivity, but decent mid stroke support. Looking at the reviews, it sounds like the Revs are now a bit linear(?), while the X Fusions are less supple, but have good mid-stroke support.
Does anyone know if the latest Rev's can be modded to make them less linear (er...assuming they are indeed linear).
p.s. I'd kept my old Fox Vanilla's!
Think you can pick up Revs from all tricks for £250, which is probably cheaper than the x fusions.
My slants were good and stiff but not much tuning to them...and they look a bit cheap IMO. I see there is some kind of new damper coming out for them soon.
Not sure if you can get tokens for revs, but I know you get 32mm tokens for Reba's.
Ah, that's good to know - cheers. As far as the Revs go, I checked with RS tech guys today and they reckon the 2014 models can't be fitted with the tokens:(
Have had both preferred the RCT3 damping, with both forks in standard spec.
All solo air Revs from 2013 onwards can be fitted with air tokens, you just need to replace the topcap with a 2015 with the threaded underside, these are available in kits with 5 tokens.
Which we can supply 😀
Each to their own, particularly suspension. It can be a very subjective topic.
I've just come off 2014 Revs and onto X-Fusion Sweeps, prefer the X-Fusion myself.
There was nothing wrong with the Revs, I just fancied a change and got a good price on the X-Fusion forks.
They take less psi for the same sag which gives a soft/plush feel just riding along, I thought this might lead to frequent bottoming out but the RL2 damper has something called 'mid-valve' which seems to ramp up damping in the second half of the travel and prevent bottoming out.
The X-Fusion has far less adjustability than the Rockshox fork but I haven't felt the need to tinker with stuff that isn't there, just put in the indicated psi to set sag for your bodyweight and ride....I leave the rebound in the middle of its range.
The older I get the less enthusiastic I've become about complicated stuff and the need to fettle in order to get things working as they should, I just want to to ride my bike and have components that work with minimal input...the X-Fusion does that for me.
I still have a Rockshox fork on my other bike, a coil spring Sektor...its hassle free too, limited adjustment, just change the spring if required, I went from medium to firm after i'd owned it for a while....just fit and forget, perfect.
Hi LoCo, thanks for the info - good to know about the top cap mod. From reading the reviews of both forks, it sounds like the rebound damper in the Revs might have the edge when it comes to dealing with fast repeated hits? (a lot of rocks where we ride, so need something that'll cope)
Definitely appreciate the lack of faff when it comes to forks. TBH, I'd forgotten about the Sektor coils - FWIR, they're only 150mm, and 140 is the max on my frame (LoCo, might drop you a line to see if the Sektors travel can be shortened
Another bug to LoCo - do you have any tips for tuning dual air rct3's?
I'm really struggling with brake dive - either I have the compression damping high enough that the fork doesn't track well, or I get thrown over the handlebars braking on steep descents.
@Bowglie, I found the RCT3 dual flow or the later rapid recovery had a bit more control than the othert rebound damper in conjunction with the low speed comp. adjustment in open position on the compression damper gave better performance.
Dual pos. coil sektors can be lowered with a spring swap too.
@Continuity, had a set of the Dual air RCT3 revs, from memory ran 5 to 10psi (~ 20% sag) more in positive chamber and 4 to 5 click from full off on the low speed, as any more than that resulted in a bit too much 'trail buzz' through the bars and gave me numb hands after a few hours on rough trails.
Thanks for feedback LoCo - much appreciated.
Revs are really divey. I've bodged a volume adjuster which makes them a bit better.
kind of interested in this too, will be looking at pikes or traces for new bike soon. Love my 26" pikes, so quite hard to see past them, but still interested in alternatives.
What about putting a bit of oil into the positive air chamber?
Aside of a couple of drops for lubrication in the dual airs not really, as likely to cause issues.
If they haven't been serviced in last 12/18 months probably worth replacing the air seals as they maybe transferring a bit of air between positive & negative air chambers.