any model of regular 26" fork made in 29" is instantly at least £100 more...
i know there will be a smaller production run compared to 26" forks but still...
a friend in the bike business pointed out that suntour actually make most of the other companys forks for them, and they have a new 2010 range out, a bit of google surfing then straight to good old chain reaction cycles in ireland where i have proberly spent equal to my morgage so far turned up these which came through the post today...
suntour epicon 100mm travel (air) 29er forks...with alloy stantions and steerer tube and 15mm thru axle...for only £200...bit of a bargin i think...
having a hope pro2 front hub i also bought the 15mm thru axle spacers which just plugged straight in...
the karate monkey frame is i think to be run with a 80mm suspension fork and you can see here the 100mm fork is about 40mm longer axle to crown uncompressed...
compressed with the 10-20mm recommended sag its still about 20mm longer which raises and slighty slackens the head angle but im happy with this as i think it steered a bit too quick anyway which often caused the front to slip easily-remmember my front end crash last year?...and the through 15mm axle should reduce flex too...
i cut the steerer to the same lenght as the ridgid fork and had the fork on in an hour, though the lockout was a bit fiddly to get the cable tension right, i found i had to tighten the cable from slack using the barrel adjuster untill it would lock and then also release...fork looks good quality from first impressions...
stantions look the same as a rockshok reba...
lock out lever isnt that flush but i imagine could be swapped for a rock shok poc-loc lever...
front brake hose guide is a nice touch and holds the brake hose away from rubbing on the fork...
all cables clear the fork nicely...
will need to bed the fork in before getting it properly set up in compression and rebound but it feels just like a rockshok reba 100mm bouncing about...
hopefully will get a ride around the world cup xc course and the 10 around the ben trail at fort william this weekend...be interesting to see how it preforms compared to more expensive forks...
Nice, Very nice!!
ReplyDeleteLooks pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to stop reading this blog.
ReplyDeleteYou do realise i'm still saving up for an Alfine hub. Now it looks like i've got something else to add to my wish list!
The only suspension forks i've got for my 29er are Naff (captial N deliberate).
Sweet! How much extra weight did it add compared to the rigid fork? Suppose it's a small price for getting better function/comfort? :)
ReplyDelete(Getting ready to leave for Glentress, just a hour left on work! :))
tommy & clive; now my main xc bike (ie non beach!)
ReplyDeleteredbike; heehee sorry for leading you on :)
//harri; not sure what the new forks weigh but them seem pretty light being air sprung with alloy crown and steerer tube...
amazing price for the spec!, have fun at GT, i will be having a beer outside the tent at nevis range tomorrow evening:)