best 5in travel fork

[bike187]

i'm looking into replacement forks for my komodo frame. specifically i'm looking for a 5in travel fork.
right now i'm focused on a fox vanilla rlc
i currently have a 2001 psylo sl with u-turn on it
other models i'm looking into are marz z1 fr qr20+ (none of that air sprung sl stuff)
possibly a manitou from the sherman line


i weigh 240lbs and do aggressive trail riding, and some drops. weights not a big issue.

any thoughts on the z150?

[boingboing]

I have a vanilla rlc if your still looking. its new.

[MMcG]

i'm looking into replacement forks for my komodo frame. specifically i'm looking for a 5in travel fork.
right now i'm focused on a fox vanilla rlc
i currently have a 2001 psylo sl with u-turn on it
other models i'm looking into are marz z1 fr qr20+ (none of that air sprung sl stuff)
possibly a manitou from the sherman line


i weigh 240lbs and do aggressive trail riding, and some drops. weights not a big issue.

any thoughts on the z150?


Z150 would be overkill for a Komodo frame in my opinion. I'd say look at the Vanilla 125, the Marzocchi Z1, or perhaps a Sherman.

What spring do you have in the Psylo or is your version an air sprun Psylo? Maybe a simple fix is to upgrade to a firmer spring in the Psylo if it is a coil version of that fork line.

[AA]

I'd say that for someone 240 lbs the Z1 is the correct choice. I tried the psylo sl (coil) upgraded it with a stiffer spring and heavier oil and it still wasnt wanted. So I bought the Fox Vanilla RL. Everyone raves about this fork however I just dont like it. My biggest problem is the small "dead spot" at the begginning on the travel. On small studder bumps it feels loose (kind of like a loose headset). I must admit I am disapointed. I am going to sell the Psylo and the Fox and buy the Z150 coil fork. the weight difference is about a 1/2 lb, on a 30+ lb bike I dont think it will make a difference to me. For someone 240 lbs the QR20 probably isnt a bad idea either.

[CouchingTiger]

You mean a Z1, right, vs. a Z150, or are you looking to go-huge ;) The 150 is the 6" travel, 20mm axle, 7#, single crown monster.

-Couch


I'd say that for someone 240 lbs the Z1 is the correct choice. I tried the psylo sl (coil) upgraded it with a stiffer spring and heavier oil and it still wasnt wanted. So I bought the Fox Vanilla RL. Everyone raves about this fork however I just dont like it. My biggest problem is the small "dead spot" at the begginning on the travel. On small studder bumps it feels loose (kind of like a loose headset). I must admit I am disapointed. I am going to sell the Psylo and the Fox and buy the Z150 coil fork. the weight difference is about a 1/2 lb, on a 30+ lb bike I dont think it will make a difference to me. For someone 240 lbs the QR20 probably isnt a bad idea either.

[MMcG]

You mean a Z1, right, vs. a Z150, or are you looking to go-huge ;) The 150 is the 6" travel, 20mm axle, 7#, single crown monster.

-Couch



Couch,

Maybe he's trading in his Heckler for a Bullit! ;)

He probably did mean Z1

AA, you are about the third or fourth person I've heard mention that dead spot or loose feeling with the Fox Vanilla.......makes me think that if I ever replace my Psylo that I might opt for a Marzocchi or Manitou over a Fox.

[AA]

oops. 150 mm = 6"

All I know is I want to buy the 5" (a shade under 5 lbs) fork. There too many models as far as I'm concerned.

Either way I still dont like the Fox

[digger]

After a full season on Vanilla 125RLC, I have only good to report - nothing broke and works as good as it did in March. I can't think of another fork that I can say that about. Is there a little noise, yes. Spring slap so they say. I have never noticed any looseness though. This has all been wrung out on mtbr.

For a big guy freeride fork, other choices may be better, but for a 5" trail riding fork, there's not much that compares for ride/build quality/weight/price. Zoke may have filled what appeared to me to be a blank spot in their line when I bought the fox.

D

[SloMoJo]

I saw lots of used Z-1's over the summer. I bought one and what a difference. Paid much less than a new fork.

I don't know forks, so the mtbr.com site helped me decide.
Good Luck

[bike187]

i've decided to go with the z1fr qr20+. the vanilla seems to be skeptical to an alarming number of people who use them.

now i need to figure out what hubs i want to go with the new wheelset (so far mavic 729 and dt aplineIII spokes)

[SloMoJo]

Really?
Same fork I got.

The Q20 is a bit overkill for me.
But I error in that direction with a Hadley hub in rear and Mav 521 rims. I don't need the extra weight, but I like a strong package, even tho I mostly XC ride.

That will limit you somewhat on the front hub, eh?
How many people make a 20mm front hub?
I honestly don't know.

When I bought my fork it came with an zoke 20 hub on Mav 521 wheel. Sort of a package deal.

I never took it to the level of deciding what kinda spokes and rim. Interesting. Keep us posted.
-Slo

[bike187]

advantage of working in a bikeshop: big discount
disadvantage: very little work in the winter

dt hugi fr hubs are too expensive for me. hadley looks like a superior choice, but still kinda expensive. i'll give them a call and ask if they offer e.p. prices

once i my second job, i plan on getting the z1, the new wheelset (mavic 729 and DT apline III spokes, possibly hadley hubs), a good light system (the new NR hid helmet system with multiple brightnesses)

stuff coming for x-mas:avid mechanical disc brakes, nokian 296 tires, ultimate pro repair stand ;D i love x-mas