Bicycle Front Shock Suggestions

[Travis351]

I have an older Trek mountain bike 7000 with a Manitou Magnum front shock that has lost its spring. I doubt it is worth re-building, so I am in the market for another shock. I really don't need anything fancy, but don't want to replace it again in a year either.

Any of you Mountain Bike experts have any suggestions on a decent new or used shock that will last for under $300? There are so many to choose from now, I think I would have to quit my day job to wade through all of the reviews.

 

[Liam]

rebuild it. If you dont you will look like those guys who put $5000 rims on a $200 piece of s***...

 

[cary]

First, make sure you have a 1 1/8" headtube, not the older 1" standard (generally any bike newer than 1996 will have that.

Second, you don't say the length of your present fork, but I will assume it is a 63 or 80mm travel.

Third, disk or v brakes?

Fourth, how do you ride and how big are you?

At the really cheap end new look as something like this. It is heavy, but will be far better than your old Manitou if it is more than 5 years old.

ROCKSHOX DART 2 SUSPENSION FORK '08 at JensonUSA.com

For something higher end with better dampening and lighter, check out the Manitou R7, Fox Float and Rockshox Reba used on Ebay. The problem is going to be on an older bike you will need to stay with an 80mm fork so you don't screw the geometry and handling of the bike up and presumably you will need a fork that is compatible with V brakes, getting harder to find. The Fox and Rockshox can be converted to shorter travel by moving spacers around, the Manitou R7 I believe if fixed travel. It would be good for you to spend some time over at the MTBR.com forums.

 

[Travis351]

First, make sure you have a 1 1/8" headtube, not the older 1" standard (generally any bike newer than 1996 will have that.

Yes, It is a 1-1/8" aheadset system.

Second, you don't say the length of your present fork, but I will assume it is a 63 or 80mm travel.

It's travel was 63.

Third, disk or v brakes?

Calipers...but I think they mount the same as the v brakes.

Fourth, how do you ride and how big are you?

I think I ride pretty normally. Favoriing the slow technical trails. 5'10 140lbs.

At the really cheap end new look as something like this. It is heavy, but will be far better than your old Manitou if it is more than 5 years old.

ROCKSHOX DART 2 SUSPENSION FORK '08 at JensonUSA.com

This was what I found and wondered about its durability.

For something higher end with better dampening and lighter, check out the Manitou R7, Fox Float and Rockshox Reba used on Ebay. The problem is going to be on an older bike you will need to stay with an 80mm fork so you don't screw the geometry and handling of the bike up and presumably you will need a fork that is compatible with V brakes, getting harder to find. The Fox and Rockshox can be converted to shorter travel by moving spacers around, the Manitou R7 I believe if fixed travel. It would be good for you to spend some time over at the MTBR.com forums.

Perfect! This is what I needed to know. Thanks Cary.

 

[cary]

No problem. If you keep an eye out on Ebay you can pick up a used Manitou R7 (preferably with the TPC damper) or a used Reba. Given your weight, these are better choices than the foxes that work best with fat guys like me (hard for lighter guys to get full travel from foxes). Make sure the steerer tube is long enough for your bike (I am guessing but for your bike you probably have about 8" of steerer tube, but you will have to measure it.).

 

[tcb]

Deals can be found on the manitou's, like cary said. I know as recently as a couple of years ago, you could get them with v-brake bosses....

But, honestly, if you're willing to peel off $300 for a new fork, you can probably track down a "like new" rockhopper or trek for not much more $$$.

 

[car-car]

Watch craigslist or eBay for someone upgrading their perfectly functional, twice-riden stock fork (which there are some good one's out there now). There is always a number of riders out there that just have to upgrade to the latest $850 fork that just came to market. There are plenty of deals to be had.

Good luck.