Which xc forks

I really need to have a play with the SiDs and try to get them set up right. Just been too lazy to in the past. Whereas my mm CTD has no small bump sensitivity forcing me to run it soft.

The middle T setting is no different from the fully open D setting and the trail adjust makes absolutely no diffence whatsoever to anything. I ran my SID locked out by mistake for half a lap of Big Dog before I realised — the gate worked well enough to make it rideable on the descents. Structurally very sturdy especially compared to Fox 32 , great damping with good usable compression adjustment range, just seem to run and run with little love and very cheap off CRC. This topic has 20 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 6 years ago by eshershore.

Viewing 21 posts - 1 through 21 of 21 total. Posted 6 years ago. I have been very happy with the RS-1 on my Epic. Not a fashionable opinion. All in all, a great fork that may not be quite as amazing as a Fox 38 or a DVO Onyx but can be had for significantly less money if you shop around.

Read our full test review of the RockShox Zeb Ultimate. Pros: Great levels of adjustment and super tenacious in the slidey stuff Cons: Not quite a Fox The damping feel of the Onyx is seriously impressive; it feels constantly alive and at work. Pros: Impressive craftmanship and great platform for tinkerers Cons: Requires a tinkerer, and that price tag.

The RFX 36 M2 is available in coil version as well as this air spring version that we tested. As well as being more accurate than volume spacers, this design also adds support to more of the mid-stroke as opposed to just affecting the very last part of travel. It uses a modest amount of bath oil inside and as such benefits from more frequent strip downs and an owner who enjoys such things.

Pros: The most broadly adjustable fork out there. Not fit and forget — so great for tinkerers. Cons: Not fit and forget. We could dial in a really calm, ground-hugging feel with excellent control and stability from both the blue and red CST valves we tried with a tweak of the air spring. The damping feels very smooth and rounded in both directions, and you can dial in a chunk of compression on the blue dial which affects both low and high-speed damping without adding too much harshness or vibration at the hands.

The rebound range was appropriate for our weight and silent and smooth in operation too. Read our full test review of Formula Selva R fork. With suspension brands continually updating their products for improved performance, fork technology is a constantly evolving landscape. Leading players like Fox and RockShox will be familiar as original equipment on complete bike packages, while he smaller firms here have big ambitions for a slice of the aftermarket pie.

Chassis stiffness, weight, damper architecture, seal and bushing friction, and adjustability are just some of the factors suspension engineers strive to improve. Forks also have to work for a wide range of rider styles and weights. Air-sprung forks support rider weight with a tuneable air cushion. Air pressure is added via a Schrader valve with a specific high-pressure shock pump to tune ride feel and adjust spring rate and support.

More spacers increases spring progression and helps prevent harsh bottom-outs, while fewer spacers a larger internal volume softens the end stroke. Dials on the top and bottom of the fork legs adjust parameters to tune support and control. Separate damping dials allow specific tuning options as to how much oil is allowed through ports and shims inside to absorb impacts, but more options also introduce more opportunities to mess up settings.

Having said that, most suspension brands and bike companies now offer decent tuning guides according to body weight, and these will give you a good start point to work from. Stanchion diameter is an important metric for overall stiffness, with thicker fork legs generally adding weight.

Bushing size and overlap, plus crown and brace construction also affect rigidity. Lower-leg assemblies use cast magnesium to save weight, and all forks here use a Boost mm axle spacing with quick- release-style or Allen-key fixings.

Within the air spring there are typically two separate elements balancing breakaway friction and small-bump sensitivity against support. A negative spring pushes back against the main positive spring, and either takes the form of a separate automatically equalising air chamber or a coil spring. Fork rake or offset has evolved as an important design element. Most brands now offer two different offsets in each wheel size, ranging from 37mm up to 51mm.

Compression damping controls the rate at which displaced damper fluid is allowed to move during bump events. Low-speed controls low shaft-speed impacts like body weight shifts and rolling terrain, and high- speed damping absorbs harsh impacts like square bump faces and landings. Forcing oil through ports or shim stacks generates damping resistance, with energy converted into heat. They offer rebound and compression adjustments so riders can tune their forks according to the terrain.

Freeride - Forks designed for the rigors of big mountain riding have oversized stanchions, up to 8 inches of travel, are usually single crown, generally use 20mm axles, and have similar adjustments to downhill forks in a more agile package. There are also light duty freeride forks built for dirt jumping and street. At just mm of travel, they are much smaller and lighter but are still built for abusive riding. All-Mountain - This range includes forks made to withstand aggressive trail riding, while maintaining the ability to climb efficiently.

They typically range from 4 to 6 inches of travel, and many models can adjust the stroke length without a tool. Remote lockouts are popular on this type of fork.

They also have a great deal of external adjustments and technology to improve pedaling efficiency. Cross-Country - These forks have the least amount of travel and are also the lightest range of forks available. Keeping weight low while allowing for maximum pedaling efficiency is the goal of high-end XC forks, while less expensive models emphasize value and smooth function.

They are often equipped with a lockout, rebound and compression adjustments. Cross-country forks use 15mm and 9mm "quick release" axles. Axle Diameter - Standard quick release size is 9mm diameter. Wheel Size - Mountain bike wheels and forks are available in inch, Forks are made from a combination of materials.

Lowers can be made from magnesium or aluminum. Coil sprung forks use either steel or titanium springs. There are a lot of different aspects to consider when purchasing a new fork. Luckily, finding the perfect fork can be a relatively simple process if you take the right things into consideration.