Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

I haven't ridden a float, but enjoy my TALAS. Having said that, I nearly k@kked myself when I had to service it a while ago, as it was expensive to do.....

Posted

As far as stiction goes, the Talas and Float should be exactly the same. Stiction is friction between the stanchions, bushes and seals. The Talas and float are exactly the same in that department. Where the Talas differs is in the left leg where it has a travel adjust mechanism. This has no affect on stiction since it doesn't move when riding.

 

With respect to Papa Bear's interpretation (I think the Vanilla has a different spring which will affect stiction), lots of people imagine this or that fork, or this or that type of seal to have more or less stiction. Most high-end forks in good condition and recently serviced, have very similar stiction.

 

Stiction is far easier to judge when you've isolated the friction parts. For instance. take an opened fork and clampt the stanchion assembly in a workstand. Now move various types of seals - OEM vs Enduro vs Rox vs Fox over the stanchion by hand. You'll find that you cannot tell the difference.

 

Similarly, insert only one leg in the lower and move it up and down. A Fox is a Rox lower, a Fox in a Fox etc etc. There is no noticeable difference.

 

Once the fork is assembled at the air spring pumped, things get muddled and imagination runs rife.

 

The only real reduced-stiction seal I've seen is one that Marzocchi commissioned from Japanese seal company Nokon. This particualr after-market seal isn't made to last long. However, it absolutely glides over the stanchion with a noticeable swiftness and lack of friction. It is intended for once-off use in competition. Clearly this solution is not practical for you and I.

Posted

I haven't ridden a float, but enjoy my TALAS. Having said that, I nearly k@kked myself when I had to service it a while ago, as it was expensive to do.....

 

Whatever they charged you is not enough. It is an abosolute bitch to work on.

Posted

As far as stiction goes, the Talas and Float should be exactly the same. Stiction is friction between the stanchions, bushes and seals. The Talas and float are exactly the same in that department. Where the Talas differs is in the left leg where it has a travel adjust mechanism. This has no affect on stiction since it doesn't move when riding.

 

With respect to Papa Bear's interpretation (I think the Vanilla has a different spring which will affect stiction), lots of people imagine this or that fork, or this or that type of seal to have more or less stiction. Most high-end forks in good condition and recently serviced, have very similar stiction.

 

Stiction is far easier to judge when you've isolated the friction parts. For instance. take an opened fork and clampt the stanchion assembly in a workstand. Now move various types of seals - OEM vs Enduro vs Rox vs Fox over the stanchion by hand. You'll find that you cannot tell the difference.

 

Similarly, insert only one leg in the lower and move it up and down. A Fox is a Rox lower, a Fox in a Fox etc etc. There is no noticeable difference.

 

Once the fork is assembled at the air spring pumped, things get muddled and imagination runs rife.

 

The only real reduced-stiction seal I've seen is one that Marzocchi commissioned from Japanese seal company Nokon. This particualr after-market seal isn't made to last long. However, it absolutely glides over the stanchion with a noticeable swiftness and lack of friction. It is intended for once-off use in competition. Clearly this solution is not practical for you and I.

 

Seems you must be a mechanic? I have the option of going Float or Talas for a new Santa Cruz Nomad used for aggresive XC, all mountain, light freeride riding. Have heard people saying that the float is more plush but that made no sense as they seem to be so similar? I have to pedal up to get down so though the adj travel may help. More NB though is the overall ride of the fork. Like the black of the Talas to match the frame too ;-)

Posted

I ride both, the talas is much nicer. The 120mm float seems to get a bit iffy and all hard like up top of its travel, the 150mm talas doesn't.

I've ridden a nomad c with a 160mm talas 36 with kashima and nearly cried its no nice.

Posted (edited)

I ride both, the talas is much nicer. The 120mm float seems to get a bit iffy and all hard like up top of its travel, the 150mm talas doesn't.

I've ridden a nomad c with a 160mm talas 36 with kashima and nearly cried its no nice.

 

that gives me goosebumps...about to a buy black carbon nomad

Edited by EvilRabbit
Posted

that gives me goosebumps...about to a buy black carbon nomad

 

Yeah the fork was nice, pity about the frame (he says jokingly, wishing he had one too)

Posted

I ride both, the talas is much nicer. The 120mm float seems to get a bit iffy and all hard like up top of its travel, the 150mm talas doesn't.

I've ridden a nomad c with a 160mm talas 36 with kashima and nearly cried its no nice.

 

Mmmm... would have been more fair to compare a 160 Talas to a 160 Float.

Saying a 150 Talas is more plush than a 120 Float is a hard compare - was it on the same bike and same trail?

If so, did the frame support both fork lengths?

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout