Suspension Fork advice

[Alpha_Mike]

Hi Folks, I need some advice. I'm building a hard-tail MTB from various components and need advice on the front suspension fork. I know both forks are entry level, but that's what I have for now.

 

I have a choice between a 100mm Suntour XCM HLO, with hydraulic lockout and an 80mm Manitou Axel with hydraulic lockout and rebound adjustment.

 

I would like to go with the Manitou, but then I won't be able to upgrade the front disc to 185mm.

 

What would your choice be?

Edited June 13, 2011 by Old_Geezer

[covie]

Rather go spend a R300 more and get a RS Tora.

[Topwine]

If you go the hard tail route, why not go the full monty, and get yourself a rigid carbon fork. I got myself a Trigon one last week for about R1400 and now I am the proud owner of a 8.5 kg hard tail. It really makes a big difference on the climbs and acceleration.

[covie]

If you go the hard tail route, why not go the full monty, and get yourself a rigid carbon fork. I got myself a Trigon one last week for about R1400 and now I am the proud owner of a 8.5 kg hard tail. It really makes a big difference on the climbs and acceleration.

 

I can understand a rigid carbon fork if you dont intend of actually using a mountainbike to mountainbike. But unless your training on your mtb for the argus road race or something similar why on earth would anyone even consider a Rigid fork. also there were a couple of threads of people braking their carbon forks by simply riding down pavements.

 

His bike is entrylevel as well so we can safley assume i think it wheighs as much as a tank, So i would still say go with a semi decent fork that will give a comfortable ride, and more tracktion on the rough stuff, i.e. a tora or a recon.

[Goosebay]

The Manitou Axel is a brilliant entry level fork compared to the suntour. It is slightly stiffer and the rebound works better. It is unlikely you will ever need a 185 rotor, unless you continuously drag your front brake and you are struggling with heat fade.

[Topwine]

I can understand a rigid carbon fork if you dont intend of actually using a mountainbike to mountainbike. But unless your training on your mtb for the argus road race or something similar why on earth would anyone even consider a Rigid fork. also there were a couple of threads of people braking their carbon forks by simply riding down pavements.

 

His bike is entrylevel as well so we can safley assume i think it wheighs as much as a tank, So i would still say go with a semi decent fork that will give a comfortable ride, and more tracktion on the rough stuff, i.e. a tora or a recon.

On the contrary, I use my MTB ONLY for MTB'ing. In fact, I used a full suspension Anthem X1 before. I like the feeling of a rigid fork.

 

Also, care to share the "couple" of threads of people braking their carbon forks, as I can't find them here using the search item "breaking carbon forks" here on the Hub ? There are far more threads on the internet of people raving about their rigid carbon forks on their MTB's .

Edited June 13, 2011 by Topwine

[NotSoBigBen]

What part of 'I have a choice between 2' did some of you miss huh

[covie]

What part of 'I have a choice between 2' did some of you miss huh

 

 

Ok in that case neither of the two

[Alpha_Mike]

Just to clarify folks - I ALREADY HAVE the two forks. It's just a question of which one should I fit to the frame.

 

Might be a bit difficult to ride without one

[covie]

OKOK geezer, not sure about the manitau, but my experiance with the suntours are that they do not like heavy riders, i.e. 80kg plus.