120mm Fork on Specialized Epic Feasible?

[Spoke101]

Hmm so the fork is a 2014 Rockshox SID XX 29" with 15mm thru axle.  Does that make it the SID B model?

It's a solo-air model so no option to pump negative vs positive chambers.  Only one pomp-plek on the fork

 

A-Spec only came in QR and pre 2013 if memory serves so you should defiantly have a B-Spec.

Just check the measurements on your stanchions and it it has 80/100/120 then it's a B-Spec.

 

Good point which was mentioned on a few of the MTBR forum topics I found.  Would an extra 20mm travel and associated minimal headtube angle change really inflict that much additional leverage on it - or should I say enough added leverage to compromise the headtube strength?

 

I wouldn't worry about putting extra stress on the frame unless you are tipping the scales at the heavy end. These frame are over engineered this a safety factor built in.

 

Nice to know it worked - thanks.  Reckon your fork was probably quite different in design though i.e. 2012 vs 2014 and dual vs solo air.  Made me curious about whether my fork has a spacer installed - which if removed will give an extra 10mm without any modification needed.  Alternative would probably be the 120mm air spring unit I guess.

 

Fork is the same B-Spec design, just had dual air adjustment. Your solo air is still a dual air, you just can't adjust the negative air chambers pressure. This is done automatically when the forks compressed.

Solo air's don't have any spacers, you have to replace the air spring. Its an easy swap out just send your fork in to Cape Cycles and ask them to sort it out for you and give it a service while its there.

 

Drop Enzo a line with you serial No. to double check he's the workshop manager at Cape Cycles.

[Bizkit031]

I've done it and with a SID XX WC 2012 Dual Air so was just a spacer removal.

 

Found 110mm was the best compromise for racing but that's at the sharp end.

 

120mm was defiantly more fun and stable when hitting rock gardens at speed, climbing was a compromise but only on the really steep stuff where the bike was trying to pop wheelies.

 

For your fork you will need to buy a new 120mm air spring ±R1200.

 

I ride hard and did some enduro's on the bike as well as a few 4m gap jumps and all was fine, I am on the light side at 60kg though.

That's why all was fine,60kg says it all you must do the same thing on that bike with a 100kg on it. It's not going to be pretty????

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Lol!

I think you have missed most of Myles' posts for a while, I doubt he would be recommending MM's though.

I always recommend Magic Marys... Every single time. Running Onza Ibex at the moment, and next tyre I'm gonna try is a Maxxis Shorty, if I can find it. 

 

But always Magic. Need to fix mine after I managed to pinch it on the rim. TINY gash, just at the lip of the rim. Small enough for the sealant not to seal, and in JUST the wrong place.

 

Go to recommendation - Magic Mary Super Gravity Trailstar.

[Two-Stroke]

That's why all was fine,60kg says it all you must do the same thing on that bike with a 100kg on it. It's not going to be pretty

See this kinda comment is concerning.  I'm closer to the 100 mark than 60.  Not fat or round, just happen to be more of a sturdy build than racing snake skinny.

 

What are you basing your comment on?  Realistically, is the headtube likely to fail?

 

The carbon lay-up around the headtube is probably the strongest of the whole frame, far exceeding forces the bike will experience in it's lifetime.  My riding style is dirt-roadie type stuff, with weekends spent on the Stellenbosch area's trails.  Most air the bike sees is between the small rollers at Coetzenberg, Eden and Gspot, or occasional smaller obstacles on Jonkershoek trails.  Drop-off's and big air jumps aren't on my bucket list.

[Paul Ruinaard]

See this kinda comment is concerning.  I'm closer to the 100 mark than 60.  Not fat or round, just happen to be more of a sturdy build than racing snake skinny.

 

What are you basing your comment on?  Realistically, is the headtube likely to fail?

 

The carbon lay-up around the headtube is probably the strongest of the whole frame, far exceeding forces the bike will experience in it's lifetime.  My riding style is dirt-roadie type stuff, with weekends spent on the Stellenbosch area's trails.  Most air the bike sees is between the small rollers at Coetzenberg, Eden and Gspot, or occasional smaller obstacles on Jonkershoek trails.  Drop-off's and big air jumps aren't on my bucket list.

I am 110kgs. Worked fine for me.

 

Carbon is pretty strong..

[SCD]

I am running a 120 Sid XXWC on my Element. Fork works very nicely, stiff enough for my liking and lots more fun than 100mm. As said before, if your SID is solo air you will need a new airshaft. Droo of Stoke can sort you out or Cape Cycle Systems directly.

[intern]

I whacked a RockShox Reba RL 120 on my 2012 S-Works 26 incher. Feels a bit different at first, but not a major 'thing', got used to it PDQ.

[Two-Stroke]

Alrighty then, so it's feasible assuming my fork is a SID B model.  I'll make a few calls, get some quotes and drop an update here on the outcome.  Thanks all for the inputs!

 

Let's hope the SID design isn't too spaghetti like for more travel.

[Two-Stroke]

Some calls made and it seems like mine is a SID B model, and travel can be fairly easily increased to 120mm by installing a longer airpring unit.  They're not cheap though!

 

Hoping the extra travel doesn't make the fork too noodley.

[Two-Stroke]

So after doing some more reading, it seems like increasing a SID to 120mm would be a big compromise in terms of sturdiness.  At 100mm it's already slightly noodley considering that it's a lightweight design aiming at lightweight racing type riders.

 

How does the Reba compare in stiffness to the SID?  Getting mixed reports, some saying that they share the same lowers/materials, and others claiming the Reba to be sturdier.  Anyone with some first-hand experience of both?

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

So after doing some more reading, it seems like increasing a SID to 120mm would be a big compromise in terms of sturdiness. At 100mm it's already slightly noodley considering that it's a lightweight design aiming at lightweight racing type riders.

 

How does the Reba compare in stiffness to the SID? Getting mixed reports, some saying that they share the same lowers/materials, and others claiming the Reba to be sturdier. Anyone with some first-hand experience of both?

Much stiffer. The Sid is an out and out race fork. The Reba is not

[Mambat]

I have an older Reba Dual Air 120mm on my 29er Trance that is super stiff...

 

It does have the 20mm through axle which is something to consider,

they are not easy to come by but do make the fork a lot stiffer than the QR version!

 

Good luck!

[Two-Stroke]

Cool, thanks for the replies.  Seems like the hunt is evolving to look for a Reba instead.

[nox1111]

Cool, thanks for the replies.  Seems like the hunt is evolving to look for a Reba instead.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/x-fusion-slide-rl2-forks-2016/rp-prod140400 of die

 

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/marzocchi-320-lr-forks-15mm-2016/rp-prod128496

[Pikey]

20mm will effect the climbing . Even though I didn't do it on a spez,I added 20 mm over recommend travel on a tallboy . Was awesome on the downs and sweeping stuff . But as soon as anything pointed up, the front end lifted quicker than a teenage boy about to get it on which made it sketchy and very uncomfortable to ride . Climbing anything never mind rocks was k@k. Needless to say only did one ride. And went back to the max recommend 120. Way better! Handles like it should.

 

Just my thoughts ...but I suppose it depends what you want out of the bike.

 

Oh and emailed Sc in the USA and although they never admitted it they said they don't for see any problems at 130 mm travel. But never said outright it was ok,but they can't . This after I asked about 140/130.

[Schnavel]

Reviving an old thread here, but can anyone give some more feedback on the long term reviews of riding an epic with a 120mm fork?

 

I have a 2015 Epic Sworks with a 100mm travel RS1 and considering converting it to 120mm. Anyone done a similar conversion? How much difference does it make?