Front suspension question

[PYGA1]

I currently have a Rockshox Recon 332 on my GT full susser. I am thinking of upgrading to a Fox F120RL or a Rockshox Reba Team Dual Air.

 

Apart from the weight saving and remote lock out are there an other advantages in upgrading?

 

I mainly ride marathons and the occasional stage race such as 3 Towers.

[Mecnic]

Both the fox and Reba are great forks, there a subtle differences between the two of them:

 

Reba: Uses dual air both a postive and Negative air chamber so the ride can be tuned to perfection, iy has a remote lock out and rebound, Rock Shox puts alot of technology into there forks and parts a freely avasilable in SA

 

Fox F120: the fox runs an air positve spring and a small coil negative spring, the dampening on fox is spot on and it is in itself a tuneable fork. Fox now has a remote lock out and rebound dampening. Parts are also freely available.

 

I have ridden all 3 forks in question I started on a Recon had a reba on my bike for a while and now have a fox, Both the Reba and the Fox forks are more tuneable thn the Recon which in itself is a great fork. I find the ride on te fox to be a bit smoother and more forgiving than the Reba and I prefer the manual lock out my Fox has.

 

Basically in short the reba and Fox are more tuneable and smoother than the recon, I prefer the smoother ride the Fox offers but I would in the same breath not say no if someone gave me a reba to ride.

 

Hope this helps you anything else you want to know let us know.

[PYGA1]

Thanks for the info Mecnic, much appreciated. So there would be quite a noticeable difference in the ride if I were to upgrade?

[Mecnic]

Ja there would be especially to those forks

 

Your handling would be alot better the Recon is a great fork but obviously the solo air has its limitations and the dual air system on the rock shox has a more tuneable ride and the fox also has its advatages.

 

I would say as you mainly ride Marathons the Fox make take it on Smoothness of the ride but it is as far as I can remeber it is more expensive than the REBA but don't get me wrong the REBA is also an amazing fork and if tuned right can also be super smooth, I am obviously FOX but its up to you.

 

What rear shox does your GT have on it?

[PYGA1]

Have a Fox RP23 on the back, very happy with it.

[Mecnic]

My feeling is that the fox will match up almost perfectly with the Fox at the back will be a great combo.

 

Its just a personal thing I like to match front and rear suspension packaged if I can.

[LazyTrailRider]

Mecnic has given some great input.

 

Maybe an opinion from someone who recently changed from a Recon to a Revelation (which is basically a long-travel Reba):

 

Smoothness in terms of stroke stiction is I reckon pretty similar between the Recon and its bigger brothers, Recons are buttery smooth (as Mecnic has rightly noted). Two things you'll gain:

 

- Tuneability. Being able to fiddle with both positive and negative chambers will help you get the initial sensitivity just right. This is an advantage, but only if you put some effort into getting it spot on. If you just fit-and-forget, you won't notice much difference.

 

- Dampening robustness. Revelation (and I would imagine Reba) catridges handle really rough stuff more consistently than a Recon can, so you'll notice it staying more composed through rock gardens and over washboards.

 

Hmmm, I may have repeated what Mecnic has said to some extent, but either way I hope it helps!

[PYGA1]

Thanks for the replies. Martin I am definitely more of the fit and forget type, more because I don't really have the know how not to be, so I'm thinking the Fox might be the better option?

[Mecnic]

The fox is pretty much fit and forget, just have it serviced and maintain it like you would any fork and you should have many trouble free kms.

 

I have an 2006 Fox f80Rl on my hard atil and its still going strong.