Preferably under $600. Let's assume I can get a good deal on a Pike.
Best budget 650b 150mm Trail/All mountain/Enduro fork
- Thread starter JustMtnB44
- Start date
Usually best and budget is not a good combo
If the pike and x fusion cost the same, the pike. Otherwise the x fusion... I have been riding a Slant (26) for over a year with nothing but smiles. The Sweep on my new bike is good so far, but its only been a month on it.
I've settled on the Mattoc Expert regardless of budget. It can be had for $500 right now!
http://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Manitou/Manitou-Mattoc-Expert-160mm-Tapered-QR15-27-5-Fork-2014.axd
There is a lengthy review thread over on MTBR.
http://www.pricepoint.com/Brand/Manitou/Manitou-Mattoc-Expert-160mm-Tapered-QR15-27-5-Fork-2014.axd
There is a lengthy review thread over on MTBR.
You can get a mattock pro for under 600.
Got mine here - http://www.hibike.com/shop/product/p50a14d1d6d7b80eeae6e7274de2dca3a/Manitou-Mattoc-Pro-27-5-650b-suspension-fork-160mm-1-5-Tapered-QR15-2014.html
Got mine here - http://www.hibike.com/shop/product/p50a14d1d6d7b80eeae6e7274de2dca3a/Manitou-Mattoc-Pro-27-5-650b-suspension-fork-160mm-1-5-Tapered-QR15-2014.html
Wow...almost a shame that Manitou is letting these forks go for so cheap.
I chose the Expert (heavier) over the Pro for the increased oil volume. The Pro damper still has a good amount of oil compared to a Fox FIT damper but IMO the more the merrier.
I chose the Expert (heavier) over the Pro for the increased oil volume. The Pro damper still has a good amount of oil compared to a Fox FIT damper but IMO the more the merrier.
Just, I've seen the 2014 Marz 350 in that price range. Was considering the 350, Sweep and Pike for my new trail bike. I decided to be a trendwhore and went with the Pike when I found it $700, NIB on ebay.
Fox products are usually the most expensive, but they hardly get rave reviews. Maybe that means they are just not a good value, and there are better options for the money.
I ruled out Fox 34/36, MRP Stage, and Marzocchi 350 due to price.
I wanted to buy the Sweep a while back before it came out, but when X-Fusion kept pushing the release date back I bought a Revelation instead. I found a Pike RCT3 Solo Air deal for sub $600. The Sweep RL2 is available for as low as $420. Generally I hear good things about them.
Which other forks did you test and compare it to? What specifically do you like best about it?
Really, I've only seen the lower end (heavier) Marz 350 CR model in that price range, the better NCR one is still $800+ from what I found.
Yeah, when I looked again it was the CR models.
If you can't get a Rux, go for the Durolux!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-SR-SUNTOUR-Durolux-TA-RC2-20QLC-26-Fork-Adjust-Travel-140-180mm-Black-/141287035277?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20e55d118d
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-SR-SUNTOUR-Durolux-TA-RC2-20QLC-26-Fork-Adjust-Travel-140-180mm-Black-/141287035277?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20e55d118d
dapeach approved!
In other news, Fox seem to have problems with play in their new forks. A buddy of mine just had to send back a 34 (150mm) and a 36 (170mm), which he rode only two (the 34) and three times (the 36).
Both developed serious play in the bushings.
Same problems as Marzocchi had when they transfered their production to Taiwan?
Both developed serious play in the bushings.
Same problems as Marzocchi had when they transfered their production to Taiwan?
would go zocchi 350 CR and add AVALANCHE cartridge if MOAR shimzz needed
what year? ive got a lightly ridden 2013 34 float that i essentially turned into an 831. this sort of makes me worried.
OP, i love my vengeance fork (650 compatible) and got it for under 300 bones.
food for thought.
food for thought.
There was a big comparison-test over at mtb-news. It's in german but Pike and Mattoc are good while Xfusion and Suntour have damping issues (sadly no Marz):
http://www.mtb-news.de/news/2014/06/26/enduro-federgabel-test-fox-manitou-rock-shox-x-fusion-sr-suntour-formula-bos/
http://www.mtb-news.de/news/2014/06/26/enduro-federgabel-test-fox-manitou-rock-shox-x-fusion-sr-suntour-formula-bos/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SR-Suntour-Auron-RC2-27-5-Fork-MTB-XC-AM-MSRP-800-/111602396809?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19fc056e89
Reviews are mixed, maybe not bad option for price but I'd be worried about long term reliability and servicing it.
Thanks for the link, Google translate made it readable.
I'm going to go with the Pike Solo Air, for the deal I found it's hard to pass up.
I had a Durolux Rc2 TA before the Pike and while it's a good fork for the money it's more freeride orientated with it's potential travel and weight. Plus the damping cartridge and the range of the rebound setting (I dabbled with 15W Rs oil) is a bit wonky.
Simple lubricant service is simple as with every other fork. Servicing the charger damper I dunno but I think it's more of a trickery than the old MC units.
its easy to pull the cart and service, just buy the bleed valve kit for charger damper. drain, refill, bleed. similar to a juicy brake or whatever. takes maybe 10-15 mins all in, if you have the tools and clean workspace handy.
