[recidivist]

I've got a strong suspicion my XC hardtail (I.F. Deee-lux from ~98-99) was originally designed for a 63 mm fork (RS Sid of the era). I've got a 00 Zoki z.2 BAM (80mm travel) on it right now.





So, obviously, there's nothing wrong with this arrangement -- it's not like I've got an 8-incher on the front, but it just doesn't feel....right. I sketches out a little easier than I'd expect. It flops/oversterrs a bit. Let's just say I don't flow the way I'd expect in the tight-and-twisty.





So, a couple of questions:





1. Are these the symptoms of running an over-long fork?





2. Since noone makes 63mm travel forks any more, is there anything I can do to get less travel and still get buttery Marzocchi travel? I'm not psyched about finding and shelling out for for some antique noodly SID. Can I shorten the travel on this fork? Can I find an old-skool Zoki with shorter travel?



For example, the topmost bike here:



http://www.speedgoat.com/speedgoat/gallery/galleryDate.asp?offset=51



has a 'custom lowered fork.' How does one do that?

 

[Ridemonkey]

Aren't SIDs still available in 63 mm?

 

[Roasted]

Originally posted by recidivist
So, obviously, there's nothing wrong with this arrangement -- it's not like I've got an 8-incher on the front, but it just doesn't feel....right. I sketches out a little easier than I'd expect. It flops/oversterrs a bit. Let's just say I don't flow the way I'd expect in the tight-and-twisty.

Well you did change the geometry of the bike. While the bike will still work it is going to feel quite different. It may take some time and body adjustments to get used to it. I would say give it time.

OR

Get a fork that locks out. I don't think marzocchi has one like that at that range. But get a 3 inch travel fork that locks out a 1 inch may be in your best interest.

OR

Try Fox. I have heard good things about these forks as a xc fork and light freeride. The air version is light and has a 2inch lockout I believe and can be ordered in a 80mm version. This way you get the best of both worlds. Longer fork with a remote lockout and hight quality.

But really unless you go for a rock shox you may be out of luck. You could just keep working at getting used to the 80mm.

 

[JMAC]

I think by lifting the front it slackings the headtube angle which i think makes the bike stear slower.
Thats my quess. Proble not worth much though.

 

[Shencycle]

1. you could try to shorten(cut) the width of your handlebar (I would not recommend this if it a carbon bar).. A shorter bar will quicken up your steering a bit.......
2.so will a shorter stem....but then your REALLY messin' with your fit
........
3.there are ways to make a SID less noodly.......such as pressing in a second set of bushings.....I would try #1 first....cheapest....and you will get some result from it.....

 

[ohio]

Fox Forx have a lower axle to crown length than most forks. I don't know how hey compare to a SID, but the 80mm float will almost certainly be shorter than your Z2 and get you closer o that original geometry.

.5" WILL make a difference.

If you really want the bike to handle the way it did in '98, get a rigid fork. I recommend the Kona P2 in an "uncorrected" length.

The other thing to check before you buy a new fork is your headtube size. I can't remember when IF switched from 1" to 1 1/8" but it was sometime around '98 I think. If you have a 1" you're pretty much stuck with Marzocchi (which isn't SUCH a bad thing).

 

[DomDil]

You can still buy new 2003 Sids that can be converted to 63mm. and apparently they fixed the lower legs for less flex, and the fork is getting great reviews.

 

[recidivist]

Originally posted by ohio

.5" WILL make a difference.





If you really want the bike to handle the way it did in '98, get a rigid fork. I recommend the Kona P2 in an "uncorrected" length.





The other thing to check before you buy a new fork is your headtube size. I can't remember when IF switched from 1" to 1 1/8" but it was sometime around '98 I think. If you have a 1" you're pretty much stuck with Marzocchi (which isn't SUCH a bad thing).

Luckily, it's an 1 1/8" headset.



I'm not totally psyched about either buying a new fork or going full rigid. It's not that I wouldn't love to have a new Fox, I just don't feel like ponying up $400 for last year's Float R quite yet.



I just sent a notice to Speedgoat to get their input. I've purchased from them quite a bit and have always received really stellar tech support.

 

[recidivist]

Originally posted by DomDil
You can still buy new 2003 Sids that can be converted to 63mm. and apparently they fixed the lower legs for less flex, and the fork is getting great reviews.

I'm also a 'maintain the fork twice a season -- not every 50 miles' kind of guy.

Don't SIDs have a bad rep?

 

[indieboy]

alright, this is the deal, the old 98's and 99's were built mainly for 63 mm travel forks. you can still get sid's from RS w/ 63. they generally come 80mm but you can just simply change it out by takin the fork apart and putting a small spacer that comes w/ the fork in it. since you put that 80 mm fork on you changed the geometry just a bit. the build height of a fork should be taken into a LOT of consideration when a frame is being built. this will determine how your bike handles and if say you throw a different fork then the bike is meant for then welll it's going to change some of the #'s and the bike isn't going to ride like it was supposed to. trust me i know those bikes in and out and that's the problem is just simple the small change in travel you have up front now. now all the bikes are built for 80 mm RS sid's build height unless otherwise specified by the customer. they had someone scream and yell at them that they built a bike to the wrong #'s.......the problem laid in the fact that they had a 80/100 mm fork on it by other company. so the build heights were completely different.

 

[indieboy]

Originally posted by ohio
The other thing to check before you buy a new fork is your headtube size. I can't remember when IF switched from 1" to 1 1/8" but it was sometime around '98 I think. If you have a 1" you're pretty much stuck with Marzocchi (which isn't SUCH a bad thing).

'97 i'm pretty sure

 

[recidivist]

Originally posted by indieboy
alright, this is the deal, the old 98's and 99's were built mainly for 63 mm travel forks. you can still get sid's from RS w/ 63. they generally come 80mm but you can just simply change it out by takin the fork apart and putting a small spacer that comes w/ the fork in it. since you put that 80 mm fork on you changed the geometry just a bit. the build height of a fork should be taken into a LOT of consideration when a frame is being built. this will determine how your bike handles and if say you throw a different fork then the bike is meant for then welll it's going to change some of the #'s and the bike isn't going to ride like it was supposed to. trust me i know those bikes in and out and that's the problem is just simple the small change in travel you have up front now. now all the bikes are built for 80 mm RS sid's build height unless otherwise specified by the customer. they had someone scream and yell at them that they built a bike to the wrong #'s.......the problem laid in the fact that they had a 80/100 mm fork on it by other company. so the build heights were completely different.

OK. Let's attack this problem in another way. My current Zoki is just about 460mm from axle to crown. Is there any way I can figure out what the axle-to-crown on a ~98 63mm SID is (or figure out the a-to-c this bike was designed around), for a more scientific comparison?

This may let me compare if, for example, a Fox Float 80 is closer to the old SIDs than the z.2 BAM.

How would the bike handle with too long a fork on it?

 

[indieboy]

Originally posted by recidivist


OK. Let's attack this problem in another way. My current Zoki is just about 460mm from axle to crown. Is there any way I can figure out what the axle-to-crown on a ~98 63mm SID is (or figure out the a-to-c this bike was designed around), for a more scientific comparison?

This may let me compare if, for example, a Fox Float 80 is closer to the old SIDs than the z.2 BAM.

How would the bike handle with too long a fork on it?

that year's were just built for mostly any 63 mm travel fork b/c at that point in time not to many forks were around that were used for xc that were over 63. so the build heights weren't that much different. what hadn't been taken into account at that point in time were changes in travel in forks like that. i don't know exactly what those build heights are, but i bet if you email the guys at IF you'll get a better answer. or if you call them. cant' remember the main email addy but it's on the website www.ifbikes.com and the # to call is 617-666-3609.