[YETI187]

i recently bought a bike (spec. bighit expert) which came with a jr.t for the fork. i'm 6'2" and 265 lbs so the fork is a bit undersprung for me for what i do. i can bottom out the fork on a drop bigger then 4' to flat. i remember seeing only one level up for spring stiffness availible for the fork. also i figure i could put thicker and more oil in the fork, from what i hear the stock oil should be replaced soon anyways. my second problem with the dampening is that it's like a pogo to ride on flats or up hill. could i tune the jr.t to pedal well on flats and still have the plushness to hit stutter bumps to drops smoothly? or would i be better off with getting a new fork? i have a manitou 4-way in the back and really like the performance, so i'm looking into the manitou sherman slider with the spv, or this years similiar model. anybody have comparisons between the jr.t and the slider as far as dampening for clydesdales?

if tuning the jr.t is the way to go, are there any clydesdales out there that would like to reccommend a starting poiunt as far a oil volume and weight?
thanks

 

[E.C.]

I have an 03 jrT on my bullit.I weight 175 ,and have heavy springs and I've experimented with oil hight ,It does'nt bottom anymore (at least not harsly) even on 8-9ft drops .However it will never work well on "stutter bumps" because it is a one hit fork( dirt jumper internals) .
If I where you I would upgrade to a burlier fork with higher end damping.I.e.a 888.
I have a friend with a brand new 7" 888 for sale, for $700 .PM me if you are interested ,and I will shoot you his e-mail .Later Eric

 

[deelux 247]

If you don't want to waste the money buying a new fork just call marzocchi or go to your local lbs(if their worth a sh!t) and have them order a set of firm springs and the super T Damping Cartridge. All this shouldn't be more than $150 max. Have them put Golden spectro 7.5wt oil in and set the oil height to 100mm below top of leg at full compression. This should make the fork perfect for you. I did this to mine except without the firm spring and its pretty much perfect now even on fast stutter bumps and drops. As for the sherman with spv, if you want a fork that is good on small stutter bumps I wouldn't get one, because the damping caused by the spv makes them really rough on small bumps that tend to destroy your wrists and arms. This is just my opinion from the forks that I have rode and from people that I have talked to. Hopefully this helps you out.

 

[E.C.]

I was'nt awear that one could swap in the super T damping cartridge. Very good to know thanks.

 

[deelux 247]

Yep the only difference according to marzocchi between the jr t and the super t is the cartridge on the one side (and of course the color). I did the swap on mine and it only took about an hour. The directions that you can get from marzocchi aren't very good so it is best to take your fork to someone who is familiar with them. But good luck and I hope that works for you. You'll be happier with the marzocchi in the long run over the manitou!!

 

[YETI187]

i can get the new internals to make it an 04 super t plus get the heaviest springs for about $100. or i can get an 05 slider plus very cheap, new. or i can get an 05 888 rc pretty cheap. i'm still waiting on price for the white brothers DH 2.0. i ride around new england so there are lots of small rocks and roots. the fork will be going on my 04 spec. bighit expert. i plan on racing nexst year and getting a season pass to do some more freeriding. i also use the bighit as a trail-bike so it would be nice if the fork could pedal fairly well. i weigh 250lbs so availability to be tuned to my weight is an issue.
should i upgrade the jr.t to a super.t or save up + sell jr.t and buy a new fork?


also, anybody with experience on the white brothers DH 2.0? availabiltiy and prices of spring kits for 250 lbs riders doing drops no larger then 10ft?

 

[deelux 247]

It sounds like pretty much no matter what you decide to do your gonna have to upgrade springs in all of those forks. I wouldn't go with the slider if you want it to be good on smaller stutter bumps or roots. If you like the way your jr t fits your bike now but just want better damping I would just do the upgrade kit. I loved mine after I did that but I am only around 160 also. If you really want a perfect fork for you I would go with the 888rc my buddy is around 200 lbs and has one with the stock springs and he loves it. as for white bros I have heard some bad things about their forks in the past but I don't know much about their new stuff. I hope this helps.

 

[ioscope]

That is a fine fork to tune, and should be burly enough for lighter fr/jumping at your size. I would suggest a '02 or older monster t though, they are invincible and burly.