Girvin Vectors

[NAILTRAIL96]

For thise who have experience with vector forks, Are they any good?.
How do they compare to other forks of 90's vintage, are they heavy or sloppy?.
I've always loved the look of these and was thinking of using a set in a build but having had no experience of them I'd like some opinions please?.

 

[orange71]

pro: light, 1.2kg, very rigid, shiny, look a bit different

Con: can develop play if not maintained, elastomers usually hard by now, limited head tube length possibilities. Older versions have integrated stem limiting choice.

Go for oil damped version if poss as if elastomers hard you can replace with spring. However www.suspensionforkparts.net has replacement elastomers. Some people have adapted air shocks.

Try and go for version where you can use your own stem as well.

I like them

 

[apache]

I like them, as you know

You have a lathe, and bushes are dead easy to make if you get play. It's also dead easy to adapt them to common air shocks.

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

Cheers for the replys, it sounds promising.
I had a lathe until last night :cry:
I just never used it.

 

[apache]

What happened?

If you get some and need any bits making, give me a yell. Happy to help.

 

[orange71]

You might want to consider Crosslinks which were the newer version - more options for head tube length and came with coil shock as standard. Some even had the Smartshock. Not shiny though

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

What happened?

If you get some and need any bits making, give me a yell. Happy to help.

Sold on ebay.
Thats very reassuring, I doubt I would have been capable of turning bushes with close enough tolerances anyway. Turning metal seems to require slightly more patience than I've got.

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

You might want to consider Crosslinks which were the newer version - more options for head tube length and came with coil shock as standard. Some even had the Smartshock. Not shiny though

I've never heard of cross links!, Is there anything specific to be looking out for when checking compatability?.
Will all vectors fit all proflex frames?.

 

[orange71]

no all vectors won't fit all Proflex frames - any like the 857 Way Big with a tall head tube won't be compatible. Most should be OK though. Not sure about the later K2 Proflexes. You will have issues with earlier Proflexes with 1 1/4" head tubes as well (will need shimming out).

Crosslinks (variously branded as Girvin or Noleen):

Which reminds me of another thing to watch out for with Vectors - they come with a 1" steerer which is supposed to have a split collet (shim) to enable use with the 1 1/8" head tubes at the top of the steerer - make sure any pair you buy has this. You can get around this with a 1" to 1 1/8" headset reducer e.g. http://www.mountainbikecomponents.co.uk ... t+Reducers)

The Crosslinks were all 1 1/8" as standard. They also came in 3 sizes - small, standard, tall to allow for different head tubes lengths.

It's a minefield I tells ya. :shock:

 

[NAILTRAIL96]

No kidding!.
Sorry for all the questions, but.....
Are all vectors the same length leg or did they came in different sizes too?.
Do crosslinks come up for sale very often?.
I've not really done suspension before.