Ideas for fork on Serotta hardtail

[citizen-snips]

Wondered if someone could help advise. Recently bought an old Serotta 'Odile' MTB frame for the wife. We’re long time roadies (although I used to ride off road a fair bit when I was younger). Instead of buying into the whole 700c/650b ’gravel’ thing plan to build up a couple of 26” hard tails.

So, I’m looking for a fork for said Serotta. The Manitou ‘Mars C’ and 'SID World Cup' was a go to when I was riding however not sure finding a SID WC with a 1 1/8th steerer is realistic.

Any suggestions for a lightweight fork I could build this frame up with? Not worried about period correctness as more interested getting something that works with the frame geometry and adds to actual handling characteristics.

You’ll have to forgive my ignorance and I’m only guessing here, but I’m assuming it would be a fork with less than 100mm travel? I probably need to email someone on the Paceline Forum as might have info re frame geometries etc.

As said any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Assume you require v brakes. Decent v brake forks are getting harder to find but they are out there, and you can find some with more modern technology than Mars or the 28mm aids you mention.

I've a few decent 80 or 100mm v brake forks, though I've had to work hard to get them.

I built a new set of 32mm sid World cups by sourcing all the parts new and building them up, but using race v brake lowers.

I also did the same with some fox float rlc forks. Bought new disc versions and sourced new v lowers for them.

Did a similar thing with some Reba World cups, buying a set of used disc only world cups and a set of v brake lower rebus and swapping the lowers over.

Another option is pace rc39. They have the option to run v bosses using 'implants' which is just marketing for having holes for v bosses specifically designed to fit the holes. I've just acquired a set of these and found the implants too.

I've not seen many 32mm Reba or sid forks for sale with v brakes, fox you do see for sale but they tend to be old style. Nothing wrong with that, but finding a good set with known history is not easy and always a bit of a risk. The reason I went down the route of new fox and lucky to find new style lowers with v mounts was parts for older fox forks are hard to find. By going as modern as you can. If you aren't the type to service forks yourself, you can still send them off to the likes of tf tuned or equivalent for a service when the time comes (though IMHO, you pay through the nose once you realise it isn't rocket science to do it yourself, cheaper and more satisfying too).

Older marzocchi bombers with v mounts are good forks and much easier to find. They are considered bomb proof and so finding working examples is easier and based on what I've seen and read on here, parts aren't as hard to find.

No idea if this helps, but its how I've managed to get what, imho are the best 'short travel' v brake forks for my retro builds.

One fork I'd also look out for is a rockshox recon. Not really sure what the difference is between them and a reba when you get to the air/gold/sl version, and were available with v lowers.

 

[citizen-snips]

I can’t thank you enough for responding with such a detailed post - it’s much appreciated.

I spent last night scouring internet pages trying to figure what my options might be and yes, I gathered finding something to fit (ie 26”, 1 1/8th steerer) might be a task.

Although I had considered using a disc up front I’d rather stick with v brakes front and rear so your assumption was correct.

I’ll need to do a bit of research by sounds of it and understand what parts I’ll need and where to get them.

 

[citizen-snips]

Re:

this is it...

 

[fearfactoryüberalles]

I got a NOS, OEM take-off 80 mm top-end Manitou R7 MRD, though with a 188 mm steerer for sale if you need some...viewtopic.php?f=39&t=414160

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Thats a nice looking frame. Deserves a decent fork for sure. I'll have a rummage and see what I gave spare. I bought a lot of new parts ages ago for 32mm rock sjox forks and have probably built all the forks ill ever need, tbh some I have are probably surplus but I've a hoarding problem.

 

[mk one]

Pace RC36 or Marzocchi Bombers are nice forks. Have you thought about rigid, some nice P2's or RC31's would go great on this frame.

 

[madjh]

With that red head set ... I will go for a Withe brothers SC 80mm ... if the geometry allows that. They looks quite nice.

 

[mojo ti]

Re:

I like Serotta with White Bros fork

 

[suburbanreuben]

Re:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RETRO-MTB-MA ... SwreFfBWtm

Not mine! but these are beautiful forks! light, adjustable, and stiff!