modern forks on retro frames

[longun]

has anybody done this?what did you use etc and pics,also what difference to the handling does it bring.only asking because id like to use some modern 80mm travel rockshoxs on a new/old frame

 

[Martin]

Purchased a 1992 Zaskar Le last year wich was equipped with a Manitou Axel forks. Think it was a 80 mm travel. Besides that it looked really horrible it did feeling steering quite different )slower' then with a Rock Shox Mag 21.

Cheers,
Martin

 

[sastusbulbas]

No pics, but my old Dean Ti didn't seem to handle too well with anything over 80mm or with long forks, I preffered it with custom Sid SL set at 63mm travel or custom 98 sids with a Judy SL Crown or Pace Pro Class with reduced travel, it ended up with not too long Pace RC31 carbons.

My 98 Stumpy was happy with 100mm Judys and Sids and Pace Pro Class set at 90mm. My 96/97 Stumpys only suited 63mm travel forks.

My Fat Chance again short travel Rock Shox, and Amp F3.

 

[doogie]

Hello again Longun,
I have fitted some Pace rc41 fighters to my Merlin frame and although the Merlin was designed for about 80mm of travel, these Paces rc 41's give 150mm of travel and to be quite honest the bike handles great.
I think it is an old wives tale as regards the difference it makes.
:roll:
I just say try it and ride it.

 

[legrandefromage]

Its all in the head tube - slack angles give weird steering feel which can put you off riding

 

[mullett]

I desperately need some new forks on my rc200, the rc35's are bottoming out all the time the front wheel squirms and i go over the bars a fair bit because of it, do you think this frame would take longer forks?

 

[mullett]

forgot to mention, is its a 1" steerer, are there many longer forks available?

 

[cce]

marzocchi will do you an 80/10mm fork in a 1in steerer still

 

[Pickle]

Hi Longy
I have at present some 2007 Rock Shox Dart 3 on my RTS. Seems to jack the front end up a little more that I'd like, and whilst not perfect, the handling is not completely unacceptable.
However, I have just brought some Rock Shox Mag 21's for it, and will be changing them at the weekend and selling the Dart 3's.
However, I have put some 1999/2000 Manitou Six on my LTS and they are perfect.
Its all in the headtube geometry, which you can see on this pic of all my GT's.
Hope this helps

 

[jimijazz]

On my 94 Hei Hei I run some Fox TALAS (80-120), and I find that with them set at 80mm travel the steering is quite twitchy and all my weight is over the front of the bike. At 120 all my weight is off the back - lots of fun for downhilling, but anything else it's not great. I find a happy medium is just above 100mm travel.

However, you might experience something different - the best bet is to try as many options as you can before making a decision and trust yourself rather than people on a forum.