Plush forks for a Rocky Mountain Thin Air.... Which ones????

[timtim]

Ok so I have just scored a Thin Air from a mate with a pair of Judy xc forks that are collapsed. I have never owned a pair of suspension forks before so I need some advice on what to buy. I figure its more cost effective to just get some good second hand forks rather than rebuild these. So the bike is 1997 ish. What would be the plushest riding but still lightweight fork that would look the part on this bike. Back in the day I loved Manitou although I never owned them and the Pace forks look amazing but were never available in Australia I don't think. Marzochi bombers I have been told are good although heavy. I know nothing about Rock Shocks or any models of the others.
What should I be looking for?? Fire trails and single track is where I will be not big drops or jumps.

 

[nporternz]

get some speed springs for the judy forks and they will work like new - if not better

 

[FluffyChicken]

Strip your current forks down and give them a clean up.
If the elastomers are in there they'll likely need replacing for some springs as mentioned above.

BUT post some pics so we know which model you are talking about

You may or may not need to check the damper in it as well, these can often be serviced. Same things may apply to any old fork though.

 

[IbocProSX]

Surely, plush forks for a Rocky Mountain must be Marzocchi Bomber forks? You can get some tidy ones on here or the bay.

Enjoy!!

 

[timtim]

So how do the Pace forks rate with these. I love the look of the RC35 and 36. Have no idea what the difference is between the 2. Understand the 37? is an air shock with a lockout lever. Don't want a lever so still would like some feedback on these forks. And what about Manitou?

 

[suburbanreuben]

Bomber Z2 lites. AS plush as you'll find for 65mm, Fit and forget, and very nearly as light as SIDS.

 

[IbocProSX]

So how do the Pace forks rate with these. I love the look of the RC35 and 36. Have no idea what the difference is between the 2. Understand the 37? is an air shock with a lockout lever. Don't want a lever so still would like some feedback on these forks. And what about Manitou?

I have owned and ridden both Pace and Zocchi forks (85mm-90mm travel). Both coil forks and both plush with good rebound tune, the Pace also with useful compression adjustment. IMHO period Manitou forks are not nearly as plush or composed, also the coil models.

Compared directly to the Pace the Zocchi tracks better and in is really bomb proof, i.e. takes big hits better and less maintenance. My Pace was lighter by some margin, had more(better?) features and looked the business with the carbon sliders and braces. Put it this way, on the flat XC trails of Holland I was perfectly happy with the Pace, but when I moved abroad with some real mountains and rocks I swapped it for a Zocchi.

Rocky Mountain bikes were often factory fitted with Zocchi's. Plush suspension, Bombproof reliability and true tracking being the way to go in their natural habitat.

Enjoy!!

 

[timtim]

Ok here are some pics. Do I rebuild the forks or get some replacements?
The bike looks to be a 1996 by the sticker on the front. Was looking at Manitou 4's with a spring kit as being a good period replacement.

 

[Dead Rats]

You can probably get some nice (poss yellow) Rock Shox SID forks on eBay or here for around £100, they're very light - and infinitely adjustable - as they are air rather than coil forks. I love mine, although some of the heavier riders find them a bit flexy (I'm about 12 stone). The rebound adjuster usually doesn't work though!

 

[timtim]

So are you saying by the pics these ones are not worth saving?