Raleigh Dyna Tech appreciation and information thread

[12345]

Were the Dyna-Tech Torus XT's stem and handlebar also made of titanium?
Would it be possible to install a modern suspension fork on such an old frame without changing the geometry too much?

 

[mattr]

Torus XT came with a ti bar and cromoly stem.
Some models came with suspension. Not very much though, 50 or 63 mm iirc

 

[12345]

Thanks. My Torus has a "Suntour SR Duotrack 8001" fork installed, but it's broken. The distance between the wheel axle and fork crown is about 385 mm, but modern suspension forks have much longer distances of 450 mm minimum. Any older suspension forks that can be recommended?

 

[Rampage]

If it is broken would the a-c have been longer?
Older suitable forks would be Marzocchi Bombers and Rock Shox Judy. I have 440mm rigid forks on my Torus and love it!

 

[Osella]

Have a lookout for Marzocchi XC range forks - particularly XC500, or XC51. Not great for heavier riders tho - so depends on your weight combined with the bike.
Fork weight is around 1.3kg and they are air-sprung, so no nasty elastomer issues to worry about - just check the air seals. Most - unless anyone changed the brace - have canti-guides, travel is 50mm and they are same era as the bike!
Steerer tubes are replacable bolt-in/out, so can be swapped if too short or long, and if you're lucky they did both XC500 + 51 in the same colour as your frame - so keep a look out

 

[12345]

Oh, I forgot that... yes, it would be a bit longer, 410 mm instead of 385 mm. So 440 mm is no problem? Is this a limit or could even more be possible without changing the steer angle too much?

What would you pay for a Marzocchi XC in good condition?

 

[Osella]

Well, I too have a couple of rigid's which were never designed for suspension running 440mm rigid forks as well and it's muchly fun!
As for the forks I have seen them vary between 30 and 90 quid.. Condition doesn't seem to be much of a factor - it just depends whether someone's selling 'some old junk' or 'classic suspension forks' and that seems to apply here; Ebay; Gumtree or wherever!
Realistically 40-50 isn't out of the question for a good set in used but fully-working condition; postage may be a killer - except that of course the steerer can be unbolted and lowered to make a smaller box! Dr Marzocchi has some top-condition ones (kraeMit on here or http://dr-marzocchi.projectweb.de) but you'll pay more.

 

[Rampage]

I had 420mm bombers on mine and found them too short (sag would have reduced a-c even more).
440mm I found quite relaxed and good for trail centres.
I hate quick steering though.

 

[12345]

Are Marzocchis generally much better than other older suspension forks? Here is a list of my candidates, but I don't know which of them I should prefer:

Rock Shox Indy C
Rock Shox Indy SL
Rock Shox Judy XC
Rock Shox Judy SL

Marzocchi Bomber Z5
Marzocchi Bomber Z3
Marzocchi Bomber Z1

Manitou Three
Manitou 700 C

Which is the maximum spring travel that a Torus XT frame allowes? Does anyone know?

 

[ishaw]

I'd steer clear of Indy forks but I'm a snob and they are a little too low end for me. As your Raleigh is a British bike, have you considered some pace forks for them? My dyna tech (same frame as yours, just badged differently as far as I'm aware) was wearing a nice set of pace rc38 Air Force that looked good and work well (check the link in my signature for a few pics). Whilst the build has changed/evolved, I do still have the forks. I might sell them, they need an air seal in one side (slightly annoyed as I bought them as recently serviced and fully working), and a full seal kit is only £15, and they are easy forks to work on too.