Walk me through the modern fork minefield

[ishaw]

Trying to decide what fork to go with on my latest project, a modern one for a change. I have some forks, but not sure whether to go for something new. Looking at the forks out there now, I'm not so familiar with them and what they are good for. My bike will be used for light XC duties once my knee has recovered from more surgery, and I'm used to Fox or Rock shox. Frame can take 90 to 130mm, so what are good options (I also like a bargain too, so thoughts on a good source would be great too).

I assume that as my frame is 1 1/8, that a taper steerer is out, though confusingly I have seen some headsets offered for sale as tapered, yet 1 1/8, so what's the deal here?

Looking at some of the range now, what would the differences be between a Sid and a Reba? Solo air vs dual air? My wheels can take a standard QR or a larger one (not sure which size, assume 15mm but could be wrong), so aside from an odd QR skewer, should I consider a fork with the 'maxle'? What are the benefits of this really? Stiffness most likely, but at what cost weight wise and also changing a wheel whilst out on the trails?

It's all a little daunting but any help or advice will be gratefully received, as whilst I don't mind getting my hands dirty, I am feeling more love for a new fork than I am for one I customise to suit the build (unless of course this is the way to go).

 

[xerxes]

Re:

I have seen some headsets offered for sale as tapered, yet 1 1/8, so what's the deal here?

I believe they are so you can run a 1 1/8" straight steerer in a frame with a tapered head tube.

I'm not that clued up on forks, I have only ever had, and still have, one bike with bouncy forks, a set of 2007 RockShox Reba SL in 80mm travel flavour. In about 1,500 miles, other than clean them, I've done nothing to them and they've worked flawlessly to date and I'm really happy with them.

As far as I know, SID and Reba are both XC forks, the SIDs are a bit lighter and are more expensive, but couldn't tell you if performance is any different.

 

[ishaw]

Thanks for that, I've found an online store that seems to indicate that rebas are more expensive, which confused me as I thought sids were top of the line too. Being 12.5/13 stone, perhaps sids are not the best option for me, but happy to be corrected on that.

Are there any major differences between a 2013/14 fork in terms of rebas and sids?

 

[ewanm77]

my 2014 cube has 1 1/8" straight steerer in a frame with a tapered head tube. but can change it to a tapered one if I want to make it a slacker head angle.

 

[ishaw]

Ok, that helps. Tapered head tube can take either tapered or straight headset. Straight head tube equals straight headset.

Cleared that one up.

Now on to forks.

Thinking about Sid vs Reba. Standard qr vs larger ones?

Which would be the better fork?

 

[ewanm77]

think it depends what you want them for 15mm are stiffer seen them a lot on all mountain bikes and dh ones. ive got normal qr on mine. im probably wrong I normaly am but think most forks at the same kind of price are pretty much the same just depends on what make you want

 

[ishaw]

Cheers. Merlin cycles is where I'm looking, they seem to have rebas and sids from 2013 and 14 at good prices which has made me think buying a new fork vs fettling with my old talas and rebas could be the way to go.

I was initially looking at Fox, but the service intervals are tiny and whilst I don't ride much, this coupled with the higher price doesn't seem worth it.

I'm caught between Sid and Reba, plus not sure about standard vs larger qr, normally I'd not have a choice but my new wheels can take either.

Plus, remote lockout vs crown lockout. Not sure on the merits of this, but would seem a safer option to go for remote, as I can always remove it if I don't get on with it, right?

 

[ewanm77]

ive got remote lock out and its just a cable so it can be removed and lock it out with the fork knob by hand.
the reba are under £300 this weekend

 

[ishaw]

Exactly, a bit of a bargain. Which would you go for?

Also seen a few forks with hydraulic lock out, overkill or is that me?

 

[ewanm77]

you seem to get a bit more on the reba rl and if you want the remote you have to use 15mm think id go for them if I had the axle choice