What are Pace forks like.

[brocklanders023]

I've had a few retro Pace forks.

RC35's are very good for what they are but I'd not really call them suss forks in the modern sense.

RC36's have a very nice action, much more suss like. Think the one's I had were from around 1996/7. My mate's Bombers were also very good though.

Not really retro but I also had some 2005 RC40's which were lovely and plush.


Only the RC40's come close to modern standards, the 35's + 36's can't compare. The 2011 DT Swiss I'm currently running are miles better then any of them.

 

[Anthony]

Having just had my RC36 Evo serviced by Tim AKA Fork English, I can say that it is hugely better than it was before and far better than any Z2 I have ridden.

Each has its pros and cons though:

the RC36 has a better action
the RC36 is lighter-sprung, so not so good for heavyweight riders
the RC36 has 28mm stanchions, the Z2 30mm, so the Z2 is stiffer
the RC36 needs much more frequent maintenance than the Z2

I'm saying the RC36 is far better, but I weigh 10 stones and the Pace medium spring seems right for me. I don't get enough travel out of Z2s, but I've never ridden one with a soft spring, so maybe it's not a fair comparison. If I weighed 15 stones, I might prefer the Z2.

Tim told me that the hard Pace springs are no longer obtainable, which suggests that (a) a lot of riders found they needed one, and (b) anyone who needs one now is going to be disappointed.

 

[Rampage]

Thanks for the replies.
Mine arrived today, they're surprisingly smooth!
As I don't know much about them I've started a new thread:

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=196765&sid=26d65a7d1f1263064c6e99e41eb62e7a

 

[suburbanreuben]

Having never owned Pace suspension forks I'm wondering what they work like? Specifically RC36.
Better than a spring sprung Bomber Z2?

Thanks.

No.
No
No!

 

[northerndave]

Here's my experience of RC35, various RC36 from Evo to Stealth:

Pros
Super plush, particularly later RC36
Brilliant looking
Simple to service
Awesome if you get a good pair

Cons
Need close attention to keep running well
Alloy parts very weak - lot's of stripped threads
Some carbon de-bonding and general build issues
Horrible if they get wet
Lots of lemons out there

 

[erolorhun]

ND summed it up, they are fussy

 

[slinky182]

I've had just about every type of Pace fork and the one thing I'll say is keep 'em away from water! MXCD's were my personal favourites but RC36 Pro Class were the best performers for me

 

[slinky182]

I've had just about every type of Pace fork and the one thing I'll say is keep 'em away from water! MXCD's were my personal favourites but RC36 Pro Class were the best performers for me