What is a suitable replacement for a 98 Rockshox Judy XC

[gdb2b]

May I enlist your assistance? I own a 98 Moab 1 with a RS Judy XC. I am the original owner. For the first 11 years this bike was ridden less than 100 miles and sat in my garage, unridden.

The bike and fork are in immaculate shape. Apart from cleaning boots, and lubing the seals, it has not had any other service, including an oil change.

I've been in contact with the folks at Shockspital.com about getting it serviced for is first oil change. I am also aware that parts for it are precious hard to come by, and if they find something amiss, I may be in the market for a replacement fork.

To that end, I've started doing my homework. So I ask the gurus in this site... What is an approprite/suitable replacement? This is a 26 wheel, rim brakes only, 80mm travel, 1 1/8 threadless.

What is a decent replacement, and why?

Tips, suggestions, or recommendations are appreciated. Thanks.

 

[merckx]

if you want a modern fork, i would suggest tracking down a fox 80mm with cantilever studs. they have ceaeed production of that fork a year or two ago now, but you should still be able to find one. it does not get much better thsn fox forks, for suspension, reliability and build quality.

if you want a vintage fork, of that era, i would suggest a marzocchi bomber Z2. they are a fantastic feelong coil spring open oil bath fork. they are also very reliable and easy to service. the only downside is they are a little heavy.

you could try a Z2 atom bomb, i cant comment on. performance as i have never used them. they are a similar looking fork, but air sprung.

 

[Anthony]

I don't see any reason why your fork should have to be written off if it has only done 100 miles and been dry-stored. There were severe problems with Judys in earlier years, but by 1998 Rockshox had pretty much sorted them. The worst danger could be that lithium grease was used when it was serviced previously, but that is really quite unlikely. If they were greased correctly then the 14 years old elastomers should still be ok (unlike the poor quality elastomers that RS used in earlier years that would quite likely have rotted by now), and the majority of the springing is done by a steel spring which should last forever. The damping cartridges were ok by then, and I think the seals are pretty standard 28mm, I seem to recall my LBS saying they found that any 28mm seal would do the job.

If you want to change it, as has been said a Fox Float is the best 80mm fork (c2002-06), or for a lighter rider a Rockshox SID (c1998 to 2006). More recent forks will be incompatible with your frame, as they are disc only, That's assuming you want the same type of braking front and rear, and if you did want to convert the front end to disc, bear in mind you would need a new wheel as well as a disc brake and lever.

Although the Judy was sorted by 1998, it was overtaken in the market by the SID (lighter) and the Marzocchi Z2 (stiffer 30mm stanchions and plush coil springs). Then along came the Float, which is lighter than a Z2 even though it has 32mm stanchions. Nobody much uses less than 32mm stanchions any more

 

[Dave_H]

I'd try to find a nice set of Marzocchi forks from the late 90s / early 00s, the models with the M brace as below.

They'll be of roughly the right era, relatively cheap but still have really good function - far better than your Judy's.

They pass through here fairly regularly.

 

[t-stoff]

Normally guys around here find a replacement (like me) for judy's who have major stanchion corrosion, non working cartridges and so, as its too much of a odyssey to get spares. If your is in good condition I think you should stick with it, if your are looking for a change, maybe sell that one around and look for one of the options mentioned before. : )
I bought a SID 98, fetish thing. But my destroyed judy will work on some singlespeed project or something like that.

 

[gdb2b]

Here is a pic of the fork. I am not looking to replace it, only asking about options if I wind up having to. As indicated, the fork has never been serviced. I've periodically lightly oiled the seals with the Teflon fortified oil, but the fork itself has never been disassembled or had the oil changed.

In the first 12 years, the bike got ridden less than 100 miles in total. In the last 2 years I've ridden it about 2,000 or so. It seems to work fine. But mindful of regular service needs now that I am riding a lot of miles, and considering its age, it probably needs to be have normal periodic maintenance service. If anything is found amiss I may be SOL.

I appreciaciate the info and suggestions. Are NOS Fox canti units still available?

 

[gdb2b]

I guess there is one other consideration. I prefer to do all my own service. I only have one working bike at the moment (my project bike is still being built at the moment).

I'm riding a lot now, 1,800 miles last year, and am loathe to have my bike down for service - especially if the fork needs parts.

So I don't want to write it off, just trying to anticipate what I may have to deal with. To that end, a couple more questions if I may. I'm going to post a couple more pics. How do I confirm that it is a 98 RS? Can anybody assist me with this? Does the serial number, or decal style identify the year?

In theory I should be able to service the fork myself. Any tips, suggestions, or service cheat sheets available?

Spare parts. Any places/sites that might have spares available?

As a precaution, I probably better get a spare fork. Can folks direct me to those with NOS Fox canti for sale?

 

[Anthony]

I guess there is one other consideration. I prefer to do all my own service. I only have one working bike at the moment (my project bike is still being built at the moment).

I'm riding a lot now, 1,800 miles last year, and am loathe to have my bike down for service - especially if the fork needs parts.

So I don't want to write it off, just trying to anticipate what I may have to deal with. To that end, a couple more questions if I may. I'm going to post a couple more pics. How do I confirm that it is a 98 RS? Can anybody assist me with this? Does the serial number, or decal style identify the year?

In theory I should be able to service the fork myself. Any tips, suggestions, or service cheat sheets available?

Spare parts. Any places/sites that might have spares available?

As a precaution, I probably better get a spare fork. Can folks direct me to those with NOS Fox canti for sale?

Yes it is a 98 Judy XC. The owners manual is in the archive here
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/d/6 ... 7e6932c1fc

You'll be pushed to find parts if you need any. This place http://www.suspensionforkparts.net/esho ... at&catId=9
doesn't sell the specific elastomer you might need, although I guess it might be possible to modify one designed for another Judy. Maybe seals are fairly standard, but bushes could be difficult. The cartridge may be ok, but if not you won't find a replacement (earlier years ones are not interchangeable).

To be honest, if it needs replacement parts, it's not that good a fork anyway, so it isn't really worth it.

If you look on eBay for a Fox Float with canti mounts, you should find some in good condition coming up quite often. I doubt you'll find one NOS though - why would such a good fork have lain unused for so long?

 

[gdb2b]

Calling all Rockshox Fork gurus/experts. A bit more information on this fork - a RockShox Judy XC, and several questions.

What is THE definitive method of determining the year of this fork? I suspect that it is a 97 or a 98. Is there a way to determine with certainty?

As noted in the earlier part of this thread, I prefer to do my own maintenance. I also don't like being without a ride. To that end, this past winter I bought a used frame and built another bike that is pretty close to my original. I put an inexpensive RockShox XC30TK - Coil 80mm 26-Inch 9mm fork in that. It's OK, but I noticed the difference... I'm a tall guy, 6' 3". It may not seem like a big deal but I prefer the 63 MM to the 80 MM travel.
"
The original bike and fork now have over 4,000 miles on them (2,000 in the last 9 months). The fork is used but near-mint condition. Its uppers and lowers, seals, and boots are in very good to great condition. Well maintained.

At what point does this thing need its oil changed? Before I service it I want to have a working spare in hand. Where can I get a spare/rebuilt Judy XC 63 MM travel, 225 MM steerer, or equivalent? The off seasom is 8 weeks away. I can start seriously searching for a replacement for such that I can service this one during the off-season.

My preference is to obtain a complete NOS spare Judy XC or equivalent OR a complete set of NOS replacement spare parts for it. To that end, can the expert members herein help steer me to sites or people that can help me out?

Any/all help, tips, and suggestions are appreciated!

 

[FluffyChicken]

There is no oil change as such.

You take the top caps off and take out the spring setup, clean it up and put a bit of Fork 'Grease' on it.
You pull the legs off (bolts at the bottom)
Clean it up, drain/swill the lubricating oil at the bottom out.

For a more though clean:
If you want check the damper at this point. Undo the circlips on the bottom of the stanchions. pull the dummy rod out of one leg, clean it up and lube.
Carefully take the Damper out, check it over clean and lube.
Fell if there is oil in it or not (i.e. resistance and even all the way trough).

Lube it all up.
Stick it back together.

If you want new Dust wipers then you can buy them, the look for the right diameter one and the XXX kit should do as it's a combined brace/lower leg setup.
Bushes, you would need the tools and a bit of luck to find some. Best go raid you local bike stores. But by this point I'd bin them and you would know if you needed them.

Grease everything up, drop the required cc of lubing oil in he bottom if needed or do it anyway.



As for the same fork new I wouldn't bother even looking, you're at £100 odd over this side of the pond if one happened to ever turn up.
Get some Bombers if you want to stay period, spares are readily available for them.