Which fork for 2003 Scapin Hardtail

[calvjones]

Hi Guys, newbie here so be gentle

I've just ebayed myself a 2003 Scapin Rudolf xc hardtail, which would originally have come with a 100 - 105mm fork I think. I'm going to (for now) move most of my stuff from my DMR Swithcback but am currently running a Bomber z5 on that - Its the OEM version of the z1 with no adjustment, 70mm of travel - and think something else may be better. So with zero experience of knobbly stuff:

What sort/make/model of fork am I best going for, assuming I have a budget of, say £250? I am wary of ebay as I don't know anything about what to look out for reliability wise, but on the other hand, would like to keep things retro (and perhaps Italian as the bike was made there). Additionally, I'll be running rim brakes (Magura hydro at the mo) so will that restrict my choice of new forks?

Any advice is gratefully received; will post some pics when it arrives!

Grazie

Cal

 

[suburbanreuben]

Nice buy! Get a pic up...
Personally, I'm a great fan of Magura forks, and there's two or three models that would suit.
Magura Quake Air come in various travels and are very light yet very stiff. Top of the range was the O2 which in '03 had rebound and compression adjustment and lockout. Rare though...
The Ronin came in two lengths, 80mm and 110mm, was made from '04 to '06, and was even more adjustable. It was quite a race oriented fork.
The Durin is the current model, and in my opinon, the best XC fork around. Much better, and lighter, than the equivalent Fox,, and you should be able to get a nearly new one for about £250. A fox of that price would probably be 4 or 5 years old, and agricultural in comparison.

Naturally, some, but not all, models are built specifically for Magura Hydros.

 

[calvjones]

Thanks Sub - hadn't even considered a Magura - they look good; will investigate further.

Looking forward to the frame arriving. It's a stablemate for my Scapin steel road bike...