School Me on Today's Suspension Forks

[brewsmith]

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but surely there is some knowledge out there.

My new-to-me Eriksen hardtail still has the original 2011 Reba that's in need of service. Before I sink too much cash on it, is there any argument for scrapping it and upgrading with something more modern? If that is the case what are the key advancements in suspension forks over the past decade I should look for, or any specific models?

[John H.]

Your fork appears to be 11/8 steerer. You may find that none of the "modern" suspension forks are available in that size,

[Jaybee]

What travel, wheel size and axle standard do you have? A Reba rebuild is pretty easy for most shops. Since youre in Denver, I will give a special shout-out to Pedal Pushers in Golden who do a great job with suspensions.

If you want to modernize, the Manitou Markhor is available in straight 1 1/8 and has a simpler version of the Mattoc internals. It's a good budget fork.

If it were me though, I'd just rebuild.

[EB]

If you like Fox, looks like they still make the 32 and 36 with a 1 1/8" steerer.

[peanutgallery]

If you have an 1 1/8 fork/headtube... you're gonna be in a spot of bother. Nothing new of note except SunTour, then there's availability. We're talking a nine year old fork, the internals are going to be toasted, a rebuild is going to be a crapshoot

I'm sure it's a nice bike, but it's going to be tough

[skiezo]

I'm in the same spot as you. I have 2012 steel HT,1 1/8" ht and a 80 mm white brothers out front.
I'm looking for a bit more but the options are really limited. I will they to find a fox or RS on pink bike and get it rebuilt.

[nmrt]

2030 Paceline Discussion topic: I have a 2020 road bike with rim brakes. Where I can find rim brake rims and brake rims and rim brake calipers? ;)

[peanutgallery]

More like a 2023 discussion

2030 Paceline Discussion topic: I have a 2020 road bike with rim brakes. Where I can find rim brake rims and brake rims and rim brake calipers? ;)

[Matt92037]

I just went through this and there are not any real options for 1 1/8” steer tube forks. If your Reba was a 2012 or newer you could upgrade to a Charger 2 dampner and the top cap that accepts volume reducer tokens.

I would say just service it, install some SKF ultra low friction wipers and ride it.

[weisan]

My local co-op have tons of suspension forks that fit 1 1/8 and still have decent life left. That's where I would look - a co-op local to you.

[oldpotatoe]

More like a 2023 discussion

Beat me to it..:)

[brewsmith]

Thanks for the advice all. I'll start with a rebuild and see where that gets me. Here's the bike in question btw

https://i.postimg.cc/K8LZ2QmY/20200906-124238.jpg

[CMiller]

Custom rigid steel fork if the Reba ever goes out!

[pottshead]

Custom rigid steel fork if the Reba ever goes out!

This. Throw a Steve Potts type II on there and ride rigid!

[.RJ]

Suspension forks have come a looooooong way in the past 10 years.

You could service it - but - there are so much better options available right now. If it were me, I'd update that beautiful frame with a Fox 34, should be available with a straight steerer, and you can get blue decals to match the frame. Looks like the original is a 100mm? But should be able to get a 120mm, it will really give you a lot more confidence with a touch more travel and stiffer fork with that old school XC geo.

[Bob Ross]

you could upgrade to a Charger 2 dampner and the top cap that accepts volume reducer tokens.

LOL! Man, it's sentences like ^^^this that make me realize I will never own a full-squish mountain bike: You think you know something about how bikes work, and then suddenly someone starts talking in a completely foreign language!

"volume reducer tokens" ?!?!? I need to add that to the list, along with "bob" and "squat" and "sag" and...

My brain is too full to grok a whole new vocabulary just to own a new bike. :)
Guess it's a hardtail/rigid fork for me! :banana: