Do you have any opinions on travel options for a newbie? Looking at the used market for the forks you listed and leaning toward Rockshox for availability and serviceability. But it looks like most of the Ultimates that I'm coming across are for 100mm. This make sense as the more race-oriented option but just curious if you would steer a rider new to offroad toward something more.Hexsense wrote: ↑Fri Sep 09, 2022 4:17 pmPour heavy money into suspension result in noticeably better ride vs put money into drivetrain or brakes.
I'd rather ride top end Rockshox Sid Ultimate or Manitou R7 Pro with Deore drive train than ride Shimano XTR/ Sram AXS with budget fork.
in context of XC to light trail,
Fox: the Grip damper in Performance level actually perform better than Fit4 in Performance Elite or Factory. So, sweet spot is there. Fox 34 StepCast Performance or Fox 32 Stepcast Performance.
Rockshox: no budget sweetspot. Ultimate level is the way to go if budget allow. But the Select level is also 'fine'. Actually, Rockshox Sid Ultimate or Rockshox Sid SL Ultimate isn't that expensive if you can find a right deal.
Manitou: the budget R7 Expert is much worse than R7 Pro for just a bit cost saving. Go all the way to R7 Pro. Never get R7 Expert.
Regarding features:
1) Very serious rider will look for remote lockout compatible damper for sprint start and finish. Personally, I ditch fork lockout remote on modern downcountry/XC bike.
Modern bike has slacker HTA, longer top tube, shorter stem. All of that result in less weight on front wheel than traditional (old) geometry so when I stand up and sprint, the fork bob noticebly less now. I no longer need fork lockout for (my weak) sprint.
2) Adjustability.
Sid Ultimate come with Raceday charger damper which only have rebound adjustment. Compression level is set for average male body weight (~160lbs) from the factory and cannot be changed. If you are around the bell curve 145-180lbs the compression will be set just right. Lighter may find it harsh. Heavier may find it lack compression damping.
Fox Fit4 damper is harsh for very light riders even with compression set to full soft. Fox Grip damper ride smoother/softer than Fit4.
Manitou have good range of adjustability and perform well for most.
3) Serviceability.
Fox require more propreitary tools to do any services.
Rockshox allow everything to be done at home with common tools. But service parts often go out of stock (seal, O ring, crush washer etc.)
Manitou service is really easy because the design is really simple and straight forward (but weight more). But then since it's not Fox or Rockshox. Many local bike shop and local suspension tuner don't know how to work on Manitou. So, learn to work on your own fork is preferred over asking bike shop do it.
Take damper service for example:
Fox: While you can do lower leg service. If you want to service the damper, it is better to send it to Fox to do it.
Rockshox: Remove lower casting first. Then remove damper cartridge from the right leg. Then bleed the damper in a similar way to bleeding (Sram) hydraulic brake. And then put them back. Replace crush washer everytime you remove lower leg (casting).
Manitou: remove top parts of right fork leg (adjuster knobs and compression unit of the damper). Pour old oil out. Pour new oil in, adjust oil level to spec then screw top part of damper back on. The fork lower doesn't even have to be removed to do this and even if you do, there is no single time use O ring or crush washer.
More on how they ride here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=169663
But in the end, short list of fork for consideration is
Fox 34 StepCast Performance (2022 model or later. You can tell them apart by casting arch design. 2022 has curved arch. 2021 or older has squarer arch.), Fox 32 Stepcast Performance.
Rockshox Sid Ultimate, Rockshox Sid SL Ultimate.
Manitou R7 Pro.
For the record, I don't have any intention of riding anything even resembling gnarly. Just dipping my toes in and want to try my hand at some not-too-technical local races.