Upgrading Fork

[jcampbl]

I'm new to mountain biking and a little confused on the parts side. I'm riding an 07 GT Avalanche 1.0 and I was looking to potentially upgrade the fork (Suntour SR X-100).

I found this older Fox fork on craigslist:
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/bik/475360489.html
which seems like a great deal and a significant upgrade if it's in good condition.

I don't know anything about steer tube lengths and how to determine if I would have a problem putting this fork on my bike and I am not sure it's a good upgrade path. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

[DISCO]

Get a tape measure and determine the length from the crown (where the bearings start) to the top cap above the stem. That is how long you will need, also is your fork threaded or thread less?

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by DISCO

Get a tape measure and determine the length from the crown (where the bearings start) to the top cap above the stem. That is how long you will need, also is your fork threaded or thread less?

07 Avalanche has to be threadless.

Make sure your tube is the right diameter dude. You also might think about saving your $$$ for a new fork. You don't know where that thing's been (unless you buy it from STR peeps).

[PacMan]

I had that same exact fork on my Spec. Enduro and it is an awesome fork. $120 is a really good price. IMHO almost too good to be true--considering I sold mine for $400 back in June. Mine was exactly the same and in just about the same condition. Either something is up or that guy just doesn't know what he has.

[jcampbl]

Originally Posted by PacMan

I had that same exact fork on my Spec. Enduro and it is an awesome fork. $120 is a really good price. IMHO almost too good to be true--considering I sold mine for $400 back in June. Mine was exactly the same and in just about the same condition. Either something is up or that guy just doesn't know what he has.

That is exactly what I was thinking. I'm skeptical to buy something like that used (especially since I'm not completely comfortable with installing it and making sure it's compatible), but I thought that was too good of a deal to overlook.

The guy says he wants a decision soon and I don't have my bike with me for a couple of days, so I might just buy it and resell it if there is something wrong or if it doesn't fit my bike.

Are there signs of abuse or problems I could observe without actually having it on a bike?

Thanks for the prompt replies.

[el_d00der1n0]

One more thing -- check your docs on your bike to make sure increasing the travel doesn't void any warranties on your frame.

[PacMan]

Installing a fork is actually pretty easy--one of the easiest repairs/upgrades IMHO. I think someone could actually walk you through it here via posting and pics. Since you're in San Diego, I can even help you install it if you're willing to take a drive up to Fallbrook.

Just measure your current set-up as directed above to see if 7 7/8" will work for you. Also remember--if you have a lot of spacers installed now, you can take off a few and maybe make it work if the length is close. Looking at pics of the bike online, the headtube looks pretty long, so I don't know if the steerer tube is going to be long enough.

As long as you can pay him and have some sort of insurance he isn't going to take your money and never ship the fork (like PayPal or something) or a direct meet for a pick up, I don't think there's too much of a risk. I'd suggest meeting him in person and then you can check for cracks/defects yourself. $120 plus maybe $40 at a shop to service and make sure it's working properly is a pretty good deal.

[Collette]

Originally Posted by el_d00der1n0

One more thing -- check your docs on your bike to make sure increasing the travel doesn't void any warranties on your frame.

Agree, the Avalanche is a hardtail right? Check the travel limit. The Fox supposedly came off a Heckler, so it might be too much travel for the GT.

[ghixon]

I've been upgrading an old Avalanche 3.0 for the past year or so. I've changed almost anything and everything on that bike. I think the only left on it stock, other the frame, is the stem. I have a Rock Shox Tora adjustable travel fork for that frame. What you might want to look at is the travel. I couldn't tell what the travel was on the one you're looking at. Anything over 120-130 mm on that frame will make it REALLY sketchy to ride. The 120mm length make the frame geometry relativley fun for riding on steep trails.

The steerer tube should be well within spec to use on the frame. I'm using about an inch stack below the stem and the steerer tube is relatively close to the one for sale.

PM me and I can take a few photos of the setup that I have to help you out, if needed.

Greg

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Collette

Agree, the Avalanche is a hardtail right? Check the travel limit. The Fox supposedly came off a Heckler, so it might be too much travel for the GT.

It's a 125mm fork with a pretty short Axle-to-Crown compared to other 125mm forks.

[jcampbl]

I'm starting to think it might be a bit much travel to be adding to the bike. I love the ease of climbing on the Avalanche and I am not sure that I want to sacrifice much of that. Does a short Axle-to-Crown imply that I am not going to be increasing my travel as much as a typical 125mm fork?

Originally Posted by PacMan

It's a 125mm fork with a pretty short Axle-to-Crown compared to other 125mm forks.

[dudevf1]

I have a Manitou Minute 1:00, 100mm-130mm adjustable travel, SPV, that's been sitting in my garage for a few months. I don't know the history of this fork, it was on a used Palomino that I purchased. The steerer tube looks to be in good shape but it has cosmetic marks and scratches on the legs. It's an older fork but you might find it to be a reasonable upgrade to what you have for $75. If the Fox Fork doesn't work out for you then let me know and I'll send you some pics. I live in SD if you wnat to swing by and take a look at the fork.

[el_d00der1n0]

Originally Posted by jcampbl

Does a short Axle-to-Crown imply that I am not going to be increasing my travel as much as a typical 125mm fork?

It implies that the overall fork length is not as long so it won't change your geometry (make climbing tougher etc.) much.

I know that my frame's warranty is very specific about how much travel is there.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by jcampbl

I love the ease of climbing on the Avalanche and I am not sure that I want to sacrifice much of that.

It's a Fox TALAS--you will be able to dial down the travel from 125mm-80mm, 3mm at a time for climbing. You would actually be able to make climbing easier than with your current fork, since it goes down to 80mm, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Also, you could run the fork at 100mm to match the 4" of travel on your current fork and never crank it up to 125mm/5". Just a thought. You wouldn't be using the TALAS to its full potential, but who cares, it's a great fork. BJammin runs a TALAS on his SS and never cranks it up over 100mm.

[jcampbl]

I'm looking through all the documentation on my bike and I can't find anything about travel and the warranty in relation to that, but since the frame isn't that expensive anyway, I think I will most likely take my chances. Another member has a similar travel fork on his identical frame without issues, so I do feel comfortable.


[quote=PacMan;136466]

Originally Posted by jcampbl

I love the ease of climbing on the Avalanche and I am not sure that I want to sacrifice much of that.quote]

It's a Fox TALAS--you will be able to dial down the travel from 125mm-80mm, 3mm at a time for climbing. You would actually be able to make climbing easier than with your current fork, since it goes down to 80mm, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Also, you could run the fork at 100mm to match the 4" of travel on your current fork and never crank it up to 125mm/5". Just a thought. You wouldn't be using the TALAS to its full potential, but who cares, it's a great fork. BJammin runs a TALAS on his SS and never cranks it up over 100mm.

Thanks for pointing that out, I somehow overlooked the part where it was adjustable. As long as I can do that and it fits my bike, I think I will take it.

[jcampbl]

Looks like I missed out on the $120 deal anyway. The guy has started an email bidding war which is rising very fast. Rather than trying to deal with that I decided to pass. I might go ahead and take dudefv1's fork though instead.