Reba or F-Series, that is the question

[jschwart73]

So I'm looking to lighten up my overweight Stumpy (at 30lbs). Lighter wheelset is already on the way, next up is the fork (currently a 05 Talas 32, set at 100mm travel).

I've narrowed it down to a Reba Team or F-Series RLC, both in 100mm travel versions.

My initial thoughts are that the Reba has remote lockout (and I'm finding that I'm using lockout more than occasionally when I stand up and climb) and if there isn't any compelling reason to spend the extra scratch, that the Reba is a good fork.

Any other thoughts?

[thebush]

Does the Reba Team have a "blow off" valve like the F100 does? I thought the U-Turn forks have it but wasn't certain if the Pop Lock forks did. This was a feature that I liked and used on my F100 RLC. The remote lockout on the Reba is definitely handy and something that would be used.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

So I'm looking to lighten up my overweight Stumpy (at 30lbs). Lighter wheelset is already on the way, next up is the fork (currently a 05 Talas 32, set at 100mm travel).

I've narrowed it down to a Reba Team or F-Series RLC, both in 100mm travel versions.

My initial thoughts are that the Reba has remote lockout (and I'm finding that I'm using lockout more than occasionally when I stand up and climb) and if there isn't any compelling reason to spend the extra scratch, that the Reba is a good fork.

Any other thoughts?

The Fox is a Fox and feels great. The Reba also feels nice (maybe not as nice as the Fox) but way cheaper and the lock out is a plus.

I use the Reba with lockout on both my bikes and really really like it

Bottom line is you can not go wrong with either fork

[ghixon]

I've got both. Between the two, I prefer the Fox. Personally, I just reach down and flip the lever on the Fox and roll along. I've got enough stuff on the bars already to add another.

[Pato]

I prefer the damping qualities of the Rock Shox myself. I've had the Fox Talas RLC, F100X and the F100 RL. I'm now riding on mostly Rock Shox forks (Lyrik 2-Step, Totem 2-Step and soon to be a Boxxer WC).

I've also heard good things about Rock Shox customer support though I've never had experience with them. One more note. Fox air forks don't work well for lighter riders like myself (135 lbs.). I'm not sure if they've fixed this in their newer forks or not, but not as of 2006.

Hope this helps.

Duc

[PacMan]

I have a Reba on my SS and love it. That being said, I would go for the Fox if I had a choice. You asked for opinions and that's mine.

Like others have said, you can't go wrong with either one.

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by thebush

Does the Reba Team have a "blow off" valve like the F100 does? I thought the U-Turn forks have it but wasn't certain if the Pop Lock forks did. This was a feature that I liked and used on my F100 RLC. The remote lockout on the Reba is definitely handy and something that would be used.

What's the "blow off" valves function?

[Pato]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

What's the "blow off" valves function?

The blow off valve allows the fork to compress even when locked out. This prevents the fork from getting damaged if you come across a impact that would normally compress the fork. Once you set the threshold any impact greater than this will compress the fork as if it were not locked out.

Duc

[jbiron]

If weight is a major concern, you might concider the new Manitou R7 MRD; it's 0.7lbs! lighter than the Fox. I've just ordered one for my new Epic.

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by jbiron

If weight is a major concern, you might concider the new Manitou R7 MRD; it's 0.7lbs! lighter than the Fox. I've just ordered one for my new Epic.

Interesting - Any thoughts on ride quality?

One thing I hadn't considered were Manitou or Marz forks, maybe I should...

Weight isn't my only concern, but it certainly be nice....

Crossmax SL's, even with UST Nevegals/Stans, took 1 lb off the bike.

[TURNERob]

I've never ridden a Reba but I've heard the Fox has a much stiffer chassis. When it came to deciding on what fork to go with for my 29'er I chose the Fox and couldn't be happier.

[speckledtrout]

i bought a Manitou R7 for my santa cruz juliana because the fox f100 that came with the bike didn't have lockout and i couldn't afford a Fox fork to replace it. I really liked the R7. it's a great bang for the buck in my opinion and i got a great deal on it on ebay. It was a little noisy in the beginning, but after I broke it in, the weird sound went away.

[Waldo]

Yes, the Reba's lockout has a blowoff, which RockShox refers to as a "Floodgate." You can adjust how much force it takes to blow through it, so some use it as a platform function, and some use it as a true lockout - though even then it allows for a bit of small bump absorption (I believe it's 30mm).

I have a Reba Team, and I've spent a good amount of time on the Fox Talas also. IMHO, the Reba is very tunable and can be slightly more plush on small bumps, and the PopLock is pretty sweet for sustained climbs, but it's not quite as structurally rigid as the better Fox forks. I can feel a small amount of flex in choppy turns, but I'm around 200lbs and have poor skills, so I force the frk to do things others might not.

Both are great XC forks. The Reba is the better value and has some nice features. The Fox is way more $$
but is more rigid. Just depends on your priorities/tastes. You can't go really wrong between those two.

[mtnbikej]

I have been running a Reba Race w/Poploc on my Monocog for the beter part of hte last year. I have to say that I was a little skeptical of it when I first installed it. At the time, there were not many fork options. I must say that I have been thoroughly happy with it. I did get the Poploc w/ Remote and thought I would never use it. Well I use it more than I thought I would.

On the other hand, I just built up a '08 Paragon with a F80 RL. Cannot say I was really thrilled with it. Maybe I just need to let it brake in somemore. I recently increased the travel from 80mm to 100mm and it seems to have helped out a bit. It has a lockout but does not have the Blowoff valve.

Both are good forks. If money plays a role, look at the Reba.

[Pho'dUp]

Mechmann is right. Send it to Push and go for the full rebuild and Push upgrade. Better $$ spent on that as it will out perform a new F-series or a Reba.

Save your weight with the wheels and tires. Go tubeless too.

Specialized usually ships with the those boat anchor shimano rear hubs. I think reasonably light tires and a light wheelset can get you to the 27lb. range.

If you want to get in the 25's or below, you should be thinking about a suspension frame under 5 lbs. Trying to do that with your SJ will be a very hard and expensive battle. Maybe PM KeithB as he had a SJ pretty light, but that was with light wheels, and a completely new xtr gruppo.

Unless you're on the world cup that last 2lbs. ain't all that. In the end it's still the motor that counts the most!

[Kish Me]

Originally Posted by mechmann

jeff...

you do not need a new fork. how many grams are you going to save? seriously. the Talas is a great fork!

i have no idea what all is left on the bike other than the frame that we shipped... but if you want to freshen up that fork send it to PUSH. trying to drop weight by going with a shorter XC fork is just the wrong thing to do IMO.

remember the next time you bite down on a cheeseburger that you just gained back all the weight you dropped by going with an inferior fork!!!!!

The Fox is worth the extra $$.

[allison]

Agreed with what most say... Are there any shops around you that rent, or can you go on rides with anyone in your area?

The stumpy is probably great for most of what you do, but I'd also recommend trying to ride a 3-4" FS bike, a HT, and then a 6-7" AM FS bike.

Another option is to buy a cheaper alum HT frame, put all those light parts on it, and keep the Stumpy around 28lbs.

I rode my Dos niner (80mm travel up front, angry inch in the rear, 23lbs) yesterday. It was AWESOME to climb, and that's what I have the bike for... but descending some of the technical singletrack I wish I would've been riding something more along the lines of Annie's 6" Nomad.

Don't get me wrong... I think for the application of yesterday (tired legs, 20mi, 4000ft of climbing) it was good for me to have the bike I had (didn't try anything and get hurt either). But, for some trails... I'll hoist up the extra weight to have my Enduro and actually get to enjoy myself on the DHs. I'll be riding the Enduro the next two days (I haven't ridden it since the day after Thanksgiving, and it sucked to be climbing it). I'll hate the climbing, but I'm looking forward to the boing and the slacker HA for a change!

You've been putting a ton into making that frame try to be something more like an Epic. So, seriously.. see if you can find a decent light-azz frame out there so you can have two bikes maybe?

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by mechmann

jeff...

you do not need a new fork. how many grams are you going to save? seriously. the Talas is a great fork!

i have no idea what all is left on the bike other than the frame that we shipped... but if you want to freshen up that fork send it to PUSH. trying to drop weight by going with a shorter XC fork is just the wrong thing to do IMO.

remember the next time you bite down on a cheeseburger that you just gained back all the weight you dropped by going with an inferior fork!!!!!

LOL - It's funny you mention keeping the Talas, because I was under the assumption that it was heavy. I took it off and discovered that it wasn't and that my whole new fork idea was stupid, as you have so eloquently pointed out.

Dude, the frame, handlebars, stem, seat and seatpost are still the same ones you shipped me! LOL!

Originally Posted by Pho'dUp

Mechmann is right. Send it to Push and go for the full rebuild and Push upgrade. Better $$ spent on that as it will out perform a new F-series or a Reba.

Save your weight with the wheels and tires. Go tubeless too.

Specialized usually ships with the those boat anchor shimano rear hubs. I think reasonably light tires and a light wheelset can get you to the 27lb. range.

If you want to get in the 25's or below, you should be thinking about a suspension frame under 5 lbs. Trying to do that with your SJ will be a very hard and expensive battle. Maybe PM KeithB as he had a SJ pretty light, but that was with light wheels, and a completely new xtr gruppo.

Unless you're on the world cup that last 2lbs. ain't all that. In the end it's still the motor that counts the most!

Wheelset took a pound off, I'm leaving the bike alone now and working on lightening up it's motor another 20 lbs or so...

[allison]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

Wheelset took a pound off, I'm leaving the bike alone now and working on lightening up it's motor another 20 lbs or so...

If I end up getting a 3.0 Leviathan at around 24-25lbs, or the JET9 around 24lbs.. I'll sell you my Dos frame. You can build that up light for a 29er.

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by allison

If I end up getting a 3.0 Leviathan at around 24-25lbs, or the JET9 around 24lbs.. I'll sell you my Dos frame. You can build that up light for a 29er.

We might just have to talk when the time comes, if I don't get my own JET or AIR by then.