Fork upgrade question

[0gravity]

So I've got an 06 Giant Trance 2 (pictured) that's been a great do-it-all rig but I've always wanted more front travel. Separately, I've got a nice hardtail frame that I want to build up over time. So I'm thinking of putting the REBA on this other hardtail and then stepping up to something like the Fox 32 Talas RLC for the Trance.

Some questions...

- In general, do you think the Trance can handle a longer travel fork? The Fox 32 Talas RLC has adjustable travel from 4 inches to 5.5 inches. That doesn't seem to me to be too much for the bike. The front end looks pretty beefy on the bike. Yeah, at full squish it will raise it up a bit, but that's OK on downhills anyway. I'll probably lower it for all climbs.

- Are there other forks I should consider in that 5 to 5.5 inch range? A lock-out is a must.

Thx

[tkblazer]

a lot of the trance guys are running pikes on their bikes so the talas shouldn't be a problem. the adjustable travel is key

[genusmtbkr5]

I have a 100/130mm Rockshox Revelation U-turn w/lockout. It weighs more than the talas but cost much less. It's an all mountain fork and I loved it.

SRAM | RockShox | All Mountain | Revelation

[Edog]

I think a Pike would be a little over kill on this bike, IMO. It's a little on the heavy side more so with the 20 mm hub, so you'd need a new front wheel! I run the Pike on my Reign & it's a great shock. I've been looking at getting the Trance for those longer all day events & I think I would slap one of these puppys up front.
SRAM | RockShox | All Mountain | Revelation

Beat me to it

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

I have a 100/130mm Rockshox Revelation U-turn w/lockout. It weighs more than the talas but cost much less. It's an all mountain fork and I loved it.

SRAM | RockShox | All Mountain | Revelation

[tkblazer]

Originally Posted by Edog

I run the Pike on my Reign

hell yea, another reign rider

i also agree on the pike being a bit much, but thats what some guys run i dunno... revelation would be good, as would the talas. a marz xc 700 sl would be freakin sweet

[0gravity]

This is a great start guys, this gives me more options. That Revelation does seem nice, especially that it's cheaper than a FOX and I could throw in the pop-lock. I dig! I'll start running some comparisons. Either way, I think I'll be psyched. The rear end of this bike can take way more abuse than the front end 4" REBA can take so stepping up to 5 inches will be a big improvement (plus, I'm not getting a full 4" out of that REBA anyway).

[m210]

i agree with the revelation. i have a rev 426 on a heckler. very plush but not soft. my favorite fork so far.

[Waldo]

OGrav - I used to run a 2004 Talas (80-105mm travel) on a bike with about 3.5" of travel in the rear. Most of the time I'd keep it in the middle of the travel range and it was fine. For very steep climbs or nastier descents, I'd take it to one end of the range or the other, and it worked well. I now have a Reba Team on a 3.5" travel bike, and my only regret is not getting the externally adjustable travel version of the fork.

One thing to check: I know Giant has a very generous frame warranty, so you should make sure that running a longer-travel fork won't void the coverage. Otherwise, I'd say go for it.

[Pho'dUp]

I'd go Revelation if I was you. Much beefier crown than the Fox. Plenty of adjustments and nice price. I'd definitely go U-turn. You could save some coin by going coil U-turn but it'll weigh a bit more.

[Burner]

does the revelation have a maxle option?

[Flat Broke]

Ditto the recommendations on the Revelation. A friend has one on his MKIII, and the fork is very nice. The floodgate is an awesome "on the fly" type tool once you have it setup properly. His is the air version, and it's one of the nicer air forks I've felt.

Something to think about: the Revelation is a QR dropout chassis Pike, same dampening etc. So if guys like the Pike for it's feel, the revelation will get the same reviews. As far as saving weight by going Revelation vs. Pike, I'd do a little research on that and maybe think with an eye towards the future. If you ever think you might want to get a little more agro (either with the Trance or another frame of similar travel), the Pike will be torsionally stiffer because of the 20mm axle.

Either fork is great for your application, but having made parts purchases only to have to unload them at a loss and pay for the part a second time when my needs/wants changed, I thought I'd throw that out there.

Chris

[0gravity]

Originally Posted by Flat Broke

If you ever think you might want to get a little more agro (either with the Trance or another frame of similar travel), the Pike will be torsionally stiffer because of the 20mm axle.
Chris

That's something to consider but a 20 mm axle means no front quick-release, right? That would then complicate transporting my bike since I use basic Rocky Mounts that require a quick release front end.

The Revelation has gotten such rave reviews here, I'll probably go that route (but maybe still the Fox). Either way, I need/want a quick release for now.

[ODB]

Originally Posted by 0gravity

That's something to consider but a 20 mm axle means no front quick-release, right? That would then complicate transporting my bike since I use basic Rocky Mounts that require a quick release front end.

Don't let that dissuade from going with a thru-axle. Fork-Ups have got you covered: Hurricane Components

[cru jones]

I ran a revelation(air) on a 06 mk iron horse that i rode for about 5 months. For the pricepoint that its at, it cant be beat. If youve got the extra coin, i'd def. go with the talas.