Fox Talas RLC or?

[Jordansrealm]

Looking for some STR opinions from people that are running or have run the Talas RLC shock or something in that ballpark with adjustable travel. I love most things about my bike but after riding a few bikes with adjustable front travel I can really see the benefits of compressing your fork travel during climbing. Looking at some opinions of forks out there such as the Talas RLC.

Thanks!

Jordan

[Pho'dUp]

Check out the RockShox Revelation Air Uturn too.

Cheaper, and much beefier looking crown.

[Hoosierdaddy]

I have an 07 36 Talas RC2 on my Blur LT and I think it's an awesome fork, it's super plush. It has an infinite amount of adjustability and with three clicks goes from 160mm to 100mm. If you're doing mainly XC with a small amount of hucking or drops this could be the fork for you. I weigh 235 lbs. and I don't have full confidence in the strength of the crown on my Talas. I have an 06 Marz. Z1 light ETA on my Spec. Enduro Pro that I feel has a stronger crown and that is the bike I do more hucking with, but it lacks the plushness that my Talas has. I have not kept up with the current specs of the new forks but thought I would pass this info on to you.

I think Fox and Marz. build the best stuff out there but Rock Shox is coming on strong. IMO. I do have a Boxxer World Cup on my V-10 but haven't ridden it that much.

All you R/S guys don't flame me, like I said "my opinion"

The bottom line is buy the fork that fits 90 percent of your riding type (DH, XC, FR, AM, etc)

Jeff

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by Hoosierdaddy

I have an 07 36 Talas RLC2 on my Blur LT and I think it's an awesome fork, it's super plush. It has an infinite amount of adjustability and with three clicks goes from 160mm to 100mm. If you're doing mainly XC with a small amount of hucking or drops this could be the fork for you. I weigh 235 lbs. and I don't have full confidence in the strength of the crown on my Talas. I have an 06 Marz. Z1 light ETA on my Spec. Enduro Pro that I feel has a stronger crown and that is the bike I do more hucking with, but it lacks the plushness that my Talas has. I have not kept up with the current specs of the new forks but thought I would pass this info on to you.

I think Fox and Marz. build the best stuff out there but Rock Shox is coming on strong. IMO. I do have a Boxxer World Cup on my V-10 but haven't ridden it that much.

All you R/S guys don't flame me, like I said "my opinion"

The bottom line is buy the fork that fits 90 percent of your riding type (DH, XC, FR, AM, etc)

Jeff

Thanks. I am definitely riding mostly XC stuff with the occasional huck but more like going down various section throughout local trails. The Fox Float that came on my bike does a good job of soaking up bumps but I would like something with a travel lockout as well as more control over shock settings. The only thing that draws me away from the RLC is the price tag

[PacMan]

I had an '04 TALAS RL on my Enduro and currently run an '06 TALAS RLC on my yeti 575. I love the TALAS. In my opinion, it is one of the best forks out there.

I've heard good things about the Revelation but don't have personal experience with one. You also can't go wrong with the Marzocchi All Mountain series forks. I have an '05 All Mountain SL with all the bells an whistles and it too is a great fork, however they are heavier than the TALAS.

I also agree with Hoosier--Go with Fox. If you can't afford Fox, go Marzocchi. I know Rock Shox is making better stuff now than they did 2-3 years ago, but that is my opinion--which is what was asked for.

[m210]

i've got both the '06 talas rlc and a revelation. both are great forks. honestly, the rev feels more active and plush, but my rev (the 426) does not have adjustable travel. i really like fox stuff and rockshox equally. i feel the revelation feels more active and plush. the talas is on my xc race bike, while the rev is on my heckler. cant go wrong with either in my opinion...
i wouldnt let the reputation rockshox had steer you away. they're great forks now once you're past their entry level products.

[LBmtb]

Originally Posted by m210

i've got both the '06 talas rlc and a revelation. both are great forks. honestly, the rev feels more active and plush, but my rev (the 426) does not have adjustable travel. i really like fox stuff and rockshox equally. i feel the revelation feels more active and plush. the talas is on my xc race bike, while the rev is on my heckler. cant go wrong with either in my opinion...
i wouldnt let the reputation rockshox had steer you away. they're great forks now once you're past their entry level products.

Definitely agree with the Rock Shox comment. My Pike 454 dual air u-turn is VERY plush. Feels better than the Fox Vanilla I used to have and has the adjustable travel that the vanilla didn't (although the Pike does have a bit more travel). The revelation is basically like a Pike but without the 20mm and less travel. If I wanted a 5" adjustable fork I'd go with the Revelation. Don't shy away from Rock Shox!

[andino]

i was running a talas for a while on my stumpjumper and i swapped over the pike 454 and it's a world of difference. if you mainly just an XC rider i'd really look into the revelation because you have so many more adjustments with Rockshox forks

[CalEpic]

If we're talking 130mm Talas which I believe we are, I would look at the Rock Shox Pike. I have the Talas RLC. It's been back to Fox for a new crown/uppers assy. and now has a leaking seal. The biggest problem though is the lack of stiffness in technical terrain. If you're only riding smooth trails it would be ok. You just can't beat the stiffness of a 20mm through-axle though. Rock Shox Revelation may be a little stiffer than the Fox but it's still a QR fork. I would go Pike Air U-Turn. Hopefully you have a convertible front hub otherwise you'll need to change that as well if you go Pike.

C

[ThinkFast]

I have the Talas on my FS bike. I was able to save some $ buying it from Universal Cycles - no tax and the 15% savings on orders over $300.

If only I could finally get my broken frame replaced I'd be able to enjoy the Talas again.

[Jordansrealm]

Originally Posted by CalEpic

If we're talking 130mm Talas which I believe we are, I would look at the Rock Shox Pike. I have the Talas RLC. It's been back to Fox for a new crown/uppers assy. and now has a leaking seal. The biggest problem though is the lack of stiffness in technical terrain. If you're only riding smooth trails it would be ok. You just can't beat the stiffness of a 20mm through-axle though. Rock Shox Revelation may be a little stiffer than the Fox but it's still a QR fork. I would go Pike Air U-Turn. Hopefully you have a convertible front hub otherwise you'll need to change that as well if you go Pike.

C

I have Hope Pro II hubs so I can run either 20mm or QR. Right now from reading everyones opinions it looks like I have 2 or 3 forks to consider. I am wondering how much of a noticeable jump aside from travel adjustment I will feel coming from my Fox Float that came on my Spec FSR? hrmmm...

[bananaseat]

couldn't agree more with craig & george. until recently i was riding a fox vanilla rlc. just got a PIKE 454, dual air w/travel adjust. got 4 rides on it. it ROCKS! hands-down better than my vanilla, for all the same reasons mentioned above.

i also did a comprehensive price search before purchasing. would be glad to share details.

[PacMan]

I believe Andino was/is selling a used Pike for like $300. I was going to buy it but my fundage fell through. Quite a deal if you ask me.

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...ike-454-a.html

Maybe ask him if he still has it?

[SAR_boats]

BTW, since Fox has released its 2008 line you can get the 2007 forks on sale now. I recommend Adrenaline Bikes, they have them in stock and on sale

[Pain Freak]

I have a TALAS on two different bikes. It is the best fork I've ever had, by far. I'm not a fan of Rock Shox even now with Sram being the new owners. True the quality is going up, but I think they are lagging in the technology. BUT, the PIKE is like the exception to the rule. That is a really good fork, but doesn't have the adjustability of the Talas. I don't even mess with all the adjustments though, I find a setting that works for me and I leave it there. But I will set it down for climbing and extend it for the downhills. The other stuff Fox has, isn't that great in my opinion. I had a vanilla too and traded it. The one problem with the Talas is the seals go out after about 6 months regardless of how much you use it, but last time I changed them myself and it was real easy. I'm getting mixed reviews on the Revelation, but it might be a good fork. I heard from two different people the adjustment on the rebound is very limited, if it works at all. But the fork does preform well overall. I'd give Sram another year or so before I'd buy anything from RockShox.

[Waldo]

I had an '04 TALAS on my last bike, and now have a 2007 RS Reba Team with PopLock on my Burner. The RS is a little more plush on small bumps than the TALAS was, though I think the Fox may have been slightly more rigid. I call it a draw - which quality is more important to you?

I do like the Poplock on the RS. The one real mistake I made was not buying an adjustable travel version. I definitely miss that function. Even better than lowering the fork when climbing, I liked the ability to run it a bit longer on steep descents, effectively slackening the head angle a bit.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy either brand at this point. It's a function of availability of features at the price you can afford.

[Pho'dUp]

Originally Posted by Waldo

I had an '04 TALAS on my last bike, and now have a 2007 RS Reba Team with PopLock on my Burner. The RS is a little more plush on small bumps than the TALAS was, though I think the Fox may have been slightly more rigid. I call it a draw - which quality is more important to you?

I do like the Poplock on the RS. The one real mistake I made was not buying an adjustable travel version. I definitely miss that function. Even better than lowering the fork when climbing, I liked the ability to run it a bit longer on steep descents, effectively slackening the head angle a bit.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy either brand at this point. It's a function of availability of features at the price you can afford.

Robert why don't you try your Reba at 115mm? It'll slacken the headtube about 1.5deg but the with those Burners I bet you'll stll be around 69-70 deg. Otherwise I'd sell the Reba and just get a Uturn Revelation. It'll cost you net some $$ but why suffer?

JordarnR, I'm with everyone else, go PIKE Uturn. The Revelation for RS is really nice too, just didn't know if you're looking for a 130mm or 140mm fork. Perhaps Revelation Uturn with a DT swiss racheting quick release ain't a bad idea either.