I'm building up a hardtail for light duty trail and XC use (downcountry, if you will) and can't really decide which direction to go for the fork. All of my modern front suspension experience has been with forks in the 150-170mm range and I don't know what to prioritize. Is this just a case of simple performance to weight tradeoff? Will I be unhappy with anything less than a lowered 36 or Lyrik? I am 185 pounds geared up. This bike won't see big hits but I'm capable of riding like a moron on any bicycle. I also value home serviceability.
I'm considering all of the usual candidates and would love to hear experiences. From most capable to lightest duty it seems like:
- Pike Ultimate
- 36 SL
- 34SL/SID (non SL)
Any good options from other brands? It seems like Rockshox and Fox dominate this space.
I've been very happy with regular chassis Fox 34's with Grip X and Grip X2 dampers on my "down country" hardtail and short travel bikes. I never really feel the need for for a chassis upgrade to 36. If you go Fox, avoid the Fit4 damper as it is not usefully adjustable, under damped and "Unfit4 aggressive riding". Grip X seems to be the sweet spot of having lockout and good damping. Just need to keep an eye on where the HSC knob is at as a couple of clicks makes a big difference and it's easily displaced from an accidental brush up or bump. I drew a line where I like it set for quick reference after using the lockout.
On Fox's website it seems like they're only advertising the 34 in "SL" with the "GRIP SL" damper, something I'd never even heard of (obviously I don't pay attention to forks like this. But Jenson and others have a 34 SL with a Grip X damper. Any experience with the SL damper vs the X?
Could not be happier with my 130mm Rockshox Pike Ultimate. (Charger 3.1 damper). I have had the past 2 generations of Pike and this one is a massive step up in performance and ride feel. The Charger 2 damper of the previous gen fork was good, but the chassis was really the draw back. The newest version is incredible! Extremely tunable but very simple both in service and in setup! I just wish they still had the silver lowers!!!
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