Lots of good suggestions here... I will add that I don't have a ton of strong opinions on fork performance with a 120-130mm travel fork on a hard tail. As long as I can get the right rebound damping I want I'm mostly fine. I find that I am never going to be in a position to rely heavily on the damper with a soft spring rate (more sag) on a hardtail. For that reason, provided the fork has a good chassis/bushing/tolerances and has the appropriate rebound damping resolution (ie: I don't feel like I'm stuck between two clicks of the adjuster to reach ideal), I'm happy. I'm also less focused on a stiff chassis on a hardtail and thus I am more agnostic to chassis nuanced then I would be on a full suspension bike. As an example, I would rarely chose a 34 over a 36sl on a full suspension bike, but on a hard tail the 34 is more then enough.
For that reason, manitou mattoc, fox 34/36sl, or pike/sid. I have a hardtail that I leave at my in-laws house in the midwest and I have a pike select+ fork on it that is perfect for the application. Honestly, I would likely go with a pike again as it has a very no frills, easy to deal with air spring, chassis and damper.
My 2 cents; don't overbike your underbike, it'll be a recipe for a bad time. A lowered Lyrik or 36 with burly tires on a hardtail will be just as slow (or slower) up, and not as fun as your enduro bike down. The tires comment from earlier is dead on. Fast Traks, Dubnitals/Magnitals, Rekons, Ricks. All great.
FWIW The XC/Trail segment has been my primary recreation since I started XC racing when I was 12 in 2002.
RE specific 120-130 fork advice, the Pike is definitely my favorite. I've had and put tons of time on the following MRP Ribbon SL, Fox 32 SC, Fox 34 SC, Fox 34 Fit4, Fox34 Grip2, Fox 34 grip, Cannondale Leftys, Marzocchi z2 (boo! Rattle-y garbage), Cane Creek Helms, Ohlins 34, most SID's from 2002-2010 and most iterations of Pike's. I've heard great things about Manitou, but haven't dipped my toes in that stream beyond the Mastodon on my fat bike.
I like the SID's as well, but from what I gather on this thread the a pike would be a better fit. If XC racing isn't your vibe, a Pike is superior.
BW RS and Fox I've had better luck with the RS forks lasting longer before they creak.
From my experience I also wouldn't sweat the level of fork you buy. Something mid-range and set up well that's regularly maintained is infinitely better than a poorly set up or maintained premier fork.
Lots of good suggestions here... I will add that I don't have a ton of strong opinions on fork performance with a 120-130mm travel fork on a hard tail. As long as I can get the right rebound damping I want I'm mostly fine. I find that I am never going to be in a position to rely heavily on the damper with a soft spring rate (more sag) on a hardtail. For that reason, provided the fork has a good chassis/bushing/tolerances and has the appropriate rebound damping resolution (ie: I don't feel like I'm stuck between two clicks of the adjuster to reach ideal), I'm happy. I'm also less focused on a stiff chassis on a hardtail and thus I am more agnostic to chassis nuanced then I would be on a full suspension bike. As an example, I would rarely chose a 34 over a 36sl on a full suspension bike, but on a hard tail the 34 is more then enough.
For that reason, manitou mattoc, fox 34/36sl, or pike/sid. I have a hardtail that I leave at my in-laws house in the midwest and I have a pike select+ fork on it that is perfect for the application. Honestly, I would likely go with a pike again as it has a very no frills, easy to deal with air spring, chassis and damper.
My 2 cents; don't overbike your underbike, it'll be a recipe for a bad time. A lowered Lyrik or 36 with burly tires on a hardtail will be just as slow (or slower) up, and not as fun as your enduro bike down. The tires comment from earlier is dead on. Fast Traks, Dubnitals/Magnitals, Rekons, Ricks. All great.
FWIW The XC/Trail segment has been my primary recreation since I started XC racing when I was 12 in 2002.
RE specific 120-130 fork advice, the Pike is definitely my favorite. I've had and put tons of time on the following MRP Ribbon SL, Fox 32 SC, Fox 34 SC, Fox 34 Fit4, Fox34 Grip2, Fox 34 grip, Cannondale Leftys, Marzocchi z2 (boo! Rattle-y garbage), Cane Creek Helms, Ohlins 34, most SID's from 2002-2010 and most iterations of Pike's. I've heard great things about Manitou, but haven't dipped my toes in that stream beyond the Mastodon on my fat bike.
I like the SID's as well, but from what I gather on this thread the a pike would be a better fit. If XC racing isn't your vibe, a Pike is superior.
BW RS and Fox I've had better luck with the RS forks lasting longer before they creak.
From my experience I also wouldn't sweat the level of fork you buy. Something mid-range and set up well that's regularly maintained is infinitely better than a poorly set up or maintained premier fork.
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