How long is a piece of string question

[Gedge]

So I realise there are probably more options than anyone can imagine ( and the answers will probably fall into the you won’t get anything for less than £x thousand ) but here goes .

For the last few years I have been happily using my cheap Burisch GT Ebike ...after replacing the battery recently I started to think about the rest of it..it’s a half decent ally frame but the rest of the components are typically cheaply specced Chinese stuff .

Especially the forks ...From the outset I knew they were rubbish but as I mostly do tarmac and light trails it hasn’t mattered ..but lately they are showing their age and their limitations..

Now the whole bike only cost £700 ..so I don’t want to spend much on upgrades

So what can anyone suggest in the way of budget suspension forks that might actually work ( again mainly on light trails ) ..ideas of cost etc appreciated ...

Over to you ..

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

Set yourself a budget and search eBay for a set of 2nd hand forks that for that budget, it took me a while but I got a set of RockShox Recon air forks for under £100.

Do lots of research, as RockShox made some very poor forks and Suntour have made some good ones, Foxes, Ohlins and Marzocchi are likely to be out of your price range.

[weeksy]

First things you need to work out...

1. What type of steerer do i have. (the bit that goes through the frame). You have 3 main types. a. 1 1/8" straight. b. 1 1/8"> 1.5" tapered. c. 1" straight (old school, but not impossible)
2. What length of steerer do i need. That's the bit that goes through the frame PLUS the stem (the bit that holds on your bars) you can make them smaller, but can't magically make them longer
3. What length forks, 27.5 or 29/700c.
4. What width wheel hub. 100/110mm
5. What type of bottom/hub. QR9mm, 15mm axle.

Once you have all of that, we can look into what you need, but without all of that info, you'll end up buying the wrong forks.

[Gedge]

First things you need to work out...

1. What type of steerer do i have. (the bit that goes through the frame). You have 3 main types. a. 1 1/8" straight. b. 1 1/8"> 1.5" tapered. c. 1" straight (old school, but not impossible)
2. What length of steerer do i need. That's the bit that goes through the frame PLUS the stem (the bit that holds on your bars) you can make them smaller, but can't magically make them longer
3. What length forks, 27.5 or 29/700c.
4. What width wheel hub. 100/110mm
5. What type of bottom/hub. QR9mm, 15mm axle.

Once you have all of that, we can look into what you need, but without all of that info, you'll end up buying the wrong forks.

11/8 straight steerer ..I think 200mm but can check .. it’s for 26 inch wheels , 100mm hub and 15mm axle ( but can convert from 9mm drop outs as the current forks do) .

[weeksy]

First things you need to work out...

1. What type of steerer do i have. (the bit that goes through the frame). You have 3 main types. a. 1 1/8" straight. b. 1 1/8"> 1.5" tapered. c. 1" straight (old school, but not impossible)
2. What length of steerer do i need. That's the bit that goes through the frame PLUS the stem (the bit that holds on your bars) you can make them smaller, but can't magically make them longer
3. What length forks, 27.5 or 29/700c.
4. What width wheel hub. 100/110mm
5. What type of bottom/hub. QR9mm, 15mm axle.

Once you have all of that, we can look into what you need, but without all of that info, you'll end up buying the wrong forks.

11/8 straight steerer ..I think 200mm but can check .. it’s for 26 inch wheels , 100mm hub and 15mm axle ( but can convert from 9mm drop outs as the current forks do) .

Well fuck me... i didn't expect answers LOL.

Rockshox TK Silver/Gold should be in those sizes and available usually as people upgrade from them, but they're decent enough forks for that level of budget.
Suntour Raidon are another, i wouldn't go Suntour XCM though.

If it were me i'd be going air over coil, in simple terms the odds of the coil/sprung forks being the right setting is very unlikely.

[Gedge]

First things you need to work out...

1. What type of steerer do i have. (the bit that goes through the frame). You have 3 main types. a. 1 1/8" straight. b. 1 1/8"> 1.5" tapered. c. 1" straight (old school, but not impossible)
2. What length of steerer do i need. That's the bit that goes through the frame PLUS the stem (the bit that holds on your bars) you can make them smaller, but can't magically make them longer
3. What length forks, 27.5 or 29/700c.
4. What width wheel hub. 100/110mm
5. What type of bottom/hub. QR9mm, 15mm axle.

Once you have all of that, we can look into what you need, but without all of that info, you'll end up buying the wrong forks.

11/8 straight steerer ..I think 200mm but can check .. it’s for 26 inch wheels , 100mm hub and 15mm axle ( but can convert from 9mm drop outs as the current forks do) .

Well fuck me... i didn't expect answers LOL.

Rockshox TK Silver/Gold should be in those sizes and available usually as people upgrade from them, but they're decent enough forks for that level of budget.
Suntour Raidon are another, i wouldn't go Suntour XCM though.

If it were me i'd be going air over coil, in simple terms the odds of the coil/sprung forks being the right setting is very unlikely.

Thanks ..that seems to match up with what is out there other than unbranded Chinese stuff ..

[Le_Fromage_Grande]

I'd definitely go for an air fork if you can find one in budget

[Ditchfinder]

Straight steerer forks with that amount of steerer tube are going to be hard to find 2nd hand - don't worry about them being 26" specific, a 27.5 fork will only be slightly longer so won't affect geometry enough to be a problem if the travel is similar.

[Gedge]

Any experience of this company ?

https://www.air-bike.co.uk/air-bike-xc3 ... erer-white

Seems to be UK based and speccing their own products from China. Look to be decent value on the face of it?

[weeksy]

Any experience of this company ?

https://www.air-bike.co.uk/air-bike-xc3 ... erer-white

Seems to be UK based and speccing their own products from China. Look to be decent value on the face of it?

Depends if they fall apart in 15 mins... or last 5 years..

What's the warranty ?

[Gedge]

Any experience of this company ?

https://www.air-bike.co.uk/air-bike-xc3 ... erer-white

Seems to be UK based and speccing their own products from China. Look to be decent value on the face of it?

Depends if they fall apart in 15 mins... or last 5 years..

What's the warranty ?

Good question, the answer to which appears to be missing from their website .so other than a 30 day no quibble guarantee there appears to be none ?? ( it does say warranty paperwork will be sent by email which implies there is something ).I saw them and wondered whether they were a known company and I guess this answers that question .

[weeksy]

I'm far from the font of all knowledge, but i am fairly clued up usually.