I have a '96 Gary Fisher OCLV Team Issue bike that I've been riding for about a year. It's not terribly comfortable and climbs like a tortoise. I was at a loss to understand why until yesterday when a woman brought in a similar bike and I noticed that her fork was much shorter than mine. I have a 2001 Manitou X-Vert Super on the bike and I suddenly realized that I was having problems with position and climbing because the bike's geometry wasn't intended for such a 'tall' fork.
It appears that the bike was intended for either a 63 mm or 80 mm fork. I'd guess 80 mm, since most photos I see of the frame show it with a Rock Shox Judy.
My riding is mostly 'trail riding', not racing or jumping, etc. I'm a short, heavy rider. 5'7", 320 lbs.
What forks are available that would be appropriate for the bike?
My LBS suggested a Fox Shock Forx Terra Logic F80X. I haven't been able to ride one, but the idea sounds pretty good.
Hmm, I think that you would find an upgrade to a nice steel frame a much more comfortable solution. The fisher oclv was designed for a 60-75mm travel fork and around a hunched over, racing geometry. Further it was never reliable for clydesdales, heck I broke 5 of these frames at 135-145lbs during a year and a half of racing. For the price of a fox 80x you can get a nice steel hardtail to go with your xvert, or a steel frame and money towards a vanilla r and will enjoy riding much much more.
The lack of comfort has much more to do with balance and position than it does with stiffness. I'm a 'flow' rider rather than a masher. I do get beat up in rocky sections, but for the most part the carbon frame gives me the advantage of less flex than most other frames do. My butt gets numb before my hands do, and I figure that's because I've got too much weight on the back of the bike.
If the frame fails, I'll replace it with something softer, either a custom or semi-custom steel or straight guage Ti frame. If I don't break the Fisher by the time I've reached 250 pounds, I'll do that anyway as a sort of reward.
I've ridden more in the last month than I did all year last year due to being between jobs. I want to enjoy the time I have to ride more.
Given that, a F80x or 80RLT will match up with the geometry of the frame better than the xvert, so will a duke 63-108mm or any short travel light weight fork such as a sid or skareb. Balancing suspension to a bike is very important, but matching the bike to the rider for fit and use is by far the biggest improvement to comfort, ability, and enjoyment.
The $700+ for a F80 goes a long way towards a steel hardtail with slacker angles to support an xvert or longer travel 100+mm stiffer fork designed to handle riders over 200lbs. A fork that uses a coil will last longer and perform better for you.
Example: Jenson has the a hand made steel frame made by COVE and ad a Vanilla R For $768 verse $729 for a F80x. This is just one deal out there.
After my first Fisher OCLV, I rode them as gingerly as possible, because it was my only bike at the time. Still, I had issues with cracking them at the chainstays, seatstays, and headtube. Fisher's great customer service and warranty program (which would now be expired) kept me riding them until I could buy another lightweight hardtail. Although, I still rave about the performance of these frames and can afford one, I would not risk the possible injury of breaking one at a now massive 175lbs. Now older with too much sitting behind a desk and riding only 3-5 time a week. But that's my opinion, and you are entitled to your opinion. I'd be interested in what others think.
I ordered the Fox F80X today. My LBS will order it Monday, and it will be in the shop sometime next week. I'll pick it up next payday and hope to have the bike a little more ready for riding this spring.
Last night I set the bike up on a trainer and adjusted it to approximate the difference in front end height. The 40mm difference in the shocks came out to about 32mm height at the bars according to my rough numbers. That inch and a half made a world of difference in the fit of the bike.
I also picked up an IF catalog to drool over while I'm working on my weight.
Thanks for the ideas.
tachyon
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
15.4M posts
515.2K members
Since 1990
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!