K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: Swanny on October 09, 2004, 05:23:43 am
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Bought a new Pro Flex 856 in 1998 and promptly rode it a grand total of about 50 miles in the first 5 years of existence. After blowing off the dust, this year, I've been riding it hard 3 times a week for the last 5 months - too bad I missed all of those years.
The front shock/spring are making some pretty nasty noises, so I'm thinking I want to purchase a new front fork - I'm looking at replacing the fork with a Manitou or other good fork/shock. Question is - will that mess up the geometry? Any sizing issues? I see other bikes on the site that use other forks - I just have no idea what to look for....? Thanks.
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Just keep to 100mm or under and you won't upset the angles too much.
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Agree with Scott,any quality fork not exceeding 100mm travel will be ideal.
Simon.
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Just an FYI - every extra inch of travel from the original amount will slacken the head tube angle by 1 degree... roughly.
So if you felt you need like a 125mm fork (Which also opens up your fork options even more) it wouldn't change the geometry too much.
Or, you could get a fork like the manitou black, or one of the Rock Shox w/ U-turn, which would let you switch your travel on the fly from 100mm (near stock, I think, I am not sure the actual stock travel) or if you need more for some rough stuff flip a lever and now you have it, then you can go back to 100mm after.
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;) I put a Fox 100rl on my 856 it is just amazing what a nice fork can due to a good bike. It allows me to climb really well and allows some great control in the rough stuff. A worthy upgrade if your going to replace the fork.
Also you may want to look into a Stratos shock replacement it would be a less expensive upgrade with good results.
keep on riding. 8) [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=beer.gif]
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What about the steer tube size. I believe that the steer tube on my 856-vector 2 fork is 1 inch. Will a 1.25-inch steer tube work? [smiley=worry.gif]
I checked it out this weekend. Very funky setup the steer tube is 1-1/8 at the bottom then immediately tapers to 1 inch and uses a cone shim for the top bearing of the 1-1/8” headset. Thus it uses a 1” stem and a 1-1/8” headset.
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Not sure about a 1.25" steerer but a 1-1/8 will fit fine,the vector fork is indeed a 1" steerer but it has a collar fitted to take it up to 1-1/8" you will find you are already running a suitable 1-1/8" headset but you will have to budget for a new stem.
Simon.
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Well, I borrowed a Manitu 80MM fork and compared it to my stock fork - it looks t be about an inch longer than stock. Maybe I don't understand (likely :-) ) but wouldn't 63mm be closer to stock than 100mm? Wouldn't 100mm be a few inches taller thus really changing the geometry?