Chubby LT triple clamp forks

[Colin]

Hi,
Another project I need advice on..............<GRIN>
(it's winter here in the UK, so I'm into the garage to play "mechanic" with the bikes! <GRIN>

This will be one for the missus, 5' 5" 58Kg and not an experienced MTB'er but keen to have a go and has managed a few 26 mile rides with me on easy trails on her Iron Bike ( no not Iron Horse, just a Cycle King DH Monster made out of pig Iron judging by the weight, but hey she liked the colour and to give her her due it does fit her and she is comfortable on it)

So my mission is to replicate it's geometry but on an Oz so that it's super duper lightweight!

so to cut to the chase..............I fancy a set of Chubby LT Triple clamps on the front end,


but want to make it disc if possible, so 3 Q's:

1) I don't think the Chubby mounts were ISO were they? I think Callum posted about having to build a special wheel for his SS 856 with Chubbies? What work is needed to use disks on these?
2) Bottom line, are they any good? what cheapie triple clamp alternatives can anyone recommend?
3) Maintenance on the Chubby's? Are they a pain or easy, any experience? K2 Maintenance kits needed or off the shelf spares?

As always, thanks in advance guys!

Col.

[jeffhop]

rst hi 5`s are usually cheap as are jnr t`s what about these they might go cheap

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Manitou-X-Vert-T-Triple-Clamp-forks-99p-No-Reserve_W0QQitemZ170175309195QQihZ007QQcategoryZ36135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Marzocchi-Bombers-Junior-T-2003-downhill-freeride-4x_W0QQitemZ260190911256QQihZ016QQcategoryZ36135QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[shovelon]

I had a chubby 4 inch on my beast. Maintance was easy, just  
remove the screws at the bottom and pull off the legs. Add layer of grease and good to go. Only trick is to compress one leg at a time via adjuster screw.

On a super cold day the elastomers may not work so good. Hot days work fantastic.

[orange]

this guy says he has some for sale separately to this main auction:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pro-Flex-light-weight-cross-country-full-susp-frame_W0QQitemZ120193697311QQihZ002QQcategoryZ22679QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Old Proflexer]

These are pretty easy to make -

http://idriders.com/proflex/galleries/Old_Proflexer/Front%20Chubby%20Disc%20Mount%202.jpg


I have an old chubby sitting on the wall in the garage with an OTiS (Oil Taming integration System) built by a guy in Texas.  He was selling the units some years ago and it replaced the standard chubby innards.  Just change the oil viscosity to change the feel of the fork.  Was riding it with my disc and a simple plate that took less than 30 minutes to fashion.  It rides as smooth as my Psylo - works great -

the pic is not of my fork but a guy's from canada who shared the idea with me. my plate is a knock off of the original.  I got much better disc coverage than he did - just took some tweaking.

gave up on the old elastomere stacks right off the bat.

OP

[jeffhop]

werent some girvin triples rebadged rst hi 5ves? if i were you id go for some forks that have a proper disc mount on them either is  or post mount rather than faffing about with a non standard system. at the end of the day these bikes are getting older and they need bringing up to date once in a while. sorry to all you originality freaks out there.

[shovelon]

Yep, they were the same as the Hi-5 but only 4 inches of travel as opposed to the 5 inches on the Hi-5. I heard reports of the Hi-5s breaking.

[Matno]

This will be one for the missus, 5' 5" 58Kg and not an experienced MTB'er but keen to have a go
Col.

The difference in weight on the front end is considerable between a Chubby and most XC forks. Especially for a smaller rider, I'd say go for lighter weight. Makes it 10 times easier to get over obstacles on the trail. My wife's 5000 originally had a dual crown RockShox fork (with about 3" travel), and it was difficult for ME to pop the front end over small logs. Swapped for a Manitou X-vert and never looked back. Much more manageable in every way. Same thing when I compare my 5000 with my father-in-law's that has a Chubby. Plus I often whack my knees on the dual crown forks...

My vote goes against the Chubby...

[Colin]

Matno,
I see where you're coming from and it's what I'm thinking, she has a pair of triple clamp forks on the existing 1 Ton monster and thay are part of the weight problem, The frame is steel (or pig iron? <GRIN>) and so is the main culprit, but yes I want to make a light weight ride for her so that she will enjoy the rides better and see the advantages of a better bike. But I thought Chubby's WERE light? anyone any idea what they weigh?
My new Mavericks seem very light for a triple clamp fork (2.1Kg inc. hub, stem, steerer and headlock) and compare very well with the 1.25Kg X-Links!

I've seen some RST 381's are they light and IS Disc compatible?

Anyone else got a recommendation for a relatively light, easy maintenance, cheap - maybe second hand pair of forks? - <GRIN> I want it all!

Col.

[shovelon]

4 inch chubbies are 4.5 lbs approx.

There are some chubbie coil springs on ebay US right now. 2 sets.

Terry

[willem]

Can't beat Noleen Mega Air's for light weight, simplicity, and buttery travel. Especially for lighter riders.
Bought one pair off ebay for $40.

If you want REALLY light and stiff, strap a disk mount on some CrossLink forks!

IMHO, the Mega Airs were at least 5 years ahead of their time. Yeah you can drop $1,100 on some super fly Fox forx, but can you (or your wife) really measure the difference in torsional rigidity or rebound speed or whatever?

[Colin]

4 inch chubbies are 4.5 lbs approx.

There are some chubbie coil springs on ebay US right now. 2 sets.

Terry

So chubby's about 2Kg, that's not too bad.

hmm, yes seen those, "190 or 140lb" is that the rider weight?

Col.

[shovelon]

So chubby's about 2Kg, that's not too bad.

hmm, yes seen those, "190 or 140lb" is that the rider weight?

Col.

Good question!