fork for hardtail?

[Dennis]

ok, another question for you guys.
my Giant carbon HT frame should be here fairly soon. Here's my question:
I have been planning to use the custom painted carbon xlink, now with Genesis, that I had on Blue Crush for this bike. However, since the Talas fork I now have on Blue Crush is so amazing, I have been thinking about putting a Fox F80RLT fork on the HT. btw, the claimed weight (mass, as bike parts are quoted in grams, which is the unit of mass, not weight, as we all know) of the Fox makes it just about the same mass as the xlink. just so you know, money IS an issue so that should dictate using the xlink, but you never know when a check for a few mil might show up in the mailbox!!



what do you guys think?
[smiley=groucho.gif]

[Matno]

This is just my totally uneducated opinion, since I've never used either fork, BUT if it were me, I would go with the X-link because money really IS an issue. However, if I were single, with all the lack of responsibility that used to entail...I would definitely go for the Fox. Nothing is better than a Fox, and I'm not particularly partial to the look of the X-link on a hardtail. Just looks out of place for some reason.

[tmaybee]

Hey Dennis.  How do you feel about the Genesis/x-link combo?  I am enjoying mine but I haven't put a lot of miles on it yet  (Thanks again for the Genesis).  [smiley=beer.gif]  It's definetly a lot lighter, and once I get the lower axle bolts changed to Ti, all the washers to drilled out Ti, and the cable guide bolts to alloy, there will be no steel left.

I think the front and rear (also a genesis) on my 856 are more balanced now.  Seems to handle the big hits very well.  I actually really liked the Genesis/Vector 2 combo that I had before the x-link too   ... of course, I don't do any downhill stuff, just fast XC.

Trevor

[Scott]

I agree with Matt on the HT Xlink combo.  HT are clean and uncluttered whereas a FS is expected to run added bits and pieces.  Trevor what's the "skinny" now in grams on your Xlink with Risse?

[tmaybee]

Hey Scott.  I am not sure what it's down to now.  Once I change out the remaining bolts and washers I will have to take it off the bike and put it on a scale...  That will be next season I imagine.

By the way, thanks for the x-link  [smiley=beer.gif]   And MANY thanks to Nigel too!  [smiley=beer.gif]

Trevor

[Dennis]

Trevor,
my carbon xlink/Genesis is not yet mounted on a bike, so I don't know yet. what are your thoughts so far? differences, improvements over the noleen shock?

Scott, matno: well cost is an issue, plus I kinda think the xlinks look kinda different, kinda cool on HT's.
the  alu xlink on my present ht makes it look cooler than it otherwise may have looked, imo.
coolness is in the mind of the beholder, isn't it?
but thanks for the input. the fox is pretty pricey, and i already own the xlink.

[smiley=groucho.gif]