Author Topic: Q for you FR/DH guys incl. IFO (Read 5392 times)

Dennis · « **on:** March 05, 2003, 03:00:22 am »

ok,
I am beginning to gather parts for my ski area bike. I haven't decided on the frame, I really, really want a Foes Fly, but may stick with the Iron Horse SGS Expert frame ( 7" rear travel, 650 bucks vs. 2250 bucks, but I lust after the fly).
anyway, I am going to start with a fork (already have drivetrain parts).
here's my question:
Zokie Shiver DC for 850 or
Stratos 8" travel inverted fork for 700 bucks

whichis better and why?
cost is not that big a deal, it'll take me at least until next December to get all parts, so cost will be spread out.
thanks for the input.

Carbon_Angus · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2003, 04:37:37 am »

another bike??? [smiley=beer.gif]

what's the diff between your old Peugeot and my old UO-8 model??? i had two same color, BLUE, one was stolen from HS. can't remember anything about it other than it had lugs and center pull brakes

Dennis · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2003, 05:43:28 am »

yeah, another bike. I need to spend time and money on something!
UO-8, yeah, the friend that I rode to Vermont with summer of 69 had a UO-8. The UO-8 was a lesser model (hahahahahaha- i always have to have the best!) compared to the PX-10. a nice bike also, but a bit heavier and not quite as good components. my bike has simplex prestige drivetrain, UO-8 probably had regular simplex drivetrain. really state of the art stuff, huh?
so, any ideas on FR/DH forks?
[smiley=groucho.gif]

jedoaks · « **Reply #3 on:** March 05, 2003, 07:41:23 am »

Dennis, If you part the bike out like you did the OZ, you're going to spend more on a Iron Horse than a fully built Fly. I'm assumming you're not married, or if you are, you have a very understanding wife. Good luck, Rich [smiley=beer.gif] [smiley=bomb.gif]

Dennis · « **Reply #4 on:** March 05, 2003, 09:37:52 am »

Rich,
yeah I know, i just saw a Fly on ebay for 2700 bucks.howeve it was the wrong size for me.
I think I might go with the Iron Horse fully built, then exchange the fork at some point. I can get an EXpert for 1600 bucks, seems to be the way to go.
however, i just can't get beyond the fact that I really, really, want a Fly. maybe used is the way to go.

IFO · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2003, 09:59:18 am »

if this is your first DH type bike...

get the Iron horse (complete)... it'll cost u less and allow to to discover just how much u enjoy/dislike that type of riding...

save the big $ for a year or 2 later... by then you'll have a better idea of how u like to ride and what type of bike best suits you...

p.s. Shiver DC over Stratos everyday of teh week and 3 times on sunday...

but i imgine u'll be more then happy with teh stock fork that comes on the Iron horse anyways....

good luck.. and post up pics...

Dennis · « **Reply #6 on:** March 05, 2003, 10:03:11 am »

IFO,
I knew you would have something wise to say.
thanks. [smiley=groucho.gif]

Prowler · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2003, 12:10:48 pm »

Yeah, I agree with IFO. That Iron Horse has a very nice spec for the money and the bikes have a pretty good rep in the Northeast US downhill arena. Its definately one of my favorites for 2003.

"p.s. Shiver DC over Stratos everyday of teh week and 3 times on sunday..."

Having ridden both, I'd have to toss a coin. Each has its advantages. I guess it would probably depend on the frame.

IFO · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2003, 12:57:02 pm »

feel free to ignore my opinion on Stratos gear...

i simply dont beleive they make good stuff..

esp when theres plenty of really good suspension options out there...

i wouldn't own a Stratos peice for even cheap money...

take that for what its worth...

GrimJack · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2003, 01:00:17 pm »

For $150 difference from the 'Zokie Shiver to the Stratos, buy the Shiver. The only real advantage the Stratos has is price. Course, new seals for the Shiver cost $50, new seals for the Stratos cost $15.

Now for the real kicker. Why go inverted? It's sloppier and much easier to damage your stanchions. I'd stick with a good DC conventional fork - BoXXer, Super T, BoXXer, Slider, BoXXer.

BoXXer would be a really good choice if you can lay your hands on a set of the soon to be available Romic replacement internal dampening system! [smiley=evil.gif]

GrimJack · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2003, 01:03:53 pm »

Sorry - I forgot to mention, I ride a Stratos. And I like it, it's been good to me, and how else can you get 7 inches of DC loving for under $300 USD?

That's including buying the replacement seal nuts to make it work without leaking oil!

PS: Newer Stratos forks shouldn't suffer from this problem, they have improved their seals from the worst on the market to likely the best, in terms of sealing ability. Plushness, on the other hand, they still need to work on.

IFO · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2003, 02:26:27 pm »

ahah yeah with Stratos u get 1 of2 options...

u can have a reasonably plush fork that barfs oil like a harley...

or u can have a fork with seals so tight the fork suffers from excessive stiction...

hmmmm, yeh i think i'll buy a stratos fork real soon...

[smiley=laughing.gif]

slowride · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2003, 02:50:25 pm »

Wow, you're judging the whole line of forks based on performance from about 3 years ago. I can tell you first hand that they don't have seal problems anymore.

And not only that, they don't creak and come loose from the cryofittings (Marzocchi) or have cheap crappy plastic components (Manitou). In fact, I've heard of more Psylos leaking than I have Stratos recently. I have a riding buddy who was all excited to get his new Psylo installed. He put his bike in the trunk laying on it's side for transport to the trailhead. By the time he got there, all the oil had leaked out and he couldn't ride. He replaced it with a Sherman, and now his brake cable is wearing a groove in the reverse arch. Sounds like durability and reliability to me!

To each his own, I guess. My vote is for the Stratos. [smiley=bomb.gif]

Redshift · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2003, 06:36:38 am »

I have to do my duty for the local riders. Last year a rider from Windsor came off a not-so-big jump on a DH course. I think the fork was an S8 or an S7. Well the whole upper works literally disintegrated on landing. Snapped in pieces.

Ended up with a broken neck or a broken back, I don't remember now. Chances that he'll be riding again is pretty slim.

No Stratos forks - ever.

IFO · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2003, 08:28:32 am »

people break all kinds of forks...

no makers are exempt...even monster-Ts break sometimes...

but as with everything else opinions are like A-holes... everyones got one...

what one person thinks doesnt negate what anyone else thinks..as far as opinions go...

but the Stratos has a pretty low threshold as far as suspension penetration in the market...

almost every brand of suspension makers can be found spec'd on one bike or another...Stratos isnt spec'd on anything...

keep that in mind...

even the lowly DNM stuff is spec'd on some bikes at least... [smiley=blankstare.gif]

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Author Topic: Q for you FR/DH guys incl. IFO (Read 5392 times)