Non DH double crown forks options for Road&XC

[Cicada]

Hey folks,

I'm really bored about the usual super-expensive Dh forks (888,40, Boxxer) that cost like an holiday.
I know they're good stuff, but MAN!
You know what? NO, I will not give them a grand for something that needs servicing every 30 hours.
Rather I go for an escort service, and I 'll be serviced for a good night, I swear.

I spent a MONTH looking around for a sturdy fork for my new building.
Geometry frame is for DH but I ride mostly on the road and sometime for light XC.

I really think that I need something different, so I ended in a Pit bike (small cozy motard!) forum
what do you think about this, anyone can give me a feedback?

http://www.funbikes.co.uk/Pit_Bike_Forks_CRF50_M2R_645mm%28687%29.aspx
What about steerer conversion to 1 1/8, would it be possible?
Different options?

Thanks to reply

 

[dogman dan]

Fine if you plan on a front wheel the same diameter as the pit bikes. I bet it's way too short to use with a 26" wheel.

For street use, I'd think a pretty primitive fork would work fine. Just look for something like a rockshocks. Something with adjustable pre load and rebound, but nothing but some cheap springs inside. You've see Chain reaction cycles? Good place to hunt stuff, with their wide range of stock.

I find 80-100 mm of travel plenty for street and graded dirt road use. DH forks are overkill for a bike ridden mostly on street.

 

[Cicada]

Hey Dogman,
Cheers for your help.
I'm mostly concerned about head tube mount (bearings, ecc.)
Do you think it could work?

Actually that Pit bike fork is 645 mm, so not that far, specially if planning to mount a smaller wheel to compensate.

This is a list of MTB forks length.
(Courtesy of: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=470024&highlight=axle+crown)

09-10 Boxxers: 568mm
Fox 40 180mm: 545.8mm
Fox 40 191mm: 558.5mm
Fox 40 203mm: 571.2mm
09-10 Totems: 565mm
07 36vanR: 545.3mm
888 200mm: 567mm
66 180mm: 564mm


FOX

All models +/- 5mm

F80: 450.9mm
F90: 460.9mm
F100: 470.9mm
F120: 490.9mm
Float, Talas, Van 130: 500.9mm
Float, Talas, Van 140: 510.9mm (08 Talas: 515mm)
Talas 150: 520.9mm
Float, Talas, Van 160: 545.3mm
Fox 40 180: 545.8mm
Fox 40 203: 571.2mm

ROCKSHOX

All models +/- 5mm

99-08 SID 63: 434mm
99-08 SID 80: 451mm
Argyle 80: 471mm
Argyle 100: 491mm
SID 80: 453mm
SID 90: 463
SID 100: 473
Dart 80:454mm
Dart 100: 471mm
Dart 120: 501mm
Tora XC/SL/RACE 80: 450mm
Tora XC/SL/RACE 100: 470mm
Tora AM 80: 459mm
Tora AM 100: 479mm
Tora AM 120: 499mm
Tora AM 130: 509mm
Recon XC/SL/RACE 80: 451mm
Recon XC/SL/RACE 100: 471mm
Recon AM 80: 459mm
Recon AM 100: 479mm
Recon AM 120: 499mm
Recon AM 130: 509mm
05-08 Reba 85: 458mm
05-08 Reba 100: 473mm
05-08 Reba 115: 488mm
Reba 80: 453mm
Reba 100: 473mm
Reba 120: 493mm
06-08 Revelation 100: 478mm
06-08 Revelation 115: 493mm
06-08 Revelation 130: 508m
Revelation 140: 521mm
Revelation 140 w/Maxle Lite: 518mm
Pike 95: 473mm
Pike 140: 518mm
Boxxer Ride 130: 494mm
Boxxer & Ride 174: 544mm
Boxxer 200: 568mm
Domain 115: 500mm
Domain 160: 545mm
Domain 180: 565mm
Lyrik 115: 500mm
Lyrik 160: 545mm
Totem 135: 530mm
Totem 180: 565mm

MAGURA

All models +/-5mm
Odur 85: 458mm
Odur 100: 473mm
Menja 85: 458mm
Menja 100: 473mm
Menja 130: 498mm
Durin 80: 453mm +/-3mm
Durin 100: 473mm +/-3mm
Durin 120: 493mm +/-3mm
Thor 140: 520mm
Wotan 160: 540mm

MANITOU

All models +/- 5mm

R7 80: 456mm
R7 100: 476mm
Minute 100: 478mm
Minute 120: 498mm
Minute 130: 508mm
Minute 140: 515mm
Nixon 145: 518mm
Nixon 160: 540mm
Gold Label 80: 460mm
Gold Label 100: 480mm
Travis Single 180: 572mm
TravisTriple 180: 562mm
TravisTriple 203: 585mm

MARZOCCHI

All models +/- 5mm

TXC 60: 466mm
22 100: 479mm
22 120: 499mm
33 80: 447mm
33 100: 467mm
33 120: 487mm
44 120: 487mm
44 140: 507mm
4x 100: 490mm
Corsa 100: 467mm
DJ 100: 490mm
55 160: 541mm
55 ATA Micro 165: 546mm
66 180: 564mm
888 200: 567mm

Pit Bike fork in my first post could mount from 10" to 17" Front Wheel + Tyre
this is a sample , look at the price of this wheels set:
http://www.funbikes.co.uk/Pit_Bike_Big_Wheels_1714%282030%29.aspx

I know 17" is not even a BMX tire,
but I'm sure someone here on ES will do good use of this info, maybe Pinky V.03??

Anyway, this post was just a way to remark how DH MTB are crazy expensive compared to different (dirt) application.
That's why I was thinking to a prostitute.

Sorry folks, I had to say that, now I feel better

Thanks again, happy riding everyone!