Fork steerer tube Q's.

[manual63]

I bent my Marzocchi EXR Comp that came on my P.2. I actually bent it forward, not back, landing a double short, or casing as some call it, at Umpah Lumpah Village.

The Marzocchi website says the steerer tube is steel. That's pretty vage in my book. I only see steel or aluminum listed as steerer tube materials. So how do you know if this steel is hi-ten steel or Chromoly. If my EXR Comp has a Chromoly steerer tube, I am surprised I bent is so easily.

To me, the steerer tube is one of the most crucial components of a fork and most manufacturers are very vage about their steerer tube descriptions, but they will go into detail about the crown, stanchions, and suspension. So how do I find out these details? Do I have to try to contact every company on each fork or is there a better way?

A frustrated Shad is not a good Shad......:)

[Kosk]

You asked about a steel steerer holding up in the For Sale forum. What was the steerer on the EXR like? Where along the length did it bend? Did it have a constant wall thickness throughout the tube? I just bought a Z150 and the steerer tube has a tapered inside diameter, it is very thick walled at the crown (.25"ish inner diameter), and then tapers outwards towards a normal steerer tube inner diameter at the top, allowing room for a starnut.

You may want to call and ask Marz if the steerer found on the '04 Z150 FR is used on any of their other forks (DJ I, II, etc). I haven't gotten a chance to install it yet, let alone stress test it by riding for a whole season, but the steerer tube is way over built (from an engineering stand point), and that is something it sounds like you want. I would stay away from aluminum for a DJing fork, the modulus of elacticity in general is 1/3 that of steel (meaning it has 1/3 the strengh for identical geometries), it strain hardens easier, and the fatigue life is WAY less. I'll see if anything I have mentions anything about the steerer tube on my fork.

[jeffgude]

Do I want to know?

[Buck]

Shad,

Most people don't ask for a specifics when it comes to steer tubes that is why they don't list it. Steel is good b/c it bends before it breaks, my bro did the samething with a manitou x-vert.

2nd. What you did breaks forks all the time, just cruise over to mtbr.com...consider yourself lucky that it didn't break!
3rd. Call Marz and get a new fork sent out. If they don't send you a brand new one, either that or they will crash replace you one at cost. That is what they did for me, they are a standup company!
4. here is their number. (661) 257 6630. they have an 800 number too, but I don't have that!

good luck.
L8R
Buck

[Jordan M.]

where and what is umpha lumpa village?

[manual63]

where and what is umpha lumpa village?
It's a cool and well known jumping spot in Edina built by BMXers. I gave it a new name that's better the the previous lame name it had.


:D:D

[manual63]

Shad,

Most people don't ask for a specifics when it comes to steer tubes that is why they don't list it. Steel is good b/c it bends before it breaks, my bro did the samething with a manitou x-vert.

2nd. What you did breaks forks all the time, just cruise over to mtbr.com...consider yourself lucky that it didn't break!
3rd. Call Marz and get a new fork sent out. If they don't send you a brand new one, either that or they will crash replace you one at cost. That is what they did for me, they are a standup company!
4. here is their number. (661) 257 6630. they have an 800 number too, but I don't have that!

good luck.
L8R
Buck
Dude, I will try this.

Thanks.

[manual63]

Related to my Fork Questions. What about the hub and axle. As I shop for forks, I see some with a big fat axle that gets clamped in. What is this system called and what hubs can be used with it? I am still pretty clueless, but I can certainly see why this fat axle is the way to go, it will make the fork a lot stiffer.

[Buck]

Shad,
You are talking about the 20mm thru axle, most DH/FR use this. Super beefy front axel that bolts instead of using the chinsy little QR stuff. Means you'll have to lace up a new wheel but believe me it is worth it!
L8R
Buck

[manual63]

Marzocchi wants to sell me a Dirt Jumper 3 fork for a crash replacement. He said it's really strong but it's about 7 pounds. It has a standard QR on it. What do you think about this fork?

I can get one of the Z1 forks for around 300 - 350 range depanding on model. Are those good forks?

[Buck]

Shad,

Dude, the DJ3 is actually better then the EXR, the EXR is the lowest fork in the Marz catalog. BUT the DJ3 is still not the best. As for the Z150, sweet fork, might rake out the front end just a tad, but lots of people use them on hardtails and they run the 20mm axle. Awesome, awesome fork, that is what I would go with.
L8R
Buck
PS. And quit worrying about weight!!!

[manual63]

PS. And quit worrying about weight!!!
Believe it or not, weight makes a big difference.

I went through the weight progression already and I don't want to go through it again with freeride bikes. In the early 90's BMX freestyle bikes were really heavy. They were around 40 or so pounds. Since about 2000 or so, many BMX companies have made a serious effort to make light weight and stronger BMX freestyle (and now dirt jumping) bikes.

I lightened my freestyle bike by about 5 pounds this year and man it makes a huge difference. The bike is easier to control and throw around. I can hop and jump higher on it and I don't get nearly as worn out as I used to. So if I can reduce weight, I will. A lighter bike will allow you to land smoother, thus making the bike take less abuse.

So the bottom line is that I am not happy putting on a 7 pound fork. I rode Ben's Kona Hardtail jumper and it was a lot easier to ride than my P.2 because it was much lighter. Weight does make a difference........to me anyway.

[Kosk]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommending the Z150 for the P, it would be a little tall, and way to heavy. The DJ I & II are nicer forks, but I'm guessing they are out of your price range....?

I've never owned a manitou, so I can't say yeah, or nay, but they have the Stance Static for '05; 80mm or 100mm fork specific for dirt jumping, 20mm TA, budget priced....just throwing it out there.

I'm selling a '04 Psylo on ebay, more of a trail fork, but I have owned two ('02 & '04) and beat the $hit out of them and they seem to hold up, not sure if it is the best solution for you, but it could be a back up plan, let me know if you get stuck.

[redheat86]

Shad if you need to..wile i still have my kona.. you can try out the fork if need be..

It is not a top model fork but it worked great.

04 drop off comp.




Yeah, I wouldn't recommending the Z150 for the P, it would be a little tall, and way to heavy. The DJ I & II are nicer forks, but I'm guessing they are out of your price range....?

I've never owned a manitou, so I can't say yeah, or nay, but they have the Stance Static for '05; 80mm or 100mm fork specific for dirt jumping, 20mm TA, budget priced....just throwing it out there.

I'm selling a '04 Psylo on ebay, more of a trail fork, but I have owned two ('02 & '04) and beat the $hit out of them and they seem to hold up, not sure if it is the best solution for you, but it could be a back up plan, let me know if you get stuck.

[Buck]

yeah shad,

I hear ya man, but then when you go do real DH you'll wish you had the heavier bike, it'll push through things on the trail easier and you won't get kicked around as much. But hey man if you are using the bike purely for DJ, go to it. I like a heavier bike, rides smoother, and is better for the trail if you are doing DH and more Techy riding. In the long run that extra pound or two could be lost in smart tire selection, that is the easiest and most noticable place to lose weight. I know about weight, I ride a bike that weights close to 50 pds!!!

Anyway Kosk, posted up another good option, I've also had the chance to ride Rock Shox PIKE. I thought that was a very nice fork as well. Good luck with what you pick and keep it rubber side down.


L8R
Buck

[manual63]

Yeah, I can see where the weight would come in handy for full on downhill. If I get a dual suspension bike, I won't care about weight as much. I probably won't ride skateparks and typical technical BMX style stuff on a dual, but I do a lot of BMX type stuff on my P.2........so having a lighter bike is nice in that case.