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Higher End Fork With Straight 1/8" Tube

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Higher End Fork With Straight 1/8" Tube
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flag Keith556
O+
Posted: Aug 29, 2018 at 13:30 Quote
Hi

I have 2014 Kona Cindercone 27.5" with a straight 1/8" steer tube. I would like to upgrade the 30 Gold tk fork to a higher end fork such as Reba, SID, Fox float, manitou etc.

The problem is all the better forks have a tapered tube and Kona has advised against installing a 44-40 external head set.

I thought I would buy a used one and fix it up. After 6 months of searching I have found no higher end forks with a straight tube. Being that the 650b isn't all that old. I wonder if high end 1/8" steer tube forks we're even produced.

Mid range to low end is all I can find.

Suntour Epixon and Manitou Markhour have a straight tube. Wouldn't that be a sideways move?

Suggestions anyone?
flag gotohe11carolina
FL
Posted: Aug 29, 2018 at 13:44 Quote
A lot of the older 26 forks actually have enough room to run a 650b wheel. Google research will be your friend here.
flag jura87
Posted: Aug 29, 2018 at 14:15 Quote
I have recon 650b with straight steerer
flag Keith556
O+
Posted: Aug 29, 2018 at 14:31 Quote
Yes I've seen that Recon Silver has it. It only comes with QR axle. Not sure it would be worth it. The 30 Gold is lighter and for 2mm thicker stanchions and rl damping I'm not getting much more.

I wonder if some 26" forks can be properly converted to 27.5". That would really open the world?

Thoughts anyone??
flag Davec85
FL
Posted: Aug 30, 2018 at 10:55 Quote
How much travel? DVO have straight steerer options.
flag Keith556
O+
Posted: Aug 30, 2018 at 12:32 Quote
100mm is my limit. I didn't check tat one out.
flag Davec85
FL
Posted: Aug 30, 2018 at 15:17 Quote
Keith556 wrote:
100mm is my limit. I didn't check tat one out.

Ah, not sure if they have a fork with 100mm but they do 150 and 170 with straight steerers.
flag Keith556
O+
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 at 10:21 Quote
I don't think anything in the higher echelon of forks was made with a 1/8 tube for the 27.5"

I'm probably stuck with what I got????
flag brianl
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 at 11:16 Quote
Keith556 wrote:
I don't think anything in the higher echelon of forks was made with a 1/8 tube for the 27.5"

I'm probably stuck with what I got????
Manitou Machete Comp listed with straight steerer and 100mm, not sure if it comes with the ABS+ damper.
flag Keith556
O+
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 at 13:29 Quote
You are correct Brian I missed that one. It's really cheap on Ali Express. The suntour Epixon, Epicon is on the site also. A shame they both have QR skewer.

I wonder which one is better.
flag Davec85
FL
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 at 13:36 Quote
If it was me and providing there was sufficient clearance in the head tube, I would just install an external bottom cup to accept a tapered steerer. Did you ask Kona and if so, what was their reasoning?
flag Keith556
O+
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 at 13:58 Quote
I did ask Kona about an external headset and if I could increase travel a bit.

They gave a long speech about not increasing travel at all with good explanation.

For the headset they just said " it could cause issues". That was it.

I love my bike but hate the fork. I haven't investigated if something like a Reba could be ordered with a straight tube.
flag fxrextreme
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 at 16:53 Quote
I'd go with the adapter headset and tapered fork!
Just my two cents
Kes
flag gotohe11carolina
FL
Posted: Aug 31, 2018 at 19:45 Quote
Again, most older (nice ones too) 26 forks, i.e. the ones with straight steerers will fit a 27.5 tire without much issue. The ertro on a 27.5 is 584mm and 559mm on a 26.
As well don't get caught up in fork travel as a measurement. A more important measurement is the max axle to crown. A fox 100mm fork might be 20mm shorter axle to crown than an 100mm rock Shox fork.

Here is a handy compiled list... There are probably others as well.
http://forums.mtbr.com/27-5/official-650b-fork-thread-392220.html

Last but not least, x-fusion makes a 27.5 fork with a straight steerer (the streat.) While not blingy they are competent and well put together forks. I've owned two and was pleased with both (sweep and vengeance.). You would be just fine with a Reba as well. I've had two of them (both older dual air models) and never lacked any performance for a 100mm fork.
flag brianl
Posted: Sep 1, 2018 at 8:51 Quote
Yes, if you're able to fit a tapered fork in that frame it opens up your options a lot - several tapered steerer forks can change travel and 26/27.5 wheel size with internal spacers.
A-c - yes good point - for example my previous fork was an MRP Loop TR which was at least 10mm lower a-c than my current Mattoc at 150mm travel.
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