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Help - Straight Steerer Fork Options

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Help - Straight Steerer Fork Options

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flag natelsimmons
Posted: Nov 14, 2022 at 15:16 Quote
I need any help I can get. I have a 2010 Stumpy that came with a Fox Talas 100/120/140 front shock. The shock has gone out and it is apparently no longer serviceable per my LBS and what I can find online as well.

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/stumpjumper-fsr-elite/p/23211?color=34239-23211

Since my frame is from 2010 it has a 1 1/8" straight head tube so that is putting a big constraint on my replacement options.

I am at a loss. It seems almost everywhere I search, the options are sub-par for a replacement fork. I love my bike and it was $2,900 when new (granted 12 years ago) so it seems like replacing my fork is an effort in futility to find anything with even marginal travel that is not a "lower end fork".

Besides slapping a cheap fork on it and selling to get a newer bike that can accept a tapered fork, what are my options?

I have found:

Manitou Markhor with 120mm of travel in 26 & 27.5
Rockshox Recon with 120mm of travel in 26 & 27.5
Rockshox Judy Gold with 100mm of travel in 26 & 27.5
Rockshox Reba with 120mm of travel in a 26 only

I like the Manitou over the Rockshox but not really sure why. They both seem about even on ability.

The Reba is more expensive but I am not really sure why. It looks to be very similar to the Recon.

Also open to going to 27.5 up front if that would make any difference. I would think the 27.5 would roll over features on the trail more efficiently so it may reduce the need for more travel. Just at a loss and hoping someone else has found a possible solution that I have not found yet.

Thanks in advance
flag Lylat
Posted: Nov 15, 2022 at 0:53 Quote
I’m fairly certain that year of stumpjumper used a 44mm head tube meaning you can run an external 44mm cup (EC44) and then use a tapered fork.

Lots of good used options available that way.

If your bike is as specced on that link you’ll probably have to track down a different front wheel. 15x110 or 15x100 axle depending on the fork.

If you go 27.5 front with the EC44 it will raise your front end by about 30mm. So a 120mm fork will ride a bit taller than your TALAS did at 140.
flag Reaperactual
Posted: Nov 15, 2022 at 1:52 Quote
As mentioned above by @Lylat my initial thought would have been a simple external cup headset to allow for a tapered steerer tube fork too.

Anyhow just looked at the specs linked and it says a 'Campy style cartridge bearings for integrated alloy HT' which I think means the EC idea is out. Unfortunately I believe this headtube type will only work with intergrated/direct fit cartridge bearing headsets. Cry

Without looking at the fork spec I assume the more expensive of the RockShox options would probably just have an extra tuning feature, remote lockout or something over the other one or maybe it's just the travel difference.

Between all your fork options I guess look into the pros, cons, features and decide on what you prefer or suits you most.

Fwiw I reckon it would be kinda cool to go down mullet route.
flag natelsimmons
Posted: Nov 15, 2022 at 11:48 Quote
Thank you both for this detail. I checked and my frame does Not have the 44mm head tube so I cannot use the EC44.
flag BarneyStinson
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 1:14 Quote
Once your bike gets past the age where it’s no longer using current standards (wheel size, boost, one by, tapered headsets etc) maintaining it becomes an endeavour in itself. In the past I’ve found this to be about 8-10 years old.

At this point I think you have a few options.

If you’re riding regularly, then I’d just bite the bullet and get a new bike. The reason being, that if you’re anything like me, keeping a bike maintained is a constant battle as parts wear out and break, and if you’re having to do that for old standards then you’ll end up spending a lot of time waiting for parts to arrive. Also you’ll be amazed at how much more capable modern bikes are.

Your other options for this particular problem of getting your fork serviced is to contact some suspension specialists (rather than an LBS that also does suspension) who may still be able to service your current fork.

Lastly, if you’re determined to keep the bike running then there are specific old bike forums (eg retrobike.co.uk) that share information on how to pick up parts etc. I believe that eBay is your friend here.

Quickly looking at the selection of compatible forks that you’ve found, the things that jump out at me are whether the drop outs are compatible, and whether they’re actually suitable for the type of riding that you’d do on the bike. In general I think they’d be a downgrade (32mm stanchions?!) and wouldn’t ride very well. I also think you may struggle with durability and servicing.
flag muddytreker
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 10:47 Quote
Theres always a way : )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5okPm9Sn8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFvPNWAH6Kg

http://blueliquidlabs.com/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/steerer-tube-pressing-tools/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/tapered-to-1-18-steerer-tube-adapter/


An eg reference material as stirlingbikedoctor workshop now closed

https://www.stirlingbikedoctor.co.uk/suspension-service/
flag BarneyStinson
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 11:00 Quote
muddytreker wrote:
Theres always a way : )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5okPm9Sn8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFvPNWAH6Kg

http://blueliquidlabs.com/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/steerer-tube-pressing-tools/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/tapered-to-1-18-steerer-tube-adapter/


An eg reference material as stirlingbikedoctor workshop now closed

https://www.stirlingbikedoctor.co.uk/suspension-service/

Unfortunately I don’t think any of those solve the problem that OP posted about?
flag natelsimmons
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 12:11 Quote
BarneyStinson wrote:
muddytreker wrote:
Theres always a way : )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5okPm9Sn8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFvPNWAH6Kg

http://blueliquidlabs.com/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/steerer-tube-pressing-tools/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/tapered-to-1-18-steerer-tube-adapter/


An eg reference material as stirlingbikedoctor workshop now closed

https://www.stirlingbikedoctor.co.uk/suspension-service/

Unfortunately I don’t think any of those solve the problem that OP posted about?

These are helpful as an alternative. I am actually looking into what it would cost have a Straight Steer Tube pressed into a modern fork with a Tapered Steerer. We'll see.
flag BarneyStinson
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 12:15 Quote
natelsimmons wrote:
BarneyStinson wrote:
muddytreker wrote:
Theres always a way : )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5okPm9Sn8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFvPNWAH6Kg

http://blueliquidlabs.com/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/steerer-tube-pressing-tools/

http://blueliquidlabs.com/portfolio-items/tapered-to-1-18-steerer-tube-adapter/


An eg reference material as stirlingbikedoctor workshop now closed

https://www.stirlingbikedoctor.co.uk/suspension-service/

Unfortunately I don’t think any of those solve the problem that OP posted about?

These are helpful as an alternative. I am actually looking into what it would cost have a Straight Steer Tube pressed into a modern fork with a Tapered Steerer. We'll see.

I stand corrected.

Is it even possible to press a straight tube into a tapered fork? I thought that tapered tubes had a different diameter to straight ones?
flag natelsimmons
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 13:59 Quote
BarneyStinson wrote:
Once your bike gets past the age where it’s no longer using current standards (wheel size, boost, one by, tapered headsets etc) maintaining it becomes an endeavour in itself. In the past I’ve found this to be about 8-10 years old.

At this point I think you have a few options.

If you’re riding regularly, then I’d just bite the bullet and get a new bike. The reason being, that if you’re anything like me, keeping a bike maintained is a constant battle as parts wear out and break, and if you’re having to do that for old standards then you’ll end up spending a lot of time waiting for parts to arrive. Also you’ll be amazed at how much more capable modern bikes are.

Your other options for this particular problem of getting your fork serviced is to contact some suspension specialists (rather than an LBS that also does suspension) who may still be able to service your current fork.

Lastly, if you’re determined to keep the bike running then there are specific old bike forums (eg retrobike.co.uk) that share information on how to pick up parts etc. I believe that eBay is your friend here.

Quickly looking at the selection of compatible forks that you’ve found, the things that jump out at me are whether the drop outs are compatible, and whether they’re actually suitable for the type of riding that you’d do on the bike. In general I think they’d be a downgrade (32mm stanchions?!) and wouldn’t ride very well. I also think you may struggle with durability and servicing.

Thank you for the recommendation of looking for a suspension shop that could service this older fork.

I have found a shop that says they can service this Fox Talas Fork for me.

https://www.risseracing.com/suspension_service.shtml

I reached out to them and they said they can service my fork!!! $200 and I ship them my fork!!! I think for now problem solved. Hopefully nothing else goes out... I'm going to start saving now for a new bike.
flag muddytreker
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 18:17 Quote
"Unfortunately I don’t think any of those solve the problem that OP posted about?"

If you have an older frame that will only take a straight 118 steerer, your choices for a new fork
may be limited, however, replace the steerer on a new fork and most new forks will with there fancy up to date tech
now be made to fit an older frame, whence my post

"Is it even possible to press a straight tube into a tapered fork? I thought that tapered tubes had a different diameter to straight ones? "

Linky link links will show the magic of small O tubes in big holes : )
flag muddytreker
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 18:41 Quote
For future ref

With older Fox forks you can switch out dampers in there respective stanchion size
with other Fox fork models, depending, I have changed 2005 yr Fox Floats into Vanillas, Talas
into floats, Fox 36 FIT RC2s into open bath Vanillas as the service kit for the RC2 was discontinued
by Fox, source older forks, spares, dampers off Ebay etc

You can even mix and match lowers with CSUs, again depending, convert 26" lower to a 27.5" lower and
vice versa, you may have to ream or change the bushings, though not always, so dont think
just because its an older fork your dead with it even if the shop, dealer says so, there governed by
there up to date inventory, they wont stock a 2010 Fox 36 VAN R needle adjuster, but some time,
somewhere Ebay will, turns out a Fox 32 open bath damper shares the same size needle adjuster.

Theres usually always a way you just aint thought it found it yet : )
flag BarneyStinson
Posted: Nov 16, 2022 at 23:44 Quote
muddytreker wrote:
"Unfortunately I don’t think any of those solve the problem that OP posted about?"

If you have an older frame that will only take a straight 118 steerer, your choices for a new fork
may be limited, however, replace the steerer on a new fork and most new forks will with there fancy up to date tech
now be made to fit an older frame, whence my post

"Is it even possible to press a straight tube into a tapered fork? I thought that tapered tubes had a different diameter to straight ones? "

Linky link links will show the magic of small O tubes in big holes : )

Ha ha, thank you for educating me.
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