Front suspension fork upgrade?

[Fordulike]

In the near future, I'll be looking to upgrade my fairly ordinary front suspension fork that came with the bike, to something slightly better.

The bike currently has this one fitted:

http://www.srsuntour-cycling.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Consumer/Bike/Exploded views/2014/SF13-XCT-DS-26-80-(1).PDF

With only a single spring to provide the damping, I can see why this is at the low end of the Suntour range.

Don't get me wrong, it's not awful, but as I'm getting braver on the forest tracks, I'm discovering the forks limitations.

So, can anyone who has had experience with x-country riding, recommend me a replacement in the £100-£150 range please.

Don't worry, Fordulike hasn't gone full lycra..... Well, not quite yet

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Any air forks will be OK. Rockshox Reba and Fox Float are pretty good and can be found used on Ebay for £100 to £150.

 

[Fordulike]

Any air forks will be OK. Rockshox Reba and Fox Float are pretty good and can be found used on Ebay for £100 to £150.

Thanks Dave, are there any headset specs I need to check on my bike first, to ensure the fork I buy will fit?

I've read about tapered and straight. I'm not too clued up about the front end side of things.

The bike is a 2014 Ridgeback 604LX.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Tapered means that you have a bigger bearing at the bottom than the top.You have to have a tapered steering head on your bike for that, which you can normally see.

The only other thing is the length of the steerer tube. You must measure from the bottom of the head tube on your frame to the top and add about 30mm to clamp the stem on. That's the minimum length you need . You can use the opportunity to raise the bars if you get forks with a longer steerer tube.New forks have a very long steerer tube, which you normally have to cut down a bit.

If you want to keep your brake the same, you need the same type of mount, i.e. post or side mount, otherwise you'll have to buy a new adapter.

 

[Nealh]

Also before you buy check the drops outs are the right type as some higher end/trail forks have through maxle's instead of the std open end axles.

 

[Fordulike]

Thanks to you both for the info.