Fork upgrade

[Jrok]

Hi friends, would going from a rockshox recon rl to a fox 34 rhythm in the same travel be a worthy upgrade? It would seem the fox is better spec and i think the recon rl is fairly entry level?

Bike is a polygon siskiu t7

 

[moorey]

Hi friends, would going from a rockshox recon rl to a fox 34 rhythm in the same travel be a worthy upgrade? It would seem the fox is better spec and i think the recon rl is fairly entry level?

Bike is a polygon siskiu t7

Recon is basic, but not terrible, in my limited experience with later models. That said, the Fox should be a nicer fork. Is that your only option though? A s/h pike would be better again IMHO.

 

[Jrok]

Recon is basic, but not terrible, in my limited experience with later models. That said, the Fox should be a nicer fork. Is that your only option though? A s/h pike would be better again IMHO.

Thanks @moorey, not the only option so far, just saw a fairly new pair of fox 34's pop up on marketplace for 500, thought they might be decent. No rush though

 

[moorey]

Thanks @moorey, not the only option so far, just saw a fairly new pair of fox 34's pop up on marketplace for 500, thought they might be decent. No rush though

*my RS bias on display.
You’re looking for around 150mm?

 

[Rorschach]

Bomber Z2s are comparable to the 34 Rhythm and take the same air shafts, with a simpler damper. Can be had new for around $800
Also, note that Rhythms are OEM only, so you'd by default be buying secondhand.

As @moorey said though, S/H Pike is a decent option.

 

[Jrok]

Cool thank you guys, yes around 150mm. Is fox vs rs a bit like ford vs holden?

 

[moorey]

Cool thank you guys, yes around 150mm. Is fox vs rs a bit like ford vs holden?

Only if either Ford or Holden is clearly better, like RS.

 

[Daniel Hale]

Thanks @moorey, not the only option so far, just saw a fairly new pair of fox 34's pop up on marketplace for 500, thought they might be decent. No rush though

for the money i liked the rhythm -i got them from ze Germans couple yrs ago for 150euro, + post only cost me 250 new - don't know how they came by them, i wish i got more - was a very nice budget fork -even better than a higher fox i tried

problem with recon is you can't upgrade the damper i think - i think RS35 are the same,

i would wait and find a cheaper unit -500 is bit much 2nd hand for the fox, older stuff comes up time to time for 300-350, either fox or RS [fox ive had are as plush or plusher than RS, never tried lyrik, and lucky to use half travel]

buying new fork , then if you come to sell bike won't get money back for new fork -2nd hand better option if in good nick, i did see a revelation on FB marketplace, has upgradeable damper, sometimes yari cheap?? suntour maybe

 

[moorey]

for the money i liked the rhythm -i got them from ze Germans couple yrs ago for 150euro, + post only cost me 250 new - don't know how they came by them, i wish i got more - was a very nice budget fork -even better than a higher fox i tried

problem with recon is you can't upgrade the damper i think - i think RS35 are the same,

i would wait and find a cheaper unit -500 is bit much 2nd hand for the fox, older stuff comes up time to time for 300-350, either fox or RS [fox ive had are as plush or plusher than RS, never tried lyrik, and lucky to use half travel]

buying new fork , then if you come to sell bike won't get money back for new fork -2nd hand better option if in good nick, i did see a revelation on FB marketplace, has upgradeable damper, sometimes yari cheap??

There you have it @Jrok, forget the Rhythm.

 

[Jrok]

Thank you gents, and that is why i seek wisdom from the wise! legends

 

[Litenbror]

If you want Fox get this

Fox Suspension 34 Float Performance Series Boost Fork | Chain Reaction

Fox Suspension 34 Float Performance Series Boost Fork - Lowest Prices and FREE shipping available from The World's largest online bike store - Chain Reaction Cycles

www.chainreactioncycles.com

Comes out at $628 with the discount and it's upgradeable to the grip2 I think. I have had the grip damper before and liked it. Full disclosure I have bought one as the price is really good in the COVID climate.

 

[beeb]

If you want Fox get this

Fox Suspension 34 Float Performance Series Boost Fork | Chain Reaction

Fox Suspension 34 Float Performance Series Boost Fork - Lowest Prices and FREE shipping available from The World's largest online bike store - Chain Reaction Cycles

www.chainreactioncycles.com

Comes out at $628 with the discount and it's upgradeable to the grip2 I think. I have had the grip damper before and liked it. Full disclosure I have bought one as the price is really good in the COVID climate.

I'd buy a Rhythm or Z2 over the Performance version. The Rhythm/Z2 are quite a bit stiffer. The standard Grip damper is pretty decent despite being basic too.

 

[Litenbror]

I'd buy a Rhythm or Z2 over the Performance version. The Rhythm/Z2 are quite a bit stiffer. The standard Grip damper is pretty decent despite being basic too.

Interesting about the stiffness, is that from personal experience or reviews? I'm looking at putting them on the Waltly as they are almost half a kg lighter than the durolux and I had good experiences with the rhythm I used to have.

 

[Litenbror]

Also the reviews I read said it was the same as a factory just black stanchions rather then Kashima.

 

[ozzybmx]

for the money i liked the rhythm -i got them from ze Germans couple yrs ago for 150euro, + post only cost me 250 new - don't know how they came by them, i wish i got more - was a very nice budget fork -even better than a higher fox i tried

They came from BikeDiscount, had grey OEM Rhythm decals. What a steal they were !
I regret selling the 2 I bought on my boys bikes. Should have fitted the original 120mm RS golds and took the 130mm Rhythms off.
The Grip damper worked nicer than my overdamped factory 36.

I still have a 150mm Rhythm on my Scout HT, works well for a Fox fork... I've never had a single issue with the Grip damper Rhythms. Including non creaking CSUs on the 3 I have owned.

 

[HamboCairns]

Have a look at Suntour Auron or Durolux.

I just moved from a 140mm Recon Silver to a 140mm Suntour Zeron and it feels a lot better.

 

[beeb]

Interesting about the stiffness, is that from personal experience or reviews? I'm looking at putting them on the Waltly as they are almost half a kg lighter than the durolux and I had good experiences with the rhythm I used to have.

Also the reviews I read said it was the same as a factory just black stanchions rather then Kashima.

Yep, I've had a Rhythm 34 and two Factory 34's (and three Factory 36's and a Marz Z1).

The Rhythm / Marzocchi variants are noticeably stiffer (in both 34 and 36mm variants). Like you say, the Performance/Performance Elite/Factory are all the same stanchions, just different colour treatments. The stachions on the Rhythm and Marz 'Z' forks are thicker which aids the stiffness quite a bit, but they also have thicker forgings (not as much machined away) of the CSU . They weigh a bit more but you get added stiffness as a bonus. I wouldn't buy another Performance/Factory spec fork to be honest... Bear in mind that I am a 90-something kg hack though, so lighter riders may find the lighter forks okay.

 

[HamboCairns]

Yep, I've had a Rhythm 34 and two Factory 34's (and three Factory 36's and a Marz Z1).

The Rhythm / Marzocchi variants are noticeably stiffer (in both 34 and 36mm variants). Like you say, the Performance/Performance Elite/Factory are all the same stanchions, just different colour treatments. The stachions on the Rhythm and Marz 'Z' forks are thicker which aids the stiffness quite a bit, but they also have thicker forgings (not as much machined away) of the CSU . They weigh a bit more but you get added stiffness as a bonus. I wouldn't buy another Performance/Factory spec fork to be honest... Bear in mind that I am a 90-something kg hack though, so lighter riders may find the lighter forks okay.

What about a Fox 36 Performance over a 34 Rythm?

 

[Litenbror]

Yep, I've had a Rhythm 34 and two Factory 34's (and three Factory 36's and a Marz Z1).

The Rhythm / Marzocchi variants are noticeably stiffer (in both 34 and 36mm variants). Like you say, the Performance/Performance Elite/Factory are all the same stanchions, just different colour treatments. The stachions on the Rhythm and Marz 'Z' forks are thicker which aids the stiffness quite a bit, but they also have thicker forgings (not as much machined away) of the CSU . They weigh a bit more but you get added stiffness as a bonus. I wouldn't buy another Performance/Factory spec fork to be honest... Bear in mind that I am a 90-something kg hack though, so lighter riders may find the lighter forks okay.

Thanks @beeb some good food for thought. Will give it a go on the Waltly and if I don't like it, at the price I'm paying, can move it on for minimal loss.

 

[beeb]

What about a Fox 36 Performance over a 34 Rythm?

They feel similar, probably a slight win to the 36 - but they were also setup with 20-40mm longer travel which would've made it tougher on them so in the same travel they'd probably be noticeably stiffer. It's worth mentioning the fore-aft fork flex is something I'm a bit OCD about. Most folk don't even notice it.