Post by flipnidaho on Feb 19, 2008 3:37:53 GMT 8
I needed a new fork and I've always wanted to try a White Brothers fork out. I found this on mtbr and bought it for $200.
It weighs around 3.3 lbs and has a little over 3" of travel (8/10 of an inch). The spring is a Total Air Kit (Englund Air Cartridge) on the left leg and a compression cartridge with external compression and rebound adjust.
Pros :
The best thing about this fork is it's stiffness. It replaced a SID and a Magura Asgard and it is noticeably stiffer (32mm stanchions).
Weight (on par with a Reba World Cup and lighter than Fox F80's)
Graphics- Tastefully simple
Maintenance- Super easy. I can break down this fork and put it back together in 10 minutes needing only a 1.5mm allen and a 24mm socket (and a shock pump of course). This is a good thing since it's not an open bath system so if I rode this fork every day, I would have to relube the bushings/seals every month (or every 40 hours).
Air spring offers infinite adjustability.
The self contained cartridge for air and compression means that the fork will not spew oil like Fox forks do (since Fox's and RS forks rely on oil seals, dust wipers andfoam rings to keep oil inside the fork.
Available with canti-studs.
Cons:
I would like more rebound and compression adjustability range.
Overall a good fork for the weight. It's higher maintenance but maintenance is so easy that I don't mind breaking open the fork once in a great while (Rockshox, Marzocchi and Fox forks are more of a major project when it comes to rebuilding). The compression adjustment needs to be tuned in combination with the proper air spring. Otherwise, the fork will blow through it's travel during hard braking. I'm running about 150 to 160 psi for my 125 lbs (about 135lbs riding weight). Total Air Carts are prone to leaking over time as the O-rings dry out. It's a 10 minute job to relube the O-rings which should be done at least once a year. MRP still sells the O-ring kits for $8 a set.
This maybe the bike I take to the PI in a couple of months...
Right side...
Left side....
Air spring valve...
Compression knob....
The knob rotates about 280 degrees with the 7 o'clock position being locked out (although it still has about 5 to 10mm of travel) and the 11 o'clock position being fully open.
White Brothers also has great customer service. They can customize this fork with the Magic/IMV (platform) cartridge, newer version air spring (low pressure cart instead of the high pressure Englund system), 1" steerer, etc... All for a fee of course... I think this may not be my last WB fork...
It weighs around 3.3 lbs and has a little over 3" of travel (8/10 of an inch). The spring is a Total Air Kit (Englund Air Cartridge) on the left leg and a compression cartridge with external compression and rebound adjust.
Pros :
The best thing about this fork is it's stiffness. It replaced a SID and a Magura Asgard and it is noticeably stiffer (32mm stanchions).
Weight (on par with a Reba World Cup and lighter than Fox F80's)
Graphics- Tastefully simple
Maintenance- Super easy. I can break down this fork and put it back together in 10 minutes needing only a 1.5mm allen and a 24mm socket (and a shock pump of course). This is a good thing since it's not an open bath system so if I rode this fork every day, I would have to relube the bushings/seals every month (or every 40 hours).
Air spring offers infinite adjustability.
The self contained cartridge for air and compression means that the fork will not spew oil like Fox forks do (since Fox's and RS forks rely on oil seals, dust wipers andfoam rings to keep oil inside the fork.
Available with canti-studs.
Cons:
I would like more rebound and compression adjustability range.
Overall a good fork for the weight. It's higher maintenance but maintenance is so easy that I don't mind breaking open the fork once in a great while (Rockshox, Marzocchi and Fox forks are more of a major project when it comes to rebuilding). The compression adjustment needs to be tuned in combination with the proper air spring. Otherwise, the fork will blow through it's travel during hard braking. I'm running about 150 to 160 psi for my 125 lbs (about 135lbs riding weight). Total Air Carts are prone to leaking over time as the O-rings dry out. It's a 10 minute job to relube the O-rings which should be done at least once a year. MRP still sells the O-ring kits for $8 a set.
This maybe the bike I take to the PI in a couple of months...
Right side...
Left side....
Air spring valve...
Compression knob....
The knob rotates about 280 degrees with the 7 o'clock position being locked out (although it still has about 5 to 10mm of travel) and the 11 o'clock position being fully open.
White Brothers also has great customer service. They can customize this fork with the Magic/IMV (platform) cartridge, newer version air spring (low pressure cart instead of the high pressure Englund system), 1" steerer, etc... All for a fee of course... I think this may not be my last WB fork...