160mm Fork

[BikerDave]

Building up a 2008 Heckler for being my agressive xc / light downhill bike (my ride weight is 160lbs).   I put the Fox DHx 5.0 coil on the back and the front I was trying to get the 2009 Fox Talas RC2, but my LBS has had my bike for 8 weeks and the shock is back ordered from Fox.   Anyone have any other suggestions for a plush 160mm Shock for the bike.   I already have a 2006 Specialized Expert 120 to be my XC bike and this one is for the drops and occasional downhilling....

[jeff]

Don't waste your money on the 36 Talas.....reviews on MTBR are not favorable.

Get a 36 Vanilla to match the DHX (and then have the DHX Pushed)

[hooples3]

depending on how hard you ride.. and the size of the drop offs you may want to go with the vanilla with the 15mmQR for more stability.. but if your going more DH than xc wait for the 36.. its worth it

[jeff]

Ha!  The 15mm axle is a waste of time and money - it is a marketing ploy to get the consumer to spend more noney - just like 9 speed replaced 8 speed - didn't really need it. In a few years, 15mm will be gone, because riders are not buying into it. Just go to a 20mm and all problems of stiffness are gone.
Also, depending on what hubs you have, a 15mm will force you to replace an already existing hub. My Mavics are 9/20 compatable.

The Vanilla 32/15mm fork is a 140mm travel model. If you want 160mm travel you need to go with the 36.

Read all about it: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=483339&highlight=9mm+vs+15mm

[hooples3]

Ha!  The 15mm axle is a waste of time and money - it is a marketing ploy to get the consumer to spend more noney - just like 9 speed replaced 8 speed - didn't really need it. In a few years, 15mm will be gone, because riders are not buying into it. Just go to a 20mm and all problems of stiffness are gone.
Also, depending on what hubs you have, a 15mm will force you to replace an already existing hub. My Mavics are 9/20 compatable.

The Vanilla 32/15mm fork is a 140mm travel model. If you want 160mm travel you need to go with the 36.

Read all about it: http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=483339&highlight=9mm+vs+15mm

Have you ridden the 15mm.. it feels a lot different/stiffer then last years 32. some may seem like its a waste of money.. but the difference is there.. .
On the Heckler i would strongly recommend a 32 not the 36. the 36 is too big of a fork for that bike. i have had it set up both ways.. and lik e i said previously if your mainly DH'ing ( why would you on a heckler, there are far better choices out there for that)  then go with a 36.. if your mostly aggresive trail riding the 32 is more than enough . plus the bike will be lighter
just my 2 cents

[woody7795]

i just got a 2 step lyric and to be honest i love it a whole lot better than my old talas.i picked it up on ebay for short money.

[BikerDave]

Thanks for all the info...I went with the 2009 Fox Vanilla 36 RC2, my LBS recommended it and I have a few buddies that are riding the 2008 version and love it...will be getting the bike back next week and hopefully can get it out for a spin....decided the spring fork would be a better match for the usage...