Spanner

Can anyone make any recommendations for replacement forks on a Bonty Privateer? I'm currently still with the originally supplied Judy XCs with a mighty 2.5 inches travel. I'm wary of making any change which will upset the naturally lively/twitchy front end. Prime candidate apepars to be the SID Team or Race. Anyone have any better suggestions, ideally with first hand experience? Or would I be better off seeking out NOS spares for the Judys and rebuilding them? Thanks.

Svr

Rock Shox Sid, Manitou R7, Fox F80 and the Marzocchi Corsa are a few.

Two things to consider -

Steerer tube size --> 1" forks are scarce these days.

Brakes --> good forks that support center pull cantilevers don't exist anymore, and models that support side pull cantilevers (V-brakes) are getting to be few and far between.

JiveTurkey

Aren't brake bosses usable for both traditional cantilever and linear pull cantilever (V) brakes?

There are plenty of V-brake ready suspension forks out there.

Svr

Yeah, but for center pull cantilevers, a cable housing stop is required on the fork brace. This small detail disappeared forever around 1997.

M_S

You can get a hanger that mounts under the stem/spacers. Or one that ataches to the fndr mount on the fork, if there is one.

That said, no point unning cantis if you can use vees.

Svr

Won't work at all. The brake cable housing must stop at the part of the fork that connects the front wheel and brakes together.

BFG

You plan on putting more than one fork on your bike?
Pics when you do it dude.

Spanner

It's a '98 Privateer, so is 1 1/8". I use discs F&R.

I accept than any new fork will have greater travel, but will the axle to crown length be an issue when moving from the Judys?

Svr

I don't remember how much travel was common for XC forks in 1998, (63mm,72mm,75mm?) but you can bet a longer fork will slightly alter the steering feel.

The RS Sids come with a spacer to drop the travel down to 63mm.