26" Suspension fork that can be REBUILT?
 

I'm tired of throwing away suspension forks after a few years because parts are not available. The bushings wear out which makes the fork wobble, and eventually it's too much to deal with. For what it's worth, I've been using the cheap 1990s elastomer Rock Shox forks (Indy and others) that everyone hates.

Are there any new or vintage forks that you can still get parts for? Fox, Marzocchi, others? Rock Shox still offers the Recon Silver TK Air which fits my needs. But it's heavy, and I can't figure out where to buy bushings when they wear out...

Requirements:
- For 26" wheels
- V-brake
- 1 1/8" steerer
- Ideally 60-80mm of travel but up to 100mm is ok

Don't bother suggesting I "upgrade" (downgrade) to a modern MTB or disc brakes. I like the bike I have, and I haven't liked any of the newer MTBs I've tried as much as mine. I'll go rigid if I have to, but I like having front suspension.

You might look at Chain Reaction Cycles; they had some vintage NOS models set up for "V's" about a year ago.

Rats, they are all out of stock now. I've heard good things about the old Marzocchis and a quick search indicates the parts to rebuild one may still (used to?) be available. I could track down a used one. A simple coil spring is especially attractive to me, with no air cartridges to fail.

https://www.mtbforksbymark.com/

i've had email exchange with mark. nice guy and helpful. if you get a fork like on ebay or something, he'd very likely be able to rebuild it or have the parts for you. i found an atom bomb Z2 at a thrift store for $10 with an aluminum steerer several years ago. they're out there

Rockshox doesn't seem to like bushing replacement. They tend to offer complete new lower slider assemblies with bushings and seals installed.

Probably the only way to find what you want is to go to the used market. I’d look for something by Fox. V-brake capable forks are difficult to find but some pop up occasionally on Fleabay. I usually just send my forks out to Risse Racing. They’ve done a good job on several forks for me.

One of the things that goaded me to get a new mountain bike in 2018 was that not a thing about my Hardrock was like a current bike. Since that buy, have not lost much. B+ 2.8's are still around though not on many new bikes. The bike can support 29er if I begin to strike out. 11 speed parts were popular for a while and not long ago (MY12-18) and Shimano, the great segmenter, is still launching down market and gravel groups with appropriate chains and cassettes. The rest of it is still good to receive whatever's on the market. I think the "new standards" march is taking a few years off due to the global supply bla bla.

I wouldn't avoid disc if I were you. There are many more decent used forks available with disc. Just shop for a front wheel while you're looking for olde straight steerer forks. It's usually not too long before you find a nice 26er QR front wheel with rotor for $50 or so, then all you need is a decent cable actuated caliper. Cable disc in front, Vee in the back is a pretty nice setup IMO.

If you decide you don't mind disc, and want the easy-to-find option, this is a decent way to go,
https://www.jensonusa.com/manitou-ma...Steerer-9mm-QR
then buy a rebuild kit or two, looks like they're going for $35 apiece.
https://blueskycycling.com/products/...build-kit-2009

Wow, that's almost as light as my ancient fork and a full pound lighter than the new Rock Shox offering. Seems like it would be worth mounting V-brake bosses to...

I've tried well over a dozen bikes with disc brakes including new demo units, ones setup by professional shop mechanics, and ones that I tried to setup. They are all utter crap. They usually rub, squeal, have terrible modulation, and the levers bottom out on the bars before the rear wheel is lifted with the front brake. Mechanical or hydro, it doesn't matter. They are useless to me. Everyone claims that disc brakes work, but I have yet to actually see it. My MTB will go rigid before it gets a disc brake.

Facing similar issue not too long ago, I scoured the major used platforms and found a couple of old school Marzocchi Bombers. Found some aftermarket seals, but having a harder time tuning then to my weight (need heavier springs).

Jake—given what you want, I'd contact Marzocchi Mark. I'm a shop mechanic and have sent a handful of vintage forks his way for customers and the quality of his work is impeccable. It's likely he has something in stock that'll work for you and you can trust his assessment of its condition. His
work doesn't come cheap but it's more than fair.

If the Recon fits your needs, then get it.

RS forks are very easy to work on, and I have found rebuild kits easily available for even my 2005 Pike and 2007 Reba.

if you change the oil the lowers when you’re supposed to, you’re not going to wear out the bushings in this lifetime.

Thanks everyone for the responses. I knew I came to the right place. I asked something similar in the MTB section a while ago and everyone just told me to buy a new bike. :rolleyes:

I e-mailed Mark and Risse. If nothing pans out there, I'm going to figure out how to add V-brake mounts to that Manitou fork.

here's a manitou with the bosses

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22482040632...3ABFBMxMT3ndhf

some nice options....

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18527351037...AAAOSwISlh9DFC

when rst made good forks
https://www.ebay.com/itm/38461642902...4AAOSwPIdhv5yU

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26549623845...cAAOSwNuhh3fHG

Brakes are important. I really like the Markhour and recommend/install it often, but please don't hodge-podge a V brake onto a fork with only disc mounts. Look and I'm sure you'll find a decent fork from the era where 26", V-Brake forks were common enough