Originally Posted by
veganbikes
Rockshox means nothing they make some lower end coil shocks as well. Yes if I was to have a bottom end fork sure Rockshox would be the way to go but I wouldn't really want a coil shock unless it was something high end and even then I think I am fairly well sold on air shocks.
The Marlin 8 does have a Judy Solo Air shock which would be fine. It is an entry level air shock but well regarded enough for an entry level bike.
Santa Cruz doesn't play in the low end bikes because they don't need to muck around in that and dilute their product range as there are already established brands like Trek and Specialized and others who already have that market.
Yeah --- im a long time Fox guy myself, so am not up to speed on RockShox's product line - i just assumed Suntour ruled that low end coil spring market now.
Interestingly enough (and speaking of Santa Cruz) in 2006 i had a Superlight custom specce'd by Cambria Bicycle Outfitters while in the area on business. I actually requested that they install a Fox Vanilla coil fork on there for me with the springs appropriate for my weight. Air forks were well established by this time, but a good coil fork had a ride quality that was not yet matched , and didnt pack when it got hot like the air forks of the day tended to do - The guys' at CBO warned me the coil fork added about a pound of weight , but after speaking to me they realized i had actually given it some thought
Not trying to counterpoint you or anything, as that was -- sheesh - over 16 years ago. My new bike is all air , and even some of the big travel DH forks are air now, so im guessing they got the packing issue sorted out long ago