Gunnar Cycles USA Message Board

It looks like I need to get a new suspension fork for my 26 inch 17.5 Rockhound. I have heard of the issue with the crowns of some forks contacting the down tubes of some 29ers. Has anyone had this problem with 26 inch frames? I remember there being some thread about this.

Chris

Fat chance. Fork makers have made sure of that. Get a Fox.

gunnerluver

I couldn't dissagree more !! I have 2 Gunnar MTB (26" wheels) frames and both of them have fork clearance problems. I have a fox float RLC in which the compression knob hits, and my Marzocchi lock down hits on the other. Dave @ gunnar has addressed this problem as a Fork Manufacturer problem and not a Gunnar problem......but all 9 (yes 9)of my other MTB's have no problems and are not Gunnars ! How does that work ??
Anyway-

If you order a new Gunnar send in your fork (to Dave) to assure it doesn't hit. I would check with your LOCAL shop to physically check if the fork will fit or not. NO MAIL ORDER STUFF, THEY WILL TELL YOU ANYTHING. They will not warranty a dented or broken frame due to the fork hitting the down tube I am sure....

The frames that the forks knocked,what sizes were they? What type of fork? Just would like to know.

gunnerluver

Both of them are 19" frames with 23" top tubes.

and...A fox FL RLC and Marazocchi MX pro with ETA. My Marz.Marathon XC was also cutting it a little too close for comfort, but had about 2mm of clearance.

I can say specifically a 02 manitou black (80/100 mm travel) clears a 99 19" rockhound.

ride on,
gef

This is definitely the fault of the fork manufacturer. That said, it's a problem for the bike owner.

I recommend the Cane Creek S3 + 5 headset. The bottom cup is an extra 5mm tall and that should be plenty to give clearance to even the worst offenders (probably the Reba which is otherwise an amazing fork).

LB

I have a Fox RL (the older 2005 model) on my 17.5 26" Rockhound with no issues.

Before that it have a Manitou Marz, ditto. Good luck with your search!

When this thread first started, I thought that I was going to need a new suspension fork for my 2005 26 inch 17.5 Rockhound. I was able to rebuild my current fork, until now (or maybe I just don't want to rebuild it anymore).

The newer frames seem to take into account the high crowns and knobs on newer forks, but I have a 2005 frame.

I am now looking for a 2010 or 2011 fork to put on my frame and I really, really want to avoid crown to down tube contact.

Is anyone running (without aheadsets with a jacked up bottom cup or race) a new fork on an older frame that does not have contact issues?

Thanks,

Chris