[rynoman03]

Ya i'm pretty torn between the Minute Expert and the RS Recon Air. However I know Hack & another bike friend both run the RS Recon Air... Ah decisions decisions. I'm going to wait until after Christmas tomorrow before deciding because I am not sure what I got from my inlaws and wife. It could be Gift Certificates to my LBS.

[rynoman03]

Ok I think i've narrowed it down to :

Marzocchi Marathon LR

RockShox Recon Silver TK S-Air 100 Fork 2012

Manitou Minute Expert QR Fork 2012

I know two folks that personally own and ride the RS Recon TK with very good feedback. However I'm diggin' the Manitou quite alot as well. The Marzocchi... I just don't know enough about. It would definitely hurt my pocket less to buy it.

So weigh in and let me hear some opinions on the three I just posted.

[Brent]

Minutes are great forks I have one on both my Epic and a superlite hard tail, I haven't run the newer models but the only real difference from what I understand is the paint job and if they stand up to me(235lb.)doing Vancouver Xcountry and trail I'm sure they'll work well for you.

[Industry_Hack]

You can't go wrong with any of them. If I was hanging a new fork off that Sette frame, I would go with whatever was inexpensive and did the job. Once I was sure what kind of riding I favored, I'd build a bike to suit that, with the appropriate fork and components.

[rynoman03]

Cool! The folks on MTBR.com are really steering me toward the minute. That does make since though... Darn it Hack! You've always gotta bring common sense to the table. I have pretty much built this bike up for the type of riding I favored but I see your point. I have bought some upgraded gear already for it. Now i'm going to have to evaluate. I really wanted a fork with Lockout but I've never had one with that option so I really don't know what i'm missing.

Maybe i'll lookover some of the cheaper models again.

What about this deal. It's not the 250+ stuff but pretty comparable with the remote lockout.

RockShox XC 32 TK w/ PopLoc 2012 $179.99

[Industry_Hack]

Lockout is nice, but not a deal-breaker. I see remotes on eBay for about $20, but I'm not interested in an extra lever on my bars, and more cable. Flicking a lever on my fork is simple enough.

[rynoman03]

Well I didn't get any gift cards or anything like that from the wifey this morning. Just some shirts, undies, a cheap sports watch (Which I wanted), a bike bell (LOL?!?), and a set of Bell headlight and tail lights.

The bike stuff she got me is pretty crappy quality but I kinda feel guilty to take it back! She's like I wasn't sure if those were good or not. She's like they're LED right? Ya but i'll look em over hun. I didn't have the heart to tell her they were a bulky POS. Bell Radian Light Set

I'm looking on PinkBike to see what the used market has as well. My other bike buddy kinda agrees with you Hack. Get something cheap that will do and put forth the bigger money toward a newer nicer bike later. Once I figure out what kind of riding I like doing and what not.

So the search continues.

[Farrowlane]

I say, keep your Sette Reken (it's a good bike), and just get a decent fork. You might also consider a rigid fork. A rigid fork would be more durable and longer lasting, as well.

It will no doubt, be less expensive too!

[rynoman03]

Oh I'm definitely keeping the bike. It's just the fork I got for free with some auction parts ended up being shot. I spent the money to upgrade to disc brakes and bought newer wheels to accommodate them. I'm just bummed. When I shop for things I over analyze and try to get the best for the least amount of money.

But as others have mentioned, if I get those nicer 250+ forks I just bought a fork worth more than my whole bike.

So this is what I'm thinking now. I got a friend that can get stuff from China at good prices. He can get me the Sr Suntour EPICON‐RLD w/ remote l/o 1650 g $138.25 or I can get the RockShox XC30 1940g $119.00 While its not a 32mm stanchion it's still pretty decently priced and I would still have left over Christmas money to play with.

[Industry_Hack]

Rigid would not be much fun on a trail bike.