Aftermarket forks for a jamis komodo fx?

Question

i have a 2004 jamis komodo fx, it came stock with a manitou axel elite 100mm fork, what is the MAX travel of an after market fork that i could get before really damaging or ruining my bike. i was thinking only 110 or 120. what do you think and why? thanks.

Answer 1

Ack....please, don't listen to that first answer!  (No offense, qazop99, but this guy is dealing with a Komodo that is two frame generations before yours...VERY different.)

For your '04 Komodo, you'd be fine going with a 120mm fork.  Generally, increasing travel by one inch is the max that's safe for frame strength and comfortable for handling.   Going 20mm longer probably won't change the handling that much, but the steering might feel a bit slower and you may feel a slight "breakover" point when you make sharper turns.  Your Komodo isn't nearly as beefy as later models, but it's still a good frame and you won't be risking anything by adding a slightly longer travel fork.  Steer clear of the 130mm forks, though, because your head tube area on the '04 isn't made with the stronger tube joints and gusseting the way many frames are today.  

In '05-'07, the Komodo was beefed up and totally redesigned for hardtail freeride use, and they came spec'd with 130mm forks.  They looked totally different than any Komodo model year before.  In '08, they made radical changes to the top tube, further beefed up the head tube junctions, went to a 1-1/2" headtube, added ISCG tabs, and tweaked other things on the frame....again, same name, totally different bike.    

I hate it when companies do this kind of thing....Trek's done it with the Fuel several times, too, as have a few other companies.  It sure would be easier if they'd just give the bike a new name!  

Hope this helps...hope you find a great deal on a fork!   :o)

Answer 2

Hey

I've got Jamis Komodo 2008 model and mine came with 130mm forks. I'd recomend 130 cos 100-120 are XC travels normally. I actually need to buy new forks for my bike so im buying Marzocchi Bomber Drop-offs. They're a good freeride fork but if you use your bike for trails id recomend a Fox Vanilla 32. They're worth the bit extra. (i think they're 140 though)

One last option (and probably best) is Rock Shox Pike.

They are a u-turn fork so you can ajust them for 80 to 140mm and inbetween when you feel like it. These are great if you ride different styles.....etc trails, freeride, dirtjump.

Again these are a bit extra but i think they'd but worth every cent.