transition preston fr and choosing fork/shock

[BareFootMeshback]

Hi,
I've come back to mountain biking after a couple of years riding road only. I have a 2002 Brodie Evolution with a 5inch Dirt Jumper I.5. I'm looking for something a little more forgiving and was thinking about the Preston Fr. I've generally been riding Seymour (Corkscrew/Pingu/Panagor) and like to climb and go for fast rips but dont ever really see myself dropping over 5 feet and generally I'm pretty relaxed, so I'm looking for a lighter duty freeride frame.
My basic questions are:
How much have forks changed since I bought my last bike, is it worth the cash to shell out for a 66rc or the Z1RC ETA and would a 66rc be overkill for the frame?

Does anyone have any experiences with the Roco Air? It looks cool and I don't think I need a tonne of adjustments but should I stick with going for the DHX Air?

[ERregular]

Hi,
I've come back to mountain biking after a couple of years riding road only. I have a 2002 Brodie Evolution with a 5inch Dirt Jumper I.5. I'm looking for something a little more forgiving and was thinking about the Preston Fr. I've generally been riding Seymour (Corkscrew/Pingu/Panagor) and like to climb and go for fast rips but dont ever really see myself dropping over 5 feet and generally I'm pretty relaxed, so I'm looking for a lighter duty freeride frame.
My basic questions are:
How much have forks changed since I bought my last bike, is it worth the cash to shell out for a 66rc or the Z1RC ETA and would a 66rc be overkill for the frame?

Does anyone have any experiences with the Roco Air? It looks cool and I don't think I need a tonne of adjustments but should I stick with going for the DHX Air?

I won't comment on the shock question, butI do know that the Transition guys (Kevin & Kyle) were both running the 66 on on their respective Prestons. The frame itself is certainly not outdone by the 66. If it were me, I'd put some thought into either the 66 or a Pike for the Preston.

One other option, there is a Sinister Splinter MX for sale somewhere on this board and that is a beautiful bike - perfect for what you are looking for. I can say this since I ride one, and looked very closely at the Preston before buying the Sinister. There is also a Manitou Travis 150 with TPC+ for sale here as well. That would make an awfully nice combo.
EDIT: Sinister for sale (http://buysell.nsmb.com/showproduct.php?product=899)

[ZHendo]

i'd say a 66 would be good, but the Z1 will be a little better if you want to take a little more weight off of the bike, because it would be great for drops measuring about 5 feet. Look into the Rockshox Domain though, that thing looks like it could be prefect and would be my first choice for a Preston. Good choice on the frame by the way, I like it a lot.

[BareFootMeshback]

the Domain does look pretty cool. I have a bit of a bias with Rockshox as my only experience with them was back in the days of Quadra forks. Mine kept filling full of water. I think I'll probably stick with the big M but the Domain does look tempting.

[thewalrus]

would a 66rc be overkill for the frame?


Any model of 2005 66 would be way too high... the 2006/2007 66s have an axle to crown height about 1.5 inches lower.

[Carbuncle]

I'm looking at the same frame for a build in '07, and I am thinking I will go with the DHX 5.0 coil for the rear shock, for supple feel and durability. I am on the fence about the fork, though, going back and forth between the '06 Z1 FR SL (good price, reasonable weight, 130-150mm adjustability) and the '07 All Mountain 1 SL (120-160mm adjustability, reasonable weight, would look uber-pimp with a white preston frame). The 66 might be a boat anchor for the Preston, but then I am going more in the hardcore Am/light FR end for my build (will likely have mostly XT and Easton group).

[nouseforaname]

As i'm running a domain, i'd through in my 2c for that fork. The adj travel makes a huge diff for the climbs, and the Maxle rocks my little world.

[BareFootMeshback]

I thinking I'll probably go with a 66sl in the front and give the Roco Air a try in the back. I really love the idea of being able have the option of gobs of travel in the front (180) but also being able to tune it down to 140. I cant seem to find weight specs on the Zokes website. Any idea what a ball park weight savings on going for a All Mountain 1SL would be?

[PT-Colin]

Are all the Prestons now 5" in the rear or still 4" with option of Dangr boy Plates?

I rode a Preston a few years back and loved it with the Romic and a 4" setting. For light FR I would not use anything over a 5" fork (RS Pike - good strength/weight/adjustable balance) on this frame. Set up light it sounds like you would have a blast pedaling it all over the place.

[Carbuncle]

I think they are 120mm only, now. Could be wrong though.