66vf or '05 Nixon Elite?

[baldy]

It's for an '04 Stinky Primo. I do agressive trail ridind and some drops here and there. Looking for a single crown w/ at least 150mm. I weigh about 170.

I can get a Nixon for about $225, and the 66 for about $340. (The 66 is a little more than I'd like to spend, but if it's worth it I would)

I haven't been riding for a few years (injury) and I'm behind the knowledge curve on what's out there - what's good, what's crap, what's a good deal, etc.

Any pros/cons about these forks? (or any others I'm over-looking.)

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

[sanjuro]

This is an easy one:

66vf works fine, feels plush enough, easily servicable
Nixon will probably fall apart

[profro]

I doubt the Nixon will fall apart. The Elite has the TPC cartridge system, which has been very good since... I don't know when exactly, but its been more than few years. Yes, yes, Manitou has had a well deserved reputation lately of crappy stuff (SPV, Intrinsic). But all along the TPC has been very dependable. I have my eye on a Nixon Elite as well. While the Marz. may have a great reputation of plushness and excellent durability, they are heavy and have high axle to crown lengths. Either would be a good choice.

[kona-ryder]

You could get the 66vf for less, used. I have seen them as low as $200. For $340 you might even be able to snag a 66rc or 66vf2.
I would go for a 66. I own the same bike, and believe you me, they feel like crap with low axle to crown forks. The 66 will better replicate the Super T./888 that came stock on the bike. Also, anything manitou feels dead on that design. The set-up in the rear is designed for a faster rebounding fork. Even all the way open, most manipoos still feal slugish on the rebound.

[alex]

I was in the same boat but for a pike not a 66, dont amke the mistake i did, THe nixon is a weak fork, ****ty crowns and crap dampening. PLease stay away from the 06 nixon anything.

[Sir_Crackien]

the nixon is not a good option. for some reason people think that it is a FR fork and it def is not that. the 66 is more comparable to the travis then the nixon.

if you want a fork that car take a beating then there is only one option of the 2 you presented and that is the 66. though i will say the pike is surely a tough fork though i don't think as strong as the 66

[ctrailfreak]

66 all the way! I've had the older one 05, and the 06 VF2. The VF2 has a much better axel to crown in 170mm than my 05vf did in 150mm! If you can wait for the 06's to go on blow out or buy one on Ebay it's worth it to get the 06 as it has rebound and compression that works.

My friend just picked up a 06 66 vf2 on ebay for $250.00. The deals are out there.You just have to be ready, with cash, when they happen. I paid $399.00 for mine at Universal Cycles as it was the last one they had.

Forgot to mention I have mine on a Kona Stinky also. It's a perfect match!

[baldy]

I scored an new 05 66rc for 350. (150mm. Tall maybe, but I like a little rake.) Not the best deal, not the worst I suppose. It's replacing a Sherman Firefly which was on there briefly. As mentioned above, it made the bike feel very strange. (The Sherman gets put back on the Evil where it belongs.)

My old stable is almost reborn and I look forward to getting back on some bikes ('04 Stinky, '04 Imperial, and a very old DS-1) no matter how not-the-latest-nor-greatest they may be.

Thanks for all the input.