Atomlab GI60 Fork

[opjones]

This baby looks hot, a little on the heavy side, but you've got a 100% Cro-mo fork. I just paid $500 for a fork, looks like I'll be paying another $225 at the end of the rear. I wonder if they'll offer a QR/10mm axle option, let's hope so.




http://www.declinemagazine.com/Nucleus/COMMUNITY.php?itemid=810

[ebrider510]

This baby looks hot, a little on the heavy side, but you've got a 100% Cro-mo fork. I just paid $500 for a fork, looks like I'll be paying another $225 at the end of the rear. I wonder if they'll offer a QR/10mm axle option, let's hope so.




http://www.declinemagazine.com/Nucleus/COMMUNITY.php?itemid=810

nice!! dam, i think it's time to start saving and email mike! 5lbs IMO really is not heavy..unless you compare to a gold label or something even lighter. man, so solid looking!

[Vinny A]

Thats really nice, shame its 5 pounds though.

[Stoked]

great idea. the fork could use some refining. a 10mm option w/o disc mounts would be nice too. i'm glad someone is creating something like this

[opjones]

Just got this from Thomas


"a QR would let the lowwers move independently and it would let the fork legs walk too much. at this point the idea is to get a couple more prototypes to beat the hell out of. if all goes well the weight will go down but for now 5lbs for a jumping suspension fork is pretty good especially if you know that it will bend before it snaps. plus $225 is less than the EP deal on my marzocchi 4X."


That's a bummer on the QR option, does Profile make a 20mm thru? front axle?

[don]

I agree w/ Stoked - a little refining/dialing in and offering a 10mm option would be nice to see.

Very good to see a simple fork option at a reasonable cost. The fork costs are getting out of hand that past couple of years.

Another cool thing, it looks like it would be easy to paint - I would have to ditch the white first thing myself.

[ServeEm]

10mm would be nice, 14 would be better. Not the most attractive fork but it looks functional.

[ServeEm]

Just got this from Thomas


"a QR would let the lowwers move independently and it would let the fork legs walk too much. at this point the idea is to get a couple more prototypes to beat the hell out of. if all goes well the weight will go down but for now 5lbs for a jumping suspension fork is pretty good especially if you know that it will bend before it snaps. plus $225 is less than the EP deal on my marzocchi 4X."


That's a bummer on the QR option, does Profile make a 20mm thru? front axle?


Here you go....


http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q120/RichardWelch/product_551.jpg

[manhattanprjkt83]

good idea, the weight is a bummer...and i agree that the color could use some work, not a big fan of the chrome look either...we will see.

[punkassean]

it NEEDS a 20mm through-axle to be stiff enough since it's an upside down fork with no brace.

[ServeEm]

Unfortunately Opjones convered the NEED for 20mm thru axle. I went DJ'n for the first time yesterday on my rigid and it was butta so squish I guess isn't a big loss.

[dexter]

well finally the atom lab guys will have the right fork to ride instead of those poopy rst's that blow every 3 minutes and need constant air pressure

[Larson TT y0!]

I'm surprised they went back to an old, old, old design...that never really caught on before.

[opjones]

I'm surprised they went back to an old, old, old design...that never really caught on before.

What was the intended purpose of the old design, was geared more towards the XC crowd?

[Larson TT y0!]

What was the intended purpose of the old design, was geared more towards the XC crowd?

that and wal mark style bikes had/still use it.


Page 2 has been pwnt.

[punkassean]

the only other fork I ever recall (worth mentioning) like this was the Scott Uni Blade or whatever from way back in the day. Forget the K-mart forks, they have nothing in common with this fork other than the fact that they have a welded crown and that's not enough to lump them together really. I think this design makes sense for todays jumpers who have super short travel forks that are sprung crazy firm. This design is much more simple and stronger as well as lower maintenance than current conventional forks. Also like someone said, it will bend before it breaks which is great.

[Stoked]

anyone have an A2C measurement?

[manhattanprjkt83]

looks flexy.

[THRILLSEEKA]

I like the basic idea of it, I see plenty of places to shave weight later, BUT...for street I'm a bit worried about the stanchions being so close to the concrete. I know it's intended to be a dirt fork, but still, like you'd never run it on street?
And why the lack of enthusiasm for the 20mm axle? Hub choices? Pegs? What up? All I've ever know are 20mm front hubs, so I know no better...

[grom-dom]

atomlabs gettin it togethr, i'd wait to get one till i hear reviews

[Bicyclist]

I agree, I chew up all my forks on the lowers. They need some sort of guard.

There was a Marzocchi that had that design a while ago as I recall.

[Larson TT y0!]

I agree, I chew up all my forks on the lowers. They need some sort of guard.

There was a Marzocchi that had that design a while ago as I recall.


If it's just a simple stiff spring/bushing it shouldn't matter unless you're an animal.

[ReVolVeRage]

Would their be a possibility of a 24" specific fork? Atomlab does make a fair amount of 24" specific stuff. I think that the fork looks great, but the stanchions being so close to the ground is a little nerve racking. Any word on when they are supposed to be dropping?

[THRILLSEEKA]

If it's just a simple stiff spring/bushing it shouldn't matter unless you're an animal.

Ahhh... Good point! You get a cookie.

[Stoked]

And why the lack of enthusiasm for the 20mm axle? Hub choices? Pegs? What up? All I've ever know are 20mm front hubs, so I know no better...

yes more hub choices (save $$$), peg option, no disc mounts...

it was mentioned earlier, since it's an inverted fork, 20mm may be the only way to go. we'll see

[hacksaw]

Here's what I knowwich isn't much (haha) Mike has had these on the burner for awhile he wanted to show them at interbike last year but the first one was not up to his high standard ( and if you know Mike he sets high standards for products) these forks you are seeing are 2nd generation prototypes he wants us (Me , Joe Perrizo , howie Zink , and Jeseme) to ride these and give our input. There is going to be 3 different axle options (i believe) 10mm , 14mm , and 20mm and there will be different spring / elastomer options Mike will not disappoint when it comes to a product like this and like he say's Atomlab is not a suspension company we are a company who wants to make products for the guys who loike to ride and not have to "pump up our forks or rebuild our hubs after every ride" .I hope to have this fork soon so I can comence thrashing on it to see what it is made of::biggrin: I will keep you posted on this baby.
Hope everyone is having a good start to their summer.
"Hacksaw" jim

[THRILLSEEKA]

Thanks for being so nice as to test out sick new products for us... you bastid! :)
Tear it up, dood.
Actually, scratch that... what good does it do having a smooth pro test products??? Send that sh*t to me, I'm a TRUE hack, I'll test that mutha! I'd rather ride something that's hack proof over Hacksaw proof! yeah, yeah!

[CreeP]

this is the kind of fork i've been talking about since like 2002.
Anyone remember the SC Monster threads?
I thought my prayers had been answered with the dj street, well, the year before it came out. by that time i realised it could be done for much less weight. And here it is, in all its crome-moly upside down glory. Now if the axle to crown length is something like reasonable... only thing is i've converted myself to riding rigid for street and jumps.

hmm, mightn't it being an upside down for make a lot more sence from a being scratched up perspective? You could run guards and just replace those once in a while and the fork will be pristine underneath.

[mxsport41]

Here are some pic's from Euro Bike.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/mxsport41/atomlab2.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j257/mxsport41/atomlab1.jpg

[don]

Any more information on this fork?

Looks like Atomlab's site said in production and planned for shipping in November.

I would love to know the retail price and what the A-C measurement is.

[don]

Thanks for the pics mxsport.

I like how they used a 6 sided bolt for the 20mm axle setup - although it looks big (22mm I'm guessing). One thing I hate about the 20mm forks I've used, is getting the front wheel off. Manitou Jumper is 5 small allen bolts; Marz Z1 is 4.

[mxsport41]

The great thing about this fork is the price i heard Atomlab is trying to keep it right over $200

[opjones]

No info on the fork, but Atomlab has a sweet Crank setup now available on their site too.

[prana.ferox]

One thing I hate about the 20mm forks I've used, is getting the front wheel off. Manitou Jumper is 5 small allen bolts; Marz Z1 is 4.

The RockShox Maxle 360 is the best axle system ever invented by a fairly large margin. I can get the wheel off my Argyle in about 10 seconds with no tools in sight. Sweet.

[mxsport41]

The maxle may be good in some ways but does get in the way and can have a loose feel. But Why do you need to take your axel off in 10 sec. I have a pike and would love to have a diffrent axel.

[don]

I agree, having used a Pike w/ Maxle it's quick but does have that loose feel (at least on the setup I had, and the Maxle 360 might have fixed it to). It also has that big ol' skewer/lever.

Reason for a qucik change: I usually throw my bike in the back of my car for transportation and as such need to take off the front wheel.

[nmn25]

The great thing about this fork is the price i heard Atomlab is trying to keep it right over $200

it says its going to b 225....:bonk:

[fiddy_ryder]

wonder if there will be a way to adapt a peg?

[snaky69]

I'm interested in guinea piggin their pimp hydraulic brake.

[organizedrage]

Thats really nice, shame its 5 pounds though.

:disgust1:

[BikeSATORI]

can't wait for this bad set o' silverware....



I'm curious about A2C too.... hopefully around 440-450mm!!! fingers crossed.

[prana.ferox]

I agree, having used a Pike w/ Maxle it's quick but does have that loose feel (at least on the setup I had, and the Maxle 360 might have fixed it to). It also has that big ol' skewer/lever.

I've never used a regular Maxle, but with the 360 you can tighten it as much as you want like a regular quick-release, but beefier. I don't worry about it at all when I'm riding, and it's a breeze to use.

[bent^biker]

the new fox setup is pretty slick too, I almost like it better then the maxel 360 (I have both but on different rigs).

[opjones]

Looks like I'll be getting to see one of these in person this weekend, probably ride it for a while too.

[bbrz4]

sweet, keep us posted!

[don]

Looks like I'll be getting to see one of these in person this weekend, probably ride it for a while too.

Thru an email, Atomlab said the forks are delayed a bit until Jan for a last minute update.

If you do see one, please let us know what you think - and if there's any way to take a pic please do - I'd love to see a "in-use" pic of that fork.

[seth505]

hacksaws felt pretty damn rad (very stiff). They are making a mfg update/change and then the forks should roll out relatively soon.

[Cru Jones]

Thru an email, Atomlab said the forks are delayed a bit until Jan for a last minute update.

If you do see one, please let us know what you think - and if there's any way to take a pic please do - I'd love to see a "in-use" pic of that fork.

I saw a couple up at Supersesh. Hacksaw said he really likes his. I think the update is that they are making double dropouts on each leg. They felt the single wasn't strong enough.

[opjones]

I saw a couple up at Supersesh. Hacksaw said he really likes his. I think the update is that they are making double dropouts on each leg. They felt the single wasn't strong enough.

Cru's right on

[seth505]

yup, there's a flange on the dropout on each side for the first protos, now there are 2 flanges on each side so its as stiff as it should be

[ebrider510]

it'll be really interesting to see how they sell.

[formermtboarder]

maybe my p45 will get a sus fork...

[don]

yup, there's a flange on the dropout on each side for the first protos, now there are 2 flanges on each side so its as stiff as it should be

Damn, from the pics on Atomlab's site - the dropouts look plenty beefy. But good for Atomlab - I wouldn't want an issue like the RST forks going on again.

[seth505]

Damn, from the pics on Atomlab's site - the dropouts look plenty beefy. But good for Atomlab - I wouldn't want an issue like the RST forks going on again.

haha ya, I think that might be in the back of consumers mind now when they complain about weight of a fork "wait a minute, do I want it snap in half in a few weeks"

[opjones]

Here are a few pics I took last night. It didn't get put on a bike though, the bike never made it to the park because of the winter storm we have going on. I was compressing it outside though, and it's nice and stiff, the rebound seems to feel real nice too, but there's not much to rebound from.



Here are the lowers with the new gusset welded on. (it's snow and water on there if you're wondering)

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u201/opjones/GI60lowers.jpg



Sorry about the $****ty camera skills. You can see a little bit of the disc tab there too.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u201/opjones/GI60lowersblurry.jpg



Full

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u201/opjones/GI60full.jpg



AC - 18"/457mm roughly, you make the call.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u201/opjones/GI60AC.jpg

[seth505]

pretty cool, that measurement is a 1/4" or so shorter than my gold labels I believe.

[don]

Thanks for the pics opjones :thumbs:

It's good seeing the modified dropouts - I think they definitely look like an impovement w/out much weight gain. I wouldn't mind seeing a way to get rid of that disk mount.

18" A-C lenght is good too - seems about the same as my Manitou Jumper and a 65mm Marz Nem Pro fork.

[opjones]

No problem Don. I was really hoping to ride on it, but I could tell from just compressing it that it's going to be nice.
It wouldn't be that bad to cut the tab off if you didn't really want it.

[hacksaw]

Alright everyone here is the skinny on the GI60 fork . After the first testing was done during the summer we went back to the drawing board and beefed up the bottom of the fork adding another drop out and changing a few other things here and there,some of you saw the fork on my bike and Mikes bike@ SS3 and hopefully you got to mess around with it a little either on mine or Mikes bike.
The thing that we want you guys to know is that this really is not made for racing and all of that , this fork is made for Dirt Jumping , Street and Park . It rides really well at first it is kinda hard to look down and see basically a BMX crown but once that is gone (about 5 minutes) and you ride it and get use to it it is a really good fork .It sits pretty low as far as ride height so my suggestion would be to dial in your stack height under your stem real good , I ride my pretty low and my ride height is low also and it set up quick , but I may have cut too much off my steer tube (oops damn hacksaw's).

Mine it set up with the hardest springs and hardest elastomers so it barely moves but when I jump this thing it feels dead on as far a suspension goes. I have dumped and ditched my bike a few times also and the fork is still as true and straight as it was when I put it on. The rebound has a little to much spring to it but that is because I have the fastest elastomers so that is expected. Also there will be a way to put pegs on it if that is what you are into. On the street and in the Park it is extremely reactive and very predictable as far a suspension , real easy to ride.
I would have to say at first I was the biggest skeptic regarding this fork. After Mike got me on one and I got a chance to ride it I really like it . The production models will be alot better than the one I am riding because we have worked out alot of the bugs , and I think Mike is on to something here with this . They will be here in late Janurary and the price is under 300 bones ,plus the crowns will not blow off like other suspension forks on the market , just peice of mind is worth it's weight in gold.
Hope you all like it and hope to see some of you guys on it soon.

Take it easy
"Hacksaw"