Option #1
Few tuners offer a complete service, inc. springs, valving and oil, at the cost around 450$ (+ shipping). However, all of them still insist that doesn't matter what, it will still stay with the limited adjustability of the Olle fork and will never be suitable for racing.
Option #2
To get a RR fork. This option require the RR triple clamp (with the XT stem pressed into the lower clamp), shorter spring and a matching valving. Easily 1,500$ work.
Option #3
Boano racing from Itally offer limited number of 45mm fork kit, ready to go at the cost of 970 Euro (1080$ at the time), inc. DHL shipping to the US.
As Boano is a well known racing shop for Beta, without getting too much of details beyond the limited info they have on the web site, I decided to go for it.
Kit contain:
- 45mm Marzocchi OC fork (Shiver), with 30mm shortened travel, 4.5 spring installed (I understood that than can provide 4.8 spring if needed)
- Boano red anodized matching triple clamp
- XT stem pressed into the lower clamp
- 2 Wheel spacers
- Front axle and nut
Everything look very good, very high quality, perfectly packed.
Installation was as straight forward as it can be.
- Remove front wheel, caliper, front fender, fork guards, handlebar, odometer and lights.
- Remove old triple clamp
- Remove and reuse lower bearing or install a new one
- Install new triple clamp
- Install new fork
- Install caliper, front fender, fork guards, handlebar, odometer and lights
- Replace front wheel spacers with the new one
- Install front wheel
- Torque triple clamp (Boano does not give any info with the fork so I used same torque as the XT as the triple clamp look very much alike. 17nm and 12nm)
- Check free play and adjust
On the garage floor the fork feels very stiff. Actually too much for my liking. Than I checked clickers setting and one of them was almost all the way closed. In order to simulate the Olle fork as much as possible to start with, I went 5 clicks close from all out open.
I wend out riding with this setup, bearing in mind that some break in time is required.
I have to say that I like it from the 1st moment. All the vague feel of the Olle fork disappeared completely. The front end is firm, give nice feedback of whats going on with the front wheel, but at the same time keeps good plushness over rocks and choppy terrain.
Heads-on with whoops was no problem anymore. Bike keep nice line without bouncing around.
Same on rocky single track, when the super fast rebound of the Olle kept sending me off trail once in a while, all gone. Bike keep track straight and firm.
And all this positive feels comes without adjusting anything yet. Bottom line? I'm happy.
