There are 140 and 150mm versions of the TALAS fork on the same chassis, and the extra 10mm stretch adds noticeable flex and deviation to an already twangy fork.
This makes the weatherproof and angle adjustable 15RQ axle well worth the extra £30 spend, particularly if you’re a fan of hard cornering and soft compound tyres.
The TALAS system is superb. It drops the travel and ride height 30mm for sharper steering angle and accuracy on climbs or tight trails. Unlike most travel-adjustable forks it’s as smooth and controlled as the fixed-travel Float version, with no notchiness or excess dive.
The outstandingly consistent and accurate damping control of the FIT cartridge keeps ride height predictable for pushing through corners or muscling across trail trauma. Kashima stanchions sliding through SKF seals mean excellent small bump sensitivity for traction and comfort. This level of performance isn’t cheap.
This article was originally published in What Mountain Bike magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.
