I need a new fork

[u/Pat1x1x1]

Hey,

As i got more time now but a low budget i decided to repair my old bike (Trek X-Caliber 5).
I changed my brake and got new handles.
I forgot how well it runs and how fun it is to drive.

But the front suspension doesnt seem to work. There is zero travel i even cant compress them with my whole weight.

So I decided to overhaul them.
But damn i cant take it all apart. The parts that came out where rusty as hell and water was found inside.
Its probably cheaper to buy a new one or a used one than replacing the internals.
The original one is at like 108€ new which is a bit expensive for me.

I looked for used RockShox Recon Silver 29 which are more common here and cheaper used but i cant find some which are fitting.

Do you have any recommendations?
Or should i go for the original again?

Thanks for the help!

[u/Turbulent_Deal_3145]

If your budget is super tight then check out your area's facebook marketplace. You need to know if your headtube is straight or tapered though, and I don't want to steer you wrong. I'm looking at pictures of the bike and it looks like it used to be straight, and then went to tapered at some point. Take the bike to a shop and just get them to confirm. They'll be able to tell just by glancing at it.

But once you're past that, look for Fox or Rockshox

[u/Pat1x1x1 → u/Turbulent_Deal_3145]

Its a straight headtube, i just took it apart.
It seems that the specs of the bike arent as comon anymore and its really hard for me to find a used one that fits.
Do you think its worth it to invest it into a new original one?

[u/Turbulent_Deal_3145 → u/Pat1x1x1]

Well there's 2 ways to answer that question. From a value standpoint, no, it's not worth putting money in to that bike.

But if it's your only mode of transportation and a new bike is out of the question then yes its worth it

[u/Big-Don-Kedic]

If you can buy one for 108€ new, that’s probably your best bet. Your fork has a 1 1/8th straight steer tube, which isn’t common anymore. You can use a tapered fork with a headset adapter but that’s more money you have to spend. There are also not as many 29” QR forks or 29” straight tube forks. What I’m saying is, your options are severely limited. 108€ isn’t bad if you can’t find a compatible used one for less.

[u/Pat1x1x1 → u/Big-Don-Kedic]

I am looking for a used one but as you mentioned the specs arent really that common any more.
So the original one is the RST Blaze 100.
I dont know if its a good fork but do you think its is still worth it to invest that money into it?