RockShox Judy Silver TK Suspension Fork: Rider Review

Our "Rider Review" article series features honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for.

RockShox pretty much owns the market for more cost-efficient forks. I would say cheaper forks but the word cheap always comes off wrong as the forks are made with the same quality standards as their ultimate lines. They just cost a lot less and don't feature the same technology. The Judy Fork is one of the more iconic names in MTB suspension and even though this fork costs a lot less than other options on the market, it holds true to the legacy it has built over the years. Our buddy John recently upgraded his suspension fork and chose the Judy. Let's see what he thought:

John's Review:

When building up a mountain bike, the second most expensive component (maybe most expensive depending on the frame) is the suspension fork, so when you finally do settle on a fork you want it to match the personality of the bike and make sure that it’s something that you can live with for a long time. What drew me most to the RockShox Judy Silver was its combination of simplicity and value. If I wanted heaps of modulation and silky smooth, featherweight stanchions I could always lay down a grand for a Fox Factory or Rockshox Ultimate fork. Instead, I knew that I wanted a product from a trusted brand that can fit modern bike frames and wheelsets and that could be easily adjusted/abused if I lent it out to a friend. It also helps that it looks pretty good.

I opted for the 29er version with 120 mm of travel since I planned on pairing the Judy with an NS Bikes aluminum eccentric frame that’s more geared towards trail than cross country. The tapered steerer tube and boost hub spacing (both rare at this price point) along with post mounts for the disc brake and the ability to run 29 or 27.5+ tires were exactly what I was looking for. I’m not much of a weight weenie, so I don’t own a super precise scale, but the weight seemed reasonable for a 120 mm travel 29er fork. Building the fork up, there were no issues cutting the steerer tube, installing the star nut, or fitting the brake.

After installing the Judy and building up the bike, setup was about as straightforward as it gets. I pumped up the air spring to about 30% sag, dialed the compression to where it was fully open and then adjusted the rebound to the medium setting between fastest and slowest (the extremes were very fast and very sluggish, respectively, so I’m guessing I’m going to be keeping it middle of the road going forward). Compared to some of the higher end forks it doesn't seem to be quite as smooth or sensitive, but for a third of the price that’s to be expected.

My first ride confirmed what I suspected setting the Judy up in my garage - this is a solid set and forget option that will hold up to the rigors of most trails where I live. On the uphills I never found myself reaching for the lockout, appreciating the compliance over roots while not feeling much bob. Initially, I was concerned that the 30 mm stanchions would prove too flexy when pointing the bike downhill, but fortunately, I didn’t notice much-unwanted flex. Obviously, a RockShox Pike or other 35 mm option is going to be stiffer, but the stiffness of the Judy never stood out to me or felt like it was holding me back.

The fork progressed through its travel pretty smoothly and seems to ramp up slightly. Near the end, It only bottomed out on one big hit, but that was more rider error than the fork and it wasn’t too harsh. Probably the best compliment I can give it is that for the majority of the ride I forgot about it. I was much more focused on the brakes and drivetrain and wasn't wondering if I could adjust the rebound or add/release pressure on the fork. It felt nice and neutral without requiring a laundry list of adjustments to suit my size and riding style.

It’s amazing to consider the improvements to air spring forks over just the past 10 years. I’ve ridden earlier versions of the Rockshox Tora, Recon, and Reba, and the Judy seems to be a natural progression of trickle-down technology that doesn’t get bogged down in difficult-to-use features. The price point is a huge positive too. It’s difficult to find a fork with these features that not only performs well but also has a tapered steerer tube and boost spacing. Also, kudos to Worldwide Cyclery for stocking value forks that don’t break the bank. Many other websites start at about the $700 mark for forks, completely ignoring customers looking for budget options.

Conclusion

"In short, the RockShox Judy Silver is a great value fork that looks good, is easy to adjust, and performs well on the trail. Many other forks are lighter, stiffer, more adjustable, and will turn more heads, but I have yet to find one that can do what this fork does at the $300 mark." - John