Yet another newbie....

ShredBadger

Hi there,

Just got back into biking, 1st new bike since 1993! Back then had a Rigid Claude Butler Kylami (Reynolds 501 frame) with altus c10 gears and M-trax Brakes!!! I've just bought a Spesh Hardrock Comp Disc 08 and i'm truly pleased with the bike, it rides so much better i'm suprised by how much! I'm however a little dissapointed by the Forks (isn't everyone?) What would anyone recommend as a upgrade in the near future? I used to push the old kylami hard with downhills races, and the usual teenage shennaigans with my mates! But most probably this time i'll just be XCing, and the odd light bit of DH!
As I've been out of the loop for what seems like forever,so no longer that clued up! If anyone can say what sorta gear (i.e clothing, helmets etc) is best and what to avoid it'll be much appreciated!!

switchback18

For forks, I'd say avoid Manitou, they're not horrendus, but Fox, Marzocchi & Rockshox are better. You'll be safe with anything the same travel, and you'll notice the difference, as with a lot of cheaper forks you don't get full travel, so a quality 100mm fork will be pretty much the same geometry, but soak up the bumps better. I really like fox, but they are expensive. The cheapest Marzocchis can be a bit rubbish as the're made in China to a budget, but the others tend to perform well & not need too much maintenance:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=21558 for some good 100mm forks
Rockshox Revalations look good:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=13119
These have a huge amount of travel adjustment so you can tune them to suit your bike/riding style. They do an air version 100mm-130mm that's on offer for the 2007 version. There's loads more out there, if you get the chance to try some mates bikes that helps, but I'd be happy with any of these on the Hardrock.

http://www.chasingtrails.com

supersonic

What budget?

ShredBadger

thanks!!!

I'm probably gonna look at £150-£180ish don't really want to pay more or it'll make me realise i should've bought the Rockhopper..... what does everyone think about the Acera gears? they're better than the old altus but was wondering how reliable they are as i went through about 3 mechs on my old bike!!

beski

Rockshox Tora 318 are a good budget fork, £130 at Merlin...

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&productId=236&categoryId=18

ShredBadger

Thanks again guys!!

Should have some new forks on it by next payday!!!! the Tora's look good so prob them although the others are so very tempting...........

should i sell the suntours or is it not worth it? I

hopper26

hi
if you were going to sell rhe suntours i could be interested.

( building up an old bike of mine to commute on)
thanks