Upgrades for 2007 Hardrock Pro

Nat1982
Nat1982 Posts: 31
edited November 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi i bought the above last year but didn't really start using it until this summer.

i am a beginner so only really ride blue trails at the moment, mainly Moel Famau and also Delamere forest.

i have decided to upgrade my brakes from the hayes sole which came as standard to the hayes stroker trail. hope this will be worth while as i managed to get my mum to order them for me for christmas yesterday.

i would also like to upgrade the forks, currently have marzocchi mz race. i've found a few forks which i think should be better but any advice is welcomed, they are:

2008 marzocchi xc600 ata 2
RS tora 318 with Poploc
RS recon race solo air 100
RS Recon 351 Coil U-turn

i can't really afford to spend more than £220 on forks.

any other advice on upgrades that will reduce the weight of my bike too.

Thanks in advance

Natalie

Comments

  • .blitz
    .blitz Posts: 6,197
    The wheels are the heaviest part of any MTB and the back one alone will weigh more than the fork, frame triangle or swingarm. Any improvements to the wheels will have a noticeable effect.

    Why not look for a decent wheelset (or just a rear wheel to start with). Lightweight tyres can also be a cost-effective upgrade.
  • cheers

    would DT Swiss 5.1 rims with hope II hubs custom built be alright?
  • impished
    impished Posts: 1,092
    Nat1982 wrote:
    cheers

    would DT Swiss 5.1 rims with hope II hubs custom built be alright?
    I recently upgraded my rear to DT Swiss 5.1 rim with Hope II from no-name OEM jobbie and I can honestly say I felt the difference :shock: It felt like it got up to speed much quicker. I know some of it'll be in my noggin, but I'm convinced. :wink:
  • cool

    think i'll ask santa for a set!

    thanks
  • I'd go for 719 on proII from merlin, but i prefer mavic rims to dt ones, for no reason at all.


    Get them from merlin, they make very very very good wheels. (most of the strength comes from the build rather than the parts)
  • I've got the 2007 Hardrock Sport Hyd Disc and I've made the following changes

    Replaced RST Gila T7+ forks with Rockshox Recon 351 Coil U-Turns

    Replaced Hayes Sole Hydraulic brakes with Hayes Stroker Ryde brakes

    Replaced 8spd Alivio/ Acera Shifters and Mechs with complete 9spd SRAM X.7 setup - £90

    Replaced standard handlebars with Race Faxe Carbon XC low riser bars

    DMR V8 pedals

    Various tyres

    It's a much improved bike
  • thanks

    i'm going to get the wheels from merlin, also ordered my brakes from there.

    going to upgrade gears to sram x9 as they are on offer at merlin too.

    also want to get carbon seat post and handlebars
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The fork, without a doubt, is the first thing to upgrade on this bike. The stock unit is heavy, and totally undamped, a new unit will transform the off road ride.

    Recon 100 air is the lightest option and would suit the bike well.

    New tyres too, then maybe wheels. XT on 717/719 are great wheels for a lot less than the Hopes. Don't need 719 unless you are a heavy are hard rider. This is an XC bike after all.

    Is it worth getting a new bike? Consider this against your upgrades.
  • the bike is virtually new so don't really want to get a new one yet.

    ordered some recon 351 forks last night.

    if i get a christmas bonus it will be going on the wheels

    cheers
  • hi

    just wondering what the difference is between the xt 6 bolt and xt splined hub

    ta
  • Discs are either bolted,on with 6 bolts or with a splined interface.Splined are easier to fit,but I`d stick with 6 bolt hubs.Splined hubs and dics are a Shimano only format and will limit future upgrade choices.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • so if i go for 6 bolt will hayes discs fit then?
  • get th marzocci forks they never seem to let people down
  • Nat1982 wrote:
    so if i go for 6 bolt will hayes discs fit then?

    Yes,any 6 bolt discs will fit.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • supersonic wrote:
    The fork, without a doubt, is the first thing to upgrade on this bike. The stock unit is heavy, and totally undamped, a new unit will transform the off road ride.

    Recon 100 air is the lightest option and would suit the bike well.

    New tyres too, then maybe wheels. XT on 717/719 are great wheels for a lot less than the Hopes. Don't need 719 unless you are a heavy are hard rider. This is an XC bike after all.

    Is it worth getting a new bike? Consider this against your upgrades.

    I second all of that.Forks first,then wheels.Recon or Reba forks.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • thanks that's really helpful
  • riggsy81
    riggsy81 Posts: 281
    Ive upgraded a lot on mine.... but I would have to say forks get my vote as the 1st thing to upgrade

    Ive changed my forks to Rockshox Tora 318s running at 130mm, XT Crank, Hayes Stroker brakes, RaceFace stem and 710mm wide bars, SPDs, Panaracer Cinders all round....

    next is to change the wheels, shifters, rear mech etc
    I̶m̶ ̶t̶i̶r̶e̶d̶
    I̶t̶s̶ ̶r̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶
    I̶t̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶t̶e̶
    NO EXCUSES
    JUST RIDE!!!
  • well my brakes came yesterday and hopefully my forks will come today. got spd's already. found the wheels i want so going to get those when i get paid and then upgrade shifters and rear mech to x9 and possibly a new crank.

    cheers
  • riggsy81
    riggsy81 Posts: 281
    gonna be a well spec'd Hardrock when you finish with it :D
    I̶m̶ ̶t̶i̶r̶e̶d̶
    I̶t̶s̶ ̶r̶a̶i̶n̶i̶n̶g̶
    I̶t̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶ ̶l̶a̶t̶e̶
    NO EXCUSES
    JUST RIDE!!!
  • forks came today.

    a certain nationwide company managed to send me a set of battered recon sl forks in a recon 351 coil box, not happy.
  • BlackSpur
    BlackSpur Posts: 4,228
    Nat1982 wrote:
    forks came today.

    a certain nationwide company managed to send me a set of battered recon sl forks in a recon 351 coil box, not happy.

    Could be a genuine mistake. Give them a call and see what they do.
    "Melancholy is incompatible with bicycling." ~James E. Starrs
  • they're on their way back as we speak