Upgrades for 2007 Hardrock Pro

Nat1982

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

.blitz

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.

Nat1982

cheers

would DT Swiss 5.1 rims with hope II hubs custom built be alright?

impished

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.

Nat1982

cool

think i'll ask santa for a set!

thanks

ride_whenever

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)

BoardinBob

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

Nat1982

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

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.

Nat1982

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

Nat1982

hi

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

ta

The Spiderman

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.

Nat1982

so if i go for 6 bolt will hayes discs fit then?

Muddy.Bail

get th marzocci forks they never seem to let people down

The Spiderman

Nat1982 wrote:

so if i go for 6 bolt will hayes discs fit then?

Yes,any 6 bolt discs will fit.

The Spiderman

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.

Nat1982

thanks that's really helpful

riggsy81

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

Nat1982

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

gonna be a well spec'd Hardrock when you finish with it

Nat1982

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

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.

Nat1982

they're on their way back as we speak