Trek VRX 200 upgrade

Martin_T

I've had a Trek VRX 200 for years and it's been sat in the garage now doing nothing for a few years. I fancy getting back into biking, can't afford a new bike but do want to improve the Trek if possible.

This is the bike : http://www.bikepedia.com/Quickbike/Bike ... &Type=bike

and it's the suspension I was thinking of upgrading. Currently it has

Front : Rock Shox Jett XC, 3.0" travel ( currently slightly bent after hitting a tree stump hard but still seems to work ok)
Rear : Fox Vanilla, 5.0" travel

I seem to recall this bike wasn't best for going uphill and had a fair amount of 'bob' when riding normally.I've seen new bikes have suspension which seems to claim to combat these issues using various methods including 'brains??'

Is there any suspension which would help with these issue and could be retro-fitted to this bike?

Any help/advice appreciated.

supersonic

It is a very dated suspension design called a 'URT' which is no longer used anymore. You can get a new rear shock that will fit with damping adjustments that will tame any bob, but these do cost a bit.

The Jett XC is pretty basic too to be brutally honest, though does have effective rebound control.

Given that upgrading will cost as much as a new bike, I'd just ride it how it is or buy a new bike.

Zziplex

That's no URT, but it does look horrible, but not as bad as an Orange.

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/gallery2/mai ... alNumber=2

If you want to keep the bike and bob is a major prob, maybe try and get a cheap New Old Stock rear shock from ebay (usually US) with platform damping that will fit, or do as Supersonic suggests and just ride it. It's not worth throwing money at imo.

Maybe save up for something better whilst you thrash the Trek to death. I reckon you would be looking at a min of £300 to upgrade the forks (2nd hand would need a service seeing as they're gonna be oldish ref V brake compatibility) and a platform rear shock to make an upgrade worthwhile, unless you can find a bargain that just happens to tick all the boxes.

Just get off and run with it if it starts bobbing about too much.

RevellRider

I always liked the look of the VRX, I can remember lusting after one in my LBS.

A newer air shock from Fox such as the RP23 will control issues such as 'bob' on the single pivot design that your bike is and newer forks will improve the ride no end as well

supersonic

Ooops, didn't look, thought the VRX were the Y framed URTs lol.

Well looking at the pivot position it is pretty neutral really for a single pivot.

Zziplex

The carbon Y frames looked mint back in the day. 8)

Martin_T

supersonic wrote:

Well looking at the pivot position it is pretty neutral really for a single pivot.

Is neutral good? as far as this frame can be anyway..?

Martin_T

Zziplex wrote:

I reckon you would be looking at a min of £300 to upgrade the forks (2nd hand would need a service seeing as they're gonna be oldish ref V brake compatibility)

v-brakes not around anymore?

Zziplex wrote:

and a platform rear shock to make an upgrade worthwhile, unless you can find a bargain that just happens to tick all the boxes.:

a platform shock?

Martin_T

thanks for all replies.

So not even worth it if find decent price on ebay really? I could always just buy frame for next bike and use new suspension on that??

Was this bike design good in its day? Remember choosing it when I was quite young and knew nothing. Looked good though I thought.

Zziplex

Martin_T wrote:

Zziplex wrote:

I reckon you would be looking at a min of £300 to upgrade the forks (2nd hand would need a service seeing as they're gonna be oldish ref V brake compatibility)

v-brakes not around anymore?

Zziplex wrote:

and a platform rear shock to make an upgrade worthwhile, unless you can find a bargain that just happens to tick all the boxes.:

a platform shock?

You'll struggle to buy better new forks with V brake studs, everyone wants discs now.
It might be worth looking for some 2nd hand 2004/5 ish fox forks with studs, but a proper service will cost £100 to get them as new. Or you may find some spring marzocchis that are sound???

A platform shock usually has a setting that reduces bob in the initial stroke/movement of the shock, this should help reduce the bob you experience.

There's lots of ifs and buts when buying 2nd hand, the alternative is buy new, but that costs a lot more for the bits you're after.

If I were being sensible and were you, I'd ride the bike as is for 6 months. If you're still 'in to it', look at upgrading or buy a new one.

If I were being me, I'd buy a new bike on finance and then lose interest and find a new hobby to spend more money on.

Martin_T

Thanks for reply! I'm trying to avoid the second option ! Kinda what happened when bought the Trek. Didn't get finance but not been used much.

Would a service make a big difference to the forks? There a guides on the internet on how to DIY, is that not advisable? I'd consider fitting discs if it opened up the options. Also, how do I know if a rear shock is a platform shock?

Zziplex

Martin_T wrote:

Thanks for reply! I'm trying to avoid the second option ! Kinda what happened when bought the Trek. Didn't get finance but not been used much.

Would a service make a big difference to the forks? There a guides on the internet on how to DIY, is that not advisable? I'd consider fitting discs if it opened up the options. Also, how do I know if a rear shock is a platform shock?

Depends how confident and able you are ref. fork servicing, I'd personally rather pay someone that knows what they're doing than run the risk of making a problem worse and so expensive in the long run.

You'll need to research different shocks to find out about platform damping i.e. SPV with manitou shocks:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Manitou-Swinger-3-W ... 27b9792e80

http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-Manitou-S-Type ... 5640c30ee6

Also you'll have to consider different mounting hardware to accommodate shock in to your frame, more money to think about.

Find out your rear shock length (they're not all the same) and price up some replacement shocks, it'll either be too expensive, too much hassle or you may get lucky with cheap parts that fit??? Research it loads or else you'll go down a path that might end up costing half of what a decent new bike would.

Also consider the bike to work scheme if your job allows, easy interest free instalments.

There 's loads of ways you can go, just choose the right one for you.

***Also you may be able to alter position of current rear shock in your frame to reduce travel from 5" to 3.5". this should reduce bob and better match the 3" travel forks up front.***

Martin_T

Thankyou again for your help. I'm going to hit a trail at the weekend so I'll see if it feels as I remember. I'll set the rear suspension to XC and try and preload it and see what happens.

I measured the shock at 1650mm so I'll keep an eye out to see whats available. Do I have to measure the current travel accurately and match that or is that purely preference?

If nothing comes up, might see if I stick with it and upgrade for next season. Although I'm going with a friend to a bike shop at the weekend.......not the best idea, hopefully I can resist though!

supersonic

165mm is a common measurement, but the shock shaft travel should match too ie 38mm (you'll have to measure it)