Fork upgrade - worthwhile?
chrisw333
Posts: 695
I have a 2008 Rockhopper Disc with RockShox Tora coil forks.
I've been pretty happy with the bike, but am riding more and more and am wondering if a fork upgrade to the 2011 Reba RLT would be worthwhile. I appreciate they will be a bit lighter, but would they significantly improve the ride? Also, current forks are 100 mm travel, would I be able to set the set the Rebas at 120mm and would this be worthwhile?
Tend to ride natural singletrack and but starting to do a few trail centres too. Something like the MBR route is at the very top of my current skill level and I suspect about as extreme as I'm ever likely to get.
So for £280 (on one) would the 2011 Rebas be a worthwhile upgrade on a 4 year old bike?
I've been pretty happy with the bike, but am riding more and more and am wondering if a fork upgrade to the 2011 Reba RLT would be worthwhile. I appreciate they will be a bit lighter, but would they significantly improve the ride? Also, current forks are 100 mm travel, would I be able to set the set the Rebas at 120mm and would this be worthwhile?
Tend to ride natural singletrack and but starting to do a few trail centres too. Something like the MBR route is at the very top of my current skill level and I suspect about as extreme as I'm ever likely to get.
So for £280 (on one) would the 2011 Rebas be a worthwhile upgrade on a 4 year old bike?
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Comments
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My mate has done exactly the ssame swop and think's they are fantastic, except he's gone for 100mm. The frame is warrentied for 110mm max - so be warned.0
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WHich version of the Tora?0
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According to the spec - RockShox Tora 302 SL with 100mm of travel and 32mm Cr-Mo stanchions. Alloy steerer and a Mag lower. Coil spring with preload adjust. Lockout with rebound adjust. This was a 2008 bike.0
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Ever serviced it?0
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No, never serviced the forks, but I have had bike fairly regurlarly serviced and they seem to be working fine (have asked the question).
Whilst I've done a reasonable amount of miles in the last couple of years, the bike was pretty lightly used before that.0 -
Do you want to spend the money?
Different Rebas can be had for around £230 if you look around.0 -
I don't know, that's what I'm tryin to decide!
If I think it is a really worthwhile upgrade I may well do so, but I haven't got money burning a hole in my pocket. Part of my concern is the bike is probably only worth £300 second hand so is it worth spending this sort of money on it. Then again Rockhoppers are good bikes and I understand are a good base to upgrade.0 -
It is one of the more basic Toras, so a Reba would be a decent upgrade - be a pound lighter, and have the Motion control damper which is more composed.0
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Thanks for your advice. So you don't think this upgrade is guilding the lily for a 2008 Rockhopper?
Also, could I ask, do you think the Rebas RLT (£280) are worth the extra 50 quid over and above these Reba RL's (is the difference motion control?)
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRERL/ro ... k__26_inch
and the 90 quid over and above the Recon gold RL Solo Air bearing in mind the bike they are going on?
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSREGSOL/ ... th_poplock
or the Recon gold TH Solo Air
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRECGLDA ... th_poplock
Finally, is an air fork an issue if for someone who is about 15.5 stone?
Thanks again, all advice much appreciated.0 -
No, that's the beauty of air forks. But I would go for a duel air - ie a REBA. They can be had for less than 280 - it'll be older or not have as good dampers, but saying good - they are all better than you have whatever reba you go for.
Yes it's a worthy frame, but £300 might be best other things rather than just a fork - get closer to £200 - within the last month I've seen REBAs and a SID for less than £250..0 -
I would say yes definitely worth the money, I have just done something similar myself on my Felt going from Suntour XCM's to Reba RL's. They have completely transformed the bike.0
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Definitely Rebas - and if 2012, RLT (RL for 2012 loses Floodgate adjustment)0
