Fork Upgrade?

Gavvo
Gavvo Posts: 16
edited August 2013 in MTB buying advice
Hallo again,

I managed to pick up a Specialised Rockhopper SL 2011 over the weekend for a little over £300 and I'm already looking at upgrades. The first of which is probably gonna be the forks but I'm not sure which way to go as there's so much choice. As I mentioned in my first post, the bike will be used on a 10 mile round commute to and from work via a local bridle path as well as the odd weekend trail run. I'm on a bit of a tight budget and hoping around £150 will get me a decent upgrade.

Any suggestions please. Also, what else is worth upgrading that won't cost an arm an a leg?

Cheers in advance.

Comments

  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    The stock XCR isn't too bad a fork, but they do like a nice service, as a minimum upgrade from that you want a Rockshox Recon, ideally the gold with extra alloy bits to save weight. Just need forks with straight 1 1/8th steerer of the right length (or more and cut down), I'd be tempted to up the travel to 100mm.

    Or consider a good used fork!
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Gavvo
    Gavvo Posts: 16
    I wouldn't mind a used set as long as they've been looked after, and I wanted to up the travel an all, forgot to mention that though. Ideally I want to shed as much weight as possible from the bike as well as I'm quite a big lad to start off with.

    Cheers for the advice though =0)
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    If looking second hand, the older Manitous or Rockshox or marzocchi I've found most durable, Mazza's I'm not keen on (personal preferance), My Daughter has a Recon Gold, 2008 and after a simple home service it's in perfect working order, come in sub 1.75Kg which is about a 350-400g saving on an XCR but more imprtantly it works much better.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    Also worth keeping in mind, if you're a big lad, get an air-sprung fork, since you can adjust the spring rate to whatever's needed. Not as easy to do with coil spring forks.
    My photos
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Why do you want more travel?
    Rigids would be ideal for your riding.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    because he wants to ride the odd trail centre at weekends, and he's not a hipster douche who wants to ride a bike from last century?
    My photos
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    I didnt see trail centres in his post.
    100mm travel is plenty for trail centres.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    I didnt see trail centres in his post.
    100mm travel is plenty for trail centres.
    Yeah, 100mm is fine. Rigids, though? ugh.
    Gavvo wrote:
    the odd weekend trail run
    My photos
  • poah
    poah Posts: 3,369
    what about second hand

    http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1388752/
    CCDB IL coil CS first impressions

    MTB Scotland youtube channel
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    POAH wrote:
    what about second hand

    http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1388752/

    Thats very over priced.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • poah
    poah Posts: 3,369
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    POAH wrote:
    what about second hand

    http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1388752/

    Thats very over priced.

    180 new its one month old for £136 posted is overpriced?
    CCDB IL coil CS first impressions

    MTB Scotland youtube channel
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yep. I'd pay the extra for the warranty and consumer rights.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    Well if you want a second hand set that have been well looked after - I'm considering selling my Rockshox Recon Gold Solo Air. £130 including postage?
    Orbea Alma Team Carbon - Strava -Specialized Allez Sport
  • Greer_
    Greer_ Posts: 1,716
    Gavvo wrote:
    I wouldn't mind a used set as long as they've been looked after, and I wanted to up the travel an all, forgot to mention that though. Ideally I want to shed as much weight as possible from the bike as well as I'm quite a big lad to start off with.

    Cheers for the advice though =0)

    Oh and they're 100mm, and 1800g. I got them to replace a Suntour XCR on my Kraken, and you really will notice the difference! Air is definitely a lot easier than messing about with different springs etc to set sag!
    Orbea Alma Team Carbon - Strava -Specialized Allez Sport
  • jerryfudd
    jerryfudd Posts: 343
    Gavvo wrote:
    Hallo again,

    I managed to pick up a Specialised Rockhopper SL 2011 over the weekend for a little over £300 and I'm already looking at upgrades. The first of which is probably gonna be the forks but I'm not sure which way to go as there's so much choice. As I mentioned in my first post, the bike will be used on a 10 mile round commute to and from work via a local bridle path as well as the odd weekend trail run. I'm on a bit of a tight budget and hoping around £150 will get me a decent upgrade.

    Any suggestions please. Also, what else is worth upgrading that won't cost an arm an a leg?

    Cheers in advance.

    which Rockhopper did you get? comp, pro?

    Dan
    2013 Cotic Bfe

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