Upgrade Forks on Specialized Hardrock Advice please

abarth_1200

Hi, im getting an itch to spend some money on a decent fork.

My current forks are Dart 3's with I think 100mm of travel but it says somewhere about 80mm travel too, I think this is after sag. They fell heavy and slow to react, only really absorb the bigger bumps and often seem to top out once they have been compressed on a bump or dip. im looking for more travel I think and smoother dampening.

I would also like to know if a 120mm fork would help me sit a bit more upright, I always feel like im stretching my arms and back too low over the bike, Im sure its not a size thing as my lbs sold me the bike on my size and I think I actually told them Im more comfortable on a smaller frame.

Budget around £175.

riche0

You need to check to make sure your frame can take a longer fork. I suspect it can't. It supposedly stresses the frame in places where it is not designed too, consequently can invalidate the warranty and possibley the frame and you too.

Prob best looking online at places like on-one, merlin and chain reaction etc and see what offers they have then get the best forks your money will stretch too and take them to your lbs to be fitted.

riche0

Do you have a reclined seat post?

You could either move your seat forward or get an inline seat post to reduced the reach to the handlebars. A 120mm fork wouldn't make you sit more upright. That's due to the frame size.

abarth_1200

I was worried you would say it might stress the frame if you go bigger forks. Where could I find that out, direct contact with specialised, they would more than likely fob me off with the no it'll put stress on the frame.

The seat post is inline and my saddle is set forward in the rails but because of this when I sit upright I feel like I'm going to slip off the saddle forwards because my feet are behind my centre of gravity. But that's not the topic so ill have to leave that for now.

Forks then, any suggestions

wrenny

I have a 2011 Hardrock..mine came with 80mm Suntours. Specialized recommend 100mm max on a Hardrock.

I fitted mine with 100mm Rockshox Recon Silver coil forks..got them off ebay for £80, taken off a brand new bike. Massive improvement over the Suntours but still heavy. Merlin and On One often have them on sale for about £130.

For more adjustability and lighter weight you could try to find some air forks, Rockshox Recon Silver/Gold and Rebas are the usual recommendations. Might struggle finding new for £175 but should be no problem getting some 2nd hand for that price..just make sure you check axle type, steerer length etc.
Seen new Suntour Epicon Air forks on ebay for about £130..think they`re supposed to be ok. Hope that helps..

dynebaruk

Put Recon silver solo air forks on my 2010 Hardrock. I'd definitely recommend them. Massive difference to the Suntours.

Siarm

I have 100mm rebas on my 2011 hardrock, so much better than the suntours that were on there.

slickmouse

riche0 wrote:

You need to check to make sure your frame can take a longer fork. I suspect it can't. It supposedly stresses the frame in places where it is not designed too, consequently can invalidate the warranty and possibley the frame and you too.

Prob best looking online at places like on-one, merlin and chain reaction etc and see what offers they have then get the best forks your money will stretch too and take them to your lbs to be fitted.

??? he hasnt said its still under warranty, but what possible difference do you think 20m will make to the frame stress, that's 3/4 of an inch, a third of which will disappear in sag,. meaning its sits just half an inch higher than it did. the frames are made of high grade Ali not Waterford crystal. the question is why bother for such a small gain in travel. A good air fork will give considerably more effective travel than he has now, if that fork is 80/100 or 120 mil is mostly irreverent

The Rookie

You can still impact something at full extent so the loss of a 1/3 of the 20mm in sag is irrelevant.

Lardrock frames aren't high grade alloy, fairly mediocre, although there are lighter steel frames so at least there is a lot of it!

abarth_1200

Ok guys, haven't been on in a few days but kinda put this on the back burner. I've just gone and bought a mondraker factor second hand so ill be leaving this bike as is or sell it.

Do you think a medium frame is too small for me at 6"1 or is it just what feels right, guy who had it before me was 5"11 but was only 17.

slickmouse

abarth_1200 wrote:

Ok guys, haven't been on in a few days but kinda put this on the back burner. I've just gone and bought a mondraker factor second hand so ill be leaving this bike as is or sell it.

Do you think a medium frame is too small for me at 6"1 or is it just what feels right, guy who had it before me was 5"11 but was only 17.

that's what ive got ( 18'') at the same height, but I like them low and short, which makes them very maneuverable but a bit twitchy ? Its more the arm reach than the seat height that's the issue and you can play about with the seat slide and the handle bars to fine tune it. BUT yes its what it feels like to you that matters

The Rookie

Effective top tube length is more important than nominal frame size and Mondrakers (from the ones I've looked at) tend to be longish so it will probably be just right, you may find you want to lift the front end a little which could mean a change of stem or bars though.

abarth_1200

Thanks for the info guys. I have got it set up a bit better but my seat post is past it's max length now and my knees are too far forward with the saddle in its furthest back point. I think to get things right ill need a layback seat post and a shorter and higher stem along with some big handlebars.

D you guys think I should look for something else around the £700 mark and try get back what I spent on it,