Mountain Biking - New fork, bike COMPLETE!

Hi everyone!

Although I've stopped posting as much as I used to I still check bikeforums every day. Anyhow, I haven't posted my bike in such a long time and I figured fitting a new fork (by myself! I feel so proud :D) is a good occasion to post the bike. It's built as an aggressive use hardtail (hardcore downhill with some light freeride), there's almost nothing left stock (specs are in my signature, the rest is stock). The new fork is a Marzocchi Dropoff 2 (2006) 130mm travel normal axle fork. Before you start dissing it because it's a Dropoff try it out, it feels like butter right out of the box and it actually has the same damping as the 66VF2.

Rest in peace RST Gila T5, you served me OK but it was time to replace you. ;) I'll probably have some fun pulling it apart and seeing what's inside to get a little better knowledge of fork mechanics.

Thanks for looking,
-DC

PS: Remember, this bike was built up with the idea in mind that it needed to come out not too expensive because I can't afford a new frame, I can't afford a super fork but right now I'm sooooo happy with it. :D
PPS: Sorry for the crappy pics, I'm not good with the camera.

and it actually has the same damping as the 66VF2.


o rly?

looking good man.

o rly?
Ya rly. :)
ankush: Thanks, I'm really happy with it, it's just the way I imagined it to be when I dreamed of all the upgrades.

cool! you must be stoked. i am finally being able to afford a new fork too even though it isnt the one i was shooting for, im getting a good deal on the RS Recon. hopefully in a few more months ill get myself a new pair of hoops too. then im set! well except for a pair of 5 10 impacts :D

Looking good, pollo. Looks like you're enjoying the wrenching as well.

ankush: Definately am. :D Sounds like you're going to be rather stoked soon too. ;)
santiago: :lol: Thanks. I sure do enjoy the wrenching, in fact I've already bought a toolkit with 99% of the tools needed for working on a bike, I'm having it shipped from Germany so it's going to take a while though. Then towards Christmas I might be able to afford a cheap mechanics stand to keep the damn thing still, that'll be very useful. :)

Ya rly. :)
ankush: Thanks, I'm really happy with it, it's just the way I imagined it to be when I dreamed of all the upgrades.
No wai

Very nice dc.

Thanks! :D :beer:

shweet dood.

Looks really sweet! Nice setup DC!

That looks pretty sweet!

:D Thanks again for all the nice comments. I just dissected the RST, the internals were completely different to what I imagined them to be so I just stuck to cleaning the seals, the lowers (from the insides), the stanchions (properly) and the rubber dust seals which contained an incredible amount of grime. Put the fork back together but the left leg's Allen bolt won't tighten, I'll see what I can do about it tomorrow although I'm not too fussed, if it doesn't work anymore it was still a good experience to see the insides. If it works, even better. :)

Sweeeeeeeeeetness

Nice man! I love seeing decked out hardrocks, they are truely the best. I can't really tell but are there any stock parts left on your pony?

I use to have a HR with a similar set up, but frame cracked!:cry:
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g274/talle1000/Bike001.jpg

You've made a very nice ride indeed. When we get "should I upgrade" threads we should post a link to your bike. Good job.

Lookin' good, DC!:beer: As long as it does what you want it to, that's what's important.

FreeRidin': Hardly anything left stock. Seatpost, seat, seatpost clamp, headset, handlebars, grips and frame. I think that's actually it. :lol: That's a wonderfully awesome Hardrock too, really nice.
mtnbiker66: Pass those newbies my way, I'll give 'em a few pointers. ;) Thanks.
Karldar: Thankee much, it sure does what I need it to do. At 15.3kg (or around there) it's not too heavy and it's more than possible to up with it which was an important aspect for me (need to climb 45 minutes to get to DH) and I think I've ended up with a very good allround hardtail; light enough for the odd XC ride but strong enough to take a good beating.

I miss my Hardrock.... Really nice looking dude!

I dub thee "HarderRock"

Defantly one of this neicest hardrocks ive seen around. Very nice build man.

:beer: Cheers everyone! :)