Mountain Biking - Is there hope for my bike

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b380/01amberfirewv/pic-221S.jpg

It is old but still in pretty good condition. I used to do a lot of mountainbikeing and want to get started again. It is kind of uncomfortable when ridding on rail trails though so I am wandering if I should change some things. I am 5'10" and I think the bike is a 18". It seems like I have to lean to far over when seated but that is only a problem on long flat rides. Any suggestions?

The only changes I can think of since the pic are new tires (specialized)

If it was me, I'd just check all the components...replace what's garbage and worn out, then adjust your reach problem. That can be remedied by taking it into a local shop and asking them to let you try a variety of stems to shorten the reach. Change out the fork too :)

-Avinash

I will have to try that. I think most of the components (STX special eddition I think) are pretty good but the fork could probubly go.

Sure!
I have one just like yours but I turned it into my commuter. Just swap the fork and you are ready to go.

RR.

that bike looks fine, except maybe the fork. other than that, things have not really changed significantly. I was still riding a bike from the early 90's until recently, and only quit because I got a custom.

bb

Ditto - I only quit 'cause I broke it.

I had, however, upgraded from my old Manitou 4 a couple of years ago.

I havent priced new forks but I am thinking the only things I need are a new fork, seat and maybe a new stem. I am going to try ridding it for a while and making some adjustments to see if I can get it to be a little more comfortable. What is a good fork that is not too expensive?



If I remember corectly the seat should be adjusted so that my knee is just slightly bend when fully extended?

define "not too expensive"

honestly I am not even sure where to start. What should I look to spend for a decent, great and then overkill fork?

Hmm, when you say 18" did you mean the toptube, How do you have a reach problem with that? I have a BMX that has a 21" tt with laidback seat, and i'm 5'4"

is it me or does the bike look small in the pic?

I think it looks small because of the angle it was taken from. When I got it I was about the same hight (though I put on a few lb's) but the gave me a size up because they expected me to grow