Mountain Biking - Need opinions on Upgrades

I am looking for opinions and suggestions on upgrading my new bike. The first thing I'd actually like to take care of is my fork and seat. The fork is too mushy and the seat is evil hard! As far as the saddle goes, I'd like to stick with a WTB, just not that one! For the shocks, I am looking for something with on bar adjusters, like a lever of some sort, but doesn't shatter my bank! Around 600 if possible? Thx! And any other upgrade suggestions would be awesome!

FRAME

Tubing: 7005 Aluminum Full Triple Butted Edge Shaped Tubing with Full Double Butted Seat and Chainstays with Disc Mounts
Fork: Answer Axel Super Rapid Travel Wind Down 70/100mm Travel, Rebound
Headset: WTB Momentum Comp ST Threadless 1 1/8”

DRIVE TRAIN
Shifters: Shimano Deore
Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur: Shimano XT
Cassette: SRAM PG-950, Power Glide II, 9 speed, 11-32
Chain: Shimano HG53
Crankset: TruVativ Firex 44/32/22, 1 Alloy Chainring
Bottom Bracket: TruVativ Cartridge Sealed
Brakes: Hayes HFX-9, Full Hydraulic Disc
Brake Levers: Hayes HFX-9, Full Hydraulic Levers
WHEELS

Rear Hub: Shimano Disc 32 Hole
Front Hub: Shimano Disc 32 Hole
Rims: Mavic SM-117 Disc 32 Hole
Spokes: DT 15 gauge Black Stainless
Tires: IRC Mythos 26"x1.95"

SADDLE / BAR / STEM / PEDALS
Saddle: WTB Speed V ATB with Love Channel and Comfort Zone
Seat Post: Comp Alloy Micro Adjust
Handlebar: Double Butted Alloy 1" Rise
Stem: 3D Forged 4 Bolt Threadless 7 Degree Rise
Grips: Dual Density
Pedals: Composite Alloy Cage

I don't like double posting, but since my screen name seems to be invisible to everyone (my intro recieved no response either; nice place huh. Ask for an introduction and no one bothers to say hi; But if I had some type of malady it might have been different, it seems.) I am going to ask again. Just looking for ANY input on upgrading. I know I don't have a FS bike like most here, it seems, but I like my hard tail none the less. I am pretty much a newbie and in need of advice. I was directed here by a buddy that told me this was a friendly environment. I know that on the forum where I am a moderator, one of the mods would at least have said something. I realise this is a large forum, but hell. Even a 'screw you and your sorry bike' would have been better than 30 something views and no response.

End of monologue.

screw you and your sorry bike

you happy?

Fork, front dérailleur, and shifters. I'd get anything but a Manitou fork and I'd get XT for the shifters and front dérailleur (M750 series triggers as I hate the M760 flippy levers)

Fork, front dérailleur, and shifters. I'd get anything but a Manitou fork and I'd get XT for the shifters and front dérailleur (M750 series triggers as I hate the M760 flippy levers)

I noticed my fork was really squishy; Everything I've looked at as far as forks has been from Rox Shox I believe. Was hoping to actually go for the XTR componants instead of XT as I've read reviews that would lead me to believe they are better.

I noticed my fork was really squishy; Everything I've looked at as far as forks has been from Rock Shox I believe. Was hoping to actually go for the XTR components instead of XT as I've read reviews that would lead me to believe they are better.
Only if you're racing, in my opinion, will you want XTR. The cost to performance gained really isn't that great, nor is the weight savings. Not like a LX to XT difference. It's part of the reason that the highest I go with my personal bikes is XT or Ultegra. XTR is great if someone else is buying but beyond that it's mostly an ego trip.

Thanks for the input; saves me the money. :) And thanks for the input on the Manitou Fork. I was initially interested in getting another one because it came stock with one, but if you say no I'd trust a veteren.

if anything i would suggest the rockshox psylos, as they have u-turn adjustment and some have remote lockout which you can attach to your handlebars

Good fork brands you should look for, if you upgrade your forks, should be Rock Shox (RS) or Marzocchi (Marz).

philber your config on that bike looks very similar to mine what brand of bike do u own?

philber your config on that bike looks very similar to mine what brand of bike do u own?
Y-O-U. It's "you" not "u"

I agree with Raiyn on the shifters. LX or XT shifters are more than satisfactory. Yes, I have XTR on my bike but they came with the bike. However, the XTR (FD-M952) front derailleur does bear some exception and may be something to consider if you want exceptionally smooth and reliable front shifting. This is because it has independent differential cage plates not found on any of the other FDs.

I own an '04 Marin Nail Trail. As for the derailleurs, I looked at the prices online yesterday and found XTR's to be around 80 bucks a unit. 160 for front and back isn't bad at all. I would then swap my current components over to either my girls Haro or my Bolinas Ridge. That's also what I plan on doing with the fork as well. I rode my BR yesterday after my buddy wiped out, to make sure it was still kosher (and after he slipped the chain) and it was night and day! I didn't realise it was such a dramatic difference until then! Thanks all for your help, it is much appreciated. I am leaning towards rock shox. Any opinions on riser bars? I am looking at a couple carbon fiber pieces, but I was wondwring about their durability.

I looked at the prices online yesterday and found XTR's to be around 80 bucks a unit.

Supergo has them on sale for $70 (http://www.supergo.com/profile.cfm?LPROD_ID=8186&lsubcat_id=1807&lcat_id=7604&referpage=). Make sure to get the M952. Those are the only ones with the differential plates. You can tell by looking at the back of the cage. It should have a linkage there.

http://www.supergo.com/product_images/medium/50-0359.jpg

Also, don't forget to order the correct clamp size and pull type to match your bike.

I own an '04 Marin Nail Trail. As for the dérailleurs, I looked at the prices online yesterday and found XTR's to be around 80 bucks a unit. 160 for front and back isn't bad at all. I would then swap my current components over to either my girls Haro or my Bolinas Ridge. That's also what I plan on doing with the fork as well. I rode my BR yesterday after my buddy wiped out, to make sure it was still kosher (and after he slipped the chain) and it was night and day! I didn't realize it was such a dramatic difference until then! Thanks all for your help, it is much appreciated. I am leaning towards rock shox. Any opinions on riser bars? I am looking at a couple carbon fiber pieces, but I was wondering about their durability.
This is what I run http://www.maxmcomponents.com/pages/handlebars.html I use their MX-5 on my trail bike and I have the MX-6 on my commuter. They are the only carbon bars I trust at my size due to their internal (read Kevlar) reinforcing structure. The fact that they have a Lifetime warranty doesn't hurt matters either.