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100mm fork for one of us guys?

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100mm fork for one of us guys?

Old 07-31-13, 10:59 PM
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100mm fork for one of us guys?

I have been looking at 29ers of late and am really torn between getting something that is top-of the line entry (mechanical discs and sun tour) or bottom of the line mid-rnge (hydraulic and RS). The one thing that concerns me is that, even paying a couple hundred bucks more I'll still have to swap out the for for some thing that can better handle my 220-230 pounds.

Have any of you swapped out the forks on you hard-tails and if so to what? Did any of you find any of the stock forks to be sufficient.

Current bikes in contention are

Kona Mahuna
GF manba or marlin
Specialized Rockhopepr 29er
Specialized Hard Rock SPort Disc 29er
Giant Talon 29er or (more interestingly 27.5er)

I might spend a little more, I probably wont spend much less. I would not like a Diamondback or (for no real reason whatsoever) a Canondale.
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Old 07-31-13, 11:35 PM
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what ever entry bike you get, I'd recommend something with 10spd. You may think the low end 8spd is enough but darn parts are hard to get and cost more then modern level 9/10 spd parts. To convert from 8spd to 10 will cost another $250.

this is a pretty good deal but only in lrg and xl, I'd say if your about 6ft you should be fine on the large.
https://www.trekbicyclesuperstore.com...n-123191-1.htm
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Old 07-31-13, 11:53 PM
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At my LBS, 10-speed Shimano triggers start @ $66, 8 speed @ $40, Gripshift 8sp @ $20.

Unofortunately the Gripshifts are MRX. Glad I got some of the Mid-range Gripshifts when they were still available, still haven't even mounted them

Cassettes and chains are still available and cheaper, also. Buy two cassettes and that'll probably keep you going a good long while. 8sp chains will still be around in 10 years.
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Old 08-01-13, 05:13 PM
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sorry just cuz the 8spd is cheaper, its not better and more then a decade old, old design, old weights, old reliablity. MTB is all about gear range, new bikes should come w/ modern parts.
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Old 08-01-13, 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by jsigone
sorry just cuz the 8spd is cheaper, its not better and more then a decade old, old design, old weights, old reliablity. MTB is all about gear range, new bikes should come w/ modern parts.
You're welcome to those beliefs and preferences. Just saying that the parts are NOT hard to find and NOT expensive.

Originally Posted by jsigone
MTB is all about gear range
I can get 8-sp 11-32, which is a good enough gear range for me. If I ever want a 36T cog I'll look into Sram.

I actually like 7-speed stuff just fine.
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Old 08-01-13, 06:07 PM
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I am currently riding a new Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Aluminum hard tail. I came with Rockshox Reba 90mm travel on the front. After messing with the pressure a little it is now setup very nicely and handles my 220lbs without any problem. My old Carve (was stolen and replaced with the Stumpjumper) had a Rockshox Recon gold on it. I adjusted the air pressure and it worked great!

The other thing to think about it the quality of the brakes. My Carve had Avid Elixer 1 hydraulics and I could not stand them. They were very noisy, and in my opinion underpowered. My new rig has Magura MTS hydraulics front and rear and they seem to work much better. They are also quiet and don't vibrate like the Elixers did.

As for gearing. My Stumpjumper has a 2X10 setup with a 38/24 in the front and 11-36 in the rear. That super low gear really helps on the steep climbs.

Good luck with your final decision.
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Old 08-01-13, 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by jsigone
sorry just cuz the 8spd is cheaper, its not better and more then a decade old, old design, old weights, old reliablity. MTB is all about gear range, new bikes should come w/ modern parts.
Agree — after going from and old Shimano Deore LX to an 8 or 9 speed it's amazing how much quicker and smoother the Deore shifts — if you plan to ride it a lot in challenging up and down, rooty singletrack the extra cost is worth it, IMO.

Also the extra range in gears matters more to me on an MTB than on a road bike sometimes.

That said, I have a Kona Blast hardtail (26) in the quiver and it's a fun bike, good frame, although the shock (low end Marzocchi) adjustment dials jammed, grrr. Tyres were barely so-so, so that's something you want to factor in to cost - are they up to snuff for you, or will you want to replace soon?

These days, my old and cranky back insists on full boing (Rockhopper FSR which was full boing back in 2000 ish, and has been a delight for a decade), so I only borrow my son's Kona (BTW he's 6'3" -- 230+) when the Rockhopper's in the shop.

I've worn through or replaced plenty of parts of the rockhopper -- tyres, fork, rear shock, front rim, saddle, post, one shifter, cranks, pedals, of the Rockhopper over time--sometimes I wonder if that's just the way it goes unless you buy high-end to begin with, and even then, some things are only going to last so long.

Last edited by rideorglide; 08-01-13 at 08:48 PM.
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Old 08-01-13, 09:14 PM
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all the parts WILL wear out in the drive train. My entry/mid level SRAM x7 (10spd) took almost 2yrs of HARD abuse before I had to put a new chain, cassette, and crank rings on. Now pedals like a new bike and can put down power w/o skipping a beat.

I remember my old LX 8spd stuff used to spit out cassettes every 3 months. If I have to spend $60-70 for a cassette, $30 for a chain, $50 on rings, I'd rather do it for a more modern drive train. But 11spd is now out but cost a fortune to run longer then a season....xx1 rear cassette is $399!!!!!!

BTW I have a 2011 rockhopper, but its a singlespeed w/ carbon rigid fork Only needs lube and air to get it running. I run a 8spd chain on it cuz 1spd sram chains don't really use a power link. Great frame, bit of flex but a good flex.
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Old 08-01-13, 09:29 PM
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I don't get it, dude. I buy 8-speed cassettes for $20-25, 8-sp chains for $12-15.

Wish I woulda bought more XT 8-sp cassettes when pricepoint blew them out for $25 around the turn of the century but I still get by fine with sram 830.

I usually get KMC chain these days but just got sram bulk chain cuz they were out of kmc bulk.
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