Questions about upgrades
 

If some of you remember, I bought a used '05 specialized fsrxc for $350 because I wanted to try mountain biking. So I'm getting more and more into it. I'm a roadie so I told myself to keep the bike stock, no upgrades unless its broken. Here's my dilemma....

I like my bike, sure it's heavy but it gets the job done. I've learned a few things since my first ride. Now I know my fork, brakes and rear shock could be upgraded. I have the manitou axel comp fork 100mm, tektro v brakes and X fusion shox 02rpv.

When I'm descending I still feel nervous sorta like if my brakes don't have enough stopping power and I'm sure they don't. But I don't know if I feel that way also because the fork or rear shox aren't smoothing out the ride like others could.

I weigh 185 lbs. I'm sure the best thing would be to upgrade bike all together. But that's not a possibility right now. If you had to choose, what would be your top choice to upgrade? I'm not going to ask what brand or model just because there would be a bunch of different opinions. So I'm keeping it to these 3 choices (brakes, rear shox, or fork). Thanks.

Fork.

You'll probably need to upgrade wheels also to go to disc brakes right? Rear shock... I don't know, I ride a hardtail. Also, what kind of tires are you running?

Even tho the wheels are Alex wheels they have the mount on the hubs to upgrade to disc brakes. So I wouldn't necessarily have to buy wheels as well.

I'm also running wtb velociraptor 2.1 on both front and rear.

Okay, well, I'd probably still go with a new (or used) better fork, then brakes, and then shock. Although if you really feel like braking is your bikes weakest spot right now, maybe you should just get some brakes.

Brakes! Ditch those crappy vees. At least get some good Avid mechanicals; but better if you can go hydro. That is the single best, first thing you can change out. It will revolutionize your descending confidence. Yes the fork is lacking but if it works adequately for now, you can afford to leave it for the next upgrade. Put some stoppers on it that work.

Looks like your '05 is disc-ready (hubs, mount tabs, etc.) so I would concentrate on that first.

If you're feeling nervous that the brakes don't have enough stopping power, then brakes are a no-brainer. Hydros will make a world of difference. Then yeah, that fork sucks. I had one on my old hardtail, not a fan. Get that next.

+1 for brakes then fork.

was '90's deore xt good technically compared with campagnolo mtb components of that era?
sorry if off topic

get some avid bb7's. very good mechanicals (said among those that post here to be the best mechanicals you can get). They're your best option other than going to hydraulic. They're nice pricewise too.

ESW....that's basically what I got. Bought BB7s, already installed. Just waiting for the rain to clear so I can go ride and test them out.