Hi guys I'm a newbie here with a problem I want to resolve on the front fork suspension on my Cannondale Super V 500 bike!! I understand that you can get different springs for the headshock/front forks in different spring rates for conditions, weight, etc. I can't seem to get through to Cannondale via emails and such and my local Cannondale dealer closed up shop and I dont' know where to go to get these Kits!! I also need to find a Place that has 7 speed Shimano rapidfire shifters because I want to replace my Sram SRT 400 grip shift shifters, I really don't care for these type of shifters and want to replace them with some Shimano rapidfire types, here again I run a Shimano Hyperglide HG 7 speed cassette with a Shimano Deore LX rear derailleur and a STX Front or would it be more advantageous to replace the cassette with a 8-9 speed version and go with a 8-9 speed shifter set-up??? I'm having a Hard time finding a Shimano 7 speed Rapidfire shifter set-up thats new or in relatively nice condition I might add that I'm a stickler for clean used items as my Bike is in near Mint condition I checked ebay and somer prices were in the ridiculous price range I could go with a 9 speed cassette and find a current 9 speed Shimano Rapidfire or equiv. shifter set-up from Bike Nashbar or Supergo! So what do you guys think I need to spend only about $100.00, this is all I can allocate at this time for this type of set-up can this be done? Any recommendations or links to where I can find the parts I need to do this upgrade? I thank you all for your replies and comments I generally ride the soft trails in my neighborhood Bike trail (White pine trial in MI.)

I had my spring/elastomer replaced on my F700 a few years ago to give me a stiffer ride(I'm a little over 200 lbs.), but the local dealer here has consolidated and closed the shop in my city. Have to roll about 30-35 miles away now for Cannondale parts/dealer service. As for shifting, I have some old 8-speed XT shifter pods I'll let go for cheap. They're dusty and slightly used, but I upgraded to XTR right after I bought my SuperV 1000(used-1 year old). I might go with 8-spd setup since it seems fairly easy to get the parts(for now). PM me if you're interested in those shifters....

a2psyklnut is probably gonna be all over this.

Thanks Karl for your reply I sent you a message concerning the pods I stil need to get an 8 speed HG cassette will this fit onto a 7 Speed Shimano HG 28T LX hub with-out any problems??? I see cassettes are fairly cheap 10-30 bucks but is all the componentry compatible???