Ed...how can i tell if my front derailer is a bottem swing or top??

Bottom Swing
Top Swing
E-Type
http://www.wrower.pl/wiadomosci/img/...771_M770-E.gif

So if I wanted to upgrade my FD I'd have to get what I have on it now?if it's a top swing gotta go back with top swing?thanks

Not necessarily. As long as you're not running into a braze-on, high pivot, etc...it should work. Just depends on the frame. I had a ht with a really low bottle mount...the bottom-swing overlapped it b/c I had to raise it up high. When I built my XLT, I couldn't use my top-swing that I already had b/c the clamp ran into the main pivot.

Is there any preventative maintenance one should do to prolong the life of rear shocks and/or front forks? I saw these boots for rear shocks and forks, and being mindful of the power of marketers to sell solutions in search of problems, figured there was no harm in asking.

What is a ballpark lifespan of, say, a Fox 32 F-Series RL fork, and a Fox Float RP-2?

Thanks in advance

I'd avoid the shock covers and stanchion covers, they will trap dirt in between and will have a worse wear rate than what you get without them.

They will last a long time depending on how well you keep them maintained. The F100 I have on the dmr is a 2007 and it's still going strong.

ditto