agreed, I love mine too, they don't come loose at all which is great, velcro seems to stretch out a bit after a while in the saddle.

So far, I reckon they crap all over velcro (I've had them for 5 days now), and because I got the REALLY expensive Sidis, I believe the ratchets can be replaced.

Damn, they are certainly making it easier with susp forks these days. Just checking the specs of a Specialised and it has 170mm travel! Soon you wont need to steer, just point it straight and away you go.

does susp take the fun out of it though? if you can just point it down the hill do you benefit from it? No skills are obtained, take the susp away and can you still ride down the same trail?

Not you specifically bucky but the collective general bunch of youse out in the World.

yep, that's the great thing, and velcro gets filthy and stops sticking too which sucks, ratchets rule !!

speaking of susp, the Dirt Works catalog shows the Fox F80 at $1,200. The Terralogic X or whatever it is goes for $1,500 - ouch !!

I cannot really comment to much for I am only a noobie when it comes to off road anyway, but I have seen a fair bit of debate about it. Some say it makes no difference, others say you no longer need the skill for the susp takes it all in its stride and you just need to point forward. I know at times I would like to be able to have a bit more travel for my bike handling skills are still in development. I guess a safe way of looking at it would be, for a beginner it would be tops for it allows you to get away with a lot, and as you advance, get the shorter travel stiffer forks and develop the skill...

But that is just me rambling really.

Ouchy in deed! a stack of cash tied up there.

I say learn with minimal suspension so you develop how to ride everything, then go for more susp later, you'll always have the skills where you need it from learning it the hard way.

True, like most things with life, you always learn better and faster if thrown in the deep end first!

Expat, know anywhere in Newcastle that does good pizza for a decent price?

Have you ridden a rigid fork off road lately? Last time I gave it a go, it was an exercise in futility. I have more than enough skill and experience, but I can tell you that neither will keep your front wheel on the ground over washboard bumps. Never mind the punishment I endured, I was unable to steer or slow down. 70 or 80mm is all you need to get by for the kind of XC stuff we do around here. A bit more would smooth out the ride, allowing you to go faster, but I wouldn't pay extra for it. 170mm is probably beyond freeride and hucking, and into downhill territory. We're talking big drops, and 30 foot or more gaps.

Front suspension lets you go faster, but there is a point of diminishing returns. Bucky, if you add a slightly taller fork, you'll slacken the head angle, slowing your steering. Better for going down hills, where it give you more control, but it also makes it harder to climb hills. The only change I would make to your Trek is to replace the rear derailleur when it either breaks, wears out, or gives you grief as far as shifting. You have a very capable bike that's more than enough for the trails out here. Before you consider replacing your fork, read up on tuning it to suit your weight and riding style.

Whew! That was a lot of typing. I think I'll go take a nap.

APK on Beaumont Street, or Verde Luna on Tudor Street, near Beaumont. Neither one will let you down.

Excellent! great minds think alike! advantage of APK is The Kent is across the road

Agree with your other comments to. I was just looking at full susp bikes and the gear that they are coming out with when I made my original comments. For myself it is just developing some skills I think at this stage. Got to wait over two weeks now though till I can go for another ride.

Hope you guys keep the thread alive while I am gone I may come in with a few lagged posts.

I gave my wife my FS. It's a full custom frame built by a company that's now out of business. It was built for one of their team riders, and is pretty sweet and light. I was able to push it harder and go faster, but since I'm such a crappy climber, I figured I'll stick with the hardtail and let my wife have the cushy ride. I just lean back, weight the rear wheel to keep traction, and work the fork on dowhhill stuff now. Of course, that doesn't work with a cheap fork, as you witnessed a few weeks ago.

My 2cents...
I agree...
If you're gonna ride mainly road/trails/XC I'd look at a hardtail with 80mm front or a full suss with lockout if you've got loads of cash .

Anything else i.e. freeride/downhill I reckon you need a custom bike per application.

Look at it this way, last time I (Full suss XC bike) rode with climbo (RIGID) he's goin past me on the downhill...Now I'm blamin my grips/armpump/brake adjustment but bottom line is a good rider on a bad bike will whip a bad rider on a good bike all day long..

Read the 'How much faster will I go on Carbon & dura-ace' threads..

Climbo... how much are those forks thyla can probably craft you a set from Kryptonite cheaper..!

Anyone ridden the Specialized 'brain'?
https://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemDe...C=FK-FOX-F100X
A mate back home reckons its the beezneez!

mate in the US has the Epic, reckons the same thing, great XC bike.

Willie here is mixing apples and oranges. More front suspension isn't going to make you a better rider, or really cover your mistakes. Rear suspension is a whole 'nother conversation. Theoretically, he should be able to climb better than Climbo (ok, better than someone on a hardtail, maybe not someone named "Climbo") due to better traction. The better traction should make up for the slight weight penalty. Downhill, if the suspension at both ends is set up correctly, he should be the faster one. Brakes, tires, rider skill, and huge testicles are other factors as well.

I hear the Epic is a great ride too, but too light and flexy for someone like me. It's built for speed, not beatings.

Brakes? on a downhill? Just bunnyhop anything that gets in the way and slam your way through corners. Well that's what I do on my ROADBIKE.

We'll let you lead then.

Bring your binoculars, you need 'em. Oh yeah, and a long length of rope might come in handy for when I barrel into a ravine

Is that Trek airbag-equipped?

It's gonna get very loud in my office soon......

https://www.formula1.com/race/livetiming/732.html