Forum menu
I have a pretty cheap Specialised Hardrock Pro which is now about 7 years old (at least). It was never obviously an expensive MTB to start with, but to be fair it has served me well. It has survived numerous trips to Coed-y-brenin, Affan and other MTB areas in the UK over the years. However, having started a fmily over the last 5 years I’ve done little on the bike but have recently come back from an amazing trip to Whinlattter in the Lakes and some other areas. In short, I want to know what the best thing to do for me to upgrade on a budget. The forks are old marzochis which I think are a bit shot. They came back slow at the weekend. The bike is also heavy so I was thinking that new forks would be the way to go? I do also use the bike on flat off-road trails so forks I could lock-off would be helpful for me. Ideally I wouldn’t want to spend more than a couple of hundred and would be grateful of any advice..
You might be flogging a dead horse. However, assuming it is a 26 inch bike with a straight steerer tube of 1 1/8, you should be able to pick up a new fork (e.g. http://www.alltricks.com/F-11918-fourches-suspendue/P-66563-rockshox_2015_fork_30_gold_tk_solo_air_26___100_mm_axle_9_mm_steerer_1__1_8__black_poplock ) for less than £200.
However, you might want to test out the equation of spending closer to £400 on something similar to the Calibre Two.Two and trying to sell the Hardrock for £100-ish (don't know if it would sell at that, just an idea). Whilst the fork you'd end up with won't be quite as good as the 30 gold TK linked above, overall you'd end up with hydraulic discs, new tyres / wheels, probably a lighter bike overall. More likely to get a smile?
I'd be weighing up what you could get for it on eBay or the classifieds v something like a Voodoo from Halfords or Calibre bikes from go outdoor as suggested. Are there any other components that need replacement?
or a second hand set of air forks and lighter tyres (assuming they'll be pretyy hefty spesh wire beads?