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Morning all,

OK, it's time to gather some advice from the EHMTB Massive

I've been out riding with some of you and quite a few times with some and I think I've increased my abilities over these past few months I very much like attacking a trail and think I'm getting both faster and more competent. (hopefully nobody corrects me here )

After riding Surrey Hills 2 weeks ago and absolutely loving it, one of the things I took back from that was that I seriously need to sort out my front-fork situation. I say this because a.) I'm using a HT and b.) it has Dart 3s on it, being a standard Spesh RH.
I spent my time throughout the descents with the back end of the bike absolutely hopping around the place but bloody 'ell, I was feeling it through the front. My arms were shattered from the constant hammering.

So, I've got to make some decisions....

If I look to upgrade the front forks on the RH, what kind of travel should I be looking at in your opinion?

Also, I am about to hopefully start building a Full-Suss with a Decathlon RR 6.3 frame so could go that route also..

The thing is I'm told the frame is a 100mm setup frame so would I have the same dilemmas if I built it with 100mm or would the fact it's a full-suss with its rear suspension helping out change things?

I love riding local trails.. Single-track through Hockley, Thorndon, Epping, etc.. Surrey Hills was amazing so want a lot more of that type of stuff, want to get out to the proper trail centres in attack mode and also want to be getting more air off trail jumps, etc.. (not freeride stuff)

Opinions welcomed...

1. Don't waste your money on that shit cheap ass frame.

2. I run a silver rockshox recon solo air at 130mm travel on a hardtail and have no problems- from most stuff I did in Les Gets to everything at Danbury and Chicksands.

I had a dart fork once and the difference is like comparing a ford escort to a ford focus RS. Which one would you want to go fast in?

Your Rockhopper is really designed for 100mm forks (130mm max but may not do the frame any good in the long term). As Dan says the Recon's are good, maybe something like http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... GOLDTK.htm
I'm guessing the 'shit cheap ass frame' is the Decathlon! I'd leave that for now and save for something better if you want full sus.
Or you could just leave everything as it is as I've heard from some of the others you went to Surrey Hills with that you're getting too good!

If you are enjoying attacking the trail then take a look at a 120mm fork - it will slack the bike out a little and take good size hits.. the recon is a good recommendation.

The issues you are describing are more about technique to be honest - do the fork upgrade if you want as the darts arnt great but take the time to do some reading / watch videos on riding technique and you will get a lot more out of your riding than any new kit can offer. Also consider some training - ukbikeskills is a good shout.

You want at least 130mm at the front of any frame you build, I have no experiance of the decathalon frame so cant comment

My current KHS has 120mm at the rear and 130mm at the front, both air shocks and is great for what I do (manly XC riding) unless you want full on DH then 160mmm at front is your starting point

Putting bigger shocks on the Spesh will increase the head angle and may damage the frame.. not good if hacking down hill and the frame cracks The shocks eccles url to are a good base point, well until you get a decent full suser

Trouble is the 120mm Recons add about £100 (http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... roducts-UK) so you have to decide if that is worth it.

I think it would be very rare for the frame to snap due to 3 or 4 deg difference from stock. just wouldn't happen. i ran pikes on a trail bike for a while and it was very interesting winding them from 140 to 120 and noticing the faster feeling steering and better climbing. however the 140 was great to have on board when things got hectic.

Cheers for the candid input so far Dudes..

I do like the 'twitchyness' and sharp steering, etc.. of the RH now, it's just the absorbsion that I'm needing to improve on.

Reading your comments about slackening, etc, and talking to some people, it may be a case of upgrade the RH to 100 (maybe Recons) and see how it performs...
I could then stick the Darts on the other frame in the interim (Surfette is gonna use it when we go out together on more 'sedate' rides) and gain the experience of building a bike (main reason I'm doing it is so I can learn how a bike goes together so I can learn maintenance, assembly, etc..)

I also take the point of technique and tuition.. I had considered training before the summer but got caught up in so much stuff going on that I forgot all about it. Might look into that again as I also think I'd be in a much better position to gain more from it now too.

Keep the comments coming all..

PS. Rob, Surrey Hills was MENTAL!! I absolutely loved it. BIG SMILES!! It was a good challenge for me too as if I'd done that say 3 months ago I'd probably have been injured, knackered, and beyond my abilities..

I'm loving this MTB lark

'tis good isn't it. I now need to look for a new bike or a good 2nd hand one as I need to do a lot of work on my current one (new forks, bits of the drivetrain, hubs, pedals and shorter stem but I may have to hold out over winter for that, give the forks a good service and hope nothing breaks! I'm not sure I can make Surrey Hills with Beardee this year as the house move is hopefully going ahead in a few weeks so that will no doubt take up my time and money. Will see how things go though. But yeah, if you need to borrow any tools, such as a headset press, race remover, bb tool or anything just ask, got quite a few in my box.

I've got a 120mm travel SID RLT and love them! The difference between my old Recon 351 U turn '08 and this '11 one is hugeeee! I can go really fast in singletrack and still I've got something extra to play. Next week I'm going to S Hills. I'll see how they work.

I'd bide your time and save your pennies. If you can stretch to a good used fox 120mm RLC or even a new one it would turn your RH into a completely different machine. My fisher runs a fox rp24 120mm, which is really an RLC but for the G2 offset, and is really an all-round bike capable of serious trail riding. I think what I'm trying to say is a very good 120mm fork will cover most situations until such time you need a freeride bike.

With feedback like that and the fact I think my recon 351 forks are VERY good I can't help but wonder just how good good can be!

Can't wait for my new rig!

How's the build going Ev?

What with work, etc... I've not progressed at all.... Gotta decide route to take..

I'm wondering if o go the route of upgraded forks on my HT as I do enjoy the bike and proceed and build the full-Suss with the Darts and whatever buts I can lay my hands on.

So the Full-Suss would be total budget (scrounging wherever possible ) but great learning experience and have a see what I think of Full-Suss as riding experience when it's done (having never even ridden a FS before)

Bits.. Bits...

Not planning on laying my hands on butts