Forum

I'm now at the point of needing to save up for my 2012 year of riding.

I'm trying to decide between upgrading my very nice handling DMR or saving more for the full bounce experience.

The situation I have is this-

Upgrade option:
Change HS33's hydraulic rims to hydraulic disc F and R = £150-200
Change random make strong wheels for known good make, strong wheels = £200
Change 2008 rockshox recon 351 (about two summers use) for a maxle fork = £300 OR service and repaint (£150)

Bike option:
Something around £2000, capable of getting air and slack enough for the downslopes.

I need to ask some fellow bikers opinions as my lil' voice says buy buy buy and missus says I'll be taking the piss after spending tons on my bike.

About the fork service- is it worth servicing and tidying a 2008 fork that I'm truly happy with or is it worth just getting the latest tech? Funnily enough though- according to SRAM the internals in the recon have hardly changed.

If going for new, I'd wait till for the 2011 bikes to go on sale

I guess the question to ask is what do you want to use the bike for next year - that should guide your upgrade path or new bike purchase.

Taking a look at this

http://www.essexhertsmtb.co.uk/mountain ... -t323.html



Id say the dmr is spot on for all of those

And I'd say you're right. And the thing is that I'm looking at pushing my riding further.

Here's the immortal 'but'- but I can't help in wondering if I need one of these new maxle forks and wheels; and the same question arises once more about the service option.

Like has been said before- a top of range 2001 fork is worse than an entry 2010 one; so how about the mid to good 2008 fork I have and the 2011 equivalent or similar?

The disc brake thing is a defo though.

Axle forks are much stiffer and hold lines better creating more confidence and allowing you to progress. Newer forks will obviously have performance advantages it just depends on whether you're prepared to pay for them or not and if you feel you have reached the limits of your current forks.

I run Rockshox Pike Team forks from 2007 I think, they're dual air and bomb proof and I don't need anything different at the moment. Though I have to say I'd love to try a Black Box motion controlled fork for comparison.

So what's the advice about the wheels?

I'm running some unknown brand wheels off my mates DJ bike- they have thick rims and a good width.

Is there much truly noticeable gain in swapping them for a good pair I.e. Halo combat

Best way to push your riding further is a good coaching session?

Biggest difference you'll make to any bike is wheels and tyres!

I went from riding a dmr trailstar to a mongoose nugget a year or so ago, and other than 1 trip to the forest of dean, it just held me back the whole time rather than improving my riding. Ive just built the dmr back up and im hitting corners faster, jumps higher and generally having alot more fun.

Hold you back how? I just read this after the post about the FR30.

Not so much hold me back, but i just didnt progress the way i imagined i would, either way, i think for what i ride a full sus just wasnt needed, and it seems for what you ride youd be better off upgrading your hardtail.

I do love the size of the DMR. And would have £400 change even after maxxing out my bike...

But when the voltage is a crisp £1100 for a lot of bike.... Lol

Nice to have the choice I guess but what a headache. That said, £400 is a lot of savings.