Cookie Policy - Maybe I'll invest in something lighter if I have the cash, or maybe I'll get a dropper post. Yes, what a numpty I am for not realising the name of the fork is written on them! They're the stock plastic pedals. Post mount is where you only have two bolts that mount the brake caliper to the fork, and they thread directly into the fork. For a little bit more money, you can often get a more modern mountain bike that has newer standards and geometry. -If youve got an older bike or entry level mountain bike you might have V-brakes. I bought a used 2017 Rockhopper on craigslist for $300. I'll upgrade if I feel like I want to change the handling of the bike. This is what I'm thinking right now. The front brake feels fine. Upgrading your fork can get you some major performance improvement but its important to understand the right model for your bike., Padded / Protective Short Liners / Chamois, The Basics of Upgrading the Fork on Your Mountain Bike (Check Before You Buy!) Id assume youd have a straight steerer, qr axles and 100mm travel from pictures online. style mount always needs an adapter, two bolts go through two holes on the fork and thread into an adapter, then two bolts come straight down from the brake and thread into that adapter. The Specialized Rockhopper Expertis built around a reasonably light alloy frame, runs a 120mm fork, and rolls on 29 wheels. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use. -If you want to geek out more on fork offset, PinkBike wrote a great article you can read here. I have an extraordinarily poor, weight-forward riding position, which seems to rely on my right hand as a key contact point (embarrassingly I can't actually ride no-hands nor even left handed!). Check out this forum to discuss the latest tips, tricks, gear and equipment in the world of mountain biking. -If you want to geek out more on fork offset, PinkBike wrote a great article you can read here, -Youll want to get a fork with an axle that fits your front hub. Now I want to go about upgrading the bike hopefully ending up with something pretty nice for less than $1k. mount. Any fork purchased through the Upgrade Program is sold at a substantially discounted price from MSRP. NZD, This article was written / authored by Liam Woods. Eg. The Rockhopper Expert sits atop Specialized's entry-level cross country range. The Judy is a bit of a disappointment compared to, say, the rather capable bolt-through RockShox Sector RLon the Rockrider AM100 HT a similar bike that's a full 150 cheaper than this Rockhopper. USD Maybe they just need a service? These mounts work and look entirely different than disc brakes. If youre riding smooth singletrackor blurring off-road riding with commuting its right on the money, but otherwise its fork bounces it away from serious trail riding, and neither the ride nor the spec is seriously competing on price. I ought to know was a budget coil for feels like before I start dropping money on fancier forks. Youll not only want to get one that fits your bike but is also intended for your style of bike. What kind of terrain are you riding? We specialize in fabricating residential and commercial HVAC custom ductwork to fit your home or business existing system. -This is only important for 29 wheeled bikes. Advertising - Liam has ridden thousands of different. The topic is seeming to get less complicated as time goes on but is still one of those things where lots of forks used different sizes and styles of mounts over the years. Change the pedals, saddle and spend the rest on weekend riding trips. and I.S. Newer Fox 40s use a 200mm post mount, where the old ones used a super confusing I.S. When frames are engineered they are designed specifically around a certain travel fork. EUR Depending on how I feel about the fork after a few rides I may upgrade the fork before the drivetrain or brakes. -Know your hub, know your axle and get a fork that matches. Great people and the best standards in the business. Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. it can be complicated figuring out what fork fits your bike. How To Those Ground Control tyres are also from Spesh and, while the casing rolls over a bit easily in fast and tight corners,they provide impressive grip in a range of conditions although, theyre easily overwhelmed on soft, wet trails. The following forks are available through the Upgrade Program. You soon find your weight pitched forwards, onto the slightly lengthy 60mm stem, for a ride that lacks confidence on lumpier tracks. The strongest part of the Rockhoppers performance is in cornering. I would only upgrade these if I want something lighter or if I have problems with the current wheels. Fork. Although, -There are two mounting types (on modern-day MTBs made for disc brakes), post mount and I.S. AUD Might be limited to what you can get when you eventually want to replace. The flexy quick-release axle doesnt help with control either. However, some forks like the Fox 36 series use a 180mm post mount. I may service the uppers of the fork if it still feels sticky, and I think it would be an instructive thing to do anyway. if you dont need that low of a chainring. Upgrade your fork to a high-performance model through the SR SUNTOUR North America upgrade program. So if youve got V-brakes and intend to keep them, you will need a fork with V-brake mounts. Appraisals. -Keep in mind there are some other weird steerer tubes out there. Cannondale and Giant are two bike brands that have made some super confusing and proprietary steerer tubes for their bikes only. It's definitely really sticky right now, but I think that's just because it needs to be serviced. If. Forks are not required to be sent back to our facility. As you read further, well go over the more common questions and discuss the more modern products (roughly 09 and newer). If you have a bike that is only a few years old, it's very likely you can make some upgrades that will work for your bike and might be future proof as well if you wanted to upgrade other parts as well. ", 1041 Redi Mix Rd, Suite 102Little River, South Carolina 29566, Website Design, Lead Generation and Marketing by MB Buzz | Powered by Myrtle Beach Marketing | Privacy Policy | Terms and Condition, by 3D Metal Inc. Website Design - Lead Generation, Copyright text 2018 by 3D Metal Inc. -Designed by Thrive Themes | Powered by WordPress, Automated page speed optimizations for fast site performance, Vertical (Short-way) and Flat (Long-way) 90 degree elbows, Vertical (Short-way) and Flat (Long-way) 45 degree elbows, Website Design, Lead Generation and Marketing by MB Buzz. But there are always exceptions. RUB Upgrading your fork can get you some major performance improvement but its important to understand the right model for your bike.Also consider things like your bike's age, and how much it's worth to you. is more common on older bikes. The Carrera Hardtail combined thread - come on all you Carrera's. Next I'm going to clean the lowers on the fork and take it for a ride to see how it feels. The 9mm QR axle is not a thru axle so the fork does not come with an axle and looks like the RockShox fork image shown below. When choosing a new fork, it can be complicated figuring out what fork fits your bike. First time poster and long-ish term London commuter cyclists here - one of those morons who rides a mountain bike on the road because I tend to clatter over pot-holes and think slinky bikes look too weedy for my clumsy riding style. RockShox It's 160mm but they can be set up shorter. Headset. 2021 SR SUNTOUR North America Inc. All rights reserved. So far this is only available for RockShox RS1 forks, and if you have an RS1 fork you can only use the Predictive Steering hub. Privacy Statement - Note that all orders with SR SUNTOUR North America ship for free domestically over $49.95. So know your wheel size because bike front forks are specific to wheel size. If you do that, you are taking a major risk of disrupting the structural integrity of the frame and fork. A few things needed to make a recommendation: You say that the forks are well overdue for replacing, but they are not that old and have not had a rough life. This is most common on newer bikes (2009+), but it is very rare or non-existent on older bikes. At the moment no other forks but the RS1 use this style axle/hub. NVM, the 2017 Rockhopper Sport, which I have, has a straight headtube while the Comp and Expert have tapered headtubes. Suspension Or there's the Trek Roscoe 7 at 50 less with a much better spec, though that's more aimed at trail riding than XC. To place your order, please submit an email with your required information and we will get back with you within 1 business day with a coupon code to use at the time of check out. Post mount style is more common on 2010+ bikes, and I.S. The majority of modern-day 29r frames are engineered around a 51mm offset fork as the 51mm offset simply works better with the 29 wheel. The Official Bike Forums Cafe Press Store, Adaptive Cycling: Handcycles, Amputee Adaptation, Visual Impairment, and Other Needs. Unfortunately, the bike as a whole is not without its downsides, and a couple of them are bigguns. This program is intended to allow riders using less than ideal equipment in demanding terrain to upgrade their fork for a model that will perform at a higher level than what they currently own and ride. ", "Very reliable company and very fast. -The 160 post mount is the most common on 2009+ bikes/forks. Hello. Its good enough for easy general use, but on more serious trails its easy to overwhelm. If youre commuting in London Id get some suspension corrected rigid forks. Older bikes often have a straight steerer, which is just straight 1- all the way. All material Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA1 1JB. Keep in mind a 15mm axle can also be called QR15, this means the 15mm axle has a quick release lever as shown in the pic below. What forks are they? . Generally, the more money you spend you get better performance, in trail and XC forks you get a lighter weight fork and a better feel, on trail/enduro forks you normally get better performance, stiffer chassis, and more adjustments. Episode 96 [Podcast]. The Rockhopper Elite, meanwhile, is 250 less, and pretty close in spec bar the 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain. While the cranks are weighty the whole system performs very well indeed, and shedding the front derailleur means theres less to think about and there's less weight, too. Brakes. That's too bad. Pedals. , Air VS Coil, the debate that still goes on everyday.When you are looking to upgrade your suspension fork, it's likely you will be looking at an Air fork. This is most common on newer bikes (2009+), but it is very rare or non-existent on older bikes. BRL Now, there are a few coil forks coming back to life in the mid-high end range, like MRP Ribbon Coil, CaneCreek Helm Coil, and the new Marzocchi Z1 Coil fork, are new coil options if you want a set it and forget it fork. And of course, dont forget the ever confusing Fat Bike axles but that is a whole other topic., -Another confusing thing: The Predictive Steering hub. -Most common steerer tubes these days are tapered, which is 1.5 at the bottom and tapers to a 1- at the top. Post mount is where you only have two bolts that mount the brake caliper to the fork, and they thread directly into the fork. your bike is meant for a 100mm travel fork, stick with 100mm and youll be happy. It's a cheapish upgrade too. If you desperately want to get a new fork with more or less travel, we NEVER suggest you go more than 20mm away from what the bike was designed around. is more common on older bikes. Certain older bikes might have a threaded straight steerer, but that is extremely rare. Theyre Shimano BR-MT200s, and while not as refined as Shimano's spendier options, they reliably slow the bike. You might be able to swap the small (22t?) Then you might want to look at the upper midrange to high end forks. The brakes arent too shabby either. It moves for bumps fairly eagerly, but is keen to spring back without much control and theres little progression to its stroke. But there are always exceptions. If you have any further questions feel free to submit an email or call us at 1-855-205-BIKE. A valid proof of ownership must be submitted along with the fork serial number. The XCM is undamped (literally has no damper) so rebound is always violent and can be clunky. Those are all things you should consider when looking at new forks. Rockhoppers to my understanding have straight steerer tubes and headset. mount. Post mount style is more common on 2010+ bikes. If you are also looking to maybe turn your mid-high end fork into a coil fork, you can look at Push Industries ACS-3 coil insert kit.. Specialized uses its own wheels here, and theres not an awful lot wrong with them bar the QR axles, which introduce some flex you might reasonably expect at least a front thru-axle for this money. , -Youll want to get a fork with an axle that fits your front hub. Do you want a better feel, more travel, more adjustments, or lighter weight? Theyre also easy to service. Our capabilities go beyond HVAC ductwork fabrication, inquire about other specialty items you may need and we will be happy to try and accommodate your needs. You always want to keep the same fork travel that your bike is made for. Although 15x100 axles are very common, there are plenty of other common ones these days like the 15x110mm Boost axle, or the 20mm axle which is and always has been only 110mm wide, or the quick release axle also called QR or 9mm. At 1100, the Rockhopper Expert faces some very fierce competition. Fitting a better fork also involves the expense of a newfront wheel or a new hub and a rebuild it's going to be bolt-thru while if you don't but instead look at lighter or wider wheels, you're limited by the QR skewer. -If youve got an older bike or entry level mountain bike you might have V-brakes. Terms of Service - Copyright 2021 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. https://www.merlincycles.com/rockshox-xc30-tk-forks-29-67710.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=MTB+Suspension+Forks&ucpo=102453&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIqfLrp-G_6AIViLbtCh3lbAMZEAQYBSABEgLbVvD_BwE). The frame itself is shaped rather well and the bike offers an engaging, efficient and ultimately entertaining ride. If youre in this boat, youve got to figure out what youve got and get a fork with the same spec. Log in or register to join the conversation. The Expert sits at an interesting price point in Speshs line-up. mount that worked with a 160mm I.S. Our sister site for e-bikes ebiketips.co.uk, Fairly sorted frame held back by a not-so-great spec, You're looking for a mile muncher and don't mind a cheap fork, RockShox Recon Gold RL Solo Air Forks - Boost - Matte Black - 140mm, Matte Black, Maxxis Aggressor MTB Wide Trail Tyre (EXO-TR) - Black - Folding Bead, Black, Five Ten Impact Pro MTB Shoes - Core Black - UK 7.5, Core Black, Bell Sixer MIPS Helmet - Matte Black 20, Matte Black 20, DT Swiss EX 1501 SP 30mm Rear Wheel - Black - 142mm SRAM XD, Black, Giro Chamber II Off Road Shoes - EU 46 Dark Shadow/Black 20, Endura Hummvee Reversible Flipjak Jacket - Black, Black, Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo Super Trail MTB Tyre - Black - 29", Black, Bell Super Air R Full Face Helmet - Matte Gloss Red-Grey 20, Matte Gloss Red-Grey 20, Hope EVO Mountain Bike Crankset (Spiderless) - Black - 68-73mm, Black, An effective way of increasing both capability and comfort in a very adjustable package, Pivot claims this full suspension 29-inch e-MTB is an epic trail slayer, A cheap, versatile rear-wheel tyre but the firm compound noticeably impacts grip, WorldTour road sprinter is going back to his off-road roots - this time with a motor, Comfortable, light and breezy though let down by a few unfortunate foibles, The cross-country race takes place on a challenging course in the popular Staffordshire forest, During the 1990s, Britain was at the top of their cross-country mountain bike racing game, and one of the biggest stars of that era was Gary Foord, Finley Newmark returns to East Africa for some gravel racing. When frames are engineered they are designed specifically around a certain travel fork. The bike is very lightly used having spent most of the last three years in a garage. There is only one type of V-brake mount for mountain bike forks. Then look at Wheel Size, Axle Type, Steerer Tube Type, Travel amount, Brake Mount type, and fork offset.With so much to consider, it's a great option to contact our customer service team, the experts at Worldwide Cyclery are here to help you get the correct fork on your bike, maybe give you some options to choose from and get you the best fork for your bike., Bike Knowledge 9mm QR ismore old school and/or cheaper style. Air VS Coil, the debate that still goes on everyday., Beyond all these little things, youve got loads of options as far as features you want on your fork: lockout, compression, rebound, air or coil spring, etc. There are lots of bike front forks out there, intended for your style of bike. It normally will say what they are on the forks themselves. Overall then, the Rockhopper is surprisingly capable, if held back by the way the fork rapidly gets uncontrollable over repeated large hits. Archive - 2021 Specialized Rockhopper Expert 29 review, Specialized Epic Expert Carbon Evo 2020 review, The bestmountain bikes you can buy for under 1,500 - full sus and hardtails, 10 pieces of essential mountain bike clothing for beginners, MRP Baxter 2 gravel suspension fork review, Pivot introduces Shuttle SL - a lightweight e-MTB, Continental Xynotal 2.4in Endurance Trail tyre review, Peter Sagan commits to 2022 UCI e-MTB World Champs, A closer look Cannock Chase Commonwealth Games XCO course, Mountain bike icons - the Gary Foord story, Gravel in East Africa: Migration Gravel Race. mount that worked with a 160mm I.S. If you're on smooth trails the fork may be fine. Crank Brothers make some good affordable flat pedals. So know your wheel size because bike front forks are specific to wheel size. Otherwise I think they'll work fine. I want a 1x drivetrain, and I want higher quality shifters/derailers than the bike currently has. I think I'd also get a dropper post quite soon, but that depends on how the bike rides and what I end up riding. -This seems obvious but as there are three wheel sizes these days (26, 27.5 and 29), it makes a big difference. -This seems obvious but as there are three, it makes a big difference. A big plus for most riders, and for rookies especially, is the 12-speed SRAM Eagle SX drivetrain, which is of course 1x. Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County. Theyre plenty strong enough to cope and no moving parts to wear. It also depends what you are looking for in your fork upgrade. If youve got 80-100mm travel, odds are youve got an XC bike or general light trail bike; 120mm-140mm, youve got a modern-day trail bike; 150-170mm, its probably a modern-day. Use Discount Code FIRSTORDER For 10% off any first purchase. The fork's serial number can be located in QR code form or engraved into the back of the fork crown. Its shortish frame is agile and its very well composed on tight, bermy sections just be careful of those keen-to-roll tyres. Thanks so much for replies. Liam has been in the bicycle industry for over 10 years as a racer, professional mechanic, service manager and as of late, media and content creator. Id swap the fork ahead of the drivetrain makeover. The 3x9 or whatever it is right now is annoying although it shifts OK for the time being. Thanks both. Unfortunately for the XC fans, climbing performance is impacted by the rather slack seat tube creating a fairly stretched out riding position when paired with the 60mm stem. So here's the big call for me - no worries if everyone's had enough of my dreary fork dilemma - but any advice appreciated. These require their own blog posts as well. which is just straight 1- all the way. -The 160 post mount is the most common on 2009+ bikes/forks. I think I'll eventually want nicer brakes, but they'll work for now. Certain older bikes might have a threaded straight steerer, but that is extremely rare. If your bike is meant for a 100mm travel fork, stick with 100mm and youll be happy. At heart though, the Rockhopper Expert is a great mile muncher on smooth ground and most at home on groomed singletrack. Drivetrain, shifters, etc. It doesn't deflect and remains stiff when turning. All rights reserved. When you just hear "QR axle" with no reference to 15 or 20 then that means 9mm quickrelease styleand nota thru axle. CLP So if youve got V-brakes and intend to keep them, you will need a fork with V-brake mounts. The drivetrain will probably be upgraded before the brakes. Another 400 gets you the Chisel, whichiseven more XC focused but has a thru-axle fork and a lighter frame (its more open to upgrades too). Pricing below is shown after the discount code has been applied. adapter but was spaced for a 203mm rotor. off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: info@off-road.cc However, some forks like the, Newer Fox 40s use a 200mm post mount, where the old ones used a super confusing I.S. -There are two mounting types (on modern-day MTBs made for disc brakes), post mount and I.S. Errr, would it help if I cleaned them at all?! I would recommend them to everyone who needs any metal or Fabrication work done. You will also totally mess up the handling characteristics of your bike. This is hard to answer as it depends on your budget, riding amount, style, as well as what bike you are putting it on. While some may appreciate the room it creates, the slack angle puts your weight quite far back, and makes it tricky to transfer forwards when the trail points up. The fork is a simple unit with rebound and compression adjustment, but doesnt control itself incredibly well. Rockhoppers to my understanding have straight steerer tubes and headset. People will probably **** on the Suntour XCM on this bike, but I want to try riding it for a while before I change it. Eg. Terms of Service. You just have to figure out what you need for a middle chainring. (Or a dictionary-sized book!) They are more adjustable, feel smoother most of the time, and normally they are the upgrade option.If you currently have a lower end coil fork, an air fork will make a huge improvement. If youve got one of those you may be in for a struggle.
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