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Hi Guys,
Newbee here looking for some advice so please be gentle.
I have just recently realised that the 2011 Cube Acid sitting in my garage for the last year was designed to be rode rather than looked at, and I am loving it. The main reason for the layoff was due to a shoulder op but before that I would be kidding myself if I said I done anything other than the odd canel path. I now love getting off the flat stuff getting dirty and being thrown around a bit more (must be a mid life crisis).
Anyway back to my main point, during the layoff my Dart 3 forks seized up. My LBS where I bought the bike cleaned and lubed them but they still seem a little bit stiff. Thanks to the wonders of Google and places like this I have since found out that these particular forks are not that great and the main weakness on my bike. My long term plan if my enthusiasm does not wear off is to buy a new bike in the cycle to work scheme next March for around the £1500 mark (I know it is capped at £1000).
The type of riding I do will always be limited by the fact I am blind in one eye, so it will only be trails like Swinley and other off road stuff rather than throwing myself down a steep hill in anger (next time you guys do close one eye and you will see what I mean)
With all the above in mind my questions for you guys are:
In real beginners terms what would I get, if anything from fork upgrade with the type of riding I intend to do?
Would I be better off using the Darts until I buy a new bike in a year?
Would I be better using the darts for a while then upgrading so I could appreciate an upgrade?
The forks that I have been reading about are the 2013 Reba’s, this decision is based solely on reading many posts over the last week or so, These are going to cost £300 fitted, would these be a suitable upgrade for my bike and also for a beginner?
If I do upgrade, and without wanting to throw money down the drain, will they have much value in a year’s time?
I appreciate for a first post this is a little “War & Peace” but I hate making mistakes. To avoid this I thought I would seek out the advice of you guys.
Many thanks in advance,
Chris
Hi, the rebas would be a good choice and would improve your bike no end and defo worth the upgrade. If you keep you eye on the classified forum you could pick them up fairly cheaply - usually fraction of the price new.
Maybe invest a little more into a fork to use now, and sell the new one that comes with the new bike??
Je James are selling 2012 100mm magura during x's for 230quid, saving 300 on the rrp.
Thanks for your comments so far. Keep them coming
Reba's are a good fork as are the Magura's mentioned above. One of my main riding companions is also blind in one eye (courtesy of a pint glass) and rides DH(including Fort William last year) as well as XC , he says anything with a narrow gap is a bit hard as he struggles gauging the width
Yup, buy from the classifieds, new forks cost a fortune for reasons I can't fathom. But please be careful & not just jump in thinking STW is a safe place to buy, do your research on the seller & ask if you can return them if not as described.
HTH.
Hi op and welcome! Rockshox Recons are good forks too.
TBH, if you upgrade the fork and maybe look at a wheelset upgrade, then I think the bike you'll have would be more than good enough for your needs
Agree with argoose - learning the skills and getting your fitness up as well as confidence will be a bigger upgrade than any new bike!
Don't buy into all the marketing codswallop telling you you need this that and the other - bike mags are just like fashion mags. There will always be something out there perceived to be betterer than what you have.
Saying that, the darts really are crap pogo sticks....grab a cheap set of rebas / recons / Maguras as others have suggested. Fox are not in my good books at the mo so stay away from them.
Grab your bike and go for a ride 🙂
Yep, you have a good bike already. I think fork upgrade will be most helpful. Followed by spending some money on a few trips (instead of a new bike) will be really good for improving fitness/skill/confidence & enjoyment!
If you tweak your existing bike you'll love it even more (because the best bike IS the bike you have).
Mountain bike skill sessions are really good fun and accelerate your skills no end. I did a week with A Quick Release holidays 5 years ago and I'm still using the skills I learnt from that trip.
🙂