Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Upgrading forks for off-road?

  • 27-04-2009 10:34pm
    #1
    pburns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭


    I'll soon be getting a Trek 7.5FX for road use (thanks government scheme:D) and want to eventually have my current Trek 4100 dedicated for off-road stuff. The frame is light and strong but maybe a smaller one would be more manouverable for the rough stuff (21'' and I'm 5'10').

    That aside, anything I could easily do to upgrade it? One thing I've noticed is that it's vibration central, even on rough tarmac. Would upgrading the forks be expensive? Would suspension be a good idea? Or carbon?

    And is 21'' a bit big for 5'10? I have the saddle pretty low and can only reach the ground on the balls of my feet...

    Not planning on splurging, just yet, I've spent enolugh lately. More enjoyin, the dreamin'and plannin':)...


Comments

  • #2
    kona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,525 ✭✭✭kona


    pburns wrote: »
    I'll soon be getting a Trek 7.5FX for road use (thanks government scheme:D) and want to eventually have my current Trek 4100 dedicated for off-road stuff. The frame is light and strong but maybe a smaller one would be more manouverable for the rough stuff (21'' and I'm 5'10').

    That aside, anything I could easily do to upgrade it? One thing I've noticed is that it's vibration central, even on rough tarmac. Would upgrading the forks be expensive? Would suspension be a good idea? Or carbon?

    And is 21'' a bit big for 5'10? I have the saddle pretty low and can only reach the ground on the balls of my feet...

    Not planning on splurging, just yet, I've spent enolugh lately. More enjoyin, the dreamin'and plannin':)...


    I wouldnt use it off road, its far too big, you need decent clearance on the crossbar. Id guess you would need a 18 or a 19 frame.
    Aluminium is quite shakey compared to steel so its just the nature of the frame
    If you do want to keep it,you could put a set of forks on the front, you'd get a cheap set of SR suntours for e80-e100. Dont go higher than 130mm travel, even 130 will be pushing it on that frame.
    Personally Id just buy a second hand MTB, youd pick up somthing useful for e300. For e300 second hand id expect a good brand, hydraulic brakes, good forks and at least a deore drivetrain. What trails are you thinking of?


  • #3
    pburns
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,423 ✭✭✭pburns


    kona wrote: »
    I wouldnt use it off road, its far too big, you need decent clearance on the crossbar. Id guess you would need a 18 or a 19 frame.
    Aluminium is quite shakey compared to steel so its just the nature of the frame
    If you do want to keep it,you could put a set of forks on the front, you'd get a cheap set of SR suntours for e80-e100. Dont go higher than 130mm travel, even 130 will be pushing it on that frame.
    Personally Id just buy a second hand MTB, youd pick up somthing useful for e300. For e300 second hand id expect a good brand, hydraulic brakes, good forks and at least a deore drivetrain. What trails are you thinking of?

    I have access to a local forestery plantation that has different paths through it. A full 'lap' all around is over a mile. Some of it is heavy going (grass) so good work out. There are a couple of drains you go down-and-up out of but no big scary cliff-face drops or anything!

    I find the 21" frame a bit big at times alright, especially off-road where you will come off from time-to-time.


  • #4
    Morgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,481 ✭✭✭Morgan


    21" definitely sounds too big. I wouldn't go putting too much money into it - better off getting some cash together and picking up a bike better suited to the task.


  • #5
    kona
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,525 ✭✭✭kona


    pburns wrote: »
    I have access to a local forestery plantation that has different paths through it. A full 'lap' all around is over a mile. Some of it is heavy going (grass) so good work out. There are a couple of drains you go down-and-up out of but no big scary cliff-face drops or anything!

    I find the 21" frame a bit big at times alright, especially off-road where you will come off from time-to-time.

    If you are just starting out, maybe try pick up a 18" frame on one of the MTB forums, for around e80 nothing speccial, get a 2nd hand set of forks, again cheap, then just swap the components over from the trek, nice and cheap. Then sell the trek frame for e80 and your not out of pocket too much.

    For the trails you are on just 100mm up front and a aluminium frame with 21 or 24 gears would be perfect.


Advertisement