Mike7
newbie
Reged: 23/06/2009
Posts: 26
Loc: Disley
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I have an '00 Specialized Rockhopper FSR and want to upgrade the original Manitou Magnum forks which are on their way out. The Fox 32 Vanilla forks [at the top end of my budget] seem to get great reviews but I fear the 140mm of travel will mess up the bike's geometry since the Manitous run at 80mm? My local bike shop says they'll be fine - are they right?
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rb2000
old hand
Reged: 25/09/2008
Posts: 800
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thats a massive increase in travel, id stear well clear, rule of thumb suggests dont change the travel by more than about 15-20%, best thing to do is check what specialized think, as they'll have a min and max amount of suggested travel.
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Mike7
newbie
Reged: 23/06/2009
Posts: 26
Loc: Disley
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Thanks. As a rule of thumb, Specialized recommend an increase of no more than 10-15% which leaves me in the 80-100mm [max] territory. On a budget, possibly Rockshox Tora or Recon???
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rb2000
old hand
Reged: 25/09/2008
Posts: 800
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yeh stick within the limits, at best over doing it will upset the geometry, at worst frame failure. yep, recons are a decent fork.
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Keep it pinned...
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Mike7
newbie
Reged: 23/06/2009
Posts: 26
Loc: Disley
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Cheers. 
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jay12
enthusiast
Reged: 01/01/2009
Posts: 365
Loc: Northwich,Chesire,Kazahstan
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i suggest rock shox reba or a more expensive fox f100
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92% of teenagers turned to rap. if your the 8% that stll listens to proper music add this to your sig
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Mike7
newbie
Reged: 23/06/2009
Posts: 26
Loc: Disley
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Thanks - not sure my budget will stetch that far though. After 3 years of gathering dust, I have already spent about £400 upgrading to XT shifters, Easton EA 70 bars, Shimano M575 front disc brake (really average, incidentally)and new tyres. Might just go for the Recon SL Air and buy a whole new bike next year with a bit more travel at both ends  .
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hutch
enthusiast
Reged: 08/03/2009
Posts: 384
Loc: Dorset coast
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Ok here we go
For those that know me know im running a set of Vanilla RLC 140mm shocks on my Rockhopper !!!
They have been on a few months and done a lot of milage inc 49kms in a day at afan 3 weeks ago with Zero Issues
Im an agressive rider and rarely hold back so the frame can take the increase travel by the way im 15 stone fully kitted
the steering did slow down but you can combat this with 70-90mm stem and having a single spacer between the headset and stem, finally set max sag and it will track perfectly
on DH sections i usually pick up the lead cause its quicker than most HT's down the runs
Over all it works for me might not work for you
I wonder how many people will tell me im crazy????
cheers
hutch
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Only a MTB'er knows why a dog sticks his head outta car window
Professional Snurger (Females only!)
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hutch
enthusiast
Reged: 08/03/2009
Posts: 384
Loc: Dorset coast
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Ps it what you make on the DH you will loose on climbing ability is is slower up hill
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Only a MTB'er knows why a dog sticks his head outta car window
Professional Snurger (Females only!)
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Mike7
newbie
Reged: 23/06/2009
Posts: 26
Loc: Disley
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Cheers Hutch. Certainly worth thinking about.
Is yours the Rockhopper FSR? Mine looks a bit retro next to some of my mates' bikes but with the wider Easton bars, it still feels great. Next (and final!) upgrade is the the spring on the Van coil over shock - bit too much sag in it at the moment...
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hutch
enthusiast
Reged: 08/03/2009
Posts: 384
Loc: Dorset coast
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Ive got the heavy spring in the forks cause.....well im heavy
My frame is a rockhopper 2004/5 M4 not ideally suited for 140mm according to spesh but it just works fine and also proves how tough the frame is.
You will need to learn how to ride it again cause it feel different but like i said it tracks really well and gives good feel once u get used to it.
Its not a XC 80mm fork so will be slower steering, i found small adjustment to stem/sag etc made it just as quick and as stable as 80/100mmm fork with the bonus of DH speeds increased but uphill is decreased.....swings and round-a-bouts mate
hutch
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Only a MTB'er knows why a dog sticks his head outta car window
Professional Snurger (Females only!)
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