#!markdown
Hey Uncle Dave,
Thanks so much for the extremely thorough response to my question. I do
apologize for not including my current fork or a reason for changing.
My bike was built on the east coast as a more lightweight setup, so it still
has the 2010 140mm Fox Float 32 RLC it got back then. I just had it rebuilt at
Suspensionwerx last summer, and you're right, it has been a big help. It still
performs well as I do not get nearly the amount of time to ride as I want to.
I suppose the real reason for changing it up is because the good folks in
marketing have convinced me I need 20mm more travel, a fatter axle and more
rigidity in order to call myself a mountain biker. That said, I also
apparently need a carbon frame, a shorter stem, wider bars and a 1x
drivetrain. Last year already saw the upgrade to the wider rims and xtr trail
brakes that I needed to stay relevant 😉
The Tracer frame I am on, as you know, is adjustable from 140 to 150 rear.
I've noticed that I prefer the way the rear end performs better on the north
shore in 150 mode. However, I don't like the balance as much with the 140 fork
as I do when it's in 140 rear. In an effort to get what I am hoping will be a
better feeling balance and overall experience I have convinced myself 160mm
front will sort me out (whether it does or not is probably all in my head).
That brings me to the current dilemma. Buy a fork that was built for 26″ now
and take the hit again in a year or 2. Or set myself up for the future now and
remain sad when in 2 year's time I have 2 year old technology and the internet
makes me feel inadequate again.
So I am not sure how much that changes the differences between angles and
height, but judging by your response, it could improve my experience but could
potentially leave me in the bushes with a broken bike and a hole through my
stomach.
In case my sarcasm isn't abundantly clear, I am aware I don't need any of
these things to have a great time. However, as money is saved, I would like to
upgrade as I go in an effort to replace aging equipment and improve my ride in
a reasonably affordable manner.
Thanks again so much for all the information! I truly appreciate it and am
loving the 'Ask Uncle Dave'.
Also, thanks to all the other commenters for their input.
Feb. 10, 2015, 9:37 a.m. - miked. (EMCAWS)
#!markdown Hey Uncle Dave, Thanks so much for the extremely thorough response to my question. I do apologize for not including my current fork or a reason for changing. My bike was built on the east coast as a more lightweight setup, so it still has the 2010 140mm Fox Float 32 RLC it got back then. I just had it rebuilt at Suspensionwerx last summer, and you're right, it has been a big help. It still performs well as I do not get nearly the amount of time to ride as I want to. I suppose the real reason for changing it up is because the good folks in marketing have convinced me I need 20mm more travel, a fatter axle and more rigidity in order to call myself a mountain biker. That said, I also apparently need a carbon frame, a shorter stem, wider bars and a 1x drivetrain. Last year already saw the upgrade to the wider rims and xtr trail brakes that I needed to stay relevant 😉 The Tracer frame I am on, as you know, is adjustable from 140 to 150 rear. I've noticed that I prefer the way the rear end performs better on the north shore in 150 mode. However, I don't like the balance as much with the 140 fork as I do when it's in 140 rear. In an effort to get what I am hoping will be a better feeling balance and overall experience I have convinced myself 160mm front will sort me out (whether it does or not is probably all in my head). That brings me to the current dilemma. Buy a fork that was built for 26″ now and take the hit again in a year or 2. Or set myself up for the future now and remain sad when in 2 year's time I have 2 year old technology and the internet makes me feel inadequate again. So I am not sure how much that changes the differences between angles and height, but judging by your response, it could improve my experience but could potentially leave me in the bushes with a broken bike and a hole through my stomach. In case my sarcasm isn't abundantly clear, I am aware I don't need any of these things to have a great time. However, as money is saved, I would like to upgrade as I go in an effort to replace aging equipment and improve my ride in a reasonably affordable manner. Thanks again so much for all the information! I truly appreciate it and am loving the 'Ask Uncle Dave'. Also, thanks to all the other commenters for their input.