ok, I am going to order a bike in the next week or two & I have a question about forks. here are the two bikes I am looking at: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45809&eid=4340&menuItemId=9253 Avid Juicy 3 SL hydraulic brakes with 160mm G2 Clean Sweep rotors supply superior stopping power 80mm-travel RockShox Tora SLite 29er alloy fork with lightweight air springs and motion control damping uses external adjustable lockout/rebound for fine-tuned bump performance Solid, dependable Shimano SLX Shadow rear derailleur vs http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45804&eid=4340&menuItemId=9253 RockShox Dart 3 80mm-travel fork features preload adjustment and size-specific spring rates for versatile performance Fully butted M4 alloy frame with Trail 29-inch geometry for greater control, leverage and bump performance, plus slider dropouts for singlespeed compatibility SRAM X5 medium-cage rear derailleur and 9-speed trigger shifters for precise, sure-fire shifting Crankset uses Octalink-splined BB interface for reliable power transfer Dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors deliver smooth, controlled, powerful stops Alloy double-walled rims for lightweight durability it there that big of a difference between the RockShox Tora & the the Rockshox Dart? I've ben told the Tora is garbage- how does the Dart fare? Should I get the cheaper bike & put a better fork on it, or are the other components on the Rockhopper expert 29 that much better to justify the additional cost? just dipping my toes in the water & I don't wanna lay out serious cash like Helea or Razo...
Dart forks aren't good, and the larger you are the worse they are. Tora's aren't bad if you're going to be riding paths and minor off-road stuff. Whoever told you they are garbage either had a unique experience with one or tried using it in conditions beyond its intended use. Hardcore A/T stuff would likely require a fork upgrade, but the Tora should be fine otherwise.
This one: http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45809&eid=4340&menuItemId=9253 Chances are you'll be happy with it out of the box. Decent brakes, drivetrain, & fork. Should you have to upgrade the fork, a decent closeout suspension fork can be had for $300-400, and figure on $30-40 for an LBS to cut & mount it. The other bike has no-name brakes, which are always a hassle if they are serviceable at all. It also has that weak Dart fork and low-grade shifters. As has been said before by Monte, Brian, myself & others: with very rare exception, it's better to spend the money up front than go cheap & upgrade later.
Ah... I got the two mixed up- you, cuddles & someone else had said the darts were terrible... I can't keep things straight all the time... Yeah, I agree, it's better to pay upfront, but cash is an issue here, & I'm getting a VERY good deal. For msrp, I can get the bike and a good fork... So, I'll likely upgrade the fork when I blow out the stocker, which will likely happen sooner, rather than later.
Keep the brakes in mind as well. No-name brakes just aren't worth the trouble. Whatever you decide, good luck! Post pics when you have your new steed home...
Oh, I'll be getting the costlier of the two. Already taken into consderation. At my size, driveline, suspension & brakes are even more important... I just wanted to be sure that the differences truly justified the additional cost. Sigh, just what I need, another money pit.
Honestly, I've found that they only become money pits for one of two reasons: 1- You ride the *&(^ out of it and wear parts down quickly. 2- You catch upgrade-itis and upgrade things that don't need upgraded. If you take the time to maintain the thing and don't put it through the wringer, it should be relatively trouble-free. Small adjustment here & there and it'll keep on rollin' like Fred Durst
I have chronic upgrade-itis. I can't leave anything alone plus, the normal wear and tear is much higher when you weigh 250, vs 150...
