If she's riding around campus and hitting the occasional trail, these things might do the trick. And if so, how much before it doesn't make financial sense. I think the question you need to ask before you start replacing things is whether it makes sense to sink money into this bike. The PNW is heavier but it's so much smoother and better designed. I have an older Fox DOSS and I got my wife a PNW.

PNW dropper is the best bang for the buck. Your fork choices will be severely limited. not tapered)? If so, it may be worth just selling it and going a different way just for this reason.

I can't tell, but is that a straight 1 1/8' steerer? (i.e. Suntour RAIDON XC-LO-R retails for $299 (2025 g) and seems comparable, internally adjustable travel and they are offering a 25% discount which would end up being $240.Īny of these would drop the fork weight about 2 lb.ĭropper post selection seems kind of limited for 34.9 mm. Recon RL (Silver) 100 mm is (2025 g per the Germans) is around $250 Rockshox does not have show the weight, but I found a German website that lists 1814 g.Īny recommendations in that price range ($300? ) or thoughts on the following?

My Dback came with a Recon Gold RL 100 mm fork, which is around $300 and is very satisfactory for my riding. I did notice the Rockhopper seemed front heavy when I rode it and from what I have been able to find the Suntour XCM is a heavy fork around 2800 grams (6.2 lb) (One of the reasons I avoided suspension was the added weight carbon negated that concern, keeping it low tech to reduce maintenance is another). I'm not a suspension savvy person, having ridden full rigid until I sprung for a Dback Carbon Comp 29er a couple of years ago, which I am very pleased with. I probably should have researched more before we bought it, but we were running out of time before she left for school. She is progressing pretty rapidly, hitting the bike park and local trails often and is wanting to upgrade the fork and maybe add a dropper post. (note hers is has been upgraded to 1x11 (Deore XT) and Ardent tires, not sure if wheels are OEM either) We thought the Rockhopper was a Pro since it was set up 1X, but I found out is it a Comp by contacting Specialized with the S/N. Her previous bike was an 2003 era Gary Fisher (vbrakes era) that she had pretty much outgrown. Looking for some advice - we got a 2018 Rockhopper Comp last year for my daughter who is going to school in Golden Colorado.

Rockhopper rigid fork