 Great site, uou people seem to know your stuff. I ride a 1999 or 2000 model Rockhopper (basic aluminum model with cheapo Manitou forks). I was thinking about changing it but on the other hand it seems perfectly servicable. The question is, if I were to exchange this for the latest model would one notice a huge difference (things like weight and performance). I do cross country bridlepathy sort of stuff. Do no more than about 1,500 miles a year.
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 I am no expert but I also have a basic, albeit full suspension bike, that I was thinking about changing at one point.
I found that upgrading forks and brakes, etc, gave my bike a new lease of life and I am still happy with it.
However, it hasn't stopped me lusting after the latest fancy bikes in my LBS!
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 If it works why change it.
New set of forks might liven it up a bit and new wheels sometime can improve the handling and acceleration. You don't have to upgrade much though to get to the price of a new bike.
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 If you're happy with what you've got, stick with it unless:
a) you've just come into some cash and you want something to spend it on.
b) you're significantly upping the amount/level of your riding
c) you've reached the point where everything needs replacing all at once or will do in the near future
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 I had an I-Drive for about 4months, it was good but it wasnt relaible and a fag to setup....now i have a Merlin Malt and i love the ride, weight and sheer simplicity, no wishbones to worry about here! :)
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Thanks everyone. Think I'll keep it until I've got some wear out of the last replacement chain, chainset and crank. I am however going check out this Merlin as the name seems to pop up everywhere...just out of interest mind.
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 Merlin Malt looks like a nice machine
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 I've got a 2005 Rockhopper and whilst it's lighter that previous vesions, the forks that came with it were TERRIBLE. I replaced them after a couple of weeks, cos they didn't move more than an inch despite weighing 5lbs. V-brakes hit the bin pretty quickly too, although that depends on where you ride. Unless the whole thing is slowly dying a death underneath you, I'd stick with it for now.
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Given what you say 2.6, I reckon replacement forks might be a good idea as the Manitou's are original and they might as well be rigid. What did you get for your new Rockhopper? Personally I don't want to spend much and they have to be simple like me. I know nothing about bikes but after looking at this site I undertand you have got to be careful about frame suitability against fork travel.
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 If you are running the old elastomer Manitou's bin them NOW! As you say, practically rigid.
The real improvements over the last 5 years have been forks and brakes. Despite manufacturers claims frames, groupsets and other parts are only marginally better than those of a few years back.
Now thats not to say that you don't feel a difference replacing the old stuff with new bits, but thats because its worn out.
Forks have really come on recently. That said, bikes under £500-600 still don't tend to come with decent forks so consider them an upgrade.
Brakes are the other boom area, with discs the way forward. But upgrading to these will require new forks if you don't have disc mounts, plus a new wheel as well as the brake - and thats just for the front!
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Understood Doc and thank you, will replace forks ASAP. I've seen Judy TT's at less than 100 squid. Do you think would they be alright?
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