Upgrade or replace

[davidwatkin]

Hi all,
I have a bit of a dilemma. I have a Specialized Tricross Sport and a Norco Volante that are my daylight/ summer bikes but now that the nights are getting darker the chance of disappearing down a pot hole is getting higher.

I have a Claud Butler Pagan ~2007 that has been upgraded with Juicy 3 hydraulic brakes and given that my commute is 12.5 miles each way in complete darkness (w bright LEDs) and along country roads the BB/ wheels/ sprockets etc have been replaced on a fairly regular basis and are in a good state of repair.

I am wanting to get the Pagan back on the road and have found that the Ahead Suntour front susp forks are jammed and need unjamming. No biggie really.

I am thinking of getting some decent suspension forks for it but the question is whether the Aluminium frame warrants it.

What is the difference between a good expensive bike and a cheap bike with upgraded brakes and suspension?

Riding is only on road, nothing heroic on the dirt.

Appreciate any advice.

 

[Cubist]

If you only ride on the road why bother with suspension forks at all? How about a rigid MTB fork likle the On One? http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOCR26DV/on_one_cromo_26er_mtb_fork_v_brake__disc
or some of the carbon exotica on ebay?

You don't need all the expense of an expensive MTB to ride on the road, it's just money down the pan. Upgrade your Pagan into a commuter with slicks and rigid, and you'll get far more benefit. Either that, or splurge a boatload of brass on a proper MTB and get off road.....

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I agree with Cubist - front suspension for on road is not required - just extra weight, extra expense, more to go wrong, and harder work - hence most half decent suspension forks have a lock out facility. You probably have a very cheap pair of Suntour forks - XCM/XCR sort of range - so they're not too difficult or expensive to service if they haven't rusted...
I don't think a Pagan would be worth spending much money on - especially as it's already 6 years old.
The other thought is seeing as the Suntours are jammed - they are in effect a rigid fork so just leave them as they are.

 

[davidwatkin]

Thanks for the replies, appreciate the help.

I had not thought of going down the rigid route but it makes a lot of sense.

The bike already has Schwalbe Marathon narrow tyres on. I will check out what forks I can get on Ebay.

I have to replace the bottom steered bearing anyway so I'll weigh the Suntours and see what saving I can make.

Then again I probably have about 4kg to lose myself after my last trip away for work.

 

[davidwatkin]

I don't think I can get away with a replacement anyway.

We already have 7 bikes in the garage and a tandem and get another tandem from Landescape next week so I don't think I fly another one in under the radar.