Hi Everyone,
Came here as have been reading heaps of posts, mag article and talking to "experts" at various shops.
Basics
* Bought e160-700 new 2 years ago
* 2300km's now
* Exclusively on enduro/gravity trails, aggressive riding style
* 180cm, 115kg ( 5'11, 250lbs )
* upgraded tyres + tubeless + cush core
I've now progressed to bigger hits, tech'ier trails etc but am no pro! That said, I'm bottoming out the rear on most drops/hits. Now have Rear wheel damage and the other day the front fork seals blew out on a landing. So Bike is in need of a bit of work.
Advice so far in decreasing cost order
(1) Get new bike with higher spec parts, different rear geometry (and better payload rating).
(2) Upgrade to coil shock + 170mm fork
(3) Repair bike, rebuild rear wheel, get professional tune on fork/shock (+ spacers basically). Changing components can not compensate for geometry and that I had the setup wrong for my weight the whole time and should try again and if not happy, change bike not components.
I note the e160-700 is already weighted for my weight! So pretty sure option (1) is coming from "advice" that benefits the shop.
I trust Option (3) shop very much. They are mtb specialists here in my city and have every reason to sell me a new bike but simply reckon i should try the cheaper option first. That "cheaper" option is still costly but I like the bike and nothing i read suggests a Fox 38 (for example) is any better than the Z1 in terms of ability to take a beating.
Thoughts?
Thanks
Came here as have been reading heaps of posts, mag article and talking to "experts" at various shops.
Basics
* Bought e160-700 new 2 years ago
* 2300km's now
* Exclusively on enduro/gravity trails, aggressive riding style
* 180cm, 115kg ( 5'11, 250lbs )
* upgraded tyres + tubeless + cush core
I've now progressed to bigger hits, tech'ier trails etc but am no pro! That said, I'm bottoming out the rear on most drops/hits. Now have Rear wheel damage and the other day the front fork seals blew out on a landing. So Bike is in need of a bit of work.
Advice so far in decreasing cost order
(1) Get new bike with higher spec parts, different rear geometry (and better payload rating).
(2) Upgrade to coil shock + 170mm fork
(3) Repair bike, rebuild rear wheel, get professional tune on fork/shock (+ spacers basically). Changing components can not compensate for geometry and that I had the setup wrong for my weight the whole time and should try again and if not happy, change bike not components.
I note the e160-700 is already weighted for my weight! So pretty sure option (1) is coming from "advice" that benefits the shop.
I trust Option (3) shop very much. They are mtb specialists here in my city and have every reason to sell me a new bike but simply reckon i should try the cheaper option first. That "cheaper" option is still costly but I like the bike and nothing i read suggests a Fox 38 (for example) is any better than the Z1 in terms of ability to take a beating.
Thoughts?
Thanks