New user after some advice please

[Bevs]

Good afternoon all. I’m new to this group and wonder if you can help me.
I have got myself an orbea wild last October and have loved riding every moment I can. I feel now that I want to start doing some changes to the bike as my riding skills are improving.
I am currently changing the brake set up from sram db8 what the bike came with to Shimano saints.
Iv now got the bug and want to replace the rockshox 35 silver to fox float 38 180mm travel.
My question is is it worth the money to swap them over? Will I notice a difference ?
Sorry for the questions but thought someone will know the answers to my questions.
Thanks in advance
George

 

[RustyMTB]

Honestly think two sticks of wood will be an improvement over a 35. Go for it.

 

[Bevs]

Honestly think two sticks of wood will be an improvement over a 35. Go for it.

Oh really are they that bad

 

[#lazy]

I’d go 170mm and see how it feels 1st plus have you checked the warranty isn’t void but you can always stick the 35 back on

 

[Paulquattro]

Welcome and as above go for it

 

[steve_sordy]

It will alter the geometry of the bike. It will make it slacker and easier descending, but harder to climb. 180 feels a bit like overkill to me, I'd go 160.

 

[Whitby Chris]

I had fox 38 160's on my whyte, I can't say I very needed more, I've just bought a new bike and that's 160 as well, it depends what sort of riding you do. If it's mainly gravity fed then 180s but if you do a mix and like trails, single track and getting about and some fun gravity downhill stuff too I would say 160mm. But go with what you prefer

And welcome

 

[Bevs]

I’m thinking the 170 to be honest now. I do abit of everything so want something that is a good all rounder but better than what I have on.

 

[jbrown15]

I still say that the Rockshox 35 has no business being on a bike like the Wild, it's a turd of a fork.
I've run my Wild in a 160, 170 and even 180mm configurations. The 170mm setup is a nice balance that still allows you to climb the steepest of terrains but the additional 10mm of travel is nice.

 

[Bevs]

I still say that the Rockshox 35 has no business being on a bike like the Wild, it's a turd of a fork.
I've run my Wild in a 160, 170 and even 180mm configurations. The 170mm setup is a nice balance that still allows you to climb the steepest of terrains but the additional 10mm of travel is nice.

Are they really that bad I have been quite happy with them ish
Was it noticeable difference with the fox

 

[jbrown15]

Are they really that bad I have been quite happy with them ish
Was it noticeable difference with the fox

If you're cruising gravel paths, yeah I'm sure you won't care. But if you're doing any kind of trails harder than green trails, yes it really is that bad.

That's a fork you expect to find on a $1000 hardtail trail bike, not a $5000 plus enduro ebike.
If you were happy with that fork, prepare to have your mind blown by an actual good fork....lol

 

[JP-NZ]

Fox to 35's massive difference. Just like the saints will have been a step up from the sram brakes

 

[Robstyle]

Also consider a used pre '23 rockshox zeb ultimate too. They are pretty cheap to try at least.

 

[UnreasonableMuppet]

I found a used fox 38 for my giant trance to replace the 35 gold that came on the bike. It's the single best upgrade I made to the bike. The 35 was not a good fork. The 38 was $600, and I sold the 35 for $200, so the upgrade was not too expensive.

 

[Jdog]

Completely agree with everyone on the Rockshox 35 it really is , in fact it's hands down the worst fork I've ever ridden so yes you honestly would notice the difference but don't let that fork put you off Rockshox, I'd ridden Rockshox for 7 years (Lyrik then ZEB) and they're incredible forks and very easy to setup. My brother changed the 35 on his Trak Rail to a Rockshox Domain and it changed the bike, incredible fork and so cheap, for sure an upgrade I'd highly recommend. I've recently purchased a new ebike that's got the 38 with a grip 2 and it's a great fork but noticeably more difficult to setup than my ZEB, also the 38 is very expensive.

Again you'll notice the difference swapping out the budget SRAM DB8's for most upmarket brakes but personally I'd recommend SLX (M7120) or XT (M8120) over saints, I rode SLX on my Rail for 2 years and it was flawless, an incredible brake for the money! I now ride XT and the feel is identical to the SLX (as expected) it's just a bit more bling. Having previously had saints on my Capra they're very on or off so I prefer the modulation of the SLX/XT which have equally as good stopping power.

It's only my opinion and meant respectfully but for a new rider you'd be better off with a Rockshox Domain or ZEB fork for easy setup and SLX or XT brakes for modulation and power.

 

[Bevs]

Completely agree with everyone on the Rockshox 35 it really is , in fact it's hands down the worst fork I've ever ridden so yes you honestly would notice the difference but don't let that fork put you off Rockshox, I'd ridden Rockshox for 7 years (Lyrik then ZEB) and they're incredible forks and very easy to setup. My brother changed the 35 on his Trak Rail to a Rockshox Domain and it changed the bike, incredible fork and so cheap, for sure an upgrade I'd highly recommend. I've recently purchased a new ebike that's got the 38 with a grip 2 and it's a great fork but noticeably more difficult to setup than my ZEB, also the 38 is very expensive.

Again you'll notice the difference swapping out the budget SRAM DB8's for most upmarket brakes but personally I'd recommend SLX (M7120) or XT (M8120) over saints, I rode SLX on my Rail for 2 years and it was flawless, an incredible brake for the money! I now ride XT and the feel is identical to the SLX (as expected) it's just a bit more bling. Having previously had saints on my Capra they're very on or off so I prefer the modulation of the SLX/XT which have equally as good stopping power.

It's only my opinion and meant respectfully but for a new rider you'd be better off with a Rockshox Domain or ZEB fork for easy setup and SLX or XT brakes for modulation and power.

This is the exact info I was looking for and appreciate you taking the time to give me all your experience.

I will now look at the zebs
And I have actually already changed the order of brakes to the slx

 

[UnreasonableMuppet]

Orbea Q makes a good point about the rockshox forks. I had a list of forks I was interested in when looking for an upgrade, and the Zeb and other Rockshox forks were on that list. It just happened that the fox was the first one I found at an inexpensive price.

 

[Jdog]

This is the exact info I was looking for and appreciate you taking the time to give me all your experience.

I will now look at the zebs
And I have actually already changed the order of brakes to the slx

No worries, glad I can help. To be clear a Fox 36 / 38 or Rockshox Domain / ZEB will all be a HUGE upgrade for you so go for whatever is the best value.

Something I'd note as I agree with @#lazy / @steve_sordy / @Whitby Chris is that 180mm forks could be overkill and even a negative. Although you're based in Wales which is blessed with some of the best riding locations in the UK, 180mm is a lot of fork for most UK riding. My 2019 Kenevo had 180mm forks and while it smashed the bigger stuff on the few occasions I did it, for most of my riding it was quite lethargic and slow yet when I got the Rail with 160mm forks setup perfectly it was fast, bottomless and just more enjoyable all round.

It's possible the 35s are making you think 160mm isn't enough but honestly modern suspension is incredible (excluding the 35). The 160mm ZEBs on my Rail were incredible and I never once wanted more.

 

[Bevs]

No worries, glad I can help. To be clear a Fox 36 / 38 or Rockshox Domain / ZEB will all be a HUGE upgrade for you so go for whatever is the best value.

Something I'd note as I agree with @#lazy / @steve_sordy / @Whitby Chris is that 180mm forks could be overkill and even a negative. Although you're based in Wales which is blessed with some of the best riding locations in the UK, 180mm is a lot of fork for most UK riding. My 2019 Kenevo had 180mm forks and while it smashed the bigger stuff on the few occasions I did it, for most of my riding it was quite lethargic and slow yet when I got the Rail with 160mm forks setup perfectly it was fast, bottomless and just more enjoyable all round.

It's possible the 35s are making you think 160mm isn't enough but honestly modern suspension is incredible (excluding the 35). The 160mm ZEBs on my Rail were incredible and I never once wanted more.

Sorry to pick your brains again
Looking at the zeb
Would you recomend the zeb ultimate 3?
Is that the one to go for ?

 

[Jdog]

Sorry to pick your brains again
Looking at the zeb
Would you recomend the zeb ultimate 3?
Is that the one to go for ?

The ZEB ultimate with the charger 3 damper is the best ZEB available, if you can afford it then go for it.

ZEB range:
Select
Select +
Ultimate

I had a select + on the older charger 2.1 damper and it was brilliant, can only imagine the charger 3 is even better.

 

[Plummet]

I personally love travel so would go the 180. But I ride very chunky stuff and am a descent orientated rider.

Its hard to make recommendations without knowing your riding style and how crazy you go. Assumingly not too crazy if the 35mm silver hasn't offended the hell out of you.

Fox 38 factory or zeb ultimate both oh for awesome. My advice make sure you go for the top of the range damper unit not matter what fork you buy.

 

[Jdog]

Worth noting the ZEB air spring is relatively cheap so if you started at 160mm and wanted to go 170mm or 180mm it’s about £45 for the air spring:

ZEB Airspring

 

[Bevs]

No worries, glad I can help. To be clear a Fox 36 / 38 or Rockshox Domain / ZEB will all be a HUGE upgrade for you so go for whatever is the best value.

Something I'd note as I agree with @#lazy / @steve_sordy / @Whitby Chris is that 180mm forks could be overkill and even a negative. Although you're based in Wales which is blessed with some of the best riding locations in the UK, 180mm is a lot of fork for most UK riding. My 2019 Kenevo had 180mm forks and while it smashed the bigger stuff on the few occasions I did it, for most of my riding it was quite lethargic and slow yet when I got the Rail with 160mm forks setup perfectly it was fast, bottomless and just more enjoyable all round.

It's possible the 35s are making you think 160mm isn't enough but honestly modern suspension is incredible (excluding the 35). The 160mm ZEBs on my Rail were incredible and I never once wanted more.

I have called the bike shop today to price up the zeb ultimate 170 I’m so glad I have had help from everyone