Hardtail front fork upgrade

[Garett]

I have a 2011 Specialized Hardrock with a SR Suntour XCR front fork. From what I can gather the current fork is good not great but in the grand scheme of things is pretty basic.
Would I notice much of a difference if I upgraded to something like the Rock Shox Recon silver/gold?
What are the pros and cons of air vs spring other than the obvious weight difference?

The type of riding I do is mainly local stuff XC and trail centres. I've only been riding properly for a year but I'm confident on red graded trails.

[nammynake]

Air sprung are lighter. If your budget allows then go for a Reba fork. Probably the best fork in terms of value for money.

[Animal101]

nammynake said:

Air sprung are lighter. If your budget allows then go for a Reba fork. Probably the best fork in terms of value for money.

+1 Reba is an excellent light weight fork to upgradge to. Keep your eyes on ebay for the bargains!

[Garett]

But what kind of benefits can I expect to feel from an upgraded fork?

[Bacon Is Proof]

What is wrong with the fork you have?

[anonymous-user]

Garett said:

But what kind of benefits can I expect to feel from an upgraded fork?

a better fork will compress and rebound in far more stable manner if it is properly adjusted. Something like a Reba will have about 10 different settings for rebound which make it tuneable for the terrain, your weight and your style of riding.

With all due respect, its not really worth sticking a pair of Rebas on a Hardrock though, something like the Recon or Sektors would be fine.

[bikemonster]

pablo said:

a better fork will compress and rebound in far more stable manner if it is properly adjusted. Something like a Reba will have about 10 different settings for rebound which make it tuneable for the terrain, your weight and your style of riding possible for you to come up with with a range of settings, 9 of which are likely to be worse than the arbitrary setting of a cheaper fork which does not have any settings at all.

I fixed it for you.

[Garett]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the current fork, I'm just wondering if it is worth upgrading to a better one is all and whether I would feel the benefit.
The Reba is probably a touch too expensive for me and perhaps over kill on a lower end bike but then its not far off the price of the Recon Gold....

What are Marzocchi forks like?