worth upgrading the forks/handlebars on an 08 Rockhopper?

[daveknott5]

So, my trusty old 2008 Specialized Rockhopper Disc hardtail is now performing general "bike to town" duties as my Norco Sight Full Suss is the go-to MTB steed. I've got decent upgraded brakes and tyres on the Rockhopper - but it feels old fashioned now next to the newer bike as the handlebars are MUCH narrower and the forks are pretty rudimentary Rockshox Tora springs, not the usual air-sprung front fork you get on the newer bikes.

Would it be worth upgrading these 2 components do you think to make it feel bang up to date? the Alloy M4 frame is still great - albeit the geometry is much squarer and less slack in the head angle than modern machines.....

Anyone else done similar/have any advice?

[P-Jay]

You can, wider bars are usually a good idea regardless, I wouldn't go mad with it.

The 'problem' with updating older bikes with modern bits comes when people want to fit very short stems, they came about to speed up the steering on lazy steering LLS style bikes, but put on something with a steep headtube and it can make them very twitchy.

Forks might be an issue, there won't be many straight steer, QR, 26" forks available new, if any, I seem to recall a couple of the German places were selling fairly cheap, reasonable performance, Air Sprung 26" RST forks. You probably won't find them from a UK seller, RST are only really known for terrible OE "spring in a tube" type forks here, but they do make some decent ones.

[cml24]

Does the bike really need upgrading if you have an alternative, better, MTB?

Personally, I wouldn't bother if I'm just riding it to town etc. In fact, I'd have lightweight rigid forks on it instead for that sort of trip!

[lufbramatt]

Those sort of bikes are great with rigid forks, it stops brake dive so the head angle doesn't steepen up during cornering. Makes them much nicer to ride IMO. I love my old Orange Ev02 with rigid forks on. Great for attacking local bridleway climbs.

[daveknott5]

cml24 said:

Does the bike really need upgrading if you have an alternative, better, MTB?

Personally, I wouldn't bother if I'm just riding it to town etc. In fact, I'd have lightweight rigid forks on it instead for that sort of trip!

Perhaps you're right - just toying with the idea of having a ripper hardtail as well as the full suss.... Geometry can't be upgraded though so will leave it as is!!