I have previously avoided full - sus due to dire warnings from mates about weight and power-loss issues, but recently had the pleasure of riding a 2000 Marin Rift Zone.
It was fast, light and had a lovely feel, especially the 'no bounce' rear ride when going XC, which was a real eye-opener for me. Unfortunately the owner had promised it to someone else (for £150 - he even had the original manuals - sob!) and I have not being able to find a good one at a reasonable price since.
Instead, I bought a heavily upgraded '98 Marin Alpine Trail on ebay last week: full xtr groupset, hydraulic brakes, mavics, custom cranks and jump pedals - all in beautiful condition.
The only thing not upgraded was the rear shock (165mm Marin Shockworks) which is its weakest part. Even with the coil dialled back in as far as it will go, the thing bouces like a £99 Halfords special! Completely different to the Rift Zone, and I frankly hate it.
One difference with this frame is that the rear swing arm is the older thin tubular design, rather than the later box frame such as on the Rift Zone.
There seems to be a few reasonably priced 2nd user 165mm shocks around, but all with different sized bushing etc., so, can this Alpine Trail's rear shock be reasonably upgraded, and if so, what would be the best type of shock to look out for a tall, heavy (ahem) rider who does 100% trail and XC only?
Any advice about bushing a 2nd user shock to ths old frame etc would also be gratefully received.
I've only just come across this wonderful community and already feel at home reading the various posts- many thanks for letting me join in.
Cheers Malc
It was fast, light and had a lovely feel, especially the 'no bounce' rear ride when going XC, which was a real eye-opener for me. Unfortunately the owner had promised it to someone else (for £150 - he even had the original manuals - sob!) and I have not being able to find a good one at a reasonable price since.
Instead, I bought a heavily upgraded '98 Marin Alpine Trail on ebay last week: full xtr groupset, hydraulic brakes, mavics, custom cranks and jump pedals - all in beautiful condition.
The only thing not upgraded was the rear shock (165mm Marin Shockworks) which is its weakest part. Even with the coil dialled back in as far as it will go, the thing bouces like a £99 Halfords special! Completely different to the Rift Zone, and I frankly hate it.
One difference with this frame is that the rear swing arm is the older thin tubular design, rather than the later box frame such as on the Rift Zone.
There seems to be a few reasonably priced 2nd user 165mm shocks around, but all with different sized bushing etc., so, can this Alpine Trail's rear shock be reasonably upgraded, and if so, what would be the best type of shock to look out for a tall, heavy (ahem) rider who does 100% trail and XC only?
Any advice about bushing a 2nd user shock to ths old frame etc would also be gratefully received.
I've only just come across this wonderful community and already feel at home reading the various posts- many thanks for letting me join in.
Cheers Malc
