Rock Shox, MTB Advice needed

My trusty old Gary Fisher Marlin is about ready for replacement after 12 years of faithful service.

Favorite to replace it is a Specialized Rockhopper (see here) however the one thing putting me off is the fact it has Rock Shox forks (Tora 302 SL to be precise). I've had Rock Shox before and I've had problems with them or they've just been plain crap.

Anyone had experience of these particular forks or the bike ?

Any recommendations for a decent hardtail around about the £700 would also be welcome.

Iv never owned a pir of RockShox, but Marzocchis have always done me proud!

Originally Posted by charris

Iv never owned a pir of RockShox, but Marzocchis have always done me proud!

Got Marzochis on the Fisher, they're awesome. But they've done a fair few miles and look a little tatty so I wouldn't want to put them on a new bike.

Mind you i'm no expert. Both my bikes are now rigid!

Marzocchi guy here too, never quite liked RockShox either so can't be of much help down that front (except for saying that I really never liked RockShox again)

Hmm RS Tora's dont get a brill write up, The Magura Odurs were brill when i used them, and there what im going to be getting on my next bike

im looking for a new bike at the mo aswell similar sort of price range, ive narrowed it down to

either a Marin Palisades

Scott Scale 60 (that would need a front disk fitting)

Kona Caldera (06)

or the current leader is a Merlin Malt 2 (this comes with Magura Odurs)

i used to be really into the whole thing, but driffed away for the past 10 years, im now back with a vengence, infact ill be over cannock chase in 11 hours time

[Ratty]

I'm still using 2002 RockShox SID XC's air-forks on my hardtail. They are unserviced and I neglect them somthing rotten. They only weigh 3.1lbs and have been fantastic, never letting me down. Original seals are still good. Only negatives are they feel slightly flexible if run at low pressure on hard turns and the thread has stripped on one of the valves but you can still use the (supplied) pump on it no problem. I think RockShox are a quality product.

Ratty

[Ratty]

Oh... forgot the recommendation. This looks to be a superb spec for the price.

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/product...lid=m1b7s2p147

I have a set of rockshox fitted to my mountain bike; had them for years and years now. I often found that they wouldnt do much shock absorption, more that it felt they where filled with rocks. So i took them apart, cleaned it all up, greased it new and put it back together. It was fine again for a while, then went all...rocky again.

I guess this is why they are called rockshocks

I'd love to get a new bike, and stick some Marzocchi's on them

But the SV takes prioity, and the GXSR 600 K1 front end project is now in motion (in my head)

Matt