nwoods
Expedition Leader
I think the cheapest thing to do is ride what you have. Do what Flounder suggested, get your bike properly fitted from a quality shop. It's possible they can't make it fit you, but then at least you will know. I also would entertain trading out your suspension fork for a quality rigid fork. It's obvious your fork is not up to the task. I have Kona Project 2's on a couple of my bikes, they're strong and relatively inexpensive. I'm sure someone here can recommend others that would work for someone your size. If money's tight and you want to be out riding with your family without going over the bars (more than whats considered normal), maybe go this route until your financial status changes.
As of today I am actually leaning in this direction. Last night I went through my monthly ritual of replacing tubes (almost not kidding). I filed down the hole for the valve core, and replaced the seam tape in a desperate hope that I would finally solve the perpetual flat tire issue. This morning only the rear was flat, so progress is being made. I replaced the new flat rear tube, again. Then went on a ride with my wife down the rivertrail. Went about 20 miles or so total. My bike feels a lot like the staid handling Rockhopper, but without quite as good balancing or CofG or whatever it is that I am trying to fix. I certainly can't justify spending well over $1000 for a moderate improvement. So I'm thinking maybe not get a new bike, and just see if I can figure out a way to salvage the POS I currently have. Going with a rigid fork certainly would save me $400 or so that a burly shock capable of holding my size/weight would cost. Perhaps I can find a shop willing to let me try different bars and stem combinations until I find one that puts my weight over the pedals instead of over the fork. This whole process is very unsatisfying.
