[jimmybong]

hey! i have a '97 cannondale sv700 with the original mc60 headshock and i want to get something a bit beefier. i dont want to put tons of money into it b/c as much as i hate to admit it, i dont ride as often as i should. i was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

 

[MikeD]

Whatever you do, don't buy a rear fork.

No, but seriously, you're kind of stuck in a proprietary bind here with Cannondale's older headshok. Possibly, your bike shop could order some spacers which would allow you to install a standard 1 1/8" headset and corresponding fork, if such a thing is even available. (If I'm not mistaken, you can't drop a modern 1.5-1 1/8 reducer headset into the older headtubes...if you can, there's your solution, should you really decide to upgrade...)

But I don't know if there are geometry concerns associated with replacing the tall headshok with a standard-type fork. Plus, I think Headshoks were known for their stiffness, no? I don't know if you'll find anything 'beefier,' esp. on a low budget.

All in all, given the age of your bike and the effort and more-than-several hundred dollars you'll need to spend to upgrade (either with another C-Dale fork, which can be VERY expensive, or the spacers, headset, labor, and $3-700 fork you'll want), I'd honestly look at just buying a new, complete bike with the fork of your choice.

If an aluminum bike is almost 10 years old, with 10-year old components, and it's not enough for your riding, you're going to do better with a more modern bike. If you like it and find it adequate, I'd just ride it until it breaks.

Not to mention that many higher-end forks these days simply don't have canti- or v-brake bosses on them at all...and you really can't upgrade to discs, even on just the front, for any reasonable cost.

Sorry to be a downer. You might ask on the mtbr.com Cannondale forum, as well...someone may know something we don't.

MD

 

[jimmybong]

ya...u make a good point about the age of my bike and all. i guess i should stick with it til it breaks or i just break down and get a new one. i appreciate the info and advice.

 

[InsideMan]

put a Super Monster T on that bad boy.