Is it worth upgrading a 7/8 year old full sus?

[gareth h]

Opinions please,
I've got a Cannondale Rush which is used mostly for 1.5-2 hour rides to keep the fitness up around Salisbury Plain.
Now I've been salivating over the Whyte T130, but wondered whether I would notice much difference between it and my old Cannondale.
Has much development gone on in the last 7-8 years or would it just be a shinier version of what I have already?
Ta
G

[cirian75]

the jump from my 2004 Trek 4500 to a 2015 Cube 29er was huge, the 29er is massively better than the 4500.

Its not just the equipment, there has been a huge jump in the way geometry of the bikes, bar width, head angle etc.

[FD3Si]

Yes.

I've just trashed my 2002 Marin Attack Trail custom build. Looking for the replacement I've ridden quite a few of the new breed of Enduro bikes. (Norco Range, YT Capra, Specialized Enduro, Transition Patrol etc) and they were an absolute revelation. Each and every one was an immeasurable amount better than the bike they are replacing. Faster, more stable, more comfortable, more compliant, more fun.
There has been a massive leap in the quality of suspension bikes in the past 5/10 years. Rising a modern bike was like the jump from my old hard tail to full suss over again.

[swimd]

Funny, I just came here to ask the same question as I'm in a very similar predicament with my 2008 Kona Coilair Supreme.

It's in great shape but 8 years old and I wouldn't want to spend more than £800 to upgrade, which would give me a budget of £1500 for the new bike.
That raises the question if technology has progressed so far that a £1500 2016 bike for is a better overall ride than a £3000 2008 bike.

[richardxjr]

Depends how it's been ridden & looked after. Anything of mine after 8 years would be worn out and dead.

But for FS especially if the bearings, shock and fork haven't been looked after then they'll be toast so a good excuse to change.

Aside from geometry and wheel size changes (diameter and width) creating all sorts of sub niches, there's been big developments in 1x drivetrains, tubeless, dropper posts and brilliant inexpensive Hydraulic brakes (thanks Shimano).
Frames are longer, bars wider and stems short.

I'd perhaps wait until September though for the end of year bargains at the likes of Paulscycles etc. That may give you enough time to catch up with all the developments and weed out useful developments from marketing bs.

[anonymous-user]

suspension technology has moved on a fair bit, the ability to control and adjust things like damping and rebound to suit rider, terrain etc is the biggest change. As others have said, bar width and geometry has also changed as people gravitate (no pun) towards all mountain type bikes

[Stiggolas]

I currently ride a 2002 Specialized FSR. It has been well looked after and all bearings changed last year. I too fancy a change and the T130 was on my shortlist. Having ridden one, I felt that the weight (and price) was too much of a penalty although it handled nicely. I then managed to blag a ride on a Canyon Nerve AL 7.0. Absolutely loved it. I'm not a huge fan of Fox forks, more a Rockshox fan as I can service these myself easily. The Canyon Nerve AL 6.0 comes with Rockshox Reba forks but is downgraded slightly on the groupset but hey the frame and wheels are the same so I've ordered one Hopefully here by the weekend for a bit of fun.

[The_Jackal]

If you can get hold of one the new Boardman FS Pro is a nice piece of kit with 1x11 GX and a Pike Fork.
If you time it right with a 10% discount and BC membership you can get one for £1200. They fit nice wide bars and short stem too as standard.

[crashley]

My only FS bike is a Clubroost DH custom w/ Marzocchi Z1's that i built about 17years ago whilst i was still at school. It even sports Magura hydraulic rim brakes. I keep saying i'll treat myself to something a touch more modern but don't really ride enough to justify it (yet).