New bike help

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I currently own a '98 Specialized FSR Comp Elite w/XTR. I bought it when I lived in Maryland and did a lot of "freeride" type riding which the bike is great for. I have since moved to the Pacific Northwest and find it to be more than a handful in the tight, technical riding that seems to be most prevelant here. Especially when it gets wet. The geometry seems much to long and slack to handle this type of riding. The X-Vert R double crown fork doesn't help on tight switchbacks either.

My question to you guys is: Do you have any suggestions on how to make my bike more capable on this type of terrain or should I sell it and buy something a little better suited to NW riding? If you recommend buying new, what do you suggest?

Thanks,

John Wendl
jlwendl@johnwendl.com

I live in the pac NW (OR) and your bike should be OK for most trails here. I WOULD change the forks to something single crown and you can play with the stem/bar combo to "dial-in" the riding position. I ride an '03 Heckler (5" front and rear) and they are meant to be an "all-mountain" or free-ride thing. It's great for the riding here. Not that you should run out and get an SC, but you can get your current bike to suit your needs here is my point I guess. Once again, the forks for sure and maybe a few other things, but if a new bike isn't in your current budget I would work on your current frame. Welcome to the land of moss. The rains started for real (here in the Willamette Valley anyways) this weekend. Ride well.

K.

i would change the handlebars to a raised kind rather than strait, flat (if u have them)