[FOXshox]

I have a specialized hardrock sport mountain bike, and the left fork seal blew up. I've had the bike for awhile and the forks are old anyway, I was planning on replacing them. So what are some good budget shocks that will fit? I dont know much about mountain bike aftermarket parts so links would help, thanks!

[bootht99]

i found my marzocchi dirt jumper 3's on ebay and got them for $120 shipped. they are from 2005, but they were unused. check out ebay, find a bunch of shocks that fit your budget and you like. then go to google and search reviews for each shock. thats what i did, and it helped narrow down which ones i wanted. usually reviews on google where at mtbr.com.

good luck

[Dstompe]

you probably won't want a fork with more than 130mm, more than that will eventually break the frame, so keep that in mind. Also, just personal preference, you will probably want more than 100mm, it's more fun that way. some forks will be cheaper, but you pay for it in weight. If you do xc/all mountain rides, or pedal your bike at all, you probably want to keep them sub 5lbs. just my two cents

[FOXshox]

what do you mean keep them sub 5lbs? I ride my bike around town a lot doing curb jumps a lot too. When I can I prefer to find the bigger dirt jumps. I broke them on a dirt jump. I might have the manual around I can check the stock settings and go from there. I kinda liked the stock forks, but they could have been a little stiffer.

And thanks for the help guys!

[Doc]

I think he means sub 5lbs of total weight to reduce the weight of your bike.

[FOXshox]

oh ok. The bike is pretty heavy to begin with.

[bootht99]

what size of headset do you have? (i think thats what its called) 1 7/8" i'm guessing? that will help narrow it down a bit.

yeah, sub means under. submarine=underwater. my dirt jumper's are pretty heavy, but i love them. they are adjustable between 100-130mm of travel. it has only been the last week or two that i have been really using them, doing lots of drops (about 4ft onto grass and pavement) and lots of jumps. (i set up a jump, then jumped off the highway into my ditch. thats a long distance). they haven't bottomed out yet. they are currently set at 115mm, they are a bit soft for lots of flatland riding, but that just made me ride more leaning back taking the pressure off my forks so they don't bounce up and down.

[Dstompe]

I guarantee he has a 1 1/8 headset, it's pretty standard for all but newer big downhill and all mountain bikes that run 1.5 headsets. Since you are not worried about weight and are worried about price then go with the something like these
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18381-315_MARD29-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Marzocchi-Dirt-Jumper-2-2009.htm
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18372-315_MAR229-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Marzocchi-22-R-2009.htm
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18373-315_MAR339-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Marzocchi-33-TST2-2009.htm
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18556-315_ROCT39_KIT-3-Parts-59-Forks/Accessories/Rockshox-Tora-302-Coil-2009.htm

[Neuner]

I was going to suggest replacing your shock cartridges and seals with a Total Air Englund Cartridge but it appears they've stopped making them. I'm ticked. I love mine and don't want to have to face if I ever blow one out.

[powderbock]

How old is your bike? If its like my old Rockhopper comp (1991), you may find it a little difficult to find a shock that won't change your geometry. Best bet would be to take it into your LBS and get their opinion if its an older model bike.
I placed a front shock on the rockhopper in 2000, eventually bent out the head tube causeing the LBS to put a shim in it.