Upgrading Fuji Diamond Pro to trail bike

[DR ◣◢]

Hi all

 

I currently ride a 90% stock 2004 Fuji Diamond Pro.

 

Its a fun, do it all kind of bike setup to run 100mm travel front and back with 3x9 gearing. Mix and match of Truvativ, LX and XT parts. Wheels are the stock Ritchey OCR Disc rims built onto Fuji hubs.

 

Fork is a Manitou Axel Elite with the 100mm conversion done already.

 

I have already upgraded the bars to 710mm and fitted an 80mm stem which made the bike a lot more fun to ride.

 

In terms of suspension I was thinking of going for a 140mm fork in the front and swopping to something like a Fox in the rear.

 

Final move would be to convert to 1x9 gearing and some 2.2 or 2.3 tyres.

 

It is worth spending the money on this bike or should I sell it rather and get some like the Commencal Meta (2009 model is fairly cost effective)

 

Will a shock with a longer stroke increase rear travel a little bit? An additional 30mm won't hurt. Frame seems to have enough clearance.

 

My more serious rig is in it's planning stages. Carbon 29er with bla bla bla.

[geecee]

head angles etc might get a bit wonky

[DR ◣◢]

Also true, it's already quite relaxed. Would hate to mess with handling too much.