I finally bought a new bike, 2015 Bianchi Kuma 27.5. After riding suspension on the trails, I decided the 1997 Fuji MX200 was an asphalt, hard sand beach and greenway bike going forward. On a greenway & trails, any bumps or tree roots go right thru my wrists, elbows & shoulders to my abdominals. An hour on the trails and I feel like a heavyweight boxer has pounded me for 12 rounds with body shots and my joints can't take that abuse either. So suspension fork it is for me going forward. Last time I rode, I tried to keep up with a 29er suspension hard tail. I went down a hill, hit the tree roots, front end was bouncing and couldn't steer and when the decline turned, I didn't. Was fortunate that the brakes when they did contact the ground slowed me enough. Initially I cleared out a new trail for a few feet, then went over the handlebars and killed a bush. No injuries, but knew it was time to upgrade bikes. Disc brakes are the way to go as well. I love the older bike, nothing wrong with it, just good for what it was intended to be, an affordable Sports Authority bike.
