[2crank]

I had the same question and I had a Dart 3. It depends on your weight and what types of trails you will be riding most. I am 265 lbs. which made it more of a need. If you have it tuned as tight as it will go, and you are still bottoming out quite a bit, then yes, upgrade. You need to remember though, as I had to learn, you want at least some sag and some softness, otherwise you would just be as well off to get a rigid. One last bit, on "another hand", my LBS guy usually says to just ride and only upgrade when something wears out (get your money’s worth out of it) except for two components: fork and rear deraileur. If the Dart1 is not bottoming out too much, then maybe stick with it, but a better fork if you have the money, is never a bad investment.

[2crank]

I am new to MTB’ing (going on about 6 months now) and I was having the same problem, expecially when I went clipless (would never go back now though). Let me say thank you for the advice even though I did not post the original thread, but I will benefit from this also. I do have to say that part of it too will be time in the saddle with familiar trails. Anyone, however long they have ridden, will run into problems on a brand new trail (to them at least), especially if they don’t have a buddy who knows the trail or a guide of some sort. Continue riding your "home trail(s)" and as you get to know them, you will know when to shift. And with that, you gain more skill AND confidence, which both can carry over to the "new" trails in the future. I would get frustrated when I tried a new trail but I had to realize I had no clue what was coming. Cardio work and weight training will certainly help, but not always. Some hills are just going to creep up on you.

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