[usmceric1]

One thing leads to another when upgrading an older bike. Have a 2013 Specialized Carve Expert. Has an 80mm Reba RL A2 on it with 9mm QR axle. Not a big deal right, well I want to go tubeless as the stock rims are not TR. I could either have a set built with 9mm QR, or get an updated TA hub which would necessitate a new fork. The bike is set up for sons NICA XC races. I plan on keeping this rig for him, then handing it down to my younger son when he is ready to race. Currently the bike is 28lbs. Do I get a new wheelset with a QR hub and keep the fork (possibly upgrade the damper), or a hub with a TA, and get a new XC fork? There is nothing wrong with the fork, other than I despise Rock Shox's remote lockout (cable). He never uses it anyways. I set it up to stay open and use air volume settings depending on course and his weight.

Rock Shox catalog has: 00.4018.783.003 DAMPER UPGRADE KIT - CHARGER2 RLC CROWN 120MM MAX TRAVEL (INCLUDES COMPLETE RIGHT SIDE INTERNALS) - SID27/29(A2-A4/2012-2016),SID120(B1-B4/2020,REBA27/29(A1+/2012+)/BLU TOA1+

Says it will work with my older fork.

Another option is to just maintain the fork per standard, and just bite the bullet and get a decent QR hub TR wheelset.

Thanks to any help given by way more experienced riders than me.

 

[Reaperactual]

Re: Hubs/wheels.

You could get a wheelset or hubs that are non Boost with a 15mm thru axle front (100×15), thru axle rear (142×12) which can be easily converted to standard quick release with pop on/off end caps.

There are also some hub kits around to convert them to fit Boost fork and frames in future if needed.

Something good quality, 'futureproof' and worth the cost, such as DT Swiss, Hope (or a choice of a few other decent brands) that are adaptable and able to be converted.