Hi I heard you rode with Kirk on our local trails, I just lost my mother in law to cancer, I took a trip with Jake up north to quaking Aspen to clear my head. it sounds like kirk enjoyed our trails. Did you ride fire hose with him?
I have found Lockout to be unnecessary with the U-turn coil, wound down it does not bob enough to matter and still takes hits. Fully uncorked to 120mm slackens out the geometry for much more confidence on the steep stuff. You can swap to a spring, U-turn knob and new oil/seals for about $100. Drop the remaining $400 on a lightweight UST wheel set (XT/XTR are my faves) to really transform your ride. http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/WH290A05-Shimano+Xt+M775+Disc+Ust+Wheels+09.aspx
