If you _did_ have fork problems, that's one of the easiest upgrades to make, that will make a huge difference in comfort, anyway. You can buy a really nice last year's fork from any of the good manufacturers as a fraction of the original cost.

Disc brakes are the best. Especially if you will be riding or taking your bike to anywhere with long descents- Tsali or Pisgah in NC come to mind! I have Avid mechanical discs, which have never caused any trouble and are worth their weight in gold.

Nanci