Slow engaging rear hub does suck but he is just learing. And i have a friend that is on of the best trials riders i know(including leech) and he uses a deore hub!! Also have never had a problem with gears, no skipping, no exploding, and pritty much what ever chain you run it will snap. just the nature or the beast. As far as the fork goes that is also personal preference some people can hop higher with a fork and dont mind the extra wait and some people run rigid...all to there own. Dont be a dick