Bicycle Mechanics - cyclocross/mtb fork on road bike

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RonH
11-20-02, 09:29 AM
OK another dumb question.

Is it possible to change the fork (Kinesis) on my Raleigh R600 road bike (now my commuter) and replace it with a cyclocross or mtb fork (1" threaded)
http://www.nashbar.com/productimages/medium/NA-SAF.gif
and still use 700x25 or 700x28 tires?
I want to do this so I can add fenders to the front. My shoes get soaked from the spray when its raining. :crash:

I've thought about this
http://www.nashbar.com/productimages/medium/ZF-CC2T.gif
but it won't work. Not enough space between the downtube and front wheel.
If you have any others thoughts please pass them along as well. Thanks.

pokey
11-20-02, 09:54 AM
I tried it with a 700c road rim and tire,with 26' mtb fork..The mtb dropout spacing was way too wide and the brakes would not reach.There are cheap 700c cross forks or forks for hybrids that would be a better bet.Fork geometry could also screw handling.
Richard D
11-20-02, 10:40 AM
If you can use an MTB disc hub (and of course disc brake ;) ) with a road rim you'd probably be okay (can't think why it would be a problem at least...)

There aren't many 1" MTB forks though - Marzocchi did the MXC in 1" but I don't know whether the 2003 MX Comp is available in 1". How the geometry would be affected I don't know...

Richard

RainmanP
11-20-02, 12:30 PM
When the cheap suspension fork on my Giant Cypress needed replacement I put on a Surly CrossCheck cyclocross fork for about $100. It has cantilever bosses, but you can put on Avid Shorty brakes to work with your road levers. Your LBS can get one through QBP. I highly recommend this fork. Very sturdy and well made, but not at all bulky looking. Should look right at home on a road bike.
maraxis
11-20-02, 12:39 PM
The second picture you posted. Would it be possible to place the plastic fender on top of the bottom tube? Maybe experiment with a plastic coke bottle?
MichaelW
11-21-02, 06:24 AM
MTB forks, and most hybrid forks are so heavy and stiff they will make your bike feel dead.
Why not fit a light-touring steel fork. You can get them with clearance for the tyres you use, with fender eyelets. I use mine with Shimano 105 caliper brakes, the long-drop ones which take a 32mm tyre and SKS full-length fenders.
You may have to get a local frame-builder to make you one, since these forks are far to useful to be a mass-market product. The standard material is still Reynolds 531 and the lighter weight racing guage (not the heavy duty touring guage) is ideal.