Touring - Suspension forks????

I have an old Schwinn Sierra Comp that has served me well over the last 15 years. About 9 years ago or so I put a suspension fork on it. Well it's finally died, the guts are basically disintegrating. I ride most of my miles on the road using Tioga street slicks but I often off road, with the slicks and sometimes I'll throw on some knobbys. At any rate I wanna new fork. I push the scales at a healthy 260# and I bring around 50# of gear when I tour. I'm also a card carrying cheapskate so it can't be too spendy
Any suggestions? (aside from losing weight)
Doug

Hi, I would suggest that you re submit this thread on the mountain bike topic section. Those guys over there are in better knowledge with suspension.

I have asked a similar question about suspension fork a couple of months ago over here, but didn't get any useful reply. Good luck and wishes you a happy new year !

Thanks, Frazer Huang Will do!!!!!!!
But I guess I wonder what touring folks think of font suspension... anybody :)
Doug

It really depends on the type of touring you plan to do.

I rode my hard-tail MTB on my first tour this past fall and was blown away by my touring partners on their touring bikes for most of the trip.

Until we passed through five miles of construction zone where I left them in the dust (literally) with my front suspension fork and wider tires (they had to walk their bikes for a short section while I blasted right through). This can also be helpful if you are camping in remote areas served by dirt roads or two-tracks (e.g., USFS campgrounds).

It looks like RokShoks has come out with several new models of suspension forksin the recent past. With enough riders out there who absolutely have to have the latest and greatest, you may be able to find a good deal at your local bike shop on an older fork that was replaced in favor of a new one.

Good luck!

B.

:beer: