Touring - Reliable Front Suspension for MTB Touring

Which front suspension fork would you advise me to purchase if I switch from a rigid front steel fork to tour the Great Divide route? Previously I was just considering using my steel rigid front fork on my hardtail to minimize mechanical issues but after reading a few posts about losing hand, wrist or arm sensation for a while after touring the Great Divide I am now leaning towards switching the front fork to suspension.

With the changes in technology, model names from year to year which fork model or brand would be the most reliable or least likely to have problems in this type of tour?

I would shoot for a coil/oil shock vs. an air shock. Just less to go wrong.

I have been thinking about what to use for mtn bike touring and I would probably get an older Cannondale hardtail with a fatty headshock. As long as it isn't air sprung it would be fine. The headshock is stiff and you can mount fenders/a front rack without trouble.

BTW - on this year's Great Divide Mtn Bike Race there were many suspension fork problems. People have done well with rigid bikes with fat tires.

http://www.greatdividerace.com/

http://www.mile43.com/peterson/Divide/DivideRace.html

I have been lucky with my suspension forks so I'd probably take a chance and use one.

I rode the Divide on a rigid cross bike with 700x47/1.75in tires. Wider tires on a mtn bike would be even better for comfort. Decent handle bar padding and suiting air pressure to the terrain worked fine for me.

I also used a Thudbuster shock seatpost which worked well. For me simpler is better. I had no mechanical or body problems from riding a rigid bike. Just my experience which may not suit everyone.

I have good experiences with Cannondale's Headshock front suspensions (basic model F400, it even has a simple lockout). This past July I have ridden from Shimla to Leh in India over some worst dirt roads without a single problem or maintanence issues at all;)