Mountain Biking - CycloCross forks?

Here's a dumb question, but thought maybe some here would know.


I'm considering converting my old Rockhopper to a street rod, with a rigid carbon fork. I noticed there are lots of Cross forks out there for good prices, but not too many MTB specific forks. My existing (cheapy stock) Manitou forks only have about 2-3" of travel, so I would think that's not much of a problem.

Is it ok to use a Cross fork for converting to a street/light trail machine?

I plan to go with 26x1.75" Maxxis Overdrive tires. Will most Cross forks generally be wide enough?

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/c/COMPFKMTNR

^^^ If that no is emphatic, then why do I see alot of ads for CX forks saying you can use it for either a CX or 29er?

Or, does it have to do with the geometry of that specific fork?

If you use a CX fork on a mtb with 26" wheels your front brakes will be unusable (unless running a disc) and your axle-to-crown distance will be greater causing the bike to handle differently (more slack).

Isn't "axle to crown" being a little longer for a Cross fork, a better thing?

Especially since I am converting from a set of suspension forks?

If the front brakes would be unusable, why do they sell forks (with blade bosses) that are saying you can use them for both a CX bike and MTB?

I'm confused. :(

It would work if you ran a 29" front wheel.

AAAHHHHH!!!!


Nevermid. I screwed up. My brain was asleep.

I kept thinking a regular 26' wheel could be used with a CX fork, but only a 29"MTB wheel. That's where I got mixed up.

Sorry.

I ran a CX fork on the front of my old Peugeot MTB...It fit a 26x2.2 tire but I was also running a disc brake up front.

lotta relatively cheap rigid steel forks out there that would fit the bill.

go to nearly any halfassed bike shop. many will have a bin of old rigid forks, that you can pick through. grab one cheap. should be fairly easy enough to find one tall enough so as not to steepen your head angle too much. then again, if it's for on the street, that won't matter quite as much.

or if you want newer/nicer/spendier, there are a few options out there too. my personal favorite for a not too spendy but still very nicely handling rigid is the kona p-2 fork. (that's a hint: go check a kona dealer.)

I know this sounds a bit poseur'ish, but I want to primarily convert the bike for running around town, and very light dirt trails/paths. Nothing rough. I really want to lighten it up the best I can (without eating a huge hole in my pocket). I'm looking at maybe $300 total investment including some much needed parts (new r.der, chain, and 44t ring)

So, a carbon fork is on my mind right now. Something around 800g or less if I can find one.

I've noticed a few on Ebay around $150. Also, I noticed Nashbar has one for $129, and weighs 860g.

The original lime green paint is trashed, so a new dark red paint job will look good with a carbon fork.

I know this sounds a bit poseur'ish

What else could we expect from your sig

I know this sounds a bit poseur'ish, but I want to primarily convert the bike for running around town, and very light dirt trails/paths. Nothing rough. I really want to lighten it up the best I can (without eating a huge hole in my pocket). I'm looking at maybe $300 total investment including some much needed parts (new r.der, chain, and 44t ring)

So, a carbon fork is on my mind right now. Something around 800g or less if I can find one.

I've noticed a few on Ebay around $150. Also, I noticed Nashbar has one for $129, and weighs 860g.

The original lime green paint is trashed, so a new dark red paint job will look good with a carbon fork.


So measure you current fork a2c, account for however much sag you run, and buy whichever carbon fork fits the bill height wise. There are quite a few mtb versions out there.

Throw it on the bike, park in front of the Starbucks and pose away.