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07-23-03, 04:11 PM
I have an old GT Outpost MB that I bought from a bike store that was going out of business. It was a bike someone left with them to be fixed and the person never came to claim it after many many repeated attempts, and they were losing the store the next day so they had it on sale for $75. I needed a bike at the time so I took it, even though it needed a little bit of work. Well it's lasted me about 5 years now. I've mostly used it as a commuter and riding on the C&O Canal Towpath (a hard packed gravel and dirt trail that goes from Cumberland, MD to Washington, DC along the Potomac River - 184 miles). Lately that's all I use it for.
I'm doing a charity ride that is a ride along the entire towpath in two days. Well, I've done several long rides on this towpath and it's just brutal on the hands and body with all the rough bouncing. I did a 50 miler last weekend and my hands were already showing signs of numbness and soreness. I don't think I can hold for an 84 mile day followed by a 100 mile day. So, I'm going to add some suspension. Yes, I know it's more prudent to get a new bike, but I'm trying to go the cheap route, plus, I'm saving my money for a new road bike. And I only ride this trial maybe 5 to 10 times a year... not worth buying a new bike for.
So I went to the LBS. The suspension seat post is no problem... got that on my own and going to install it. Suspension forks are a different matter. I'm not looking for anything too serious... just want to take the edge off the rough path. It's mostly rocks and uneven earth and gravel. The bike has a 1 inch threaded steerer. Apparently, 1 inch threaded suspension forks are almost impossible to find. So the guy told me that's what I need and if I can find it, they will install it.
So, after an exhaustive web search I found nothing new. So went to ebay. Found one. It's a:
brand new, never used RST 161B suspension fork. It has a 1" diameter threaded 7"/180mm steertube, and has a cable stop-so it can be used with cantilever brakes or v-brakes. It is non-adjustable, and comes with an owner's manual. For use with a 26" wheel.
Which I think is perfect. I just hope when it says no adjustment it doesn't mean this thing is all bouncy and will be bouncing everytime I pedal. But it's bidding at $50 so I'm willing to take the chance. When I looked at new suspension forks, the lowest I saw was $200... which is definitely higher than I planned on spending. The other thing I'm worried about is that it doesn't say what the travel is.
My question is this: It says 7"/180 mm steer tube. The guy at the LBS didn't tell me how long the steerer tube had to be. Will this work? Can I measure something on the bike to see if it will be ok? I measured my head tube and from the bottom (where the fork goes into the tube, including the little seals) to the top (where the stem comes out) is like 7.5 inches.
Is this too long? Do I have to have the fork removed to find out the length of the steer tube that I need? Or will this be ok because they can cut the steer tube down? I'm including a pic of it.
There is 4 hours left on the bidding... so any quick help is soooo greatly appreciated.
I'm doing a charity ride that is a ride along the entire towpath in two days. Well, I've done several long rides on this towpath and it's just brutal on the hands and body with all the rough bouncing. I did a 50 miler last weekend and my hands were already showing signs of numbness and soreness. I don't think I can hold for an 84 mile day followed by a 100 mile day. So, I'm going to add some suspension. Yes, I know it's more prudent to get a new bike, but I'm trying to go the cheap route, plus, I'm saving my money for a new road bike. And I only ride this trial maybe 5 to 10 times a year... not worth buying a new bike for.
So I went to the LBS. The suspension seat post is no problem... got that on my own and going to install it. Suspension forks are a different matter. I'm not looking for anything too serious... just want to take the edge off the rough path. It's mostly rocks and uneven earth and gravel. The bike has a 1 inch threaded steerer. Apparently, 1 inch threaded suspension forks are almost impossible to find. So the guy told me that's what I need and if I can find it, they will install it.
So, after an exhaustive web search I found nothing new. So went to ebay. Found one. It's a:
brand new, never used RST 161B suspension fork. It has a 1" diameter threaded 7"/180mm steertube, and has a cable stop-so it can be used with cantilever brakes or v-brakes. It is non-adjustable, and comes with an owner's manual. For use with a 26" wheel.
Which I think is perfect. I just hope when it says no adjustment it doesn't mean this thing is all bouncy and will be bouncing everytime I pedal. But it's bidding at $50 so I'm willing to take the chance. When I looked at new suspension forks, the lowest I saw was $200... which is definitely higher than I planned on spending. The other thing I'm worried about is that it doesn't say what the travel is.
My question is this: It says 7"/180 mm steer tube. The guy at the LBS didn't tell me how long the steerer tube had to be. Will this work? Can I measure something on the bike to see if it will be ok? I measured my head tube and from the bottom (where the fork goes into the tube, including the little seals) to the top (where the stem comes out) is like 7.5 inches.
Is this too long? Do I have to have the fork removed to find out the length of the steer tube that I need? Or will this be ok because they can cut the steer tube down? I'm including a pic of it.
There is 4 hours left on the bidding... so any quick help is soooo greatly appreciated.