Bicycle Mechanics - replace judy xc fork with rigid

I have what I think is a '94 or '95 judy xc shock (the brown one) on my commuter and I'd like to change out for rigid forks. Anyone know what size rigid fork I would need? Will I need new brakes too?

This is what the fork looks like:
http://i10.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/b8/68/6b2f_1.JPG

Your current fork probably has a 1 1/8" steerer tube, but measure just to be sure (outside diameter). If it's indeed a 1 1/8" fork, Surly makes a nice 1 1/8" rigid fork called the 1 x 1, it's "suspension corrected," meaning it will have the same approximate axle to crown height as your short travel suspension fork. So it shouldn't affect the bike's handling too much, if at all.

The 1 x 1 has canti brake bosses, so you can use the same brakes. You should be able to use use the same headset and stem, too, you'll just need to get the crown race off the suspension fork and you'll need a new star nut to go inside the new steerer tube. The crown race can be installed on the new fork with a piece of PVC pipe (1 1/8" inside diameter) placed over the steerer, and then using a hammer to drive the crown race onto the seat on the fork crown (or a bike shop can remove and re-install the crown race for a few bucks).

The most important thing with the new fork: make sure you know exactly how long the steerer tube needs to be before you cut it-

Your current fork probably has a 1 1/8" steerer tube, but measure just to be sure (outside diameter). If it's indeed a 1 1/8" fork, Surly makes a nice 1 1/8" rigid fork called the 1 x 1, it's "suspension corrected," meaning it will have the same approximate axle to crown height as your short travel suspension fork. So it shouldn't affect the bike's handling too much, if at all.

The 1 x 1 has canti brake bosses, so you can use the same brakes. You should be able to use use the same headset and stem, too, you'll just need to get the crown race off the suspension fork and you'll need a new star nut to go inside the new steerer tube. The crown race can be installed on the new fork with a piece of PVC pipe (1 1/8" inside diameter) placed over the steerer, and then using a hammer to drive the crown race onto the seat on the fork crown (or a bike shop can remove and re-install the crown race for a few bucks).

The most important thing with the new fork: make sure you know exactly how long the steerer tube needs to be before you cut it-

Thank you very much for that excellent bit of info. :)

You might not need a suspension corrected rigid fork, but that will depend on your frame. You should find out if your frame was designed for a suspension fork and what amount of travel if so. Additionally, I am not sure what length of travel the Surly 1x1 is correcting for. I don't remember exact suspension travels but it has grown over the years. The handling difference may not be as much of an issue on your commuter, but it helps to be informed before the purchase.

My Judy has been stuck bottomed out for several years so maybe I shouldn't bother with a suspension correction at all?

I'm riding a Perfomance M105 mtn bike.

The Surly 1 x 1 is designed to replace a 1 1/8" threadless short travel suspension fork, something in the range of 63-80mm total travel, just like your mid-'90's Rock Shox Judy. I wouldn't have recommended it if it weren't. The axle to crown measurement on the 1 x 1 is 413mm, which if you check the axle to crown measurement on your Judy fork you'll find that it's actually more than 413mm. Well, at least it would be if your fork weren't "bottomed out" as you say. So let's put it this way: the "suspension corrected" fork takes into account that once you're sitting on the bike and riding it, some of the fork's travel is taken up. So assuming your Judy is indeed a 1 1/8" threadless fork from the mid '90's, and assuming the bike originally came equipped with it, and not a rigid fork, then the Surly 1 x 1 is an ideal fork for you, it will provide the handling characteristics your bike was designed for, with the beneifit of being a rigid fork-

many thanks for the extremely thorough info.