Was thinking about perhaps trying a rigid fork in the Hardrock. Any experience with anyone doing such a thing, like replacing it with a Surly (http://www.surlybikes.com/forks/Instigator_pop.html)?

I rode a rigid mtb for several years before front suspension became standard. If you don't need the suspension, I would say go for it. Another option would be to ask your LBS if they have an old fork they'd be willing to sell you at a discount. We used to have a box of them in the back of my old shop that no one wanted.

Never had a bike with suspension so can't comment on what I may be missing. Just make sure you get a suspension-corrected fork (like the one you linked).

My "CLYDE" Bike I equip with a basic Carbon Fiber, Disc Brake equip Fork. I put a quality Cane Creek Headset with it along with Avid BB5 brake set and I'm VERY happy with the results. This is my City bike and I ride it in all weather. The fork does great, and the Carbon Fiber helps take the edge off the hits.

I did the swap on my Sedona DX, there are other suspension corrected forks available as well from Nashbar and WebCyclery. I used a Tange fork... suspension corrected.

I love the more solid feel of the bike without the pogo stick effect.

I bought through the LBS, but I have seen the fork online... Here (http://www.webcyclery.com/product.php?productid=17091&cat=319&page=1) and other sites.

I'm going to do similar on my Hardrock, and just let the LBS get one for me. I figure after that and a new rear wheel, it'll be a perfect city bomber :D

I have a Trek 8000 (hardtail) and had a Trek 800 rigid. I rode both on the trail and really liked the rigid over the suspesnion fork. If I happen to use an mtb or hybrid for a commuter, I'd go without a shock.

I gave a good pushon the trail, holding about 24 with the knobbies and suspension. Front end felt like it was floating. Similar feeling to driving a boat!:D

I have a Surly Instigator fork on my commuter bike!

When buying a fork, you MUST pay attention to the distance from the axle to the crown race. I bought the Surly because the Kona Project 2 fork I'd originally purchased for the bike didn't work. It claimed to be "suspension corrected", but the distance from the axle to the crown race was too short. This in turn changed the geometry of the bike and made the steering almost unridably twitchy.

The Surly Instigator is suspension corrected and designed to replace a suspension fork with 100mm of travel. If your suspension fork was designed for a different amount of travel, the Instigator may not work for you. For being a cheap ($70) fork, the Surly Instigator is well made. I didn't weigh it, but it feels a bit lighter than the Kona Project 2 fork it replaced. As a hobbyist welder, I'd say the welds look good. Powder coat finish is good. The cantilever brake posts on my bike where pretty much powder coated into the frame. My bike has disk brakes, so I wanted to remove the posts. One came out with a bit of trouble and the other was destroyed during the process. Overall the fork seems to be pretty solid. I've used it on pot-holed streets and the occasional gravel trail and it works well. Of course, if you drop the front wheel into a large pothole or ditch, you're going to feel it...

While I don't typically ride a MTB, I did replace the fork on my hybrid and it was the best upgrade I made on that bike. If you have no real need for it, no real need to keep it.