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04-01-09, 12:55 PM
So I'd been hanging on to a '98 OX platinum Trek 930 frame for a long time, finally got it powdercoated and built up, and now I realize the bike wasn't built for an 80mm fork. I just kinda assumed it was. I can't get a definitive answer but it's looking like it was built around either a 50mm or 65mm fork.
I've got the fork on it set to about 65mm and the handling seems all funky, so I'm guessing 50mm was the original spec, plus my new fork probably has a longer axle-to-crown length anyway. So tell me if it sounds like this would be the case w/ a longer fork- front end wants to lift up on steep climbs, front end wants to wash out cornering on descents, turning at slow speeds is weird in that after a point the wheel just wants to turn all the way (so turn the wheel a little and it's OK but then there's a spot once you hit it the wheel wants to flop over all the way), basically handling just kind of sucks. Part of it could be my tires but I can feel the thing wanting to wash out from under me with just about any kind of steering at speed.
So is this what I would expect from a bike by raising the front end? If so, is there a way to compensate for it like shorter stem, or longer stem, or lower bars... something I can fiddle with to see if I can use this sucker or not? I've already got different tires on the way, I want to try what I can without spending much more money to see if I can get it to work.
And yes, I'm super bummed. I thought I scored big-time getting a hot steel frame for $50... dammit.
I've got the fork on it set to about 65mm and the handling seems all funky, so I'm guessing 50mm was the original spec, plus my new fork probably has a longer axle-to-crown length anyway. So tell me if it sounds like this would be the case w/ a longer fork- front end wants to lift up on steep climbs, front end wants to wash out cornering on descents, turning at slow speeds is weird in that after a point the wheel just wants to turn all the way (so turn the wheel a little and it's OK but then there's a spot once you hit it the wheel wants to flop over all the way), basically handling just kind of sucks. Part of it could be my tires but I can feel the thing wanting to wash out from under me with just about any kind of steering at speed.
So is this what I would expect from a bike by raising the front end? If so, is there a way to compensate for it like shorter stem, or longer stem, or lower bars... something I can fiddle with to see if I can use this sucker or not? I've already got different tires on the way, I want to try what I can without spending much more money to see if I can get it to work.
And yes, I'm super bummed. I thought I scored big-time getting a hot steel frame for $50... dammit.