Utility Cycling - New Fork!

Apparently I've never posted my bike here even though I've been actively lurking for quite some time. Figured this was a good occasion to do so!

I've always read that swapping out the suspension fork for a rigid one would drastically improve the ride of an Xtracycle and I can finally confirm that it's true. A friend of mine was selling a suspension corrected Surly 1x1 fork a while back so I decided what the hell and grabbed it. I finally got around to installing it recently and I can't get over how much better my bike rides. It's quite a bit shorter than the stock fork on my Trek 4300 which gave me some concern but I've always felt I was steered wrong when buying my bike and ended up with one that was too big. The shorter fork seems to have rectified that as it feels and rides much better now. It's like a whole new bike and I've had a stupid grin on my face while riding it the past few days.

If anyone has been on the fence of changing to a rigid fork I highly recommend it.

It's awesome, I love it, and here are some pics:

Old Trek fork of suck!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3808942263_d5b7bf60d2.jpg

New Surly fork of awesome!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3593/3809758370_45c5c54d47.jpg

Size comparison.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2438/3809759020_bab0902247.jpg

Beauty shot.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3808945413_dfe7a3c775.jpg

That changed the head tube angle of the bike, which would explain why it feels radically different.

That changed the head tube angle of the bike, which would explain why it feels radically different.

It may have changed the head angle some but possibly less than you would think from the photos. They show the bike unloaded and on the stand which means the fork is totally uncompressed. How long was it with the rider on board and some cargo?

It may have changed the head angle some but possibly less than you would think from the photos. They show the bike unloaded and on the stand which means the fork is totally uncompressed. How long was it with the rider on board and some cargo?

This thought entered my mind the other day as well. I had the suspension locked down as tight as it would go but it did still move somewhat. I would be surprised if it compressed even an inch but I don't really know.

I put a Surley 1x1 on my Trek 3900. I like it. I was not prepared to install the top star-nut though, I had to go to the LBS to get them to finish the job.

I really didn't like the MTB style fenders for suspension forks, and since I commute in the rain pretty often, I really wanted full coverage fenders. I found that the Surley fork (replacing the suspension Spinner fork) had the crotch way high up for the bracket on the fender, so I got my drill out and re-mounted the fender with a spare panier-rack metal strap.

When I got the fork from the LBS, I picked it up and nearly tossed right out of my hands -- that fork weighs nearly *nothing* compared to a suspension fork. The ride is crisper, faster. I dig it!

I do think the head angle does have a little bit to do with it. Even just a small difference would make the bike seem more responsive or twitchier.

I've wondered... did the suspension fork help for stuff like curbs or bumps much?

I don't ride a longtail. For my commute, the rattle I get on poorly paved roads wasn't helped by a suspension fork. The suspension fork helped with curbs, but I stopped hopping off curbs because it's bad for spokes and bad for groceries, and I found I jumped out into traffic without looking, which is bad for cars ;-)

I do think the head angle does have a little bit to do with it. Even just a small difference would make the bike seem more responsive or twitchier.

I've wondered... did the suspension fork help for stuff like curbs or bumps much?

I tightened down the suspension soon after I got the bike so there wasn't a whole lot of help on bumps and the like anyway. It seems like I feel things a bit more now with the rigid fork but not enough for it to be a problem.

Looks good!

How did you know what rigid fork to get to replace your suspension fork? I just got my first mountain bike to convert into an Xtracycle, and it came with a Rock Shox Indy C. I don't know squat about suspension forks, and the folks at Surly don't have a cross reference, according to emails I've sent. I can't find any specs for the Rock Shox Indy C, so I'd just be guessing at whether the 1X1 would work on my bike.

Thanks,
Steve

Looks good!

How did you know what rigid fork to get to replace your suspension fork?

I didn't haha. A friend of mine was selling the 1x1 fork and said it was suspension corrected and would work so I snagged it and gave it a shot. I wish I could give you better info but I'm sure someone here is much more knowledgeable on these things. It was an experiment for me that luckily gave good results.