Bicycle Mechanics - New fork, old bike compatability? MTB

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all5pts
03-11-02, 07:02 AM
My wife has an old MTB without front suspension. She would like to have a suspension fork. The bike is in very good condition because she doesn't ride it much (therefore I hate to buy her a new bike). I need to know how to determine whether or not a particular fork will work and if I need any special tools to install it myself. The current fork is threaded. Pricepoint has a couple of good options for 50-90 dollars. Any recommendations?

VegasCyclist
03-11-02, 02:56 PM
first off you need to find out what the diameter of the steer tube is. Forks now adays are 1 and 1/8 inch diameters. Older MTB's have 1 inch, and I suspect this is the case with yours, (I have a 1990ish gt and it has a 1 inch threaded) the only maker which I know of that still makes 1 inch forks (suspension) is MARZOCCHI. However a new problem arises... I do not think they make threaded (could be wrong) so you would then have to also buy a new headset (1 inch threadless) as well as a stem to connect the handle bars to.

The only other alternative is to buy used, and try to find a 1 inch suspension fork which is also threaded, this might be a bit difficult....

so if you go to a new threadless fork you'll need:
Headset
Stem
Fork (of course ;) )

If you go used, you will only need the fork.

And finally if you are lucky the fork you have in there will be 1 and 1/8 inch which means conversion will be much easier (and cheaper ;) )

now if I haven't totally confused you... good luck :D