Touring - Suspension fork died...

I have a Trek 7100, ya low end but what can I say. I raised my seat an inch about 2 weeks ago and at the same time I watched my front fork slowly collaps on it's self. The fork is the RST CT COM 105 (decal on right side). My question ar these forks needing replaced or can they be fixed, I've read that some of these kinds of forks can be worked on but have no clue if these are one of them.

If they are shot out and need replaced, What fork would be a good replacement on a budget, I'm not looking for just cheap junk I want to put a rack on the front at some point and want a "Best Bang for the Buck" kind of fork if I need to replace it.

My LBS doesn't open for a few hours.... and I would like to have an idea what to ask about.

I have a Trek 7100, ya low end but what can I say. I raised my seat an inch about 2 weeks ago and at the same time I watched my front fork slowly collaps on it's self. The fork is the RST CT COM 105 (decal on right side). My question ar these forks needing replaced or can they be fixed, I've read that some of these kinds of forks can be worked on but have no clue if these are one of them.

If they are shot out and need replaced, What fork would be a good replacement on a budget, I'm not looking for just cheap junk I want to put a rack on the front at some point and want a "Best Bang for the Buck" kind of fork if I need to replace it.

My LBS doesn't open for a few hours.... and I would like to have an idea what to ask about.

I'd take it to an LBS, explained what happened to cause the problem and ask what they could do for you? If they suggest a replacement fork at full price, I'd take that under advisement and then try to find a bike co-op which probably has a bunch of hybrid forks sitting around doing nothing. Sounds like you might need to ask them to do the repair.

Compare and contrast estimates.

Is there a reason you want to keep your suspended fork? It's going to keep giving you grief. You'd be better off with a rigid fork, and it's a cheaper option. Also better for touring unless you go off road a lot. Ask your LBS.

Get yourself a rigid fork with braze ons for racks. Run big tires at minimum pressure to smooth out the bumps.

http://surlybikes.com/parts/cross-check_fork/ , or something similar that will fit your bike.

Get yourself a rigid fork with braze ons for racks. Run big tires at minimum pressure to smooth out the bumps.

http://surlybikes.com/parts/cross-check_fork/ , or something similar that will fit your bike.

Needs one suspension corrected, that's not a good choice that you linked.

Needs one suspension corrected, that's not a good choice that you linked.

I wondered about that CCrew. I'm sure his lbs will suggest something suitable that will accomodate a rack. Now, I'll go educate myself on exactly what 'suspension corrected' is all about. I still got a lot to learn about bicycle parts.

Later, from Sheldon Brown (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html):

Suspension-corrected rigid forks (http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_174928_-1_201511_10000_201514) mimic this geometry: they have longer blades to hold the head tube up to the same height a suspension fork would. If you desire to replace a suspension fork with a rigid fork, you should opt for a "suspension-corrected' rigid fork to preserve the frame's normal geometry.

May be a problem finding one with rack braze ons.

Seems I uncovered an underlying problem that I was only just becomming aware of. My bike it just to small for me... Top tube shortness combined with my raising the seat 1" pushed my weight forward enough to throw off my general center of balance well over the forks. My forks tested out just fine as far as how they are made. And yes "Suspention Corrected" forks where looked into, http://cyclepathfresno.blogspot.com/ my LBS, has been pretty good about going over options for me :) But for the moment I will keep the forks, as I just became un employed for a while as the restraunt goes threw a big change... weeee.... Leaves me with time to train :)