Mountain Biking - Does anyone in the universe still make a good suspension fork with a 1" steerer tube?

i've got an old mid-90s hardtail Raleigh MTB that i've turned into a hybrid back-up commuter by up-sizing the drivetrain and switching out the old cheesy first-gen rock shox for a rigid cro-mo fork.

now however, i would kinda like to regain the ability to take the bike out on some trails from time to time, but that wouldn't be much fun with the hard as hell steel fork on the bike now. the best solution would be a nice suspension fork with lock-out for when i'm using the bike as a commuter (which is the majority of the time)

the problem? the bike is now 15 years old and it needs a fork with a 1" threadless steerer tube. in all my searching i can't find any manufacturers that make a good lock-out suspension fork with a 1" steerer for old MTBs. does anyone know if any such product is still being manufactured by anyone? is it possible to have a suspension fork custom made with a 1" threadless steerer?

i don't care how much it might cost, i just want to know if it's even an option, because if it's not, then it might be time for me to start looking for a new MTB that doesn't have such an antiquated headset size.

No. Nothing new. (Well) used is your only option

I have the same problem. My original Paul Turner Rock Shox died. I spent a lot of time searching on the web for a 1" steerer tube shock forks, unthreaded or threaded, but no luck. I had the original steel fork from the bike, which I installed, and it is now strictly a commuter.
I'm going to watch this thread in case some other poster comes up with a source. But I think you should prepare to be disappointed.

Many Marzocchi Z1 or Z2 forks from 1997 will still be intact and usable.

A few of these forks will have the steel 1" steerer.

Look around.

Are you a welder at all steely? I for some time have thought about replacing the steer tube on new forks with 1" but im a crappy welder and wouldn't trust it. I would imagine if you just shim it up, a few tacks on the bottom of crown and it would work? (not sure if it would or not)

This might be your best bet
http://www.amazon.com/RST-T6-Suspension-threaded-steerer/dp/B000FIMVBI

Marzocchi used to offer a service where they'd press a 1" steerer into any of their XC forks. You'd have to call or email their tech department to see if they still do this, as it was never advertised.

Are you a welder at all steely? I for some time have thought about replacing the steer tube on new forks with 1" but im a crappy welder and wouldn't trust it. I would imagine if you just shim it up, a few tacks on the bottom of crown and it would work? (not sure if it would or not)
i'm certainly no welder, but i imagine i could find a good one in a city the size of chicago. does anyone know if it's even possible to remove a 1-1/8" steerer from a fork and re-weld a 1" steerer on to it?








This might be your best bet
http://www.amazon.com/RST-T6-Suspension-threaded-steerer/dp/B000FIMVBI
yeah, i've seen that RST fork on amazon before, but it looks pretty low-end and it doesn't have lockout, which is what i'm most interested in finding for a fork for my bike because i'll be primarily street riding it as a back-up commuter. i want the suspension fork solely so i'd have the option to switch out the wheels for ones with some knobbies and go ride around on some trails from time to time. i'm not a huge off-road rider or anything (i live in the urban concrete and asphalt heart of downtown chicago after all), but it would be a fun diversion to get out to the forest preserve districts that surround the city on a nice weekend afternoon and go get messy in the dirt like i used to do when i was a kid.








Marzocchi used to offer a service where they'd press a 1" steerer into any of their XC forks. You'd have to call or email their tech department to see if they still do this, as it was never advertised.
thanks for the heads-up. it's probably a long shot, but it's at least worth asking.

i'm certainly no welder, but i imagine i could find a good one in a city the size of chicago. does anyone know if it's even possible to remove a 1-1/8" steerer from a fork and re-weld a 1" steerer on to it?

Groovy Cycle Works:

(not sure if they'd be able to do this with a suspension fork)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNbJ9dadNYo

If you love the bike so much, have replace the 1" headtube with a 1-1/8" headtube. It wouldn't cost much more, the forks available are much nicer and everything would be less flexy. I my opinion, it makes way more sense than retrofitting an under-spec'ed steerer.

If you love the bike so much, have replace the 1" headtube with a 1-1/8" headtube. It wouldn't cost much more, the forks available are much nicer and everything would be less flexy. I my opinion, it makes way more sense than retrofitting an under-spec'ed steerer.

i do love the bike, but i love it so much that i could never force it to under-go major surgery like that. if there's no practical way to get a decent lockout suspension fork with a 1" steerer, then i'll likely just leave the bike as is with its rigid fork and continue to use it as a back-up/foul weather commuter. then i'll begin the process of lusting after a brand new mountain bike.

I went through this quest back in 2005 when new 1" forks were still available. The cost for new was prohibitive, running over $130 for a POS spring fork. Used wasn't much better. I finally picked up an inexpensive, new Suntour SR fork that wore out in one year. I replaced it with a NOS Duo Track 7007. All I can say is you've got to keep on top of ebay and any local sales. You might try running a "Wanted To Buy" ad on CL. Sometimes someone has an old fork they don't want sitting around and you can pick it up for chump change. I can tell you it's going to be a lot harder than going to the LBS and asking for a fork. Your going to have to go on a quest and find it yourself. But they are out there.

Here you go:

http://www.whitebrotherscycling.com/forkspecs/magic-80.html

^ wow, that looks like a great fork, and exactly what I'm looking for. Too bad it's 750 bones. It's way more than I need, but something to save up for none-the-less. Thanks for the suggestion.

^ wow, that looks like a great fork, and exactly what I'm looking for. Too bad it's 750 bones. It's way more than I need, but something to save up for none-the-less. Thanks for the suggestion.

I may have your more affordable answer (http://www.amazon.com/RST-T6-Black-threadless-steerer/dp/B000FIMUP0)....

This one (http://www.amazon.com/Spinner-Grind-254-Suspension-Fork/dp/B003LR9TGK/ref=pd_sbs_sg_14) is much cheaper

But the OP asked for a "good suspension fork" and neither of those meet that requirement.

But the OP asked for a "good suspension fork" and neither of those meet that requirement.

But, but...the spinner has "25.4mm steel sanctions."

But the OP asked for a "good suspension fork" and neither of those meet that requirement.


But, but...the spinner has "25.4mm steel sanctions."

unless he wants to fork out 750 buckaroos lol

I believe though not representing his mind that OP does know such thing is a rarity when bought brand new.

I am simply stating the alternatives.

Groovy Cycle Works:

(not sure if they'd be able to do this with a suspension fork)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNbJ9dadNYo

Rody at Groovy is one heck of a great guy! and his work is top shelf. Just be prepaired for a wait.


I am going to be racing a Groovy frame next season!

unless he wants to fork out 750 buckaroos lol

I believe though not representing his mind that OP does know such thing is a rarity when bought brand new.

I am simply stating the alternatives.

yeah, i'm aware of those cheap options on amazon, but that's why i asked about a "good" fork. i can't imagine either the spinner or the RST are anything close to what could be called a "good" fork. besides, neither have lockout which would automatically disqualify them from my consideration. i was hoping there would be somthing out there in the 400 dollar range, but apparently my otpions for buying new are either an el cheapo supreme from amazon or shelling out 750 bucks for an overkill supreme from white brothers.

i want a creamy middle.

yeah, i'm aware of those cheap options on amazon, but that's why i asked about a "good" fork. i can't imagine either the spinner or the RST are anything close to what could be called a "good" fork. besides, neither have lockout which would automatically disqualify them from my consideration. i was hoping there would be somthing out there in the 400 dollar range, but apparently my otpions for buying new are either an el cheapo supreme from amazon or shelling out 750 bucks for an overkill supreme from white brothers.

i want a creamy middle.

Actually RST's Omega has a locking feature, however, they are low end. I do not know any manufacturers who produces creamy middle fork with 1" threaded steerer and I may not look hard enough.

Best of Luck.

^ for the record, i'm looking for a good suspension fork with a 1" threadless steerer.

some of the rst forks are not bad. whey don't you ride rigid? the surly forks have a good amount of give with them. combine this with an H-bar or a carbon bar and its a lot of fun. Riding rigid is a lot of fun, especially when you aren't in a hurry. just fit the fattest light tires you can, and go have a blast. i recommend at least a 2.25, tubeless if you can at 23 psi will provide the fun you are looking for. you will ride slower, but imagine the sense of accomplishment when you plow thru that rock garden and realize you did it sans suspension!

I also believe wound-up makes really nice carbon forks with 1" steerers. just an option.

^ i hadn't really given much thought to riding in the dirt on a rigid fork, but one main thing recommending against that is the fact that i'd have to roll on some really fat low PSI tires. i don't own a car and i live in the heart of downtown chicago. the closest forest preserve trail that i can get to out on the fringe of the city is a good 15 miles of urban street riding away from me, and rolling that far on concrete with a 23 PSI tire sounds like a form of mild torture. that's why i'd really like to have a suspension fork with lockout, that way i can roll on the street with a tire of decent PSI (at least better than 23 PSI) and still make adequate time and then dial in the suspension when i get to some dirt.

if i want to do that with a new fork for my current outdated mountain bike, it looks like that $750 dollar white brothers fork is my only real off the shelf option. and then i realize that for another 450 bucks i could just pick up a Motobecane FLY pro from bikesdirect and have an entirely brand new aluminum hardtail with a good SID Race lockout fork and other adequate mid-level componentry, all in a package that would weigh significantly less than my old raleigh cro-mo beast.

it looks like i'll have some options to carefully consider come spring, but getting a brand new bike to tool around with on some trails is pretty damn tempting. i already have a titanium road bike from bikesdirect that i absolutely adore, i would hope that their mountain frames are of similar quality, but you guys would probably know that better than i.

^ for the record, i'm looking for a good suspension fork with a 1" threadless steerer.

I have a Marzocchi Z series fork with a 1" threadless steerer tube. Works decently, could use a new home. PM me if you are interested...

I have a Marzocchi Z series fork with a 1" threadless steerer tube. Works decently, could use a new home. PM me if you are interested...

I wondered when someone would check their parts bin for an older fork and offer it up!