Swapping suspension forks for rigid forks on my hardtail
 

My bike is a 2000 Rockhopper pro.
I do more and more street riding. So, I'm thinking about changing the front forks from a
suspension (Manitou something or other) fork to a regular rigid fork. What should I be considering?
Thanks

If you want to ride rigid forks then as long as they fit i dont find anything wrong with it.

What kind of street, if something like jumping off of stairs, or riding it like a road bike?

2000 Rockhopper pro is a mountain bike, why would he use that to jump stairs?

I know, it's a mountain bike, it's just that not enough info was given to give an answer.

I understand, Im sorry.

But yes you can use rigid forks as long as they fit.

make sure that the rigid forks that you buy are suspension corrected. an 80mm travel suspension fork is 80mm longer then a non-suspension rigid fork for 26" wheels. most modern aftermarket rigid forks are suspension corrected, but be on the lookout anyway. they should say so.

what are the consequeces of using a non-corrected fork? it will lower te front end and make the headtube angle sharper, and as a result, the steering will be twitchier.

Check out the Surly Instigator. It's suspension corrected for 100mm. Or look at the Surly 1x1 for a fork that's suspension corrected for 70mm-80mm.

not to hijack this thread but what about if i have a rigid fork and want a suspension?

That depends on your frame and fork. If your frame is a suspension geometry frame with a suspension corrected rigid fork then you can simply throw a suspension fork on (depending on travel obviously) without affecting handling. What year, make and model bike are we talking about here?

If you are serious about adding a suspension fork let me know. When my change is complete I'll send you an email with pics of the my fork. It has about 200 miles on it. And maybe 10% of that was light trail. If you're interested we can do business.

And I'm just interested in a street bike. No stairs. Just an occasional pot hole. I wouldn't know the difference but my mechanic says it has "high end" components. So, I figure instead of dropping another $1k or so for a new bike I'll just make mine more street compatable. The next on the list of changes will be low roll resistant kevlar tires and maybe wider handle bars.

Oh yeah should I consider Alum or cro-mo forks?

I'm swapping my Insync 323 for a steel rigid on my '04 Trek 4300. Setting up for touring. I like my 1.25" Continental Sport Contact slicks.