Is a Suspension Fork Necessary?
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Is a Suspension Fork Necessary?
I am building a bike for my sister who lives in Vancouver, BC. I bought a 2004 Fuji Thrill frame yesterday for $30. It's in excellent shape and the perfect size for her. I have all the components for a decent little mountain bike except for the fork.
She will do mostly road riding, but will do the occasional trail ride. Should I get an inexpensive suspension fork or a rigid fork?
I am leaning towards the rigid as I think an inexpensive fork will only weigh the bike down and not improve the ride.
How about a rigid carbon fork? Do I go with a straight or curved fork if I go rigid?
Thanks for the help,
Ian
She will do mostly road riding, but will do the occasional trail ride. Should I get an inexpensive suspension fork or a rigid fork?
I am leaning towards the rigid as I think an inexpensive fork will only weigh the bike down and not improve the ride.
How about a rigid carbon fork? Do I go with a straight or curved fork if I go rigid?
Thanks for the help,
Ian
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if she is mostly riding road, she won't need a suspension fork. even if she rides the occasional trail, she won't *need* a suspension fork. go with the rigid.
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Personally I`d suggest you go with a rigid cromoly fork. Kona makes some of the best and they`re not expensive.
You`d have to spend a lot of money to get a suspension fork that had decent performance and didn`t add 5 lbs to the bike. Go for ballon tires (2in min) and she`ll have all the suspension she`ll need for light trail use.
In the event of a crash - a cromoly fork will walk away from a direct impact much better than a carbon fork will.
You`d have to spend a lot of money to get a suspension fork that had decent performance and didn`t add 5 lbs to the bike. Go for ballon tires (2in min) and she`ll have all the suspension she`ll need for light trail use.
In the event of a crash - a cromoly fork will walk away from a direct impact much better than a carbon fork will.
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Thanks for the help. I will get a cro-moly fork. It'll be less stiff than aluminum anyways, which means a better ride. As for the tires, I am going to go with a 2" tire with little tread, almost a wide road tire.
Ian
Ian
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I'd suggest getting the front suspension if she's going to be doing mostly casual riding and the roads are bad. The roads around here are pretty terrible and I was riding my hybrid a lot more than my road bike, before I converted it back to a MTB, because of the front suspension. It was a very nice ride.
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No one "HAS" to have suspension. We get it because it does ease out the ride and even allows for more speed in places. Rigid was good until I got tired of chipping my teeth. I do agree with Max, if you have some bumpy roads, get a little cushion for the ride. Your sister won't need it, but she might appreciate it.
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#8
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The grass is always greener. My S-Works Stumpy FSR is collecting dust thanks to my new fully rigid 29er. I would have sold my left nut for a full suspension when I first started trail riding on a fully rigid rockhopper in the mid 90s.
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I also think no suspension is better. Traded in my full squish for a rigid 29er a few years ago, and have never missed it!
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Picked up a fully rigid SS 29er for cheap a while back and it is a lot of fun. Rigid definitely has its advantages, but I would never give up my full suspension.
If she is planning to do a lot of road riding on it rigid is the way to go for sure.
If she is planning to do a lot of road riding on it rigid is the way to go for sure.
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