Originally Posted by
Brocephus
Apologies for asking what's probably been asked a few times before. I have a 10-year-old 26" Trek mtn bike that's set up and used as a road runner, and it has some lower end Rock Shox that may or not be long for this world, and I'm looking into going with a rigid fork (that's disc compatible).
My concern is that the new fork will significantly lower the front end, as I've read elsewhere. So I'm looking for advice and info on the pitfalls of doing this, as well as any recommendations on a source for decent,economical rigid forks. The Nashbar carbon 26" seems to be about the best option, but again, I'm concerned about lowering the front end too much. I took a brief look at 29" forks, but they were all much more expensive, and before wasting any more time searching the interwebz, I figured I'd better just ask The Matrix.
Any good info is much appreciated......
I have converted 2 mtbs to rigid. 1 was a gt avalanche the best model. it had a 130mm fork. I put a 425mm salsa cromoto disc on it. the 425mm model. it was the shortest they had. it rode like road bike after that. very good comfort in this fork. but it was a little long. The longer the fork gets the more flexy it gets back/forward when braking. also judder.
then my next provect was a chromag sakura. and that was designed round a 150mm or so fork.
i put a 395mm for on it. a surly 1x1 disc. banana shaped, non tapered.
The 395 has no judder and absolutely no flex front/rear. this is as good as it gets imo.
I also built this bike up as a road bike with drop bar. it handles extremely well. low speed stable. (like putting a jacket in your backpack no hands, going up hill. no problem) also very securely feeling at high speed. like 60km/h or so.
I wouldnt put a longer fork than a 425 on any 26er no matter what it came with from the factory. it turns the bikes in to boats.
I have done 2 conversions. and those worked well. they handle just as good as my 2cx bikes and my pure road bike. they feel almost the same. you get used to the handling in a few hours. then its like you never ridden any other bike.