Originally Posted by
emsara
I have wondered whether there would be any merit in switching out the front fork. I certainly don't need the suspension, and the fork seems to be the reason the front of the bike and the handlebars are so darn high.
I have been experimenting with other adjustments. The handlebars are quite high on this bike, much higher than the seat. I have adjusted the stem away from me and put the bars down as much as I could, but still wondered if the stem itself could go lower - not sure about that yet.
You're handlebars are high because the frame is designed to place them high and because the stem takes them even higher and the bars themselves have some rise.
A rigid fork would not change your handlebar height unless you got one that was too short. This would also alter your steering geometry and lower your ground clearance. Not a good idea.
Unless you are so in love with this frame that you plan to ride it for years to come, I would not throw as much money at it as a fork change would take.
Changing tires, making sure the stem is as low as it will go and replacing the handlebars with something with no rise (but still with some rearward sweep) are things I would be considering. Not changing major components.