Suspension Fork to Rigid one (Suntour to Long Haul Trucker)
 

Hi people,

I have a Norco Kokanee from 2010 that I use for commuting and for touring. This is the bike: Norco Bikes » Mountain Bikes » XC Hardtail » Kokanee

I have problems with mounting front racks on this Suntour XCR-LO w/lock-out 100mm suspension fork and wondering if I could replace it with a rigid one. I prefer The Long Haul Disc Trucker fork (link: Forks | Parts and Accessories | Surly Bikes ) . Seems like it can support my disc brakes and has many eyelets that I will need for mounting my rack.

I know that I should measure my current fork but I am not able to find Surly here in Croatia so I'd have to order it on the Internet, and I must be sure that won't be wrong with this.

Any help?

Thanks

you might want to scare up something similar locally, hopefully for free, as a test case.

Did you consider the Surly Troll Fork? It seems to be exactly what you're looking for.

The axle-to-crown measurement is the most important.

Your current fork is probably 503 mm (the link is for the 2014 model, do your own measurement). That's the fully-extended measurement, it's a bit shorter when your weight is on the bike (suspension sag), so you can go with a slightly shorter rigid fork.

The Surly Disc Trucker fork comes in 376 mm and 390 mm sizes. That's a big difference from 503 mm. Your frame would be tilted forward several degrees with that fork, changing all the geometry angles.

The Surly Instigator (447 mm), Karate Monkey (468 mm), Ogre, (also 468 mm), ECR (also 468 mm), or Krampus (483 mm) forks would be a better fit for your project. They're all disc-compatible.

The Instigator is marketed as a replacement for 100 mm travel 26" forks.

But I'd get the Ogre or ECR fork; a bit taller and covered in attachment points for racks and cages.

Ooh, mbrraleigh's idea is even better. The Troll fork has 453 mm axle-to-crown and has rack mounts on the front of the legs. Super easy mounting!

The Salsa Firestarter at 483mm is probably the best match. if the SR-Suntour is 503 fully extended than the Firestarter is a perfect fit at 20% compressed.

Thanks guys for your help.

Yes, I also did a research after posting here, and now am aware that Surly Troll should be a good replacement. I also went to the bike shop where I bought my bike and asked them. They didn't help me much.

Anyway, I see that Troll is 453mm and they say it can replace my 503mm Suntour with 100mm travel. Can this really work? And what do I get with my geometry with this change? I prefer more upright position while touring so i raised my handlebar for 5 cm, but I have problems with my rear wheel which suffers a lot in that setup. I guess, going to this 453mm fork and leaving bars raised for 50mm should get me to my bike's original geometry? Am I right?

Bezalel, I checked Salsa Firestarter but it says that it is for 29er and 700cc wheel, I have 26''. I found Salsa Cromoto 26'' disc only fork on their site, but again it says 445mm. There must be a reason for this difference from 500mm to around 450mm since they all say rigids like that can replace suspension one. But that is more than 20% difference, hmmm

Hi Goran,

I see no reason why the Troll fork wouldn't work just fine. I have that same fork on a Nashbar aluminum mountain frame where I use trekking bars and it rides very nicely. The Nashbar frame is designed for 80-100mm suspension forks I believe. My normal riding position is with my hands approx 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the seat. In that moderately upright position all is okay. The Surly Troll was actually suggested and installed by a local bike shop. They left me with the impression that you don't have to nail the axle to crown distance exactly. Just put things in reasonable range. It's a shame you didn't get help at your local shop. I can do a lot myself but when I need support I go to a shop that is very good at repairs and rebuilds. I then try to leave everything in their hands if I like their recommendation (purchase parts through them and let them do the work).

Mitch

Since you're running disc brakes it doesn't matter if the fork is listed as a 26" or 29er. Anyways looking at the numbers from other manufacturers it I'd double check your axle to crown measurement, 503 seems more likely for the 29er version of that fork.