I have a goofy polo bike. It's a frame designed for 700s, but I run a 26" wheel in the front on a Cross Check fork. Yes, I could run a 700 in the front, but the toe overlap on this bike is dreadful. Yes, I could get a new frame, but this is the one I had at the time I started playing.

I want to run brakes on the front. Obviously the canti mounts on the Cross Check fork don't work on a 26" wheel. I'm looking at getting a 1x1 fork.

So a Cross Check axle-to-crown is 400mm. A Surly 1x1 fork is 413mm axle-to-crown, suspension corrected for 80mm.

Question: will this work without dramatically changing my geometry? I realize 400mm does not equal 413mm, but is 13mm going to be super noticeable?

Talked to my other bike mechanic pal and he gave me the down low on all the effects this fork change would likely have.

/thread

if you would like to explain what he told you, I would appreciate it.

Facebook chat between him and me (excuse our poor grammar/punctuation):

me: a cross check fork axle to crown is 400mm, and a 1x1 fork is 413mm with 80mm suspension correction
so if i replaced my CC fork with a 1x1, would there be a major geometric difference?
this in reference to getting front brakes

Keaton: it would probably work out all right, you might compare the amount of rake between the two forks.

me: gotcha. def more rake on the CC. cool, thanks
nvm, only 4mm difference of rake

Keaton: more rake lowers the trail and should make the steering a little faster, but I don't know how much it would be noticeable.

me: gotcha. thanks a lot dude. i owe ya a beer for keepin you up

Keaton: also the longer axle to crown should make the headtube angle slightly shallower, which increases the trail and should make the bike steer a little slower and a little more stable.

me: right on, i follow

Keaton: so all in all I think the 1x1 fork would make your bike a little less nimble and more stable, but it's very small changes between the two forks and I don't know how much you'd really notice it. front end geometry is pretty tricky and I really don't know how much change is noticeable. or really how that translates to a noticeable riding difference.
could be an interesting experiment if you have extra money.

me: well, i could pay you to do some brazing, but i found a 1x1 fork for $55
so either way, i'll pay the same amount and i thought you get tired of giving us advice, brazing, and fixing our bikes

Keaton: that's pretty cheap if you want to give it a go, I could always braze some mounts for you if it turns out the bikes feel ****ty with the other fork.
and then you have a nice 26" fork to use on something.

me: true. endless possibilities.
thanks a bunch, man

There ya go!