Weight saving or suspension? 29er

[JTK]

I am messing around a bit with 1x setups and was thinking. In the opinion of those that ride a lot. Is weight saving more important than suspension? Reason I ask is I run a hard-tail frame. When I moved to the 1x setup I saved a good 1kg. I immediately felt this when going up hill. Bike just seems to climb easier. Now I am wanting to go to a carbon fork. That will take the bike to < than 10kg in full trim. However going this way will take away the suspension off my arms. How would this affect one in the long run? Anyone running like this and actually riding off road? How does it feel? Do you miss the suspension up front?

[rad006]

I personally think you will hate it. My mates ride rigid and its terrible... Even my SS had a fork. If I had a fatty then only would I ride rigid

[rouxtjie]

I am messing around a bit with 1x setups and was thinking. In the opinion of those that ride a lot. Is weight saving more important than suspension? Reason I ask is I run a hard-tail frame. When I moved to the 1x setup I saved a good 1kg. I immediately felt this when going up hill. Bike just seems to climb easier. Now I am wanting to go to a carbon fork. That will take the bike to < than 10kg in full trim. However going this way will take away the suspension off my arms. How would this affect one in the long run? Anyone running like this and actually riding off road? How does it feel? Do you miss the suspension up front?

Jcmeyer built his geared niner with a rigid fork and yes its super light. Yes it helps alot on the hills especially but also on some tech bits believe it or not....because your front is so much lighter you can lift the front easily over obstacles and also navigation feels more precise. You also dont have any maintenance issues...the fork will always just work like it should. Also because there is ZERO give(even lockouts move a little on suspension forks) all your energy is transferred into forward power.

 

Here is the catch...it is harsher than if you had a suspension fork, no doubt. It is something to get used to but it happens quite quickly to be honest. You will have to choose lines more carefully but again, this will happen quickly since its must.

 

I say go for it. My SS is setup this way and its my favourite bike, if I had money to change my geared bike to a rigid, I will do so...long term plan of mine.

Edited July 24, 2014 by rouxtjie

[rouxtjie]

Also here is some tips on making the rigid front a little less harsh

 

ESI Extra chunky grips....must have

Big volume tyres...if you can and frame allows 2.4...

[DJ84]

It depends on you in my opinion,

I went rigid and love it but i am building my 29er with a squishy fork.

 

If you plan on doing long rides you better get used to it as it really does take its toll.

 

Like Rouxtjie said it can be quicker on some tech, i find quick sweeping single track to be faster as well.

The problem comes in that it does make you more tired.

 

If you have two bikes definitely have one with a rigid.

 

Give it a bash though, it does make things more interesting.

[JTK]

thanks all! still in two minds. Would love to try one for a bit but I suppose one wont loose the $$. You could always just sell it on again if it aint for you.

 

As to faster in sweeping single track. I can see why. Same reason some motorbike suspension fairs better in corners. Why dont some guys try to turn lockout on in those environments?

[rouxtjie]

thanks all! still in two minds. Would love to try one for a bit but I suppose one wont loose the $$. You could always just sell it on again if it aint for you.

 

As to faster in sweeping single track. I can see why. Same reason some motorbike suspension fairs better in corners. Why dont some guys try to turn lockout on in those environments?

Yip they are quite popular so you will be able to offload if its not for you...

 

I also prefer it because of the acceleration it assists...making the bike overall lighter as well as having no give when you hammer down from standstill is very lekker in very tight stuff. DJ84 actually sums the harshness up...it fatigues you on long district corrugations...

[DJ84]

If you in two minds and cash is not a big thing i say do it.

You will learn a couple things quite quickly especially the right line through rocky sections.

[Flippa]

I personally think you will hate it. My mates ride rigid and its terrible... Even my SS had a fork. If I had a fatty then only would I ride rigid

Just because you have a medical condition that prevents you from enjoying a rigid fork, doesn't mean that it's terrible for everybody.

 

To the OP, find a rigid fork to try first. You may end up really enjoying the difference it makes to your ride. Otherwise, as others have said, you can always sell it on.

[Wil6]

Yip they are quite popular so you will be able to offload if its not for you...

 

I also prefer it because of the acceleration it assists...making the bike overall lighter as well as having no give when you hammer down from standstill is very lekker in very tight stuff. DJ84 actually sums the harshness up...it fatigues you on long district corrugations...

Thats a mild way in putting it, hy f@k jou op op sinkplaat paaie

[rouxtjie]

Thats a mild way in putting it, hy f@k jou op op sinkplaat paaie

whahahhaha ja. Kom ons se net ek sal nooit die crater cruise met my rigid doen nie.

[JTK]

lol! Jip. I can imagine it will nail you on a sinkplaat... But here I think my rearend will be worse for wear than my arms

[rouxtjie]

lol! Jip. I can imagine it will nail you on a sinkplaat... But here I think my rearend will be worse for wear than my arms

The thing with sinkplaat is it makes you tired...its relentless and doesnt stop...its isn't big bumps or drops...but thousands of little ones....the big drops, rocks and what have you are a breeze because they are not continuous. People often think those are the ones that will hurt the most, but they are nothing....its sinkplaat that will kill you on a rigid.

 

Oh and for the rear....easy one to solve. Built in material suspension...aka steel. Again no pivot servicing and just enough "travel" or lets rather say compliance to take the edge off the bumpy stuff.....all you need

[JTK]

The thing with sinkplaat is it makes you tired...its relentless and doesnt stop...its isn't big bumps or drops...but thousands of little ones....the big drops, rocks and what have you are a breeze because they are not continuous. People often think those are the ones that will hurt the most, but they are nothing....its sinkplaat that will kill you on a rigid.

 

Oh and for the rear....easy one to solve. Built in material suspension...aka steel. Again no pivot servicing and just enough "travel" or lets rather say compliance to take the edge off the bumpy stuff.....all you need

but then we are moving away from the thread objective by adding weight where I may as well run suspension then right?

[rouxtjie]

but then we are moving away from the thread objective by adding weight where I may as well run suspension then right?

As much weight as a full suspension bike???....with pivots and shocks and lockouts???...I have / had three 29er hardtails. All medium

 

Alu =niner emd was 1600g

Carbon = fongkong = 1100g

Steel = Vassago Verhauen = 2000g

 

For a 900g penalty in weight, I would take the steel any day of the week considering the compliance I am getting mahala, nevermind steel being quite tough. Just some food for thought.

 

If you want an all out racing bike where speed and weight is the most important, carbon frame and rigid fork with a 1 x 11 setup...uber light, uber fast....uber uncomfortable. Stage racing will be a hard on this beast I won't lie.

Edited July 24, 2014 by rouxtjie

[Rydogg]

12kg full suspension with the option of lockout and with all the gears vs. 10kg solid rigid bike with limited gears... Seems like a no brainer. Just loose the 2kgs elsewhere (boep) and you're even on weight, but winning EVERYWHERE else.