Rigid Fork or not?

[TheSlowCyclist]

And then you cant' jump pavements and have a bit of fun on the way to work? I really dont see the point in a rigid fork even though its lighter it makes no sense to me. But thats just me.

 

Really? I suppose someone should tell this to the BMX guys and the trial guys. My carbon rigid have taken plenty of abuse off jumps, and drops, and is still fine. I actually find the rigid more fun, the front end is so light, it's super easy pop my wheel over trail obstacles, or do a quick manual our of a corner etc.

[Robrider]

JP Pearton raced the Induna marathon a few years back with a rigid front fork to save weight, and that is one technical race. He came second to Kevin Evans. I think everyones become a bit obsessed with suspension (or soft), now days, you need a dual to ride on the pavements

[Christopher Brunsdon]

Let me ad my input. My bike is now my commuter as I don't get time for the trails with kids and studies. I bought a new suspension fork in January but on a budget (R750 Suntour XCM). After 3 months I can honestly say I should have gone rigid. If your not fitting a proper suspension fork, get a rigid fork.

 

CRC has a nice selection of CroMo forks and you do not always have to go carbon, but it does look cooler.

 

If you want to soften the ride, then get bigger tyres and run them flatter. I got Town & Countries 1.9's and run them at 2,5 Bar. I now keep my fork on lockout.

 

Also the descion to go carbon or CroMo is also dependent on your brakes: Disc or Vees. Not worth switching to carbon if you still plan to run Vees

[narra]

It is a personal choice... Both got there pros and cons.

 

Rigid:

There is a difference between steel and carbon rigid forks. I do have a steel one and it sounds if your carbon forks will be stiffer than your steel fork.

 

Pros: Low cost, no maintenance, natural ride, light, more fun because it force you to take better lines and make you a better/thinking mtb rider.

Cons: Gets dangerous on a rocky fast downhill, so you will have to go slower. Your LSB wont be able to service it or is that a pro

 

Sus:

Pros: You can go fast on rocky downhills. You do have a smoother ride. You don't have to choose you lines that carefully.

Cons: Initial cost will be higher than rigid fork. Maintenance will be required. Heavier than rigid.

 

I never had a suspension fork so I am used to a rigid fork, when you do get used to rigid you will wonder why you want to get a suspension fork. YOU are the suspension on a rigid.

 

Ciao

 

Nar

Edited April 7, 2011 by narra

[numbnuts]

I am also interested in a rigid fork, So where do you buy rigid forks? I haven't seen any in lbs.

[Nuffy]

Good question. There seem to be high end carbon forks around, but there's not much of a range available easily. Too many people are so easily seduced by suspension, so I suppose it doesn't make sense for bike shops to stock rigid forks that most people would see as a really low-end part. I got mine second hand.

 

Good luck!

[narra]

You can get a bunch from bikeman.com

 

http://search.bikema...uery=salsa+fork

 

I like the salsa's because I got one from bikeman

 

http://www.bikeman.com/FK0511.html

 

More on the salsa forks:

 

http://salsacycles.c...category/forks/

 

Still work out way cheaper than suspension forks and it is steel...

Edited April 7, 2011 by narra

[SteveS]

Speak to Kiwi for On One Carbon Rigid forks or to Dangle for Ritchey and Niner Carbon forks