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Thread: Cheap rigid MTB forks
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02-25-2020, 09:40 AM #1
Cheap rigid MTB forks
I have an old (2009? 2010?) Specialized Carve and the front shock is shot and cannot reasonably be fixed. This bike has old-style quick release wheels and disc brakes.
I use this bike for bike packing and around town. Based on that, I thought it might be possible to remove the old suspension fork and install a rigid fork. My LBS said my option comes down to this: https://www.somafab.com/archives/pro...scv-canti-fork
That fork alone is going to cost be about $325.
But, eBay is full of things like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/29er-Mounta...a0ad91a6cd4c25
and this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TOSEEK-1-1-....c100005.m1851
and this
https://www.ebay.com/itm/26-27-5-29-....c100008.m2219
Questions: has anyone used any of these cheap Chinese forks? Are they worth it?
TIA
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02-25-2020, 09:47 AM #2
I used a rigid cheap fork for a couple of years on a 29er singlespeed. Can't remember what brand I bought, but it was one with carbon tubes for legs, and the crown and dropouts were bonded on. Stopped using it when it started creaking.
I still have the rigid steel fork it replaced - from a Haro Mary, disc brake only, qr dropouts, straight 1 1/8" steerer. If that would work, let me know. I went to a RockShox Recon on that bike, getting too old for fully rigid SS.
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02-25-2020, 09:58 AM #3
I have ran a Chinese carbon forks on two bikes. I am still alive.
The issue is that there typically is little information about the geometry of the fork. You might have to buy new brake mount hardware, dropouts might be funky shaped, crown widths might be narrow limiting tire options, rake might be different than before, etc.. expect one or more of the above to be true.
Overall, it’s a gamble; ie there might be something funky about the fork that makes you not like it. But to me it’s worth the $50 gamble over buying a $400 brand name fork...
You need to buy a carbon specific start nut dealy too...
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02-25-2020, 11:40 AM #4
I would think you could go to your LBS and see if they have anything in their parts bin that would work. I was in the same boat a few years ago and picked up a cheap rigid 29er fork for my old hardtail. Can't recall, they might have given it to me.
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02-25-2020, 11:50 AM #5Well maybe I'm the faggot America
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda
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02-25-2020, 11:55 AM #6
Chinese parts will give you a deadly virus. It's called Cheapshitsupporturlocalbikeshops
It makes your ass bleed.
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02-25-2020, 12:23 PM #7Registered User
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i couldn't put front panniers on the suspension fork of my old Kona mtn bike so I got a take-off rigid fork with the braise-ons for my mtn bike from the used parts bin of my LBS. Only 20$, it was even the right color ... Giant red was the same color as Kona red
For city streets, tours with panniers, smoove trails or fire roads I didnt really need suspension, I have run 1 1/4" city slickers the road slicks are really fast but I found 1.9's to be the happy medium between traction & weight for all around road/trail appsLee Lau - xxx-er is the laziest Asian canuck I know
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02-25-2020, 12:29 PM #8
The alloy one probably won't kill you. The carbon ones? Fuck. That.
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02-25-2020, 12:44 PM #9
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02-25-2020, 12:58 PM #10
$325 for a Soma steel fork for QR? That doesn't seem right, I'd look for a new LBS. Check the Salsa Cromoto, it's a nice fork and should be around $130. Surly should also have some offerings that fit. Most (all?) LBSs should be able to order Salsa or Surly. I wouldn't screw around with those eBay offerings.
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02-25-2020, 02:48 PM #11Registered User
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This guy is $99, and a beauty in person:
https://www.vandesselcycles.com/equi...quick-release/
It's a cross bike fork but can go up to 29x2.1, and has more eyelets than the one you had pictured. Wouldn't surprise me if it came from same factory as the Soma one you were quoted on.
Note that both of these forks have 1-1/8" straight steerer, and I think your frame has a tapered head tube, so there will need to be some adapting going on -> did the LBS include a new (fancy!) headset in the $325?
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02-26-2020, 09:58 AM #12Registered User
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I bought one of these for a project bike last year. http://www.bikeman.com/KON-P2MTN29DI...RoCHwcQAvD_BwE
Seems like a decent fork. Project never panned out so it’s been sitting in my storage unit unused. Would make you a deal on it if you think it’d work for you.
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02-26-2020, 10:17 AM #13
Deleted a cannondale headshok and installed one of these (aluminum) on my sisters townie last summer. Everything was fine, workmanship-wise.
https://www.carboncycles.cc/index.ph...fork_selector&
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02-26-2020, 05:30 PM #14Registered User
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Yeah, I was going to suggest Surly: https://surlybikes.com/parts/forks
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02-27-2020, 08:15 AM #15
Great input, everyone, I appreciate it.
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02-27-2020, 08:47 AM #16
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04-02-2020, 01:54 PM #17
Update:
To answer an earlier post, I have credit with my LBS -- it's a trade for professional services.
I wound up buying this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/26-27-5-29-...53.m2749.l2649
It was $96 delivered and arrived in three days.
It went on without a hitch, with the minor exception that one of the bolt holes for the disc brake had been painted over.
I have put about 100 miles on it and it's fun -- definitely different. The fork weighs 1.2 pounds, or about 2.3 pounds LESS than the old shock, so the front end of the bike is definitely lighter. It's great on gravel, but I've only had it on mild trails.
2020-04-02_01-40-35 by redpinecanyon, on Flickr
2020-04-02_01-40-00 by redpinecanyon, on Flickr
2020-04-02_01-39-43 by redpinecanyon, on Flickr
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04-02-2020, 03:08 PM #18
Nice color match!
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04-02-2020, 03:26 PM #19
Color me intrigued. Dropping 2lbs off my steel gravel fork would be nice indeed. I would think the 29er straight steerer QR should work.
Now, am I willing to give up the bottle bosses?
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