Cheap rigid MTB forks

[cloud cult]

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

[El Chupacabra]

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.

[nickwm21]

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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[evdog]

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.

[plugboots]

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.

I was going to suggest the same thing. Call around. Many years ago, I was meeting a friend for a road ride, and I forgot my front wheel. Shop near meeting point had 3 used ones to choose from. I know a road wheel his different than a rigid 29er fork, but worth a try.

[simple]

Chinese parts will give you a deadly virus. It's called Cheapshitsupporturlocalbikeshops

It makes your ass bleed.

[XXX-er]

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 apps

[Dantheman]

The alloy one probably won't kill you. The carbon ones? Fuck. That.

[plugboots]

The alloy one probably won't kill you. The carbon ones? Fuck. That.

I was gonna go with that advice, until I saw the welds and offset hole:

[canyonrider]

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.

TIA

$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.

[JPaul]

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?

[s_squatch]

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.

[ill-advised strategy]

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&

[dan_pdx]

$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.

Yeah, I was going to suggest Surly: https://surlybikes.com/parts/forks

[cloud cult]

Great input, everyone, I appreciate it.

[El Chupacabra]

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&

This reminded me - that's the brand of the carbon fork I used for awhile. I had one with aluminum steerer, crown, and dropouts. They make (or used to, anyway) one with a carbon steerer, if you feel lucky.

[cloud cult]

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

[simple]

Nice color match!

[Peruvian]

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?