how do you find them?when funds allow am planning on getting a pair of either dt swiss or ritchey carbon rigid forks for my new charge duster steel (want to spoil my bike/myself).also is there anything to look out for riding them e.t.c.many thanks 🙂
It's fun, but in a different (more cerebral) way. The weight reduction is a bonus.
I got some Cheap carbon forks off E-bay(£50), stuck them on my Giant H/Tail, use the bike for winter training and some cycleX action.
different from riding my Epic obviously but just have to be better at identifying smooth lines, hopefully it'll make my riding better.
No real issues, love them.
Trigon forks off Ebay are exactly the same as the Ritchey ones (apart from different logos, obviously) but are around a third the price!
As far as i recall they are made in the same factory by the same people. I have a set on my old commute bike and have been very happy with them. Never really used them offroad though as despite the fact they are very well made and have no rider weight limit I still get nervous that 500g of fork will not handle the abuse of a 16st rider. Others on here have used them in anger with no issues though.
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=39463
thanks for the heads up Mr Tall 😀 will definitely add them to the list.
I love rigid carbon forks and have them on three of my bikes - two pairs of Trigon and a pair of Pace RC 31's.
Not really sure why I like rigid bikes,it could be a throw back to the 90's when I first got into it?!?!?!?.
Anyway, I'm 13.5 stone and spank the ass off the Trigons - no probs at all.
Ride Pace RC31s on my single speed, super light and have taken a fair hammering over the years. My only concern is flex under braking, there can be a real shudder when you jam on and even under normal braking you can sense them flexing.
I've been close to 17st & hammered rigid carbons with no death. Crikey, I had RC31's till I noticed the weight limit. More recently the On-One carbon rigids whick I like the best as they dont flex as much. The Exotic branded ones are essentially the Nuke-Proof ones at half the price, by the way, & I think possibly Superstar branded ones also. Get some. They are good. Not for everyone, but if your mood & the terrain suit they are ace.
They work well with a non O/S stem & carbon bars. I use them on my 29er now, & on that they are excellent.
I remember going over the bars once, on the On-One carbons, & seemed to stall for ages with all the weigh on the fork. I recall flinching waiting for the inevitable [i]crack[/i] but there was no damage, & they went on for another year or two of crashing around.
And as above, dont look down the legs as you brake hard. 😕
I've got an cheap pair of Exotic carbon forks ( http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=92&), been on my Soul for a few months. Mostly for on road commuting, bit of flex under braking but saved quite a bit of weight, and quite like the feel of rigids
RC31's on both my SS ers. They take the edge off of the bumps. I love 'em
Hated my rc31s too flexy understeering - took out loads of buzz yes but confidence inspiring no . On rocky techbical narrow singletrack you have to trust your wheels gonna go where you want !
Running hylix carbons from ebay now much stiffer in corners
Hylix and The two you have listed are 300 or so grams lighter than the exotic/superstars if that bothers you
is there anything to look out for riding them
Holes, roots, rocks, fallen cyclists, dogs and squirrels. Otherwise no.
Does take a bit more concentration than with suspension forks and can be very hard on the arms and fillings over summer-baked hoofprints, but makes going uphill much easier.
I use the on-one carbon rigids on my winter singlespeed when the grounds a bit softer, with a larger volume tyre to soak up the pumps. Saves your nice sus forks from all the winter crap.
My exotics have been great... They're 29er forks though but I'm using them as "long-travel" 26er forks. Lots of fun to ride on, makes you approach things very differently (makes you appreciate suspension more too!) Mine don't get babied (innerleithen DH...), they seem tough and stiff enough.
Good idea to combine it with a big tyre though.
i ride nuke proof carbon rigids. well fun! adds a challange to normally boring and regularly ridden local trails
Exotics for me, I swap them with some fox 100s when its time for SS. Great love'em no bob when out of the seat peddling.