Wheel size?

I had some of these on a SS 29er

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HYLIX-MTB-Rigid-Carbon-Fork-XC-Cx-29er-510g-Straight-Mountain-bike-/271095935457?pt=Cycling_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f1e93b1e1

Swift with err, swift forks here (29er obviously) and like "on-one, but not on-one" steel forks on my SS chameleon. Both ride fine and I have to say that I don't feel unduly disabled by not having suspension.*

*disclaimer, I live in Suffolk.

Kona P2's on my singlespeed

Exotic / Carbon Cycles. Great performance, great value

Pipedream do a rigid fork, its about £50 and is the right length.

Got the exotic carbons on one of the bikes and just about to fit [url= http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOSCF4709/on_one_monocoque_straight_steerer_carbon_fork ]these[/url] to the other one.

pipedream rigids on a 456 here. tis good fun.

At least some of the Pro ones are the same as the Exotic ones (and also the Nukeproof ones, and the White Bros ones). Just that some have more expensive stickers than others.

I've got a set of Exotics, they're really pretty nice. Not the lightest but they don't look daft and backwards like the On Ones, and they've proved tough. They do flex a fair bit especially under braking, but that's actually fine, it helps with comfort and doesn't cause any problems.

I really like rigid mtbing, wouldn't have it as my only bike but it makes for a huge difference when you ride it. Admittedly I cheat and use a 2.5 tyre for a bit of bounce, but it goes most places I'd put a hardtail. Obviously singlespeed is for mongs though 😉

exotics are great bit of kit..

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Exotics. Much better finished than the On-Ones. They ride better also.

But I prefer a nice steel fork though. The Singular Swift one is nice, rides lovely, as does the Niner steel one, but both of these are 29er forks.

Dont be tempted by On-Ones steel fork though. Cheap, oh yes, but its harsher than the harshest harsh thing. Ever. Ever.
In fact, remember that wobbly bridge in Londondon...well they stiffened that up by lashing On-One steel forks to it. And they only needed one set, & a zip tie.

Sorry, it's for 26inch wheels

The on one steels are also heavier than any known suspension forks.

I'm currently using the on-one steel forks, had them kicking about from a beater build. They don't seem that bad but I am considering some exoctics to save a bit of weight and see if the on-ones are really as terrible as folk say.

Enjoying rigid riding, not as bad as you think once you adjust. And once less thing that needs cleaned or fettled on the bike!

Have been riding the steel forks that came with my Singular Swift for a couple of months now, there have been moments in rides when a bit of suss would have been nice, but not a whole ride when I got home and regretted the decision. Even in the frost (hardpack) ride of last week rigid was fine.

I like that there is instant feedback (no rebound delay), no brake dive, no maintenance, no sag when I stand up to put some power down, and the weight saving that makes the front more direct and maneuverable

Perhaps I'll put some suss on for the "summer", but I'm happy so far.

Big wheels and big soft tyres help. You learn to be a bit lighter on the bars and choose your line with a little more care - and you can do that because the steering is more direct.

SS and rigid is a great combo.

Where it doesn't work so well would be on trails with braking bumps, or several steps or hits in a row where the next arrives before the previous is dealt with.

I'm old enough to have started on rigids, went back last year to carbon white bros rock solids, they're very light and very strong, they do flex very slightly but only when you're really pushing the bike, most of the time it's a great ride, you find smoother and less rooty lines so you actually work harder and read the trail more, wack a wider tyre up front with lots of grip and not too much air and you'll be how surprised how smooth the ride is, I'm running a carbon flat bar too, which takes out some buzz.

Pace Carbon, check the classifieds.

Another vote for Exotic Carbons.

I've been using them for 2 years now on my SS, they've taken a fair few knocks and spills and are still going strong.

* Similar Suffolk-based disclaimer...

I have been using the on one carbon (original 26 style) since they became available.

They've been great. Might try some Exotics at some point as they are supposesd to ride better and mine are 6 years old 😕

@rewski what bar? I'm looking for a wide (750mm or more) carbon bar with a tad of flex in it, the ones I have are super rigid

Running Kona Project 2 on the Felt. Wanted the Pro carbon ones originally but by the time I had got around to ordering them, they had been discontinued. My LBS managed to locate a NOS pair of P2s and I have to say, I love the ride...

No more clunky, heavy front end. Just nice, direct and simple...

Not sure if I will bother with suspension again...

Surely there cant be too many requirements for a rigid fork - Iv thought of a few.....

Connect to wheel
Connect to bike
connect to brake
support rider weight + a bit
minimise weight

+1 for the Exotics, with the same disclaimer as johnnystorm and verses (hi guys!).

I do get a little bit of judder and fore-aft flex under heavy braking (85kg rider, 180mm XT brakes), but nothing worth worrying about.

@mattjg - a pro XCR, short 580 and very rigid, old school XC stylee. You looked at Easton Carbon Havoc, they go up to 750 I think, too wide for me, I've got the Havens and they're a bit too wide for me.

Exotics.
Had them for at least 4 years now. There's a little flex and give, but that's good.

The first few rides will be a shock, but then you'll adapt, pick better lines, unweight more, etc. I've got a 2.2 tyre on the front at 25psi-soft enough to smooth out the clatter.

No dive is a great thing as is really hauling on the bars and having something solid to work against.

Have fun!

I'm looking to get the pro carbon forks for a xc race build.

Salsa are reputed to make some nice STEEL rigids. Can't be doing with the carbon myself, had them and the difference to steel is 'shudder', haven't noticed that with my retro P2's so I'm sticking with steel.

^^ Wot he said....I've just switched from Carbon exotics to Salsa Cromoto's...Flex free and lurvely feel about them....Spiffing 😀

I had some carbons on my 26, I'd best describe their feel as 'twangy'.

The steels on my 29 are perhaps a bit more subtle.

But it's not a like-for-like comparison, there are many other variables between the 2 bikes.

Riding rigid is a different feel to a sus fork. Someone thinking rigid will be like a stiff short travel sus fork will be disappointed.

Yep... I got fed up with the weight and the constant oil leak from my Rebas and sold them. Fitted some eXotics in carbon and don't regret it at all; you only miss suspension on big hits like steps and kerbs and on a proper mountain day out like the High Street circuit the lighter weight of the bike makes a huge difference to what I've got left in the tank by the end, compared with other riders on FS bikes. The carbon forks are considerably more comfortable than the rigid steel forks we used when mountain bikes were first invented.

My Rebas have at least four settings.

My Swift has one - positive air. It goes in the tyre. Then go ride.

I bought some exotics for my 26" Scandal SS and enjoyed them. Nice and direct which I think works well with single speed due to increased out of the saddle pulling on the bars type riding.

I dont use them now(there on my sons bike)as I bought some Fox forks with a lock out that properley locks out and gives that same direct feeling.

Ian

Anybody tried running a 96er, as the AtC height for rigid suspension corrected forks seem to allow for it?

I'm after a set of carbon rigids to run on the front of my hummer for the winter and remove the Talas but i run a 15mm axle/hub, am i right in thinking only the [url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=64390 ]X-Lite Carbon Fork as below[/url] is the only one available with a 15mm dropout?, if not what other's are available?.

Cheers,

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i might get some of those exotics.

but if i dont like it would people by a second hand carbon fork?

to be honest i`m not totally sold on a new one!

The SwedishChef : I had a 445mm pace fork on the front of my soulcraft wi a 29 wheel/tyre (2.55 wtb wierwolf), it slackenedd the steering angle by 2 degrees from a singletrack twitchy 71dg to a sit back and hold on 69dg, it rolled over pretty much anything in it's path and with such a large volume tyre on the front it provided silly amounts of grip.
Only pic i have of it,
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Thanks for all the replies, it's encouraging to read when people start using rigid forks they don't regret it. My SS isn't my main mountain bike, so I won't be riding it all the time.

Going rigid is to enable me to have a different sort of biking experience that I currently have, hopefully it will improve my riding by having to pick better lines and think more about what I need to do as a rider rather than letting the suspension do all the work.

So when I muster up the cash looks like the Exoctics are the way to go.

I rate the Salsa Cromoto's.

I have some on my 26" Unit

Charlie, of the bikemonger fame, also rates them very highly. Not as light as some Exotic, but not heavy and a really nice ride.

I'm trying to source them in 29er guise for my 29er Unit, but not having much luck. 🙁

steel forks on an ali frame sounds wrong?

If I had the spare cash I'd get these, carbon steerer Syncros FLs now owned by Scott, I'll let you guess what FL stands for 😉

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Anybody tried running a 96er

I've got Pace RC31's 440mm on my off road commuter and put a 29" wheel on the front over the summer. It was pretty good and the increase in comfort was noticeable over downland as hard as concrete, but it wasn't as manoeuvrable. I've gone back to a 26 over the winter as I have a dynamo hub in that wheel. If I were buying a rigid bike again I'd certainly be looking at 29" wheels.

Thanks guys, interesting. Might play around with the idea of a rigid 96er.

If the forks were the same AtC then the difference is the roughly 1.5cm radius change in the front wheel. Does that really equate to 2 degrees diff in head angle?

@Swedish Chef - I've just put a 29in front wheel on my 26 Inbred SS. Only ridden it once so far but I like it, apart from the extra rotational mass, which is noticeable uphill with the heavy wheel/tyre combo I have.

The bigger front wheel makes a huge difference on the downs - it's almost like having a little bit of suspension.

I dropped the stem about 3cm to compensate for the higher front end. It felt odd for about the first 100 yards but I quickly got used to it after that. Haven't tested handling on tight switchbacks yet. Might do that tonight.

@MattjG - Exotic do a wide carbon bar. However, it is cheap and light, which, according to the Law of Keith, means it will snap when you haul on it, showering you in deadly carbon shards which will migrate to all your vital organs and turn you to rancid, stinking mush from the inside out.

Depends how fat a tyre you have on the front, big volume tyre = bigger difference in head angle.

Somafunk - You coudl get 15mm to 9mm hub adaptors? I ran some for a while and they were fine.

As for rigid forks I use Pace RC31s in 445mm style on my 69er. originally had a 26" wheel up front, tried a 29" and the difference was good, so kept it like that...
[IMG] [/IMG]

Now was it a member on here who was told by Pace that it was his fault when the steerer snapped off his rigid forks as he should have serviced them?

Yeah i could get hub adapters for my Hope wheel easy enough but i don't want to use a rigid fork with a 9mm quick release, not on the front of my hummer anyway as i'll be riding the same stuff i ride now and i'd rather have the security and stiffness that a 15mm bolt through axle gives me.

Fair comment, and if you can afford the 15mm rigids then go for it, but riding a 9mm wont hold you back!

1.5cm radius change in the front wheel. Does that really equate to 2 degrees diff in head angle?

Very roughly, about that yes as you're adding trail twice. Assuming same fork length - the bigger wheel raises the headtube, slackening it and radius is part of the trail equation with similar effects on trail. So it's twice as effective / bad / much change as just 15mm on the fork length.

This was why my first 69er conversion felt odd-er than expected but ended up convincing me that increased trail and shorter forks were good on rigid 29ers.

Anyway, just on here to see what's rated and say I have 2 sets of cr-mo forks in the classifieds, 445 or 450mm, all black, fairly light, as used on current Fortitude bikes. MIP.

I've bought a set of [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/them-there-cheap-chinese-fk-008-29er-carbon-forks ]these[/url], $100 posted from China, worked out to just over £60. Took just over a week to arrive, not fitted them yet, new bikes just arrived to put them on.

I used to ride wi the pace carbon/ti's and 9mm QR without any probs on my Soulcraft but in some rock gardens or tight n' twisty singletrack it was a tad springy (floppy, not exactly sharp steering?) at the front end and after riding wi the 15mm bolt through on the Talas/Hummer i'd never use a 9mm QR in the front again, i know that sounds odd as i managed before without any probs but the security and direct steering of the 15mm bolt through will be worth it for the extra few ££ the x-lite forks cost, or at least i hope so.

I'll report back if decide to get the x-lite's, unless i find another fork that is cheaper or a dearer one that makes my wallet itch 😉

FWIW, I don't think security should be a concern, you're a mechanical sort of person so you're not going to not do it up right or neglect it for 50 rides while it loosens, or use some joke QR that doesn't work but weighs 2g less than an XT one.

I think flex/twist gets a bit more complicated with rigids, I think of it as sideways travel No joke, I'm pretty sure that the fork being able to walk where it wants has kept me upright when riding harder than is wise.

I am pretty sure I have some exotics at home, want them?

I'm looking for some secondhand!

i still got these http://singletrackworld.com/forum/profile/mikkel

Price negotiable

Yeah northwind, i realise the security of the front wheel isn't a major concern as i have a habit of going through a quick 10sec checklist every time i throw my leg over the bike, or any bike i jump on whether that be in the shop or otherwise, i was happy wi the 9mm QR on my custom Soulcraft as that frame was designed for a rather specific purpose, tight, twisty trails, no stupid stuff and with geometry suited to a 80mm travel/locked out fork - very lightweight columbus steel tubing. My Hummer at the moment wi 140mm travel is getting dropped off 5ft drops (to transitions i may add), hammered through n' over the rocky sections at Dalbeattie, Kirroughtree black etc, and whereas in the past i had to carefully pick my line and skip/hop through stuff wi the x-country geometry of the Soulcraft - and like you say the flex sometimes worked in your favour as it twanged you back into line, with the Hummer i find myself taking a rather more direct approach or over/down/off some of the more stupid stuff and at a helluva lot more speed...sometimes it works, sometimes i find myself on my arse wondering wtf?, I just feel that for the capabilities of this frame the 15mm bolt through axle would suit the riding i'm doing now.

Cheers for the offers boobs n' mike but i'll pass

If you want direct steering and no brake movement with a rigid fork use a Jones truss - looks crap but night and day.

Yep, agree wi you Clink, i've tried a Jones truss - and fwiw i think they look the dogs bollox. In fact i tried Jeffs own bike, (his are two of the three jones below - that's my soulcraft feeling totally inadequate and outgunned skulking at the back) and if i thought i could have outrun him on the bike (he brought two over for sswc 07) i would've been off wi it, pedalling like **** into the distance never to be seen again but often to be heard cackling maniacally in the depths of night, but as i watched him climb up n' over the steepest sections of McMoab in reverse with a few hops n' jumps and wheel pops like a friggin trials rider i thought the better of it.

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I'd love a truss fork designed for my frame, but can't afford a truss fork so a £200 carbon job will have to do.

Unless i have a secret santa who's feeling generous........

somafunk - Member

as i watched him climb up n' over the steepest sections of McMoab in reverse

He rode up the chute at the end? Good going! 😉

Ha!, not quite but i wouldn't put it past him, Y'know the final last steep lumpy bit of McMoab where you drop down onto the singletrack path to head round the back?, he hopped n' skipped his way up that bit......

I only ride retro bikes, so I don't know what suspension is.