Best rigid 29er fork? Compliant, stiff, trail-worthy…

Hi there,

I think about getting a 29er steel frame to build a rigid 1×10 bad weather trail bike. I have On One carbon forks lie around but not sure if they are trail-worthy in terms of: not bendy, don’t break, still compliant.

Thought of something like the Salsa CroMoto Grande Maxle instead.

Any experience-based advise for stiff AND compliant?
Any pictures of rigid 29ers? 🙂
Solaris, RC129, S.I.R., El Mariachi…

The best one I’ve used is a Singular Swift one – flexy in the right way and not where it shouldn’t be.

Have an unused Niner Reynolds 853 one up for grabs, but it’s bronze/rootbeer flavour – email me if you are interested. And it’s QR.

Personally I am using a Swift fork (arrived in time for respray with the frame, unlike the Niner one – thanks America).

So far I’ve used.
Kona P2 -Pants
Exotic carbon -Beeeendy
Salsa Cro Moto -Ok
X-lite carbon -Stiff
On-one -Comfy/Lightish/Bloody Strong (I’m 90kg and have done things to it no fork should be subjected to)

On-one -Comfy/Lightish/Bloody Strong (I’m 90kg and have done things to it no fork should be subjected to)

well, that would certainly be the most convenient route as I have one in my basement 🙂

I had nothing bad to say about my Exotics- they’re pretty flexy but I never felt it was a bad thing, it’s not like a rigid bike tracks over rocks very well anyway! For me extra stiffness isn’t all that desirable in this job. Quite funny watching them under braking though, like drawing a bow.

Replaced those with a set of Hylixes which are silly, silly light and a bit scary but so far have done nothing wrong.

I like the Exotic forks too. I guess I’m used to whatever flex they have as I’ve ridden Pace carbon forks for years. On the other hand, I always found P2s to be a bit harsh.

Have you got a a-c length in mind?

I’m currently using a pair of Soul Cycles Dillinger forks.

I used Exotics in 26in flavour and was v happy with them. Twangy but light and comfy. Now using Swift forks and I prefer them – comfy, stiff enough and no twang but they are a bit heavier than carbon. Everyone seems to love the carbon Niners but they cost more than the Revs I’ve just bought!

Had bonty, on one and now niner. The last are my favorite but would use on one again too.I’d try your on one and see how you go

I use Exotic carbon and find them ace! As said above, flexy, light and so far so good. Stick them on a light frame with some Crest’s and you will have a flying machine and not just a bike for the bad weather days but an all rounder

I’ve used On-one carbon (original straight version), Exotic carbon, Niner carbon, Jones unicrown and truss and now Singular Swift.

Of all of them I rate the Swift forks best, particularly for the bargain price.

Having said that I would love a 15mm maxle version, just because!

Coincidentally I have Crests already! 🙂

OK, this is the plan: I will stick to the On One Carbon forks for the time being. I will make use of the lovely Hope/Crest wheelset that I kept for some reason during my current 26-only time, bits and bobs for cockpit and gears are more or less at hand, either in boxes or on rarely used 2nd bikes. I reckon 1×8 with a nice old Shimano 105er derailleur and Deore DX thumbshifters should do initially. Brakes will be Shimano whatever comes along at a good deal. Done! 🙂

Oh, the frame. I’m afraid, but I think in the end it’s going to be a Solaris. Could be a Nimble9, but they are so rare 2nd hand. A blue Solaris would be good. Medium for nimble handling at 5.11″ rider height?!

I would love a 15mm maxle version, just because!

me too! 🙂 If I don’t like the On Ones and/or break them. (Likely that I won’t like them anymore if I manage to break them…)

Any pictures of rigid 29ers?

Not a great picture but this is my El Mariachi SS running Niner carbon forks.
They’re fantastic forks, feel much better than the Salsa Grande Moto’s I originally had fitted.

feel much better

“Feel” like stiffer and/or more compliant?

Can’t imagine them being compliant though, but wouldn’t want to judge a fork by its chunky blades, would I? 😉

Not really sure how to explain it, the front end just feels easier to put where you want it, if that makes sense?

that sounds like “more direct” to me which would suggest it’s stiffer
which is hardly surprising by the looks of it

El Mariachi with Cromoto’s..

My Niner AIR 9 with Niner rigid 15mm forks. Expensive but the best rigids I have ridden.

@khani: that’s what I call a bike with stance!
Very nice! Is that a Large?

Swift rigids

I’ve only ridden the one, on-one carbon jobs. Loving riding rigid after quite some time on boingy forks (as in since mag 20’s!)

Feel twangy in a nice way, but the drop outs are not exactly well aligned, and even with my puny riding I flex them enough to get the discs rubbing

Fairly sure that qr’s & 29 don’t mix

Mibbe not the best pic of the bike but here’s my El Mariachi with the Exotic forks.

Mibbe ot the best pic of the bike

Maybe disguises the proportions a tiny bit. 😉

Tried a few rigid 29er forks. On-One carbon are good, but Exotics are better. Better finish & nice feel, they do flex more than the On-Ones though. Currently have Niner steel but to be honest, they are no different to the Singular steel forks. The Niner steel forks are rumoured to be 853, but I don’t think they are. They are all but identical to the Swift forks, & on the scales they weigh exactly the same. I do prefer the steel forks. The carbons seem to absorb big hits better but the steel forks soak up more trail buzz.

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IMG00023-20120619-1957[/url] by pten2106[/url], on Flickr

Hi Takisawa,

nice bike! The big hit vs. trail buzz things makes sense.

As you suggested in the other thread I have post-poned the FS decision until I have more test-rides under my belt but am already thinking into the 29er Rigid Trail bike direction. 😉

Cheers!
hock

@khani: that’s what I call a bike with stance!
Very nice! Is that a Large?

Yes it’s a 19inch, rides great.. 😀

Suffolk- ygm re the niner forks.

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Untitled[/url] by jerrypc69[/url], on Flickr

Niner carbon’s all the way 😉

Nice! Which trig point is that ?

Top of the blackdown on the Mendips

Nimble9! Nimble9!
How is it? Nimble?!!! :-))
Recommended?

Like a Yelli Screamy …but steel …..and easy to SS ….. Recommended ….oh yeah

hen’s teeth though…

Oh yeah