Best rigid 29er for...
 

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[Closed] Best rigid 29er fork? Compliant, stiff, trail-worthy...

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 hock
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Hi there,

I think about getting a 29er steel frame to build a rigid 1x10 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.

[img] [/img]

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


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 3:18 pm
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The best one I've used is a Singular Swift one - flexy in the right way and not where it shouldn't be.


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 3:18 pm
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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).


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 3:30 pm
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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)


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 4:05 pm
 hock
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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 🙂


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 4:46 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 4:48 pm
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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.


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 4:50 pm
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Have you got a a-c length in mind?

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


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 4:57 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 5:25 pm
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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


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 7:18 pm
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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


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 7:22 pm
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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!


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 7:38 pm
 hock
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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 1x8 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?!


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 7:43 pm
 hock
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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...)


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 7:46 pm
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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.

[URL= http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/graeme_t/El%20Mariachi/DSC_0001_zps72af13ea.jp g" target="_blank">http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/g362/graeme_t/El%20Mariachi/DSC_0001_zps72af13ea.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 7:49 pm
 hock
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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? 😉


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 8:02 pm
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Not really sure how to explain it, the front end just feels easier to put where you want it, if that makes sense?


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 8:31 pm
 hock
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that sounds like "more direct" to me which would suggest it's stiffer
which is hardly surprising by the looks of it


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 8:33 pm
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El Mariachi with Cromoto's..
[IMG] [/IMG]


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 8:57 pm
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My Niner AIR 9 with Niner rigid 15mm forks. Expensive but the best rigids I have ridden.

[URL= http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c143/wi1482/My%20Bikes/026.jp g" target="_blank">http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c143/wi1482/My%20Bikes/026.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 9:01 pm
 hock
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@khani: that's what I call a bike with stance!
Very nice! Is that a Large?


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 9:39 pm
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Swift rigids
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 10:27 pm
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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


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 10:39 pm
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Mibbe not the best pic of the bike but here's my El Mariachi with the Exotic forks.
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 10:41 pm
 hock
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Mibbe ot the best pic of the bike

Maybe disguises the proportions a tiny bit. 😉


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 10:43 pm
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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.

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7404172140_75e4d2a091.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7404172140_75e4d2a091.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/takisawa2/7404172140/ ]IMG00023-20120619-1957[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/takisawa2/ ]pten2106[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 16/05/2013 11:15 pm
 hock
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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


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 12:33 am
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@khani: that's what I call a bike with stance!
Very nice! Is that a Large?


Yes it's a 19inch, rides great.. 😀


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 7:31 am
 tang
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Suffolk- ygm re the niner forks.


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 10:49 am
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[url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8628443858_46b28a3785_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8396/8628443858_46b28a3785_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/47638700@N06/8628443858/ ]Untitled[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/47638700@N06/ ]jerrypc69[/url], on Flickr

Niner carbon's all the way 😉


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 6:16 pm
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Nice! Which trig point is that ?


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 6:18 pm
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Top of the blackdown on the Mendips


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 6:22 pm
 hock
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Nimble9! Nimble9!
How is it? Nimble?!!! :-))
Recommended?


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 7:26 pm
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Like a Yelli Screamy ...but steel .....and easy to SS ..... Recommended ....oh yeah


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 7:31 pm
 hock
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hen's teeth though...


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 10:01 pm
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Oh yeah


 
Posted : 17/05/2013 10:35 pm