Building a steel hardtail for winter training and general gnarmac duties. I’m doing a lot of b road riding linked with Chiltern bridleway to alleviate boredom/avoid rat runs. I’m too old for the beating a CX gives plus I’d like to train in the position I race in

Currently running a SID which doesn’t seem necessary as it ends up plastered in dust/mud with little evidence of movement.

I’d like to try rigid forks. I could just about splash for the Niner carbons which would look the business but I wonder about weight balance. The bike is already heavier at the rear with SIDs which weigh 1600g. With 550g carbon forks I wonder if it’s going to feel unbalanced and if the Niner steels 1100g are a better (but less blingy) option.

Apart from training the bike could get used at the odd CX race

The Niner RDOs are absolutely mind blowingly decent product and transformed my carbon 29er.

They really are the bees knees and ride so well composed. They aren’t harsh and are silly light and a well thought out design, i.e. the legs and where they use the carbon shaping of them.

I’ve personally gone for the Kenisis Maxlite (Alu) and find them really good. In between your weight range (about 880g), yet take a lot of buzz out (I think it’s more about fork design than material). They flex a bit with my new XT brakes fitted, but are latterally very stiff.

Can’t say I noticed any unbalance.

I just replaced the standard Carbon / alloy forks in my 2007 Kona PhD with some triple butted Kona Project 2 forks. Sooo much nicer to ride. It’s like having sprung forks by comparison.

Yes definitely! Design as a big playing factor in carbon forks to aid reducing buzz and not flexing as had a set of X lite carbons with 15mm maxle at same time as my Niner RDOs.

Personally have found it’s a false economy to buy inferior carbon forks than the Niners ime.

I replaced my leaking Rebas with some carbon forks from eXotic while the Rebas went back for warranty repair and never bothered changing back, the eXotics are so comfortable. You ony really miss them on big hits like steps.

You could try the On-Ones, had one for a year and it was really good – also looked mean as hell ( http://i.imgur.com/7lRaFxd.jpg ). Just don’t buy the recommended On-One expander, it doesn’t fit.

Very good price also: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOTCF4709/on-one-monocoque-tapered-carbon-fork

Someone mention Niner RDO – got one of those FS

[/quote]You could try the On-Ones, had one for a year and it was really good – also looked mean as hell ( http://i.imgur.com/7lRaFxd.jpg ). Just don’t buy the recommended On-One expander, it doesn’t fit.

Very good price also: http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FOOOTCF4709/on-one-monocoque-tapered-carbon-fork

Replaced some elderly Rockshoxs with the On One fork, turned the bike into a rocket. The carbon bung didn’t fit as above, ended up with an M Part one instead.

I would get carbon because of the lower weight. I don’t notice any difference in comfort as I have a 2.4 tyre to get through first.

Not sure about the weight balance of the bike as not something I have ever had a problem with.