Rigid Forks
Moderators: Bearbonesnorm, Taylor, Chew
Rigid Forks
Noob Question #2
Having trawled the pages for the last few months it’s become apparent there is a love for rigid forks on a lot of bikepacking setups I see, why is that?
Is it purely a weight saving thing or are there other benefits? I’m considering a second bike to add to the fatty so currently looking at options.
Having trawled the pages for the last few months it’s become apparent there is a love for rigid forks on a lot of bikepacking setups I see, why is that?
Is it purely a weight saving thing or are there other benefits? I’m considering a second bike to add to the fatty so currently looking at options.
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Re: Rigid Forks
Lighter.
Less to go wrong.
I have both (for both my fatbike and my main bikepacking bike) and like mixing it up. Plus and fat tyres do make a difference too.
Less to go wrong.
I have both (for both my fatbike and my main bikepacking bike) and like mixing it up. Plus and fat tyres do make a difference too.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Rigid Forks
Opinions will vary but for me and in no particular order they are:
Simplicity - there's really not much to go wrong.
Cost - both in terms of the intitial purchase (forks are now mad money IMO) and also ongoing servicing costs.
Weight.
Looks - I like things to look simple / purposeful.
The ride? - I like how rigid forks ride and I enjoy how they make me engage and think while riding.
They're perhaps not for everyone and many will chop and change to suit conditions but I generally ride fully rigid everywhere with no regrets
Simplicity - there's really not much to go wrong.
Cost - both in terms of the intitial purchase (forks are now mad money IMO) and also ongoing servicing costs.
Weight.
Looks - I like things to look simple / purposeful.
The ride? - I like how rigid forks ride and I enjoy how they make me engage and think while riding.
They're perhaps not for everyone and many will chop and change to suit conditions but I generally ride fully rigid everywhere with no regrets
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Rigid Forks
Shewie
Are you looking at Steel, Aluminium, Carbon or ti?
Opinions based on my experience only:
Always amazed how light steel is and how well rides.
Aluminium just wrong.
Carbon not as light as was expecting and ok it works but the cost already.
ti that will loosen your fillings and have you seeing double before buying Rockshox.
Are you looking at Steel, Aluminium, Carbon or ti?
Opinions based on my experience only:
Always amazed how light steel is and how well rides.
Aluminium just wrong.
Carbon not as light as was expecting and ok it works but the cost already.
ti that will loosen your fillings and have you seeing double before buying Rockshox.
Zazen - nothing happens next this is it.
- whitestone
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Re: Rigid Forks
Two of my three MTBs have rigid forks. So why?
The fat bike came with a rigid (carbon fibre) fork. I don't ride trail centres and certainly not on the fat bike so I've no need for suspension forks. The fat tyres have some suspension that soaks up "trail chatter" but it's undamped so once you get into rocky steps and boulder gardens then it's a bit of a wild ride but that's not what that bike is for.
The Cotic Solaris originally had suspension forks but I didn't look after them properly and so replaced them with a set of CF forks about four years ago. I've run the bike both with 29er wheels and tyres and with 650b+ wheels. Like the fat bike the larger tyres soak up the chatter but they aren't as wild in the rough stuff. Originally on the 29er wheels I had a 2.3" tyre up front but now I've a 2.6" and it has made things very plush. The CF fork is roughly 1kg lighter than the suspension fork. I did the Highland Trail with the bike in "rigid" mode.
Common to both is that the geometry remains the same no matter what you are doing on the bike. When a front fork compresses you get a steepening of the head angle and I for one find that very disconcerting*, it feels like the bike is going to fold under you. Once you get used to it it's quite surprising how you adapt, I've kept up with mates on FS bikes on some, not too technical, descents. A bit eyeballs out but doable.
If you want to fit things like Anything Cages to your forks it's much harder with suspension forks.
*I'm not alone - one of the founders of Orange Bikes finds rear suspension fine but struggles with front suspension.
The fat bike came with a rigid (carbon fibre) fork. I don't ride trail centres and certainly not on the fat bike so I've no need for suspension forks. The fat tyres have some suspension that soaks up "trail chatter" but it's undamped so once you get into rocky steps and boulder gardens then it's a bit of a wild ride but that's not what that bike is for.
The Cotic Solaris originally had suspension forks but I didn't look after them properly and so replaced them with a set of CF forks about four years ago. I've run the bike both with 29er wheels and tyres and with 650b+ wheels. Like the fat bike the larger tyres soak up the chatter but they aren't as wild in the rough stuff. Originally on the 29er wheels I had a 2.3" tyre up front but now I've a 2.6" and it has made things very plush. The CF fork is roughly 1kg lighter than the suspension fork. I did the Highland Trail with the bike in "rigid" mode.
Common to both is that the geometry remains the same no matter what you are doing on the bike. When a front fork compresses you get a steepening of the head angle and I for one find that very disconcerting*, it feels like the bike is going to fold under you. Once you get used to it it's quite surprising how you adapt, I've kept up with mates on FS bikes on some, not too technical, descents. A bit eyeballs out but doable.
If you want to fit things like Anything Cages to your forks it's much harder with suspension forks.
*I'm not alone - one of the founders of Orange Bikes finds rear suspension fine but struggles with front suspension.
Better weight than wisdom, a traveller cannot carry
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Rigid Forks
Good point by Micheal re material.
Generally good and bad is available in any material - I've ridden some properly bad steel forks and I once rode some really good aluminium forks (Sonder Frontier). Travers Prong are possibly the nicest feeling carbon forks I've used but I often find it difficult to detect much difference between carbon forks unless they have round profile legs - they tend to flutter a bit.
Generally good and bad is available in any material - I've ridden some properly bad steel forks and I once rode some really good aluminium forks (Sonder Frontier). Travers Prong are possibly the nicest feeling carbon forks I've used but I often find it difficult to detect much difference between carbon forks unless they have round profile legs - they tend to flutter a bit.
May the bridges you burn light your way
- AndyTheBikeGuy
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Re: Rigid Forks
I had a Pinnacle Ramin 3+ that was my only MTB for about a year and it was great. Really simple, no faffing with lockouts or pressures, perfect for winter. It was really only when I rode bigger and rockier trails (and trying to follow the bigger boys) that I felt the need for some suspension.
Maybe ease yourself in slowly...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tmJqIiR4-c
Maybe ease yourself in slowly...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tmJqIiR4-c
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Re: Rigid Forks
we all love smashin granny out of our wrists
Re: Rigid Forks
I have recently purchased a new bike and after much advice from this forum I went with travers prong forks , always been a mountain biker with full suss or hardtail I had a little to learn but I absolutely love them now you just have to go a bit slower if its gets a bit rocky, I highly recommend them also they are very light and look brilliant.
What's the worst than can happen?
Re: Rigid Forks
Good info, thanks all
I think for the riding I have in mind rigid makes sense
I'd kind of discounted carbon and ti straight away based on cost really, for a newly revived hobby I'm trying not to splurge too much, ti would be nice but too spendy, there's just something about carbon I'm not keen on, I feel like I'd be forever babying it. Interesting that you don't like ally, the last bike I rode in the late 80's was an ally and steel Raleigh Technium Chill which I absolutely adored (I'd love to know how small that granny ring was on that Biopace chainset)
I'm enjoying the steel Caribou but hoiking 16kg of bike + kit over locked gates will get old quickly, I had considered getting something light and nimble but I'm never going to ride a trail centre or enter any races so I'm going off that idea.
Lots more to investigate, thanks everyone
I think for the riding I have in mind rigid makes sense
Thanks MarinerMariner wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 2:02 pm Shewie
Are you looking at Steel, Aluminium, Carbon or ti?
Opinions based on my experience only:
Always amazed how light steel is and how well rides.
Aluminium just wrong.
Carbon not as light as was expecting and ok it works but the cost already.
ti that will loosen your fillings and have you seeing double before buying Rockshox.
I'd kind of discounted carbon and ti straight away based on cost really, for a newly revived hobby I'm trying not to splurge too much, ti would be nice but too spendy, there's just something about carbon I'm not keen on, I feel like I'd be forever babying it. Interesting that you don't like ally, the last bike I rode in the late 80's was an ally and steel Raleigh Technium Chill which I absolutely adored (I'd love to know how small that granny ring was on that Biopace chainset)
I'm enjoying the steel Caribou but hoiking 16kg of bike + kit over locked gates will get old quickly, I had considered getting something light and nimble but I'm never going to ride a trail centre or enter any races so I'm going off that idea.
Lots more to investigate, thanks everyone
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Rigid Forks
Rich, with regard to aluminium, I don't think anyone has much against it as a frame material but forks made from it tend be be very, very rigid, harsh and unforgiving.
Some people are a little wary of carbon but in reality, there's nothing to fear but you obviously need to invest before you discover that and it can be a leap of faith
Salsa sell some of the nicest steel forks Ive used.
Some people are a little wary of carbon but in reality, there's nothing to fear but you obviously need to invest before you discover that and it can be a leap of faith
Salsa sell some of the nicest steel forks Ive used.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Rigid Forks
It's because most bearboners don't often enough ride on chunky tracks.Shewie wrote: ↑Thu Jan 16, 2020 1:33 pm Noob Question #2
Having trawled the pages for the last few months it’s become apparent there is a love for rigid forks on a lot of bikepacking setups I see, why is that?
Is it purely a weight saving thing or are there other benefits? I’m considering a second bike to add to the fatty so currently looking at options.
They're not mountainbikers.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: Rigid Forks
I saw yesterday that Alpkit have some ex-demo Sonders for sale inc' Frontiers ....... the only rigid bike I've ridden with an aluminium fork that didn't try and break your armsI’m considering a second bike to add to the fatty so currently looking at options.
I had one to test some time ago.
https://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.c ... ested.html
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: Rigid Forks
I saw that last night Stu as I was going to bed, I've rung the Ambleside store seven times this morning to enquire about the red Frontier they have, nobody answeringBearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Fri Jan 17, 2020 11:38 amI saw yesterday that Alpkit have some ex-demo Sonders for sale inc' Frontiers ....... the only rigid bike I've ridden with an aluminium fork that didn't try a break your armsI’m considering a second bike to add to the fatty so currently looking at options.
I had one to test some time ago.
https://bearbonesbikepacking.blogspot.c ... ested.html
Re: Rigid Forks
Finally got through after 3 hours and 10 attempts, it sold half an hour ago
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Re: Rigid Forks
That's a shame
I had two rigid MTBs but now only have 1, sold my El Mar
My Solaris is running a rigid Travers Prong carbon fork. I have suspension forks for it, I took them off a little while ago and haven't put them back on, even though it's a relatively quick job. I've enjoyed riding with them, you do get more beaten up but I'm rarely riding anything super quick or super techy
They mostly do natural stuff, particularly local stuff which is very tame and suits a rigid fork. It's been to a few trail centres as well and been fine, slower than suspension forks but no less fun. You definitely get more beaten up when it's properly rocky and fast
I saved 1.1kg off the front of my bike by switching, but I also like the way that it rides. Popping the front end over something is quicker, no need to load up the suspension
I don't do drops and jumps though!
I had two rigid MTBs but now only have 1, sold my El Mar
My Solaris is running a rigid Travers Prong carbon fork. I have suspension forks for it, I took them off a little while ago and haven't put them back on, even though it's a relatively quick job. I've enjoyed riding with them, you do get more beaten up but I'm rarely riding anything super quick or super techy
They mostly do natural stuff, particularly local stuff which is very tame and suits a rigid fork. It's been to a few trail centres as well and been fine, slower than suspension forks but no less fun. You definitely get more beaten up when it's properly rocky and fast
I saved 1.1kg off the front of my bike by switching, but I also like the way that it rides. Popping the front end over something is quicker, no need to load up the suspension
I don't do drops and jumps though!
Re: Rigid Forks
Quite like the look of the Cotic Solarismax, love that Mercury paint job
What’s the deal with swapping the suspension fork out for a rigid, does it throw the geometry out and make it unrideable?
Anyone know how quick you have to be to grab a new bike from Cotic? I’ve signed up for the newsletter so hope I get a heads up. Due Spring 2020 so time to save up
What’s the deal with swapping the suspension fork out for a rigid, does it throw the geometry out and make it unrideable?
Anyone know how quick you have to be to grab a new bike from Cotic? I’ve signed up for the newsletter so hope I get a heads up. Due Spring 2020 so time to save up
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Re: Rigid Forks
Not if you buy the correct length of rigid fork.
Look for the recommended axle-to-crown length. Remember that suspension forks will sag around 20% of their travel too.
To make swapping easier, buy a second "crown race" for your headset, or just cut a slot in the one you have so it slips on and off without tools.
- Bearlegged
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Re: Rigid Forks
Cotic list all their frame geometries based on a certain fork length with a stated amount of sag, so you can work out the a-c measurement and compare that to the rigid fork(s) of your choice.
Their newsletters seem pretty good at letting folk know about shipping times etc. Normally they'll get a small batch via express freight then a bigger batch a little while after. I'm pretty sure you can pre-order too.
Their newsletters seem pretty good at letting folk know about shipping times etc. Normally they'll get a small batch via express freight then a bigger batch a little while after. I'm pretty sure you can pre-order too.
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Re: Rigid Forks
What do we think the lifespan of a carbon fork is (assuming no serious crashes)? My CX has a carbon fork on, a good one, but I still worry about running straps round it.
My inbred has a steel on one fork which is not the most forgiving but it’s ok. Some of the early on one rigid forks were worse as they had thicker wall tubes I believe. At least I never worry about it.
My 1966 Mercian has a steel fork that is super flexible, it’s like spaghetti holding your front wheel on!
Can’t remember when I last had suspension but I just don’t really like the way a simple telescopic fork changes the geometry of the bike under compression.
My inbred has a steel on one fork which is not the most forgiving but it’s ok. Some of the early on one rigid forks were worse as they had thicker wall tubes I believe. At least I never worry about it.
My 1966 Mercian has a steel fork that is super flexible, it’s like spaghetti holding your front wheel on!
Can’t remember when I last had suspension but I just don’t really like the way a simple telescopic fork changes the geometry of the bike under compression.
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Re: Rigid Forks
The previous carbon fork on my Amazon was 10 years old. I only changed it because the looks had always offended me I have no worries at about longevity.restlessshawn wrote: ↑Mon Jan 20, 2020 11:11 pm What do we think the lifespan of a carbon fork is (assuming no serious crashes)? My CX has a carbon fork on, a good one, but I still worry about running straps round it.
Re: Rigid Forks
Thanks chaps
More research required ...
More research required ...