Lefty fork for Surly ECR, Mendon Cycle Smith fatbike clamp?

baffledsloth · Jun 6, 2018

I'm looking at putting a lefty fork on my ECR. I got a good deal on the bike but I've realized I don't really want to run rigid, I'm looking at doing the CT and the Baja Divide and both on a rigid don't sound fun.

So I found a good deal on a Mendon Cycle Smith setup that's coming off a pugsley. It has the lefty fork, straight steerer tube setup, and a 32h hub. Is there any reason this won't go right on my ECR? The ecr is limited to 80mm travel, so I might have to adjust the lefty's travel. The one thing I'm worried about is that the 17.5mm offset for a fatbike will be too much for a 29x3 tire, and my tire will be off center? Can I get my wheel built to compensate for that?

Thanks for any help!

Shark · Jun 6, 2018

All you have to do is rotate the lefty body in the clamps to center the wheel to the frame.
Which model lefty? If it's one of the shorter ones you'll probably be fine. If it's a max, might be too long a2c.

baffledsloth · Jun 6, 2018

Shark said:
All you have to do is rotate the lefty body in the clamps to center the wheel to the frame.
Which model lefty? If it's one of the shorter ones you'll probably be fine. If it's a max, might be too long a2c.

I'm not sure what model it is, I don't think it is a max though. Here is a picture of it.

Shark · Jun 6, 2018

Cannondale, Professional and Trusted Lefty and Head Shock Service Performed by Craig Smith
This might help,

baffledsloth · Jun 6, 2018

Shark said:
Cannondale, Professional and Trusted Lefty and Head Shock Service Performed by Craig Smith
This might help,

I emailed craig smith and he told me that his clamp doesn't work well for plus bikes, that I should get the project 321 one instead. So I guess I'm going to have to pass on this deal.

nowhereyonder · Jun 7, 2018

baffledsloth said:
I'm looking at putting a lefty fork on my ECR. I got a good deal on the bike but I've realized I don't really want to run rigid, I'm looking at doing the CT and the Baja Divide and both on a rigid don't sound fun.

Can't comment on the lefty, but I've run part of the CT rigid with 29x3 and I don't think suspension is as important as tire choice.

I'd happily finish the route on a rigid fork, but I wouldn't want to do it with the ECR's stock Knards.

baffledsloth · Jun 7, 2018

nowhereyonder said:
Can't comment on the lefty, but I've run part of the CT rigid with 29x3 and I don't think suspension is as important as tire choice.

I'd happily finish the route on a rigid fork, but I wouldn't want to do it with the ECR's stock Knards.

What tires would you recommend? Also did you do the southern section, which I hear is rougher?

nowhereyonder · Jun 8, 2018

baffledsloth said:
What tires would you recommend? Also did you do the southern section, which I hear is rougher?

I have not done the southern section yet.

Almost every other 29+ tire has more bite than the Knards. I personally would prefer a true 3" tire on the ECR than a 2.8 just to keep the chatter low. I think next time I'd try a Vee bulldozer 3.25 f/r if it'd fit in the back. Duro Crux in the front would be great too. The Vitoria Cannoli intrigues me.

But on second thought, rather than taking an ECR on the route, I think a dedicated hardtail would be more fun- plus size or not. For the Baja Divide and many other bikepacking routes it's a great bike. For the CT, something more aggressive would be a blast.

nowhereyonder · Jun 8, 2018

baffledsloth said:
I emailed craig smith and he told me that his clamp doesn't work well for plus bikes, that I should get the project 321 one instead. So I guess I'm going to have to pass on this deal.

Is it possible to get a Rabbit Hole rim laced offset 17.5mm with that specific fork? If it's for a pugsley using that rim (which has two sets of holes) then there's no reason a RH can't be laced up (other than perhaps spoke tension?).

Offset Rabbit Hole rims are popular with the Krampug crowd: http://forums.mtbr.com/fat-bikes/surly-krampug-thread-861426.html

Edit: this is exactly what you're looking to do, just on an ECR. Post #11.

Gigantic · Jun 9, 2018

I'm running a Mendon lefty on my Salsa Bucksaw with 27.5 plus wheels and tire. I had Mike See build me a 17.5mm offset wheel and I've also rotated the clamps forward. as a result, the shock has a massive amount of offset, about 85mm, but it handles rather well in spite of that (or perhaps because of that.)

NYrr496 · Jun 9, 2018

I second the Vee Bulldozer. I have one on the front of my Krampus and I like it a lot.

Lefty fork for Surly ECR, Mendon Cycle Smith fatbike clamp?

baffledsloth

Shark

baffledsloth

Shark

baffledsloth

nowhereyonder

baffledsloth

nowhereyonder

nowhereyonder

Gigantic

NYrr496

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