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what's a quality rigid fork

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10speedbiopacefreewheel

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Ok, so I am once again building up a SS mtn bike, (my fourth in 3 years).
I love my fully rigid setup, and am not interested in being talked out of it.
This latest frame is pretty light 853 steel. So I kinda wanted it to be a light bike. Sub 30#?
I weigh 165lbs and don't 360 creek crossings daily. lol. but I do want something that wont blow up in case of a spill.

Obvious to me that carbon would be light and fairly forgiving(until it snaps, I endo and die)
Alloy is light but is like holding a jackhammer (no thanks)
And most of the steel options are good, cheap, and strong (but heavy 4130)
And who knows where I can get a Ti fork under $500


So what's a good light steel fork? or a safe, non-racer carbon fork?
I love first hand testimonials if you got something you love.

I'll be running a disc up frt for sure if that helps anyone factor this out.
Edit: its for a 26er


(and yes I did search the mtbr for reviews, but there are none for rigid, and google search proved worthless, so I turn to you, cause you're smart and nice, and know stuff);)


Thx from 10speed
 
#3 ·
I'm taking my chanses going race light with the Token (same as Ritchey, Trigon etc) fork at 450g or so :) I've had mine for over 2 years and no problems even in technical terrain. I do not think I've jumped/dropped more then 2 feet with it.
AC is just 410mm so steering is fast.
If you go 96:er geomtery gets more normal on modern frames.
Nobby Nic 2.4 fit but with narrow clearance.
 
#4 ·
Another vote here for the Salsa Cromoto - nice quality, with stainless dropouts and, as said above, not too harsh either. My only gripe was that I couldn't get a 26" disc only version, but an hour of workshop time with a hacksaw and files soon rectified that.

The 26" takes a 29" wheel with a 2.35" Rampage with room to spare too.
 
#6 ·
+1 for Salsa

I have had a Surly and cheapo nashbar (which is still on one of my bikes) and now a Salsa...the Slasa so far seems to be the nicest. i read somewhere that it weighs around 1100g...not the lightest but it rides really nice. I also really like the stainless drops...no paint to get muggered up. Ti would be a sweet option. give john at dean bikes a call, they make a really nice ti fork...i am sure he could get something in your price range.
 
#7 ·
twestis said:
I'm taking my chanses going race light with the Token (same as Ritchey, Trigon etc) fork at 450g or so :) I've had mine for over 2 years and no problems even in technical terrain. I do not think I've jumped/dropped more then 2 feet with it.
AC is just 410mm so steering is fast.
If you go 96:er geomtery gets more normal on modern frames.
Nobby Nic 2.4 fit but with narrow clearance.
Click to expand...
Just a little info :
Token is only good for a 26''
 
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#10 ·
The Salsa Cromoto is nice but for the money I love The Surly 1x1 fork. It can be had fairly cheap($60,I think) fits fat tires and it can handle some abuse. I've had a couple and don't have any complaints.
 
#11 ·
twestis said:
I've see people run them on disc cyclocross bikes, seams to be working. But I guess you are correct in that they are made for 26"
Click to expand...
Yeah, trust me, I bought a Token 410mmAC for my Salsa Selma 29er. Big Mistake. It looks nice in the garage, but the math is really wrong. 175mm cranks were hitting everything in the turns. I ended up clipping a root and getting tossed and injured slightly. I slowly rode home and replaced with an Exotic Fully Carbon fork, and have been riding hard on it ever since.

The Token went on a 26'' Salsa and would probably work for cyclocross bikes as well since most corners in cyclocross are well manicured with little or no ROOTS/ROCKS, etc...
 
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#12 ·
Kelly, Quiring, Salsa, Kona P2...

first off, I'm interested to know your current bike build or set-up. can you post the run-down of frame, wheels, components? maybe a pic, too? this is definitely the right place if you want some solid feedback and input on both the rigid fork and idea of dropping weight of your rig below 30-lbs...
that said - I would easily agree w/ what's been said already - re: Salsa rigid fork. I've ridden the Salsa on other bikes I've owned - and was very happy. not the lightest steel fork out there, per se - but certainly priced right and ride quality was very good. have you considered the Kona P2? I really like that fork, too - especially for the price! Bikeman always has these advertised for $59. hard to beat that price! I had a Quiring rigid fork for a while - and it rode very nicely. I sold it after changing to another frame. right now...I'm back to riding a rigid Kelly fork (26").
WaltWorks forks seem to be very highly regarded, so that's a good idea - depending on your budget. others, perhaps: Indy Fab, Vicious Cycles, Igleheart...
good luck -
:thumbsup:
 
#13 ·
I think many Ti forks would fall under $500 (if you were seriously asking about that). Just did a quick check and the Black Sheep unicrown is $475

The Vicious steel forks are supposed to be very nice forks. For a similar price I would probably get a custom Waltworks though

As for carbon, Unreal is selling the On One 26" carbon fork for $210 here. The On One is known for being tougher than other similar carbon forks and that looks like a great price for carbon
 
#15 ·
CoffeeBean said:
Yeah, trust me, I bought a Token 410mmAC for my Salsa Selma 29er. Big Mistake. It looks nice in the garage, but the math is really wrong. 175mm cranks were hitting everything in the turns. I ended up clipping a root and getting tossed and injured slightly....QUOTE]

The steering must have been extremely fast as the Token AC is about 60 mm shorter then recommended for that frame.

Mounted on a 26" bike they work well depending on geometry and steering preferences. If you then go 96:er with the 26" frame you get the front up 1.5 inch/38 mm and that would be in the area of normal for an XC frame but probably tweak the geometry in some other way :D
Click to expand...
 
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