[bikenweed]

I had a vision the other day of putting a non-suspension corrected, 1" threadless, rigid fork on my 1997 Bontrager Privateer Comp. It would be lighter (I hope) with the threadless stem, headset, and lack of suspension pieces, and the wheel doesn't weigh that much more. I was also thinking of a cheap Deore Hydro front brake.
It would definitely be stiffer (I hope!) with the rigid fork, and the larger wheel would track really well. The fork could be made with the reduced trail measurement, too. It makes a lot of sense, but there are a couple possible dilemmas:

How much does a custom-built, rigid fork cost?

Would toe/tire overlap be an issue? It is a size small (13.5") frame.

Would the wheel even fit within the confines of the downtube?

Let me know what you think! (posted in both Vintage and 29'ers forums)

 

[bikenweed]

It's got a new, non-rapid rise, XTR deraillure on it, too. Minus the fork, the bike is super fun and really fast.

 

[gotdirt]

interesting

hmm, i assumed this wasn't really possible since it doesn't look like there'd be enough room for the rear wheel w/in the chainstays (at least not running anything wider than a 2.0?). however i'm assuming the photos above must show otherwise... (edit: didn't look closely enough and thought someone else posted pix w/ 29" wheels; now i realize that's your bike w/ 26'ers).

based on eyeballing my medium frame, i'd say you'd be out of luck on the small frame.

 

[colker1]

you could try it but a custom job will be too expensive to begin w/(i consider $200 for fork that may not work bloody expensive).
by the amount of seatpost showing i would say that bontrager is too small for you anyway.

 

[95bonty]

29 vs 700c

i haven't done it with modern 29" wheels, but I did slip a 700c cyclocross nobbly in quite happily, it will work,but the toe overlap is a liability on a small frame and then there's how to get the rim brakes to reach the rims...or a disk brake conversion...

there's plenty of room in my walt fork for a taller tire tho...

 

[gotdirt]

nice ride '95!

any more pix of that thing?

i was thinking of a custom walt fork too (after reading this thread).

...and just when i thought i was done $pending money on bikes (for a while anyway).

 

[95bonty]

it's a little unusual

i was a little weirded out when it arrived, it looks kinda funny side on, but it handles brilliantly (i got walt to build it with the 1.25 offset) and it's very compliant - yet not twisty.

sorry not a great picture.

 

[grawbass]

i was a little weirded out when it arrived, it looks kinda funny side on, but it handles brilliantly (i got walt to build it with the 1.25 offset) and it's very compliant - yet not twisty.

sorry not a great picture.

I don't think it looks funny from the side. I think it looks good.