[3v1lD4v3]

I have a 1995 Trek 850 Mountain Track, based on http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1995&Brand=Trek&Model=850&Type=bike.

I'm thinking of putting a Dart 2/3 on it. These are specced at 454mm axle to crown. The stock fork is ~393mm (15.5in).

Will the extra height screw with the handling, and if so, are there steps to alleviate it?

My other concern is the length of the head tube which looks like 3 3/8". Is it long enough for the upgrade?

I asked at the NSLBS and without seeing the bike they said it was time for a new bike. While I recognize the logic, it's a bit of a jump from fork, headset, stem to new bike. Esp. as models that have Darts are close to $1000.

Thanks

 

[trboxman]

Does the Dart come in an 1" steerer tube? If not you might have a problem finding a 1" tube suspension fork.

 

[3v1lD4v3]

The bike has a 1 1/8" threaded headset, so converting to 1 1/8" threadless is just swapping headsets.

 

[rlouder]

This is interesting since the trend (around here) is people want to move from susp. forks to rigids.

The consensus seems to be that the dart is better than most entry level forks, but it is not great. The susp fork is going to make the bike heavier. Plus, even with a 20 percent discount for sag, the different a2c is going to change the geometry of the bike and put more pressure on the head tube.

You may want to just try a larger, high volume front tire running lower air pressure.

 

[trboxman]

Ahh..right in the change over years as 1" was left behind for the adoption of 1 1/8". Sorry.