I need some help finding a rigid fork. This is my first build (GT outpost, likely from around 96) and I'd like to swap that RST suspension fork for a rigid one.
So far I found a 1 1/8 that might fit with an axle to crown or 400mm. The current RST has 430mm.
Would that be too much of a drop? I am worried about the BB getting too low.
Other forks I could find are mostly over 100 bucks and I'm not looking to spend that much.
by ulfang__
6 Comments
I have a [Trek 4500](https://www.reddit.com/r/xbiking/s/M3JuCvQDcQ) from the same era (early 2000s when MTBs came ready for vee or disc brakes). I ended up getting a Surly ECR fork. It was made for 650b, but had the same axle to crown as my Judy TT suspension fork it replaced. I put 26″ disc brake wheels on it. If you’re open to at least running disc brakes on the front, the number of forks that will work goes way up.
Are you sure the one you have now isn’t 1″? You can fit 1 1/8″ only if your headset bracket is 34 mm internal diameter (or more).
The bike looks fantastic btw.
Surly Bridge Club fork work, 420mm ATC
https://preview.redd.it/00kcrz5xvf6g1.jpeg?width=3840&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f6f87b4476aa49759bcec0200bd32811cae3fce
I got a similar one. Do buy a taller fork 27,5” one for these frames are for suspension and a normal 26” will make it a bit scary. I’ll be buying a 440/450 mm tall to replace this one.
Bikeman Carver
If I were you I’d try that 400 mm rigid fork. Back then they sold these models in FS and rigid version side by side – and I doubt the rigid forks had 430 (guess 400 would be realistic, 410 at most).
In essence the would bring your angles up 1 degree and bb down 1 cm max.
Just keep in mind that when riding you would never have those 430 mm anyway because you’ll have sag to begin with – and the fork working on the trail means your bb will be lower most of the time technically because the fork goes down.
The biggest change will be a light and stiff front (the RST is very heavy and a bit wobbly) which should give you instant improvement over that RST.
Btw, measure bb height as is now – if more than 300 you will be fine with a lower rigid anyway.