mark2810

I have a Kona Stinky 2002.

26 inch Fox float 32 fork 150mm.
7 1/2 inch tapered steerer

Might get it for a steal.

Would it fit?
I know how to fix bikes, but building them is a whole nother story.

well biked

No, a fork with a tapered steerer tube isn't compatible with your 2002 bike.

mark2810

How do I know which forks fit what frames?

Besides the typical 1 1/8 steerer.


Will a frame specifically be marked that it must or must not have a tapered fork?

well biked

The head tube on your frame is only compatible with a 1 1/8" straight steerer tube. A fork with a tapered steerer tube is larger at the bottom of the tube. Headset is different, head tube on frame is different (i.e larger diameter at the bottom).

Btw, this is a common issue. Pretty much overnight, tapered steerer tubes on suspension forks, and frames designed for them, became the new "standard." New suspension forks from mainstream suppliers are, for the most part, all equipped with tapered steerer tubes now.

fietsbob

lower end, priced, forks will still be straight 9/8" steerer.

well biked

True: new, cheap forks can still be had with straight steerers, but nice, new stuff from Fox, Rockshox, X-Fusion, etc is all tapered now. That's not to say nice, new forks with straight steerer tubes are unobtainable, they're just not available through mainstream channels anymore......I did send a Rockshox Reba with a straight steerer in for warranty recently, and SRAM/Rockshox sent us a new Reba with a straight steerer.