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Rigid MTB Fork?! Any thoughts?

Old 11-19-22, 11:37 AM
  #26  
georges1
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All my vintage three mountain bikes are full rigid ones , one with its original full rigid steel fork, the two other withs a rigid carbon fork
Merida with its original steel fork

The Kona Kilaeua with its carbon fork

The Scapin Dedacciai with its carbon fork

During the rides I had with other mountain bikers,I rode much faster (especially with the Kona or the Scapin) than others who had full suspended bikes or those with a front suspension. My tires are 26*2.2 continentals on the Scapin and the Kona except on the Merida where I have 26*1.8 hutchinsons. My next mtb is going to have a front suspension and a steel frame.
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Old 11-19-22, 04:21 PM
  #27  
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georges1 Love the colors on that Merida, total 80s-90s style. It is what we need! No more boring colors bright and bold and screaming at you is the move!
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Old 11-19-22, 05:01 PM
  #28  
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Originally Posted by swordfish2011
Did some more research, and watched some YouTube videos as well, and it seems that running rigid for a long time, even on easy trails, does have consequences, mostly joint pains.
Not true at all IME.
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Old 11-20-22, 02:09 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by veganbikes
georges1 Love the colors on that Merida, total 80s-90s style. It is what we need! No more boring colors bright and bold and screaming at you is the move!
Indeed , the paint schemes in these years were outstanding. Despite it is road like geometry, it is a very nimble and fast bike. The XT 780 T is the best upgrade I have ever done on this bike alongwith the tubeless rims
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Old 11-21-22, 09:46 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by georges1
All my vintage three mountain bikes are full rigid ones , one with its original full rigid steel fork, the two other withs a rigid carbon fork
Merida with its original steel fork

The Kona Kilaeua with its carbon fork

The Scapin Dedacciai with its carbon fork

During the rides I had with other mountain bikers,I rode much faster (especially with the Kona or the Scapin) than others who had full suspended bikes or those with a front suspension. My tires are 26*2.2 continentals on the Scapin and the Kona except on the Merida where I have 26*1.8 hutchinsons. My next mtb is going to have a front suspension and a steel frame.
I'm gonna neee to find a carbon fork for this Katai, when I can get around to building it. There's a guy around here with a Cignal I wish I could have.
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Old 11-22-22, 03:09 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by georges1
Despite it is road like geometry, it is a very nimble and fast bike.
Thanks to?
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Old 11-24-22, 05:10 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by sjanzeir
Thanks to?
good components and my good legs
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Old 11-24-22, 05:16 PM
  #33  
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I'm sorry, but that was the answer I was hoping for because that wasn't a question that I asked. I put it in italics for a reason.
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Old 11-25-22, 10:31 AM
  #34  
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My favorite daily rider, is a full ridgid, an old 1990 rockhopper. have a 1995 as well, it's set up ridgid too, but I have the correct rockshox for it, like nit better without.
But then I have a fisher with a manitou fork and I love it, also have a Trek with a rockshox that I love.
In short, my point is, try it. If you were local I have a S&M Pitchfork you could try.
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Old 12-06-22, 09:55 AM
  #35  
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last night I decided that yes, I need a mountain bike
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Old 12-07-22, 12:24 PM
  #36  
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I've gotten rid of my hardtails and run a rigid (steel) fork on everything now. I love the weight savings and the complete lack of maintenance. Whether rigid is viable for you depends on the trails you ride, the kind of riding you do, the tires you use, and their air pressure. My hucking days are over, and I mostly ride woodsy singletrack or desert scree. Ledgy stuff can be a little jolting, but for those trails I use a 2.8" tire at about 16 psi, and it's honestly not a big deal at all. If I was still a competitive rider or lived in the Rockies I'm sure I'd make a different choice, but for me, rigid works.
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Old 12-07-22, 02:35 PM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by Rolla
I've gotten rid of my hardtails and run a rigid (steel) fork on everything now. I love the weight savings and the complete lack of maintenance. Whether rigid is viable for you depends on the trails you ride, the kind of riding you do, the tires you use, and their air pressure. My hucking days are over, and I mostly ride woodsy singletrack or desert scree. Ledgy stuff can be a little jolting, but for those trails I use a 2.8" tire at about 16 psi, and it's honestly not a big deal at all. If I was still a competitive rider or lived in the Rockies I'm sure I'd make a different choice, but for me, rigid works.
cool, what bike takes the 2.8" tire?
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Old 12-07-22, 03:06 PM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
cool, what bike takes the 2.8" tire?
Kona Unit X (2019)

Last edited by Rolla; 12-07-22 at 03:09 PM.
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Old 12-09-22, 06:47 AM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
cool, what bike takes the 2.8" tire?
My Surly 1 x 1 can take 26 x 2.8 tires or 27.5 x 2.4 which is plenty enough for riding trails. I am actually running 700 x 45 mm gravel tires on this bike right now and use my body as a suspension.
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Old 12-09-22, 09:50 AM
  #40  
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We have enough snow on the ground to warrant fat bike use right now, but also just enough that trying to ride a 29er would result in sliding out and crashing a lot.

Rode my rigid fat bike for 10 miles last night...With the lack of snow, a lot of the bumpy features that are usually under snow aren't buried right now...End up getting consistently getting busted in the balls by the seat. That gets old and reminds me why I don't ride rigid when I don't have to. Full suspension for the win.
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Old 12-09-22, 03:58 PM
  #41  
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Originally Posted by prj71

Rode my rigid fat bike for 10 miles last night...With the lack of snow, a lot of the bumpy features that are usually under snow aren't buried right now...End up getting consistently getting busted in the balls by the seat..
Never had that problem. I spend a lot of time out of the saddle and stand on the pedals a lot when riding over roots and rocks and bumpy trails. When I stand up the whole body acts as a suspension and soaks up the bumps.
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Old 12-12-22, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by wolfchild
Never had that problem. I spend a lot of time out of the saddle and stand on the pedals a lot when riding over roots and rocks and bumpy trails. When I stand up the whole body acts as a suspension and soaks up the bumps.
I get what you are saying and I try to do the same...but don't always "notice" every trail feature in time to get out of the saddle. Especially when riding at night and some of the features are buried under snow and leaves right now.

Also using my body as suspension for an extended period of time makes my arms, knees and hip joints hurt. To me riding rigid is the equivalent of removing the shocks and struts in your car and replacing them with a brick. Nobody would want to drive that car.

We are getting hit with a snow storm this week. All those bumps will soon be buried under a groomed trail.
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