@ai6yr asks, about suspension:
Q8. Has anyone here removed the shocks on a MTB and put in a normal fork? Thinking it might be fun to mod a MTB for touring, where shocks are unnecessary.
(When are shocks/suspension necessary? When is it better than bigger, more cushioned tires?)
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Joshua Thayer
In response to this post@ascentale @ai6yr You’re looking for a “suspension corrected” rigid fork. If you replace a suspension fork with a “normal” rigid fork, it’ll lower the front end of the bike, leading to a higher head tube angle and wonky handling (trail/caster is reduced, bike will feel “twitchier”).
The important number is the “axle-to-crown” measurement of the fork you’re replacing. Finding an approximate match shouldn’t be too hard! A decent shop should be able to help out. It’s not an uncommon swap!
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Paul Southworth
In response to this post@ascentale @ai6yr A8 This is a $350 mountain bike from the mid-2000s with a $50 suspension corrected rigid fork, later converted to a 1X drivetrain. Could have used the next size up but here we are. I rode this in Vermont Overland a couple years ago. This is my "gravel bike" but it's OK on singletrack if it's not too hairy. I am old enough that I learned to ride singletrack pre-suspension and it's better than anything from back then. #BikeNite
@pws @ascentale Aha! This is exactly what I am thinking about! i.e. taking a mountain bike and since it would be for road/gravel only touring (not any terrain, really)... The suspension really adds weight and all that for touring purposes, but a MTB platform seems better than a road bike for gravel or bikepacking (and I'm too cheap to buy a "bikepacking/gravel" bike LOL)
by AI6YR Ben ;
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NNN
In response to this post@ascentale @ai6yr
My 26er has a rigid fork. The suspension was nice when commuting fast through alleys. But it was heavy, hard to mount fenders/rack/panniers, and got rusty quickly in winter.
There used to be "suspension corrected" cheap forks for 26" wheels on eBay, but they are gone (not enough 26ers left). Surly 1x1 fork is about right.
@NNN @ascentale Oooh, that is exactly what I was thinking about! Nice bike! (either that, or buy an old enough good bike... but the question came because I see a lot of good ones but all have suspension forks).
by AI6YR Ben ;
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goldenmeanie
In response to this post@ascentale @ai6yr A8
Another Surly suspension corrected fork conversion. This used to be my mtb mtb, but it’s been further converted for urban utility. It ripped on the trails after the conversion and I haven’t ridden with suspension since. I have trended towards bigger tires though.
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@goldenmeanie @ascentale I like it! Exactly the kind of thing I was researching. Thanks! #BikeNite
by AI6YR Ben ;
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