Rigid fork runners, thoughts please.

[chaostactics]

I've always been a bit worried about the amount of crap a rigid fork puts your arms and wrists though.

I'm thinking about running a 29er with a carbon fork like the black ops or a carbon aluminum for like the bontrager x light, or of course the classic steel fork. Is there some sort of way of dampening the shock to your wrists and arms?

Good lock on grips, gloves, running lower psi? etc.

This crap?
http://images.sabob.com/products/images/1/m/JD_Suspension_Handlebar_Stem_Blue_T hreadless.jpeg I remember having a bike waaaay back in the day with an elasomere in the stem :p
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.sabob.com/products/images/1/m/JD_Suspension_Handlebar_Stem_Blue_T hreadless.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.sabob.com/Products/JD_Suspension_Handlebar_Stem_Blue_T hreadless.html&usg=__zfq282T9EZHxg05ouS5a0REJ_04=&h=240&w=208&sz=7&hl=en&start=3&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=yVk_jJhvRPIrSM:&tbnh=110&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsuspension%2Bhandlebar s%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%2 6sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1

[TiRyder]

Generally speaking, Carbon forks will do a pretty good job absorbing or "muting" smaller trail chatter, but steel will offer a bit more compliant ride over the larger rocks and roots. I personally ride a Ti Blacksheep fork that does an awesome job in both catergories.

One of the key "comfort" factors is tire selection. Most rigid SSers will use a large volume tire run at 25-35 or so PSI depending on weight, riding style, and trail conditions. Ipersonally run mine at about 30 psi. I sue the WeirWolf LT29er, which is 2.55" and have no complaints. There are other tires to help with this as well, including a couple Shwalbe tires and others.

I am pretty sure most of the guys that ride Gambrill (lots of rocks, as you know) a lot and are on the SS Outlaw team run Steel from Vicious and other manufacturers.

You know, I just realized I have a steel vicious I may part with, but headtube may be short depending on what bike its going on, I would have to pull it out of storage unit to measure if anyone is interested.

[chowderbutt]

I run a carbon fork and a big tire on my slingshot and its great for what I do. On my tandem I run cromoly and an old alsop suspension stem (a hardcore version of the one you had a picture of) Its laterally a little flexy pulling around 8 feet of bike but it does smooth things out on the trail

[chaostactics]

I run a carbon fork and a big tire on my slingshot and its great for what I do. On my tandem I run cromoly and an old alsop suspension stem (a hardcore version of the one you had a picture of) Its laterally a little flexy pulling around 8 feet of bike but it does smooth things out on the trail

what do you mean pulling about 8 feet of bike, is that some term of force measurement? or are you just referring to the size of the tandem?

[mechman900]

I run the carbon Origin 8 fork on my homebrew 96er SS. I also used a steel salsa fork for about 2 years. As mentioned above, a larger volume tire at the right pressure for your weight helps out a lot. My general experience is that riding with a rigid fork has improved my line selection such that when I ride with a suspension fork I go even faster.

[RRRJ]

Niner carbon fork on a Niner Air9, race king 2.2 tires (tubeless). Its light, stiff, and fast. Handles great and can ride it most anywhere but will really beat you up after a few hours on the bike.

[tuba_transport]

you just go a little bit slower downhill and a little bit faster uphill

when i built up my singlespeed i had blinged it out enough that funds were low so i opted for the steel fork until i had the money for an Fox F29. i ran the steel fork for a while and really didn't miss a suspension fork for 85% of the riding i was doing.

the rigid is much lighter and climbs slightly better imo.

rigid steel forks are also super cheap and can serve as a backup if the suspension fork needs servicing. at least that was my reasoning. at this point i find it tough to believe i would get $600 more enjoyment out of running a suspension fork again.

[snappster]

I ride a rigid steel Salsa 29er. 2.35" tires at 20 psi and I am faster at FH riding SS then on my 4" full suspension 26er tubeless at 25 psi. .But, on an epic ride on singletrack, the loss of a little cushion wears at me. Did the epic MOCO ride yesterday and the suspension may have made up for the loss of efficiency and extra weight. Maybe I should ride my Truth next time for a comparison. Easy gears too might help.

[walsh]

The vast majority of rigid fork users I know, in addition to low-pressure tires, also employ a highly swept bar, like the Titec J-Bar (http://www.profile-design.com/titec/products/handlebars/other--handlebars-/j-bar.html) or the On-one Mary (http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HBOOMA/on-one-mary-handlebar).

Bars of this design put your wrists in a more natural and relaxed position. They can also relieve pressure by moving your weight aft and off your wrists.

[DKEG]

White Bros Carbon fork was a major improvement over the Salsa steel 29er fork. I have not run a Ti or Vicious. I feel there is no need to try them since the White Bros. works so well. Low tire pressure on a fat front tire is key. Also fat cushy grips help.

[yueq]

I have a Vicious and a Seven both having Vicious forks on. The Seven is my winter Frederick bike, set up with 2.3 Continental Verticals tubeless at 25 psi, Easton carbon bars with Oury grips. The Vicious is my Schaeffer bike, with 2.0 Specialized Fast trak at 25 psi, Easton carbon bars with ESI Racer grips. I usually over analyze the trail and don't try to go fast, so rigid fork is manageable and enjoyable.

[chaostactics]

Yea I've seen and considered those TiTec Sweep bars but they're just so freaking expensive, and how the hell do you put grips on those?

[markie]

I never really learned how to ride a suspension fork.

I run rigid all the time and I find that one rigid fork is pretty much as rigid as another. I find big cushy grips help keep my hands on the bars. Ourys are my favourite.

I get cush in two more places, running fat tires at low psi. The weirwolf 29er is a 2.5 and run it around 22-25 psi. The second place is learning to absorb the shocks with your body. Stay loose on the bike and keep your elbows bent.

[chowderbutt]

what do you mean pulling about 8 feet of bike, is that some term of force measurement? or are you just referring to the size of the tandem?

just the size of the bike, the captain really feels every hit up front and the stoker really feels evey hit in the back (something to do with leverage probably).

[notrelatedtoted]

Wow - you guys run some crazy-low pressures. I've been sticking at 35psi - anything lower and I tend to pinch flat. I am running tubes, though......

[snappster]

White Bros Carbon fork was a major improvement over the Salsa steel 29er fork. I have not run a Ti or Vicious. I feel there is no need to try them since the White Bros. works so well. Low tire pressure on a fat front tire is key. Also fat cushy grips help.

Why do you like the WB Crabon over the Salsa steel? Nicer ride? lighter? stiffer?

[chaostactics]

I see the ti-tec it also made in alum, that somehow went over my head, I think I'll try the steel fork first then head for carbon if i need the weight savings, I guess I'll also attempt tubeless On my next rig