Go fork yourself

[Poke-em]

OK, I was at one of the local shops around town and talking to one of the mechanics about a new ride. I'm looking at a KM and trying to figure out if I want to use the rigid or shell out the cash for a good suspension. It felt like the guy was trying to talk me out of the suspension and to stick with the rigid but I want to use this as my everyday bike, maybe a little commuting, but also a little single track.

Seriously, this is going to be THE bike for a while. The one I have right now is not the right for me and has been rubbing me the wrong way for about a year now. Time for something new, but why would he not want to make some $$$ by selling me the suspension fork? I'm 6'1" and about 250 (depending on the day) and would think that a suspension would be the way to go. Any suggestions or ideas why he was (no pun) steering me this way??

Cheers.

[nigel]

He might ride rigid and love it and not like suspension at all perhaps. There are quite a few people out there that are anti suspension too, maybe hes one of them. That said as a mechanic he should be both looking out for whats best for you, customer service is one thing but steering someone away from something is different. Maybe you need to discuss it more, even hes anti rigid they are there to make money too, so why be so anti fork? Forks get ya more wrenchin bussiness in the long run. If you think suspension is the way to go, go for it! You can always keep the rigid fork.

I have gone both ways, both are great depending on what your doing and the bike setup. I guess would suggest maybe getting both and buying another crown race for the headset and swap rigid to suspension as you need it. No matter what brake setup you have its an easy change to do, ive done this on a few bikes its like having two bikes in one sometimes.

D

[Tex]

Get a suspension bike with a good lock out system, so you can ride it on the road. The words "fully rigid" and "singletrack" shouldn't be spoken in the same sentence.

[Trevize1138]

If you want more opinions than anyone has time to read:

http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=9122

:)

There's a poll there, over 100 MORC site subscribers voted and it's too close to call.

That said, hard tail with a steel frame is the only way to go because people who ride full suspension are stupid. No offense to full suspension riders out there. ;)

[nigel]

Just for the fun of it......How many years did people ride off-road without suspension forks? How much saddle time you personally put in with a rigid fork before you got one? I still use suspension but i always have some kind of lockout setup or will swap to a rigid quite a bit, yes even at Leb, i think Bill (stoneage) proved that rigid still rocks the party at the 12 hours of Leb!

[Trevize1138]

I rode rigid from about '81 through '94. I plan to get back to those roots this summer by swapping out my 19'' hardtail steel RockHopper frame as my singlespeed and putting a nice rigid fork on 'er.

One speed. Platform pedals. No suspension. Ahh ... basics, baby! :banana:

[dave t]

This looks like a pot that needs some stirrin'...

That said, hard tail with a steel frame is the only way to go because people who ride full suspension are stupid. No offense to full suspension riders out there. ;)

Full Bounce is the only way to go because people who ride rigid / hardtail are stupid and don't have anything in their shorts to protect from all the shaking. No offense to rigid / hardtail riders out there.;)

Seriously though. I agree that a suspension fork with lockout is tough to argue against. I cannot imagine any situation where a rigid fork would be better other than total weight weenieism.

[berrywise]

Even when just crusing around town I would prefer to have a suspension fork just to give my wrists a break from the potholes, cracks, and bumps of the road. Gotta get somewhere fast? Then ya hit the lockout and book it.

[nigel]

damn guys, i think ima go ride my rigid road bike!

[manual63]

Unless you are one of those One Speeders.......almost all Mountan Bikes have a front suspension. If you plan to ride single track.....go with the fork at least. Some prefer a full suspension bike, which is where the debate really is. As for a front fork suspension.......it's pretty much standard to have one.....so I find it interesting a shop guy would try to talk you out of it.

If you do 90% street and the off road riding you do isn't very rough, a rigid will do you just fine.

[tedsti]

Doesn't the KM come with a rigid fork? If so, why not try it out first before buying a suspension fork? You've got nothing to lose.

[Trevize1138]

This looks like a pot that needs some stirrin'...



Full Bounce is the only way to go because people who ride rigid / hardtail are stupid and don't have anything in their shorts to protect from all the shaking. No offense to rigid / hardtail riders out there.;)

Seriously though. I agree that a suspension fork with lockout is tough to argue against. I cannot imagine any situation where a rigid fork would be better other than total weight weenieism.

Yeah, but full suspension bikes suck and I hate them. So, that kinda blows your whole theory out of the water. :)

[transplant]

Yeah, but full suspension bikes suck and I hate them. So, that kinda blows your whole theory out of the water. :)

Wait'll you get old and creaky. Even a suspension seatpost won't save your a$$. :D Your creaky old legs will barely be able to turn the cranks, much less act as extra suspension. The follies of youth. One trip down South Mountain in Phoenix and you'll be begging for a double squishy:banana:

[bigwheel]

Get a full suspension bike. At your size, you probably have back problems, and can't handle the bouncing like the "little people". When I went to FS, it made a world of difference, allowing me to ride every day without my old body falling apart.

My guess is that the guy at the shop weighs 100 lbs soaking wet with a rock in his hand.

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.

You buy 'em books and buy 'em books, but all they do is eat the pages.

[transplant]

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.

You buy 'em books and buy 'em books, but all they do is eat the pages.

What about those of us who have both? SS and FSXC? Is there any hope for us? Are we too confused to be allowed outside of our padded rooms?:confused:

[Trevize1138]

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.

You buy 'em books and buy 'em books, but all they do is eat the pages.

Dear dumb@zz,

No.

Sincerely,
Me

[el gueche]

you never mentioned your budget - you cant ride around a pothole?

[waitabit]

I'd rather have a rigid fork than a cheap crappy one.

[funky-funky-chicken]

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.

Hey, I resemble that remark.

[nigel]

G
My guess is that the guy at the shop weighs 100 lbs soaking wet with a rock in his hand.

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.


Geeeeeze Bob! Ima have to build another unicogger up for this year just for when i ride with ya *winks*

[Little D]

Rigid fork + rear suspension

Take that to the frickin' bank!

[KleinCrazy]

Rigid fork + rear suspension

Take that to the frickin' bank!

Hey Now!!!!

That is my current project, and it will be a singlespeed without a tensioner!!!

[Ish]

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.

You buy 'em books and buy 'em books, but all they do is eat the pages.

OK, now that I am done LMAO, I need to get the beer cleaned off my keyboard!
thanks Bob :D

[Little D]

Hey Now!!!!

That is my current project, and it will be a singlespeed without a tensioner!!!

you forgot the coaster brake (sorry if that was going to be the secret weapon)

[Skidsy]

Mechanics and suspension sometimes don't mix. The guy you were talking to may have gotten into the bike biz before suspension hit and is carrying around some luddite tendancies. Go with suspension w/ lockout (winwood makes one so cheap it's hard to pass up), it'll be more fun. Keep the ridgid fork around for winter/early spring riding on the streets. Salt absolutely destroys the coatings of stanchions and will tear through bushings.

[Kosk]

Another thing to consider is that he wants to get a Karate Monkey, this severly limits his fork options. Like waitabit said, a rigid fork is better than a crappy-wet -noodle-suspension fork.
I ride a rigid ss for commuting and occasional trail riding, but also have a FS. I definately think the optimal setup for efficiancy-yet-comfort for the terrain in MN is a hartail with front suspension, but a full rigid or FS will also work just fine too. If I was you and was gonna throw down for a KM, I would suck it up and go the extra mile to try and get one of those new 29er Reba's by RockShox, supposedly they are suppose to be pretty kick-a$$.

[transplant]

Go with suspension w/ lockout (winwood makes one so cheap it's hard to pass up), it'll be more fun. Keep the ridgid fork around for winter/early spring riding on the streets. Salt absolutely destroys the coatings of stanchions and will tear through bushings.

Dirt Rag tested and reviewed the Winwood fork. From what they said, fuhgedaboutit. It's not worth getting. Stay rigid for a while, save your cash and get the Reba

[Aaroneous]

Keep it rigid. WTB just came out with a 29x2.3:

http://www.webcyclery.com/product.php?productid=17283&cat=0&page=1
It even says "Great for Karate Monkeys." Put one of those babies up front and you'll probably have all the suspension you need.

[The Buckthorn Killer]

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.

You buy 'em books and buy 'em books, but all they do is eat the pages.[/QUOTE]


If FS is what you need, I know that kona makes a FS single speed. This is minnesota, we don't have mtns. You only need 1.

[nigel]

And for God sakes, don't buy a single-speed. They are only used by people who take the short bus to school and don't know how to work a shifter.

You buy 'em books and buy 'em books, but all they do is eat the pages.


If FS is what you need, I know that kona makes a FS single speed. This is minnesota, we don't have mtns. You only need 1.[/QUOTE]

Toms got it....you only need one!

one single speed
one hardtail
one full boinger
one cyclocross
one road
one cruiser
one 20"

and the list goes on :) everyone should create a stable of ones!

[The Buckthorn Killer]

If FS is what you need, I know that kona makes a FS single speed. This is minnesota, we don't have mtns. You only need 1.

Toms got it....you only need one!

one single speed
one hardtail
one full boinger
one cyclocross
one road
one cruiser
one 20"

and the list goes on :) everyone should create a stable of ones![/QUOTE]

.....And one more thing... I liked the short bus! and paper is tasty!

[TML]

If FS is what you need, I know that kona makes a FS single speed. This is minnesota, we don't have mtns. You only need 1.

Toms got it....you only need one!

one single speed
one hardtail
one full boinger
one cyclocross
one road
one cruiser
one 20"

and the list goes on :) everyone should create a stable of ones!

Now you're talking! :D

[Skidsy]

Dirt Rag tested and reviewed the Winwood fork. From what they said, fuhgedaboutit. It's not worth getting. Stay rigid for a while, save your cash and get the Reba

I half way suspected as much. I've never been fond of the Winwood brand. I guess you get what you pay for. The Reba is avaliable now for around $500 or $550 with Lockout.

A more economical, but still quality fork, is the Marzocchi MX Comp. It's around $350 but has no lockout.