Rigid carbon forks
Discussion
Right... I have a terrible case of upgrade-itis. And I like the Boardman HT with rigid carbon forks.
I have a Scott Sportster HT "MTB with road gearing" hybrid which is pretty good but the front fork is pretty basic - 80mm Suntour coil - and I leave it locked out a lot on the hard packed paths of Epping Forest.
So... how hard would it be to buy something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280890586462 and swap it for the current fork? Save a couple of kilos, still keep a bit of compliance at the front, keep the existing wheels/disc brakes? Are headsets universal? Would I need specialist tools?
I have a Scott Sportster HT "MTB with road gearing" hybrid which is pretty good but the front fork is pretty basic - 80mm Suntour coil - and I leave it locked out a lot on the hard packed paths of Epping Forest.
So... how hard would it be to buy something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280890586462 and swap it for the current fork? Save a couple of kilos, still keep a bit of compliance at the front, keep the existing wheels/disc brakes? Are headsets universal? Would I need specialist tools?
Easy peasy, but IMHO I would not buy carbon forks from an unknown source though, I would only buy a known brand with a decent reputation and warranty.
Not sure what headset size the Boardman has but they will be a standard size, CRC/Wiggle/Ribble etc all have nice cheap, decent headsets for sale. Personally, I would not fit a headset myself, for the sake of £25 at your LBS get them to do it, for the sake of doing it yourself you could wreck your frame if you get it wrong....
Not sure what headset size the Boardman has but they will be a standard size, CRC/Wiggle/Ribble etc all have nice cheap, decent headsets for sale. Personally, I would not fit a headset myself, for the sake of £25 at your LBS get them to do it, for the sake of doing it yourself you could wreck your frame if you get it wrong....
Gizmoish said:
Right... I have a terrible case of upgrade-itis. And I like the Boardman HT with rigid carbon forks.
I have a Scott Sportster HT "MTB with road gearing" hybrid which is pretty good but the front fork is pretty basic - 80mm Suntour coil - and I leave it locked out a lot on the hard packed paths of Epping Forest.
So... how hard would it be to buy something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280890586462 and swap it for the current fork? Save a couple of kilos, still keep a bit of compliance at the front, keep the existing wheels/disc brakes? Are headsets universal? Would I need specialist tools?
What size wheels does that have? 700, 29?I have a Scott Sportster HT "MTB with road gearing" hybrid which is pretty good but the front fork is pretty basic - 80mm Suntour coil - and I leave it locked out a lot on the hard packed paths of Epping Forest.
So... how hard would it be to buy something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280890586462 and swap it for the current fork? Save a couple of kilos, still keep a bit of compliance at the front, keep the existing wheels/disc brakes? Are headsets universal? Would I need specialist tools?
I fitted some rigid carbon forks to my 26" hard tail from here:
http://www.carboncycles.cc/index.php?s=0&t=2&a...
It looks like they do 29" versions too, but you'd need to check. They are a reputable company and pretty well known in mountain biking circles. UK based too.
I've been eyeing up a set of Trigon CF forks for my 700c hybrid. They are for 26" wheels but they claim the center of Axle to Crown is 420mm which would be too long for my non-sus hybrid (which has fork length of 370mm).
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-TRIGON-MTB-3K-FULL-...
Reputed brand - I think they make them for Ritchey.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-TRIGON-MTB-3K-FULL-...
Reputed brand - I think they make them for Ritchey.
Gizmoish, you're in Essex? I know it's a fairly big county, but if you're anywhere near, or can get up to Flitch Bikes in Great Dunmow, one of the guys in there runs a 29er on carbon forks, I can't remember his name, but he's the one that's not Stuart. They've always dealt straight with me, and know what they're doing with regard to the mechanical side. May be worth a look for advice, and to get the headset etc done if you need it. Not far off the A120 between Bishop's Stortford and Braintree.
- other LBS are available
OP.
I've done exactly what you are asking about, with the same bike.
Bought some of these which I cant fault:
http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=43&a...
Black ones are a bit cheaper.
All I had to do was remove and re-use the crown race from the old forks, cut a few cm's off the new fork steerer and put it all back together.
I also ditched the junk crankset for a hollowtech 2, went to a single 36T front ring and removed the front derailleur and shifter. Altogether I've saved over 5lbs and the bike is a much snappier ride.
Editted to add:
Also had to buy and fit a star fangled nut which was the hardest part of the job to get right without using the proper tool, you have to be careful you dont bang it into the steerer at an angle.
I've done exactly what you are asking about, with the same bike.
Bought some of these which I cant fault:
http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=43&a...
Black ones are a bit cheaper.
All I had to do was remove and re-use the crown race from the old forks, cut a few cm's off the new fork steerer and put it all back together.
I also ditched the junk crankset for a hollowtech 2, went to a single 36T front ring and removed the front derailleur and shifter. Altogether I've saved over 5lbs and the bike is a much snappier ride.
Editted to add:
Also had to buy and fit a star fangled nut which was the hardest part of the job to get right without using the proper tool, you have to be careful you dont bang it into the steerer at an angle.
Edited by mdavids on Sunday 23 September 22:17
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