Swapping old suspension fork for new rigid fork.

RideOnTime

RideOnTime

Active Member
I've been riding my entry-level hardtail (2013 Specialized Hardrock) for a while... The stock fork has been through the ringer and essentially rigid for the last couple years, but recently there has been some play in the fork- a kind of front-to-back wiggle- that makes me nervous to ride it on trails. Would love to get a new bike but it's just not in the budget and last year I put on a whole new drivetrain so I'd like to get some more life out of this bike and eventually turn it into a kind of frankengravel bike for riding around town and on rail trails.

So some questions I have and advice that would be greatly appreciated:
- What might be some decent rigid fork options? And any suggestions on where to shop?
- What do I need to factor in when it comes to my wheelset? (I’m clueless! Currently running Easton haven 29er all-mountain wheelset but I also swap back and forth the stock wheelset with gravel tires.)
- I have no mechanical know-how - is this a job I should try to tackle myself? If I go to a shop, how much should I expect to pay for install?
- Should I just replace with another suntour suspension fork?
- What else am I overlooking??
- Should I just buy a new gravel bike AND a new trail bike and hide them and the credit card statements from my wife?

Thanks for any help and happy trails!
 
RideOnTime said:
I've been riding my entry-level hardtail (2013 Specialized Hardrock) for a while... The stock fork has been through the ringer and essentially rigid for the last couple years, but recently there has been some play in the fork- a kind of front-to-back wiggle- that makes me nervous to ride it on trails. Would love to get a new bike but it's just not in the budget and last year I put on a whole new drivetrain so I'd like to get some more life out of this bike and eventually turn it into a kind of frankengravel bike for riding around town and on rail trails.

So some questions I have and advice that would be greatly appreciated:
- What might be some decent rigid fork options? And any suggestions on where to shop?
- What do I need to factor in when it comes to my wheelset? (I’m clueless! Currently running Easton haven 29er all-mountain wheelset but I also swap back and forth the stock wheelset with gravel tires.)
- I have no mechanical know-how - is this a job I should try to tackle myself? If I go to a shop, how much should I expect to pay for install?
- Should I just replace with another suntour suspension fork?
- What else am I overlooking??
- Should I just buy a new gravel bike AND a new trail bike and hide them and the credit card statements from my wife?

Thanks for any help and happy trails!
Click to expand...
Loose/bad headset? That could be a cheap fix.
Loose fork bushings, not an easy fix.

It would majorly suck if you bought a carbon-fiber rigid fork for the bike and your headset is bad.

That being said, your fork is pre-boost spacing so if old fork and new fork have the same mounting style (Quick release or Through-axle) most likely the wheel would fit.
 
RideOnTime said:
I've been riding my entry-level hardtail (2013 Specialized Hardrock) for a while... The stock fork has been through the ringer and essentially rigid for the last couple years, but recently there has been some play in the fork- a kind of front-to-back wiggle- that makes me nervous to ride it on trails. Would love to get a new bike but it's just not in the budget and last year I put on a whole new drivetrain so I'd like to get some more life out of this bike and eventually turn it into a kind of frankengravel bike for riding around town and on rail trails.

So some questions I have and advice that would be greatly appreciated:
- What might be some decent rigid fork options? And any suggestions on where to shop?
- What do I need to factor in when it comes to my wheelset? (I’m clueless! Currently running Easton haven 29er all-mountain wheelset but I also swap back and forth the stock wheelset with gravel tires.)
- I have no mechanical know-how - is this a job I should try to tackle myself? If I go to a shop, how much should I expect to pay for install?
- Should I just replace with another suntour suspension fork?
- What else am I overlooking??
- Should I just buy a new gravel bike AND a new trail bike and hide them and the credit card statements from my wife?

Thanks for any help and happy trails!
Click to expand...
 
So originally I did think it was the headset and tried tightening it but still had issues. After looking closer it seems like the stanchions are wiggling inside the lowers if that makes sense.
 
RideOnTime said:
So originally I did think it was the headset and tried tightening it but still had issues. After looking closer it seems like the stanchions are wiggling inside the lowers if that makes sense.
Click to expand...
Well, if the endgame is to eventually use that bike for gravel, then sure snag a rigid fork.

Carbon isn’t cheap so you need to be sure you want to do this. Steel is an option, they are heavy, but probably not as heavy as a budget suspension fork.

You’ll need to make sure to get one that matches the wheels you have (boost / non-boost spacing) and of course the same axel size/type.

If it has a carbon steerer tube, you MUST use an expansion plug instead of a star nut.

You’ll need to check if the fork needs a crown race. Most do, but there are a few that don’t… so ask/check.

Regardless of which type of fork you go with, you’ll want to keep the axle to crown length the same or the bike will ride differently.

Can you do this yourself? Provided you have the tools, yeah probably. If you’re gonna have a shop do it, I’d recommend you purchase thru them as well so you’ll get the right stuff (the first time).

Good luck!
 
qclabrat said:
To be honest frankenbikes aren't the bomb. They usually do nothing well and are usually relegated as a garage queen. If money is tight and the drive train is still working well, just get a used replacement fork. I think someone is selling a Rockshox Reba here.
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Salsa Firestarter carbon, one of the many editions. This one is the fancy one with screw bosses back and front plus on the side for panniers. You know I’m an avid bike packer…😉
 
Thank you everyone for the help and suggestions.

mtbiker87 said:
What's your hub spacing ? I have entry level suspension fork Id part with cheap that'd be perfect for ya. Might have a rigid as well.
Click to expand...
That would be great. Honestly, the feedback here is making me realize how clueless I am on wheel anatmoy. The Easton haven wheelset has an adapter in it to fit the stock QR skewer. I'm seeing online maybe it is 15x100mm?
 
qclabrat said:
To be honest frankenbikes aren't the bomb. They usually do nothing well and are usually relegated as a garage queen. If money is tight and the drive train is still working well, just get a used replacement fork. I think someone is selling a Rockshox Reba here.
Click to expand...
When I converted the Talon to monster cross... it was fun the first few rides.
When the novelty wore off... issues started to surface. Especially the fit issue due to the drop bar. Way too stretched out.
 
qclabrat said:
To be honest frankenbikes aren't the bomb. They usually do nothing well and are usually relegated as a garage queen. If money is tight and the drive train is still working well, just get a used replacement fork. I think someone is selling a Rockshox Reba here.
Click to expand...
It takes skill and a very specific bike to do this. Banshee made a few mutable-geometry frames in the early 2000's.
 

Salsa Cro Moto Grande 29" Fork | Jenson USA

Salsa Cro Moto Grande 29 Fork So yoursquove decided to take the plunge and ditch your suspension in favor of a more simple and utilitarian setup. Salsarsquos Cro Moto Grande fork is a fantastic choice for riders who want an absolutely bombproof steel fork thatrsquos ready for any and every kind...
www.jensonusa.com www.jensonusa.com
Salsa makes great steel rigid forks that are inexpensive.

You really need to measure your axle to crown to make sure it fits and know your axle type. this will likely work.
 
stb222 said:

Salsa Cro Moto Grande 29" Fork | Jenson USA

Salsa Cro Moto Grande 29 Fork So yoursquove decided to take the plunge and ditch your suspension in favor of a more simple and utilitarian setup. Salsarsquos Cro Moto Grande fork is a fantastic choice for riders who want an absolutely bombproof steel fork thatrsquos ready for any and every kind...
www.jensonusa.com www.jensonusa.com
Salsa makes great steel rigid forks that are inexpensive.

You really need to measure your axle to crown to make sure it fits and know your axle type. this will likely work.
Click to expand...
Have the QR fork on a Soma Juice and find it really well built
 
qclabrat said:
How many miles do you have on that? Case and point...
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I prefer to look at riding percentages, I should just get rid of all bikes based on my ridiculous yearly mileage. That bike is the one I rode the most last year after I built it.

Also, looks better in person, that pic is a little ‘front-heavy’…
 
serviceguy said:
I prefer to look at riding percentages, I should just get rid of all bikes based on my ridiculous yearly mileage. That bike is the one I rode the most last year after I built it.

Also, looks better in person, that pic is a little ‘front-heavy’…
Click to expand...
Pennies on the dollar
 
RideOnTime said:
Thank you everyone for the help and suggestions.


That would be great. Honestly, the feedback here is making me realize how clueless I am on wheel anatmoy. The Easton haven wheelset has an adapter in it to fit the stock QR skewer. I'm seeing online maybe it is 15x100mm?
Click to expand...
Standard QR spacing is 9x100, which I'm 99% certain is what you have. That's pretty much the standard for most older, entrey level bikes. You'll need to figure out how much travel your current fork has to get an exact replacement, but you'll be ok within 10mm one way or the other. Most bikes like yours would normally come with an 80 to 100mm fork. If you go rigid, look for a fork that is suspension corrected for your travel for the best results.
 
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