Suspension fork upgrade
Discussion
I have a 2009 Marin Muirwoods 29er hybrid with rigid fork and wondered how easy it is to fit a suspension fork.
I ride a fair bit on canal towpaths so looking for a cheap fork maybe with lockout? I can get a Specialized Crosstrail for £550 so it needs to be cheap.
The blurb on the bike says the frame was designed for suspension.
I don't want to alter the geometry so not sure on travel?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/urban...
I ride a fair bit on canal towpaths so looking for a cheap fork maybe with lockout? I can get a Specialized Crosstrail for £550 so it needs to be cheap.

The blurb on the bike says the frame was designed for suspension.
I don't want to alter the geometry so not sure on travel?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/urban...
Edited by AcidRich on Saturday 16th May 08:52
You need 1 1/8" straight steerer tube for that bike by the look of it, and I assume it has a standard 9mm Quick Release skewer on the front?
In terms of travel, almost certainly 100mm. You don't get as much travel on 29ers as you do on smaller wheeled bikes, and of the 11 forks shown on Chain Reaction, 9 are 100mm travel.
Personally, if I wanted to put a budget fork on, I'd probably go for the Rockshox XC 32 TK Solo Air for £150. There are some cheaper XC 32 forks, but they're coil sprung which, means they're less adjustable and if you don't happen to be of average weight (which in cycling circles means scrawny!) you'll probably find yourself having to spend more to swap out the spring it comes with for a stiffer one.
If you can up your budget to £300 and find somewhere with the Rockshox Reba RL that CRC are showing out of stock, the Rebas are really nice forks. I've got a pair of SLs which have been working flawlessly for the last ten years without so much as a sniff of servicing!
In terms of travel, almost certainly 100mm. You don't get as much travel on 29ers as you do on smaller wheeled bikes, and of the 11 forks shown on Chain Reaction, 9 are 100mm travel.
Personally, if I wanted to put a budget fork on, I'd probably go for the Rockshox XC 32 TK Solo Air for £150. There are some cheaper XC 32 forks, but they're coil sprung which, means they're less adjustable and if you don't happen to be of average weight (which in cycling circles means scrawny!) you'll probably find yourself having to spend more to swap out the spring it comes with for a stiffer one.
If you can up your budget to £300 and find somewhere with the Rockshox Reba RL that CRC are showing out of stock, the Rebas are really nice forks. I've got a pair of SLs which have been working flawlessly for the last ten years without so much as a sniff of servicing!

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