Fork swap - go up a size?

[ChemicalChaos]

Hi all,

Currently my Scott Voltage YZ1 has absolutely ste Suntour forks on it - they weigh a ton, dont move over small bumps, and dont lock out for climbing hills. And now, after 9 months sat in a damp bikeshed at uni the "chrome" has rusted through.......
Anyway, as its my commuting bike and not really used for anything more demanding than a canal towpath, I was going to replace them with some rigid disc forks, possibly even carbon if I'm feeling flush.
The problem is, I like the current attitude/angle of the bike which if course would change if I put 26" rigids on as I'm losing the 80mm of stanchion travel. So I was wondering - would there be any ill effect if I put 29er rigids on it to maintain the current overall length of the forks? Will they be ok with the slightly different loading and shear stresses of a smaller diameter wheel?

[joshleb]

Mtb specific 26" forks should compensate for the lack of travel by having a similar a2c (axle to crown)

Worth measuring yours and seeing what ones are in the same ballpark.

[Herman Toothrot]

Triton cycles has a good selection of rigid replacement forks made by Surly.

[Kermit power]

Just remember when measuring up that you want the length of your current forks with the sag when you're sat on the bike. Measuring them yourself whilst stood next to the bike won't give you the geometry you're after if you translate that to a rigid fork.

[s3fella]

ChemicalChaos said:

So I was wondering - would there be any ill effect if I put 29er rigids on it to maintain the current overall length of the forks?

[ChemicalChaos]

Many thanks chaps, I shall measure up and check out those suggestions.
I'm not sure my current forks sag at all, so crap are they!

Am I right in thinking, by the way, that carbon forks will be more springy and thus better at absorbing the rumble/buzz from rough pavement than traditional steel forks? Or can you get pliant steel forks too? my only worry with carbon is that my commuting bike gets chained up against all sorts of things and can get knocked into by careless others on communal bike racks - I'm worried about suffering invisible impact damage to them that then results in a structural failure under heavy braking or similar.....

[Kermit power]

I can only comment on the back end of a steel hardtail (as I've still got suspension on the front), but I'd say steel is lovely and smooth-riding.

Carbon is certainly lighter than steel, but road buzz is more a concern with aluminium than steel, I believe.

[PomBstard]

About 8-9 years ago I put a set of mtb-specific carbon rigid forks on my Giant XTC (26") to replace the shagged out 80mm Manitous that were OE. The forks have been awesome and the bike has since done many thousands of km both on road and over XC trails. I've combined them with 1.75" slicks and, whilst a challenge in certain conditions, has always been fun.

No idea if steel would have been any better, but I've done quite a few 4-5 hour rides and never felt uncomfortable. Worth a shot.

[AlmostUseful]

Frame/fork design has more of an impact than material in my 20 odd year experience, a poorly designed and overly stiffened steel construction will be uncomfortable and ride like a piece of crap when compared to a properly designed aluminium one.

If you have a 26" wheeled bike and fancy keeping the same fully extended length maybe try some suspension corrected 29" forks. I did similar on one of my old bikes and was very happy with the slack nature of it.

[lufbramatt]

If you can find a set then I would highly recommend Salsa Cromoto forks, they are available in different lengths to suit. Got a set on my old orange EVO2, rides really nice. Swapped them over for commuting a couple of years ago but I liked them so much they are still on the bike and the marzocchi suspension forks are still on my wife's bike!

Wouldn't want to risk cheap carbon forks. my cousin lost all his front teeth when a set came unglued at the crown.