Fork suspension question

[davidsullivan]

Hello!

I'm planning a long distance bikepacking trip this summer on some extremely aggressive single track (read: mountain passes), and wanted to ask you all your opinion on front suspension. Currently I've got a nice, plush Fox (air), and realize that I should move to something more reliable - I will be in very remote areas, often traveling long distances. I'll be on my karate monkey (or possibly a Jabberwocky).

What coil models do you all recommend? I would like to go as light, reliable, and simple as possible.

I imagine this question will be more contentious, but: What are you're opinions on going rigid with maxed out 29er tires, and running lower pressure for suspension?

Thanks,

-DS

[Rob]

Are there any coil 29er forks out?  You're running the F29?  I'd just use that fork for your descrided riding.  Just have it serviced between mountain ranges


Edit:I think the only coil fork available for 29ers is the White Brothers Fluid.

[ScottM]

I'm not an expert on 29er fork offerings, but AFAIK, Rob is right.  The only coil forks are by White Bros, and are of the 130+ mm sort (all mountain / freeride).

Air forks are more reliable than they were in years past.  It is still a risk though.

I know what you're planning and in my opinion a suspension fork is mandatory.  That's just me, though.  OTOH, there's going to be a lot of hike-a-bike, so the lighter the bike the better.  Maybe rigid isn't such a bad idea.   

[davidsullivan]

I've been thinking about running 26" so I can use older coil models.

I go back and forth often between 29 and 26 (for a long distance + intense climbing/descending application), and think that I need more experience riding 29" wheels in similar conditions before I make a call.

The only way I'd go rigid is to do some long distance "sample" trips with that setup first - only then can I understand how much my arms can take on the downhills. If I were on rolling hills and longer flat stretches I would definitely go rigid.

There are so many variables involved with long distance bikepacking, and personally, I always tend to lean towards light/simple. I have a lot of experience with ultra light backpacking, and have always found that lighter and simple = comfort in the long run (also less to worry about). When it comes to bikepacking, this leads me to two "trouble" areas - suspension and gearing. I Just need more experience testing out options.

Thanks for the input!

-DS

[ScottM]

26 might make sense if you want to use coil.

If you're that worried about the complexity of gears/suspension you can always leave the bike home.       (might not be the worst idea for what you're attempting!)

Personally I find gears/suspension to be borderline essential, though some on here would beg to differ, I know.  It depends on what you're doing. 

[davidsullivan]

Complexity isn't the issue; Its that I have trouble deciding suspension/gearing setups. My experience on the PCT (through hiking) is what leads me to bikepacking - something new, and much more of an adventure.

26/coil or 29/rigid with a 1x9 are where I'm leaning right now for long distance and aggressive bikepacking.

Thanks for all the advice!

-DS

[sherpaxc]

So what are you planning?!

[Rob]

A 26er fork on a 29er frame would give you a really steep head angle and a very low bottom bracket...

[frejwilk]

I'm also curious what you are planning.

Without knowing what you are doing... My personal opinion is that if you are really that worried about reliability, go for the rigid fork. Will big fat tires make up for the lack of suspension? No. Even if they are 29"? Unfortunately, still no. Will they add some comfort? A little, yes. Just not the same as suspension.

Definitely stick with whatever wheel size your frame is designed for. No matter what fork you use.

Coil forks, whether 29" or 26" are really not widely available in higher end XC models. And remember, forks do blow up whether they have air springs or coil springs. I would have a tough time using an older fork if reliability were the issue. A DIY type adventurer could probably keep their air fork going in most circumstances by finding and 'installing' an appropriate length 'spacer' trailside.

Likewise with front derailleurs. Unless you're planning to use a chainguide, I don't see the advantage of running a rear derailleur without a front one. Or do you have another method of chain retention? Again, if it's that bad, and you don't need all the gears, maybe a single speed setup really would save you all the headaches.

For some reason this thread interests me more than the usual 'what xxx should I use for yyy?'. Good luck setting up for your trip.

FW

[DaveC]

CDT?

I've heard on very few Reba failures (one, to be exact) that happened to a fork that was reasonably well cared for.  When the boys at The Path rebuilt mine this spring, it looked pretty pristine.  Suspension no longer factors into my list of things to worry much about. 

I'm with Fred on the front derailleur.  If you're gonna have gears, have lots (or at least low ones).  1x_ setups don't make much sense to me, you lose the simplicity and dead-on efficiency of no derailleurs, and don't get the crawling capacity.

[davidsullivan]

Thanks for the input - I'm currently leaning towards rigid, and for gearing I think I might go 1x5... I've been playing around with different setups on short outings and like keeping it simple.

Any experience out there with carbon forks like white brothers/exotic/Origin8 Black Ops? It seems like a great way to absorb some shock, and lose a pound or so. I've used a carbon fork for road, but longer distance mountain biking seems like it could rough it up significantly - Reliability?

I'm planning a bikepacking trip on the CDT, minus WA, thru-hiking style... Mapping has been tedious so far (finished NM, on the middle of CO). Topofusion has been essential... reallyessential! I couldn't imagine trying to map out a long trip with arcGIS or other programs I've played with. Its nice that TF is bikepacking focused.

Thanks again for the input!

-DS

[ScottM]

David,

Thanks for the compliment on TF.  This is exactly the kind of thing I love to see it used for.  I still need to sit down and wrestle with that federal land file. 

I would say gears are more essential than a suspension fork for the CDT.  Though I would be worried about a carbon fork.  A crash could hurt its integrity.

Pay attention to Fred and Dave's comments about low gears.  I'd echo them based on my experience with the CDT and touring in general.  For example, on our CDT tour in Montana I don't remember even using my middle ring for 3 days.  Seriously.  20 tooth little ring and primarily the biggest three cogs (28-34-36).

I'm off bikepacking myself for 3 days.  Catch up with you later.

[neve_r_est]

Rockshox Dart 3 come in 29" for 09, or maybe it did in 08 too. 80/100mm travel,coil, 5lb entry level fork, but simple and affordable. http://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/crosscountry/dart/#tab1

DG

[jobes]

So, you guys think the fox fork isn't quite good enough for a trip?  just curious.  that's what I have on my bike.  I loved the reba when I ran it.

[Rob]

i think the fox is the best 29er fork out there right now.  If i was in your shoes, I'd be using the Fox.

[Slim]

Rockshox Dart 3 come in 29" for 09, or maybe it did in 08 too. 80/100mm travel,coil, 5lb entry level fork, but simple and affordable. http://www.sram.com/en/rockshox/crosscountry/dart/#tab1

DG

But the Dart is a very flimsy 28mm QR fork, not my choice for the the agressive riding style the OP was describing.

[Slim]

As said before, how much of a liability is a air fork these days? Still here are the coil options that I know of:

• White Brothers
• Cannondale Lefty Max converted, obviously requires a Cannondale frame or a conversion of the crowns
• Reba with the coil internals from a Pike, that gives you travel adjust as well
• Tora, at least the OEM is coil, I'm not sure about the ones for sale.

[neve_r_est]

But the Dart is a very flimsy 28mm QR fork, not my choice for the the agressive riding style the OP was describing.

True enough.

Another option to consider might be the Willits W.O.W. fork. Similar effects to a carbon fork, only without the carbon. Same price tho.

DG

[cgar380]

Thought I'd give you a different option for using a rigid fork with coil type suspension.
A few years ago, I built a fixed/free surly crosscheck with a rigid fork and put a Softride suspension stem on to ride it offroad. Here's a link to a writeup and pictures. http://www.63xc.com/cgarr/softcheck.htm

It was the most versatile bike build I've done so far and I rode the 24hrs of Moab racecourse on it and it worked like a champ. I'd ride anywhere with one of those on any bike.

If you call softride, they might have some new old stock in a box. I got mine (aluminum, 1 1/8, 2.5" of travel) for 99$. It's a coil with an elastomer inside the coil all underneath the stem and adjustable for "preload" with an allen wrench.

If it were me, I'd "run what you brung" with the fox and have a rigid fork and one of these boxed up and ready to ship to you if you had any problems. In the states, your pre-planning should include shops that can service your fork if need be. Remote, out of the country trips might need more concern about gear failure.

Look at it this way, if your Fox fails, you'll have a rigid fork until you can get it fixed.
Or you can run the Fox with a Softride stem installed and "locked out" as a backup if your fork fails if you're that worried about it.

If you're near Salida and need a fork to "borrow" in an emergency, I'll give you mine so you can continue or we can just trade and I'll get yours rebuilt and you can keep my (rebuilt in Fruita) Reba!
 

[ScottM]

I'm resurrecting this thread, wondering if this trip (bikepacking the CDT!) ever got off the ground.

It would certainly be a monumental one... paging David Sullivan!