Rigid Fork Length

PB Forum :: Dirt Jumping & Street
Rigid Fork Length
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flag valentin84
Posted: Aug 15, 2013 at 14:19 Quote
I'm having a hard time deciding between 24" and 26" for street riding and I'm wondering about the difference in rigid fork lengths. Why the huge gap between the top for the fork and the tire on the 26"? Is it for a more aggressive angle for street riding? What's considered the best for street?
flag PeixeCruiser
Posted: Aug 15, 2013 at 18:06 Quote
valentin84 wrote:
I'm having a hard time deciding between 24" and 26" for street riding and I'm wondering about the difference in rigid fork lengths. Why the huge gap between the top for the fork and the tire on the 26"? Is it for a more aggressive angle for street riding? What's considered the best for street?

I'm no expert on street as I primarily ride dirt/racing. The only street riding I do is getting from point A to point B. That being said. I've seen 80mm and 100mm in rigid 26 forks and would think the 80mm would be more conducive for doing things like nose manuals. The 100mm seems a bit too long for that, although I'm sure in the end its all rider preference.
flag cmc4130
Posted: Aug 15, 2013 at 23:56 Quote
valentin84 wrote:
I'm having a hard time deciding between 24" and 26" for street riding and I'm wondering about the difference in rigid fork lengths. Why the huge gap between the top for the fork and the tire on the 26"? Is it for a more aggressive angle for street riding? What's considered the best for street?



It's because, if you're riding a 24 mtb, the frame itself is "corrected" for a suspension fork height. BMX 24"s on the other hand have zero suspension correction, so there is no gap above the tire.

A typical DJ fork is 80mm or 100mm travel, corresponding to roughly 460mm axle to crown or 480mm axle to crown. A BMX 24" fork, on the other hand is around 395mm axle to crown. Some of the low MTB DJ 24"-stree/park forks are around 415-430ish mm axle to crown. A shorter rigid fork will drop and steepen the front end....

Also, DJ suspension forks have always been designed for 26" wheels. The 24" riders just use the same fork, so there is more gap than is needed. Consequently, the MTB-24" frame is suspension corrected an inch more than it needs to be, if the frames were actually designed around 24"-specific DJ forks.
flag bradG98
Posted: Dec 21, 2013 at 23:20 Quote
Sorry this is quite a late post but I can't find anywhere else to ask now that I have a question. I am looking into buying a black market tech 9 fork for a 2013 diamondback option 26" I recently got. I notice the fork comes in two sizes, so clearly one is a smaller make for their contraband frame. My question is, would it be possible to run the smaller fork with 26" rims? For better nose manuals and such? I ride a lot of street and this is a good factor whether I get the forks or not.
flag cmc4130
Posted: Dec 22, 2013 at 9:28 Quote
Yes, both versions (414mm or 395mm) work with 26" wheels.

However, 395mm axle to crown is going to have very minimal gap above the tire. It will be similar to 26" BMX forks which are designed for non-suspension-fork frames.

See: http://supercrossbmx.com/supercross-bmx-products/forks/pro-bmx-race-fork.html

Here's a 26" MTB fork with 395 axle to crown:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=35881&category=703


With your bike, the Diamond Back Option, the gap above the tire is supposed to be that way; it's the correct fork for a frame that has been designed around the height of a suspension fork. You could go with a smaller gap, but I don't think it would be good to go all the way down to 395mm. Maybe go for a smaller gap, like 425 axle to crown, with the S&M fork.


http://www.amazon.com/Diamondback-Option-Hardtail-Jumper-26-Inch-13-Inch/dp/B008O0XKCS

Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://www.bikemastertool.com/media/bikes/2593/xlarge/DB13_Option_angle.jpg?1340660950

You can see how the frame triangles are differently slanted depending on whether it's a DJ-mtb or a 26" BMX. If you put the 26" BMX fork on a the DJ-mtb, it'll drop the front end a lot, and your bottom bracket will be lower, your bars will feel very low, and the steering will feel quicker.

SE DJ Flyer:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://sebikes.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/26-dj-flyer-2.jpg
SE 26" BMX:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://www.highsnobiety.com/uploads/RTEmagicC_sebikes_omflyer_1.jpg.jpg


S&M has a 425 axle to crown fork:
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh138/upsetbmx/SM-forks_zpsc092c838.jpg

This is what my S&M fork looked like on my a Black Market Mob:
photo


This list gets re-posted on pinkbike a lot:
26" Rigid Forks:

Black Market - Tech 9 - 414MM or 395MM - 3/8" Dropouts
Dobermann - Tchokr - 430mm or 450mm - 20mm and 3/8" Dropouts
NS Bikes - RNS - 428mm - 10mm Dropouts
NS Bikes - Fundamental - 435mm - 10mm dropouts
Identiti - Rebate / 14/20 - 425mm 0r 465mm 20mm, 14mm, and 3/8" Dropouts
DMR - TrailBlade - 440mm 10mm, 14mm, 20mm Dropouts
S&M - Pitchfork - 425mm - 3/8", 14mm Dropouts
RMD - Streetfork - 435mm - 14mm Dropouts
Dartmoor - Bronx - 430mm - 3/8" Dropouts
Mutant - EVO 2six Fork - 420mm - 10mm Dropouts
Pride Street - Street Meat - 430mm or 425mm - 10mm Dropouts
Snafu - Pickle Fork - 440mm - 10mm dropouts
flag bradG98
Posted: Jan 24, 2014 at 22:26 Quote
You are awesome! Thanks a bunch.
flag M0N3Y69
Posted: Feb 18, 2016 at 23:27 Quote
Sorry I know this is an old thread but I have a black market riot frame with an 80mm marzocchi fork. I was looking to replace the fork with a rigid but was wondering what would be the best option to keep around the same height I know I'll be running an 80mm manitou circus expert fork eventually so something that would be the best rigid option to replace that fork when I ride street. I know most of the ATC heights for most rigid forks so even a good idea for an ATC measurement for a rigid
flag cmc4130
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 8:41 Quote
M0N3Y69 wrote:
Sorry I know this is an old thread but I have a black market riot frame with an 80mm marzocchi fork. I was looking to replace the fork with a rigid but was wondering what would be the best option to keep around the same height I know I'll be running an 80mm manitou circus expert fork eventually so something that would be the best rigid option to replace that fork when I ride street. I know most of the ATC heights for most rigid forks so even a good idea for an ATC measurement for a rigid

The 100mm travel Marzocchi DJ1 fork was 483mm axle to crown. The 80mm version was around 463mm.

http://www.dh-zone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=520100&sid=9de44916d8dd01a4633a578c9af296e6

You don't necessarily need your rigid fork to be exactly the same axle-to-crown, because you factor in a little sag in a suspension fork. I think if you ride a 440mm it will still feel 'normal.' If you drop down to 420, your bike will definitely feel lower in the front. Some people like that, though. It steepens up the head angle and makes the steering feel quicker. Some people end up raising their handlebars to balance it out.
flag M0N3Y69
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 11:21 Quote
Yea i was wondering what would be the best option after sag so I could try and stay around the same height I'm at now cause I like the feel of it. And than once I can figure out around what ATC length I need I can then figure out which fork works for my needs.
flag FaithUSA
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 12:22 Quote
I just recently went rigid on my Riot.
I went with the Snafu Pickle 440 and I think it is the perfect length.
Some of the forks with less length would have made the steer angle too steep and BB height to low for my taste.
Unsecure image, only https images allowed: http://www.factorybmx.com/image-3.jpegI think the fork is on sale direct from the Snafu website.
flag cmc4130
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 12:46 Quote
FaithUSA wrote:
I just recently went rigid on my Riot.
I went with the Snafu Pickle 440 and I think it is the perfect length.
Some of the forks with less length would have made the steer angle too steep and BB height to low for my taste.

I think the fork is on sale direct from the Snafu website.

Excellent find.
flag M0N3Y69
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 12:57 Quote
Do you have any side pics of your riot just want to see how low your bb sits with those forks and mines a 2009 frame
flag M0N3Y69
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 13:05 Quote
photo
This is my bike now
flag FaithUSA
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 13:14 Quote
M0N3Y69 wrote:
Do you have any side pics of your riot just want to see how low your bb sits with those forks and mines a 2009 frame
I'll take a measurement for you.
Tire size will effect it a bit. I have a big fat tire on the front.
Slicks and smaller tires would lower the bb.

I got hydraulic brake since my photo. The cable is suuuuper long and I'm trying to decide if I should get it cut or spin the bars a couple of times like the pros.
flag M0N3Y69
Posted: Feb 19, 2016 at 13:21 Quote
Yea i have 2.35 street tires right now. Just want something that will keep my bike around the same height so its not that big of a difference when i go from shocks to rigid and vice versa for when im riding street and riding dirt
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