Rigid Front Fork for mtb Riding

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Rigid Front Fork for mtb Riding

6 posts from 3 voices

Started 2 years ago by nstilwell
Latest reply from nstilwell

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nstilwell
Member

I'm saving up for either a MootoX YBB or MootoX RSL. In the interim I'm trying to get a few big parts that I can use on the new bike when I'm able to order it while also using them on my current YBB 26. I started by getting a 29er wheelset built up. I currently have Specialized Burrough CX tires mounted to them and they fit my YBB 26 and work well for road/fire road training.

I'm looking at getting the White Bros. Rock Solid. I called them and they said the 465mm size fork would work on both my YBB 26 and a MootoX when I'm able to get it. They said the 465mm size (axle to crown) would be the equivalent of a 100mm travel fork on my YBB 26 and an 80mm travel fork on the MootoX. Also said I could run a 29er mtb tire/wheel up front on my current YBB 26 if I wanted to with no clearance problems.Thought it might be a neat way to try out a 96er setup.

Anyone on the forum run the Rock Solid fork? If so, how do you like it? I'm currently running the Fox F32 Series RLC 100 fork. I'm sure switching to rigid will take some getting used to. Any other forks I should look into such as the DT Swiss XRR 470 or the Niner carbon fork?

If I get the 465mm Rock Solid fork and cut the steerer tube to run it on my YBB 26 will I be able to switch it to either a MootoX YBB or a MootoX RSL with no problems? Can anyone think of any other issues? Am I crazy to switch out my plush 100mm travel fork for a rigid carbon fork?

Posted 2 years ago #
ybbeaten
Member

I know the WB Rock Solid is pretty stiff and folks like it, but I do not know about the interchangability between 26" and 29". I had a Black Sheep rigid ti fork built by James on my MX YBB and it was very compliant. Rode well and I was very pleased with it.

Good luck and congrats on the new build

Posted 2 years ago #
johnny5
Member

I'm currently running the Rock Solid 465mm fork on my 26" Rigormootis and it has been rock solid for the past 2+ years. I ride rocky, techy, and gnarly stuff with it, it's my only bike/fork combo and I love it. It replaced a Viscous Cycles steel fork that at 445mm was too short for the 470.9 a/c designed Rigormoots. The Rock Solid puts my HTA at precisely at 71.3 degrees.

You'll be fine with it on either bike, just make sure to cut the steerer tube to allow it to fit the head tube length of whichever 29'er Moots frame you decide on.

Posted 2 years ago #
johnny5
Member

Oh, and if you are thinking of running the bike 96'er style, I recommend running a 445 mm a/c fork as the 29" wheel will set your bike up higher in the front than a regular 26" wheel, compensating for the 20mm loss of a/c. Running a 465mm fork on a 26" bike set up for 100mm of travel is just about perfect. Throw a 29'er setup into that mix and it choppers the handling out a bit, as it raises the front end 20+mm.

I swap between my Rock Solid 465 and the 445 vicious cycles forks when swapping wheel sizes. I really think the 96'er platform is ideal for XC racing. Plus it's fun to switch it up sometimes. But for most of my riding/racing I still prefer the good ole 26" platform.

Good luck.

Oh and my buddy swears the new Niner carbon fork is the sh**, laterally stiff and eats the chatter says he and he's run rigid forks from just about everyone and every material. I prefer the look of the Rock Solid over the Niner fork and have no complaints about it's ride.

Posted 2 years ago #
johnny5
Member

Sorry, one last post. The Vicious fork is 438 but I added a 7mm Ventana made king race to it to allow it to not be so aggressive handling on the Rigormootis when I first built it up (before I got the Rock Solid).

Posted 2 years ago #
nstilwell
Member

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like the 465mm is the size I want.

Posted 2 years ago #

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