Suspension forks to rigid fork conversion 2024

[531colin]

I think you might have misunderstood; when the polar MOI is increased, it doesn't matter how much you move around, the bike won't track the bumps in the same way.

The bike is a few kilos heavier, so yeah, it won’t move in EXACTLY the same way, but I still prefer to put my weight on my feet rather than get a huge kick up the bum at every bump.
It’s a lifetime ago that I last rode an off road motorcycle but as somebody said, the principle is similar; off road motorcycles are ridden almost exclusively standing on the foot pegs: some scramblers don’t look like you could ride them seated.

[PH]

I think you might have misunderstood; when the polar MOI is increased, it doesn't matter how much you move around, the bike won't track the bumps in the same way.

The bike is a few kilos heavier, so yeah, it won’t move in EXACTLY the same way, but I still prefer to put my weight on my feet rather than get a huge kick up the bum at every bump.

I don't know why we have to take these discussions to the extreme, the OP is asking about a shopping utility bike, not an off-roader. On that sort of bike, I'll unweight the saddle for a pothole I can't avoid, the rest of the time, on road surfaces that are far from smooth but not producing huge kicks, I have more weight on the saddle (As a consequence of putting less effort into the pedalling). I appreciate a bike designed to take that into consideration. I didn't think this was some controversial theory, utility bikes have taken this into consideration long before electrification, look at the popularity of sprung saddles. I thought Dutch Utility cycling described it well, for anyone who doesn't understand what that is, there's Google.

It’s a lifetime ago that I last rode an off road motorcycle but as somebody said, the principle is similar; off road motorcycles are ridden almost exclusively standing on the foot pegs: some scramblers don’t look like you could ride them seated.

How many motorcyclist do you see riding like that while out shopping? In areas where the motorbike fulfils a large part of the transport needs (I'm thinking of parts of Asia) the bikes of choice are feet forward motor scooters in the Vespa or Honda Cub style , not scrambler or trials bikes.

[531colin]

I ride in a way I find comfortable.
My bikes are set up so that I can easily un-weight either saddle or bars.
I don’t think that’s extreme or controversial.
What they ride in third world countries is governed by cost.

[Cowsham]

I want to do the same to my cube acid. It has decent forks but I don't use the bike much for proper off road these days but it is very comfortable to ride on trails paths and road. The main reason is to fit proper pannier racks along with a bit of weight saving. The problem is the 480mm crown to axle length ( uncompressed ). I'm wondering if there's a rule of thumb for riders weight compression ie for a corrected fork given the uncompressed length? Has to be disc compatible.

[gregoryoftours]

I just don't really get the reasoning for going to the trouble and expense of replacing a suspension fork for a rigid on an e-bike, especially for a general use bike. I don't see how the negative points for a suspension fork apply in that case, namely weight and bobbing when pedaling out of the saddle. There is the argument for simplicity over extra complication and servicing cost of a suspension fork, but it's on the bike already so get your money's worth out of it at least, I'd say.

As far as a rigid replacement goes, anything with a suitable steerer, the same brake mount, tyre clearance and approximate suspension correction should do. Identiti do a suspension corrected rigid fork, and a Google search for suspension corrected rigid fork should bring plenty up, but if you can get anything of suitable axle to crown with curved fork legs I've always preferred that for comfort. Carbon is another option for more comfort with straight legs. Recently I swapped a straight legged Light Blue fork for a Surly with curved fork legs (I don't know if the word 'raked' is correct here or not) and it has been a noticeable improvement comfort-wise. That was on a non-electric bike. (And not suspension corrected)

[Cowsham]

I've sussed out these
eXotic Al Rigid MTB Fork -Tapered Steerer
Tapered Steerer Post Mount Disc
https://www.carboncycles.cc/index.php?p=1766&

[deliquium]

I've sussed out these
eXotic Al Rigid MTB Fork -Tapered Steerer
Tapered Steerer Post Mount Disc
https://www.carboncycles.cc/index.php?p=1766&

And www.carboncycles.cc do offer lots of choice re wheel size, steerer type, rake etc - but unfortunately not mudguard attachment friendly. I suppose this may actually be a universal thing with geometry adjusted after market forks due to the extra length of the legs required? (althought the Surly forks mentioned appear to have a crown attachment?)

I just don't really get the reasoning for going to the trouble and expense of replacing a suspension fork for a rigid on an e-bike, especially for a general use bike. I don't see how the negative points for a suspension fork apply in that case, namely weight and bobbing when pedaling out of the saddle. There is the argument for simplicity over extra complication and servicing cost of a suspension fork, but it's on the bike already so get your money's worth out of it at least, I'd say.

My reasons in addition to the simplicity you mentioned, are an 'aesthetic' and because It's possible and I'm willing to pay for it. But it's all still at the consideration phase and may well accept the bike as is - as the scale of difference may not be worth the game as mentioned/intimated previously by posters PH and SimonCelsa

[Cowsham]

I've sussed out these
eXotic Al Rigid MTB Fork -Tapered Steerer
Tapered Steerer Post Mount Disc
https://www.carboncycles.cc/index.php?p=1766&

And www.carboncycles.cc do offer lots of choice re wheel size, steerer type, rake etc - but unfortunately not mudguard attachment friendly. I suppose this may actually be a universal thing with geometry adjusted after market forks due to the extra length of the legs required? (althought the Surly forks mentioned appear to have a crown attachment?)

I have used P clips on suspension forks to accommodate racks, mudguards etc and as the fork stanchions can be aluminum or carbon ( the above are aluminum ) I can use the clips without fear of crushing the aluminum stanchions and put them where needed although my Googling has revealed that the carbon fibre ones maybe stronger wrt radial compression.

[rareposter]

My reasons in addition to the simplicity you mentioned, are an 'aesthetic' and because It's possible and I'm willing to pay for it. But it's all still at the consideration phase and may well accept the bike as is - as the scale of difference may not be worth the game as mentioned/intimated previously by posters PH and SimonCelsa

From a purely practical point of view, I'd consider leaving the bike as is throughout its warranty period. It makes things a lot simpler should there be any reason to return it.

Also, much as the forks aren't great, the extra weight of an e-bike does make them worthwhile - it's a lot of force and weight to be crashing through a pothole for example.

[deliquium]

From a purely practical point of view, I'd consider leaving the bike as is throughout its warranty period. It makes things a lot simpler should there be any reason to return it.

This is a very valid point

[Bmblbzzz]

It’s a lifetime ago that I last rode an off road motorcycle but as somebody said, the principle is similar; off road motorcycles are ridden almost exclusively standing on the foot pegs: some scramblers don’t look like you could ride them seated.

How many motorcyclist do you see riding like that while out shopping? In areas where the motorbike fulfils a large part of the transport needs (I'm thinking of parts of Asia) the bikes of choice are feet forward motor scooters in the Vespa or Honda Cub style , not scrambler or trials bikes.

Or just a standard small motorbike like the old Honda CG125 or Yamaha RX. The advantage of the scooter is that the footwell serves as a load area for a sack of rice or bottle of LPG. Against this, the "upright" m/c has better clearance on bumpy roads. But neither is a scrambler or trials bike, that's for sure.

[531colin]

It’s a lifetime ago that I last rode an off road motorcycle but as somebody said, the principle is similar; off road motorcycles are ridden almost exclusively standing on the foot pegs: some scramblers don’t look like you could ride them seated.

How many motorcyclist do you see riding like that while out shopping? In areas where the motorbike fulfils a large part of the transport needs (I'm thinking of parts of Asia) the bikes of choice are feet forward motor scooters in the Vespa or Honda Cub style , not scrambler or trials bikes.

Or just a standard small motorbike like the old Honda CG125 or Yamaha RX. The advantage of the scooter is that the footwell serves as a load area for a sack of rice or bottle of LPG. Against this, the "upright" m/c has better clearance on bumpy roads. But neither is a scrambler or trials bike, that's for sure.

No....what they are is cheap, available, and locally repairable.

[Bmblbzzz]

How many motorcyclist do you see riding like that while out shopping? In areas where the motorbike fulfils a large part of the transport needs (I'm thinking of parts of Asia) the bikes of choice are feet forward motor scooters in the Vespa or Honda Cub style , not scrambler or trials bikes.

Or just a standard small motorbike like the old Honda CG125 or Yamaha RX. The advantage of the scooter is that the footwell serves as a load area for a sack of rice or bottle of LPG. Against this, the "upright" m/c has better clearance on bumpy roads. But neither is a scrambler or trials bike, that's for sure.

No....what they are is cheap, available, and locally repairable.

And also easy to ride, probably relatively unfussy about fuel quality, and can be used as practical family transport or flash for the young, free, and desperate to impress!

[deliquium]

Or just a standard small motorbike like the old Honda CG125 or Yamaha RX. The advantage of the scooter is that the footwell serves as a load area for a sack of rice or bottle of LPG. Against this, the "upright" m/c has better clearance on bumpy roads. But neither is a scrambler or trials bike, that's for sure.

No....what they are is cheap, available, and locally repairable.

And also easy to ride, probably relatively unfussy about fuel quality, and can be used as practical family transport or flash for the young, free, and desperate to impress!

But can they be converted to rigid carbon fibre geometry compensated forks and 55mm x 29" tyres and mudguards . . . ?

[Jezrant]

From a purely practical point of view, I'd consider leaving the bike as is throughout its warranty period. It makes things a lot simpler should there be any reason to return it.

This is a very valid point

You could swap the original fork back in if you had a warranty issue. Speaking of which, what happened to the other Cube e-bike with the dodgy Xfusion fork you had replaced? Is this new Cube e-bike replacing the other one?