Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.


Suspension fork on city streets... worth swapping out?
#1
OK, so I ride a Mountain Bike with Slicks to work every day. I've picked up a sense that a suspension fork on city streets wastes energy. Is the problem significant enough that I should consider swapping out my suspension fork with a solid fork? I never take the bike off road, so that doesn't weigh in the equation at all.

Thanks for any help,
Tony
  Reply
#2
A suspension fork adds weight, requires maintenance, and does waste energy as some of your power is lost every time you pedal. A solid fork will save you weight and energy, so if you never take the bike off road, I think it would be worth swapping.

  Reply
#3
Do fork sizes vary greatly? Or does there seem to be a few standard measurements? I have a spare part bike at home that has a solid fork on it, and I know the wheels are 26 inches, but not sure about the size of the stem on either bike. My fear is taking apart both bikes only to find they're millimeters different.

  Reply
#4
The first thing to figure out is whether your headsets are <a href="http://bikeride.com/overhaul-threaded-headset/">threaded</a> or <a href="http://bikeride.com/adjust-threadless-headset/">threadless</a>.

  Reply
#5
Oh yeah...crap...that may do me in.

  Reply
#6
If you get a rigid fork make sure you get one that is "suspension corrected" for the travel of your forks. Surly and Tange I know make rigid forks specifically designed to replace suspension forks.

Another option is a suspension fork with "lock out" capability, meaning you can turn the suspension on or off.
  Reply


Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
How I used to clean my bike
Today 04:43 PM
Cassette shifting Problem
Today 02:51 PM
Gandolfi "Super" model 1985-86 racing bi...
Yesterday 02:34 PM
Continued learnings from bikepacking
Yesterday 04:50 AM
What are the pros and cons of using a 26...
Yesterday 04:46 AM
I got new Tioga FASTR X Tires (Ask Me An...
Yesterday 01:31 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
Yesterday 12:55 AM
The great thing about trikes
07-01-2025 11:10 AM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
07-01-2025 10:40 AM
How to improve cycling endurance? I've h...
06-30-2025 06:27 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. GirishH
21 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
20 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
14 posts
no avatar 4. Jesper
13 posts
no avatar 5. enkei
11 posts