Are Rigid Mountain Bikes Any Good?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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It actually excels at much, much more than that

. The rigid forks take some getting used to, and line choice becomes pretty important if you want to maintain speed and not crash. On slow, technical stuff I possibly prefer it to suspension. On fast, rough descents it gets a bit wearing after a while.

How hard can you ride a rigid MTB?

Is rigid suspension on a bike good?

A suspension fork provides a more comfortable ride on rough roads such as off-road or bad-quality urban or city roads.

If your ride is mostly on good-quality paved roads, a rigid fork is more practical

.

Why use a rigid fork on a mountain bike?

A rigid fork

eliminates fork dive, allowing rigid bikes to rail turns like never before

. You will also experience increased bar sensitivity, as well as become more in tune with the trail. As your bike handling skills improve you will find new features and alternate lines that you had just plowed over before.

Is it OK to use rigid fork on MTB?


If you live in an area with wide-open terrain or very smooth trails, the rigid fork can also deliver a unique riding experience

. Unlike the original 1970s mountain bikes, which only had steel forks with cantilever brakes, modern rigids ride a variety of steel or composite forks and are compatible with disc brakes.

Are rigid forks lighter?

Lightweight.

In most cases, rigid forks are lighter than the ones with suspension

. Even the cheap rigid forks rarely go over 1200 grams. Below is a table comparing the weight of some rigid and suspension forks.

Can I put a suspension fork on a rigid bike?

short answer is

yes you should be able put a suspension fork on the frame

, though you may come into a couple problems.

Can I use rigid fork on trails?

It probably depends a lot on the terrain you ride and how much abuse you want to take. If you ride very rocky and rooty terrain, the suspension is definitely nice. From your description,

you’d probably be fine on a rigid

. In the end though, if you can afford the extra $$, I’d recommend at least front susp.

What are rigid forks for?

Rigid forks are more conventional forks, consisting of two metal supports that

keep the wheel locked in one position with no travel

, like a traditional bicycle. Rigid forks are almost always found on hardtail mountain bike frames.

How do I choose a rigid fork?

What is rigid suspension?

Bicycles with only front suspension are referred to as hardtail and bicycles with suspension in both the front and rear are referred to as dual or full suspension bikes.

When a bicycle has no suspension

it is called rigid.

Why do road bikes have no suspension?

Road bikes are meant for one thing, to get from point A to point B in a quick manner. So one of the major reasons that road bikes don’t have suspension is

because of the added weight

. Suspension is a heavy component on a bike, and those added pounds just aren’t conducive to what road bikes are meant to do.

Do I need rear suspension on my mountain bike?


Most mountain bikes have suspension to keep you in control over rough ground

, but not all mountain bikers need the same amount and type of suspension. Hardtail mountain bikes do not feature a rear shock, whereas full suspension bikes feature front and rear shocks.

Can I put road bike fork on mountain bike?

Actually,

not all road calipers will fit your MTB wheel

. You`ll need longer brake arms. Might I suggest running a disc up front.

Are suspension forks worth it?

Advantages of suspension – Softens the ride on the arms making the ride more comfortable, holds front wheel on the ground providing better handling, especially while cornering. Allows you to ride a straighter line than you might otherwise be able to.

How much do MTB forks weigh?

Fork Travel Options Weight DVO Onyx SC D1 160–180 mm

2.34 kg
FOX 36 2021 Grip2 Factory 150, 160 mm 2.18 kg FOX 38 2021 Grip2 Factory 160, 170, 180 mm 2.32 kg Manitou Mezzer PRO 160, 170, 180 mm 2.10 kg

Can you put any forks on a mountain bike?

Will any fork fit my bike?

No

. When replacing forks it’s key to know your head tube diameter as you will need to pick a fork with a matching steerer tube.

Can you put front suspension on a bike?


Certainly it can be done

. Rather silly from a financial standpoint, however, since a new bike would almost certainly be cheaper. For the fork see: bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/7472/… Adding a suspension fork, even if all clears, could change the geometry and handling.

How do you install a rigid fork mountain bike?

Can you put suspension forks on a BMX?


Standard BMX bikes aren’t designed for suspension forks

. Installing one creates unpleasant changes to the geometry harming the handling of the bike. 2. You shouldn’t install a mountain bike suspension fork on a BMX because it will raise the front end too much.

Emily Lee
Author
Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.