Rigid forks question

[bronze porridge]

Hello all ,

at the moment i am working on my first build project , a 1992 Orange clockwork which i have bought powder coated and are assembling bits for. I want to replace the SR suntour suspension forks with a rigid set
for touring but being a nube i am not sure where to start with all the sizing - i believe it is a threaded , 1inch steerer with a 180mm length and a 395 mm crown to axle measurement.

I dont know if i can go longer or shorter but any help will be appreciated

tanks a million

 

[hamster]

You would struggle with shorter, as it may be problematic to get the headset to fit. The steerer length is a combination of both the head tube length plus the stack height of the headset.

Longer is fine, if need be fit a spacer between the top nut and race. In extreme cases you might need to cut a bit more thread onto the steerer. A really good bike shop will have the tool.

 

[bronze porridge]

Re:

Thanks hamster
how long do you think i could go +10mm ?
cheers

 

[NeilM]

Re:

I think suspension corrected length is about 420.

Not very retro, but take a look at the carbon or alloy forks from Exotic. They do both 1" and 1/18" (although not threaded, so a new headset would be needed), they are light, come in retro friendly sizes, and ride very well.

If you want to stick with a threaded headset, then the next most available rigid will be something like the Kona Project 2.

If you prefer curved forks, then I'll leave it for others to advise.

 

[bronze porridge]

Re:

Thanks NeilM for the advice

would it be hard to find a headset that would fit for a moderate price?

 

[NeilM]

Re: Re:

Thanks NeilM for the advice

would it be hard to find a headset that would fit for a moderate price?

Not if you do some searching.

1" ahead (threadless) headsets are a little harder to come by, but Ritchey still make them and they are not expensive.

Chris King still make them too, but they are! :mrgreen:

1" threaded headsets are easy, as they are still used a lot on road bikes.

 

[bronze porridge]

Re:

thank you for the feedback i will look into that

 

[hamster]

Re: Re:

Thanks hamster
how long do you think i could go +10mm ?
cheers

I have seen a fair few tourers with 25mm or so of spacers between the top and bottom nuts on the headset. It makes sense as a way to get a higher stem length.

 

[secret_squirrel]

You should be able to find an original clockwork fork on here in the for sale section - if not an ad in the wanted section would sort you speedily. From memory those forks had rack/mudguard eyelets which are going to be pretty crucial for touring with no need to fiddle around with the headset either or a-c lengthels either.

I dont think either the Exotic or P2's have/had eyelets.

 

[velomaniac]

Fork eyelets are only "pretty crucial" for touring if you are going to fit traditional mudguards and even then bodges using P-clips or old plastic lightset mounting clamps can be used. Its presumptious to say that this feature is essential for touring. Further various fork fitted racks for front panniers exist that use the wheel axles as a bolt on point such as those by OldManMountain.
There is nothing in cycling that cant be worked around, nothing is set in stone.
A good set of used or remaindered stock rigid forks can easily be found on ebay for peanuts and 1" headsets are pretty easy to come by in eith AHead or threaded.
An A-C measure of say 420mm over the existing 395mm will do little more than slacken the steering geometry a wee bit and make the steering slightly slower but its doubtful you'd notice any real difference.