To Suspension Fork or Not

[Verlaine22]

I have recommissioned my 1990 Cannondale Sm500. It's as firm and quick as I recall, but I am older now, an the front is quite hard. It feels to me like I should throw on some rock shox. Also the cro mo forks look a bit daft with the 3.0 frame. There seem to be a mission rock shox variant. Any suggestions on a nice period used model? I see lots on ebay. I'm also cognisant of the weight gain with suspension.

 

[Thias]

Mag21 would be the gold standard (pun intended). Easy to maintain and great spare parts availability.
Mind the steerer size. Might be 1".

What you might also enjoy is a riser bar. Having the bars lower than the seat in this day and (mostly) age some might consider more reasonable fora comfortable ride.

 

[Verlaine22]

I have a bad feeling it's a 1 1/4 head. Will throw the calipers on this evening.

 

[Thias]

Looks way more skinny than 1 1/4" to me. The early (pre 92,iirc) M-frames didn't have that.

 

[dirttorpedo]

I'd stay rigid personally - I have no patience to faff about with a vintage suspension fork. If I was to make it sproingy I'd put a Bomber on it - I love bombers and I think the girth of the lowers would look good with the C'dale. A black one perhaps?

 

[Imlach]

Rigid for a rider

 

[dirttorpedo]

Or upgrade to a vintage Cannondale pepperoni fork?

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/37606089347...C5eA/+KD6nlODvYetsMBpjXA==|tkp:Bk9SR7Dki7L0ZQ

 

[bikeworkshop]

Rigid fork with loads of tyre clearance (pepperoni...), and then use a 2.4 tyre or similar.

You can run lower pressure, and easily get an inch of suspension out of it.
No moving parts.
No significant weight increase.
No massive cost.

 

[Frankenorange]

Rigid fork with loads of tyre clearance (pepperoni...), and then use a 2.4 tyre or similar.

You can run lower pressure, and easily get an inch of suspension out of it.
No moving parts.
No significant weight increase.
No massive cost.

Has a Pepperoni got clearance for a 2.4?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Has a Pepperoni got clearance for a 2.4?

I would think so
I've got one at work I'll offer it up.
It was famously big at the time.