29er Rigid Fork and tires

[Cackalak Han]

Ok, I got my 5th flat already this year on my Monocog. It's really getting annoying. Two were goat heads, but the others, I don't know. Not pinch flats. Can't tell what's causing them.

Anyway, I'm looking for new tires and possibly a carbon fork. Other forum suggests Racing Ralph 2.4's. Right now, I have WTB ExiWolf's that I can't stand. Not only because of the flats, but hardpack dirt performance is mediocre. I'd also like to run a little bigger for the cushion.

And for carbon forks, I like the White Brother's fork, but not enough to spend $350. Same with the On-One. Any decently-priced fork out there for a 29er?

What are you guys running? What's your rigid set up?

 

[1speed]

I have the White Brothers Carbon fork, it is worth the money! I just can't use it because the trails here are very rough and I have a bad wrist. We have lots of roots and coral rocks here that will beat you to death. Out west I think I would be okay with it. A friend is borrowing it but he doesn't ride much anymore. Let me see if he'll turn it loose, if he will I will sell it. As for tires I'm running 2.1 Maxxis Ignitors tubeless with Stan's on both my 29ers.

 

[mtnbike28]

Flats

I don't know the tire you are running, but I chased flats on a road bike, replaced everything till I replaced the near brand new tire, I finally found a small part of the bead was causing my punctures. PS remember to check the rim strip too.

 

[Cackalak Han]

Thanks for the replies. I did find an off-brand CF fork for $99, but I don't know if I can trust it or risk busting in half going down a steep decent. Scary thought.

If all else fails, I will try Slime, even though I hate that stuff...

 

[Astrotraveler]

This may or may not be of interest (I am new here, so bear with me), but my favorite mountain bike is my 1991 Mountain Goat Whiskeytown Racer. It's a hard tail/rigid fork bike (100% Tange Prestige tubing). Its a 26er, and for rough stuff I'm running vintage Kevlar belted Specialized Ground Controls front and rear, and pink "bubble gum" puncture resistant tubes (I swap to Conti semi-clicks for town). I've never had a flat, ever, with this set up, knock on wood. The tires are near their end and I have no idea on what I'll roll with next. Though not as thick, latex is more supple and resists pinch flats (aka "snakebites") better than butyl tubes. I've also seen double thickness butyl tubes. In any case, perhaps you can find some pink (latex I think) tubes and Kevlar belted tires in a 29" size.

I also have a 1998 Bontrager OR with vintage threaded 1" steerer tube Rock Shox Judys. Those too are approaching the end of their useful life. I am worried about finding replacement forks (a fixed steel fork would be fine so long as the geometry is preserved).

Regards,

Jim

 

[thecriscokid]

I must say I'm surprised that you don't like the ExiWolf on hard pack. I only have a couple rides on mine and I like them so far. Time will tell though.
On my 26" wheel Nomad I switch between the WTB WierWolf LT 2.55 (low tread) for the desert and hard pack and the Maxxis Ardent 2.4 for high county. I think that I am a bit of a traction freak and have tried tons of tires.
That being said, The WeirWolf LT is avaiable in a 2.55 29" !!! It is sooo fast and predictable with a nice round profile. I can't wait to try this on my 29er. I'm not sure if they do the "inner peace" casing but that will help w/ pinch flats
Give this one a go and you won't be sorry. Just don't take them on a mud ride...

 

[Cackalak Han]

crisco - The ExiWolf's spun out too much, where my old Nevegal's held firm. The Nevegals were heavier, though. That 2.55 seems like a monster. I'll take a peek. Thanks for the suggestion.

Astro - What PSI are you running the tires?

 

[FreeManDan]

You didn’t like the exiwolf? I like the weirwolf and the nano raptor, but it’s not that good for Texas trails. Panaracer Rampage is a good tire, even better than the nevegal, small block 8 is good for hard pack, but I don’t like it in the front. As for the flats, maybe you should go tubeless, I’m tubeless w/ stans and never get flats. Keep in mind there are lots of things that could give a tire a flat in the great stat of Texas:costumed-smiley-007

http://www.pricepoint.com/thumb.htm?dept_id=3&deptName=Parts&sub_id=429&subName=29er Parts&category=False&cat=&sort=lprice&ascend=0

http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...a=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title

 

[paddyh]

running 2.4 Racing Ralph on the fr and a 2.25 on the rr of my rigid 07 Rig, both on Stan's rims, both tubeless w/sealant-no issues, I use this set-up for enduro's and solo 24's and have for the last 2 yrs in AB, MT, BC and the midwest....I'm running a Salsa Cromo steel fork...only carbon bits on my bike are my hbar and brake levers, I've used carbon forks b/f(Pace and White Bros) and although I liked the weight and feel, I'm not into having one snap on me, I do ok.