Going Fully Rigid

[jayfrizzo]

As some of you know and many don't care, I rebuilt my old 24" this winter. (Gratuitous Show-off Link)

Now I need a new fork. I blew the seal on my Psylo again and am looking for something that can handle my fat, unsmoove self.

I was thinking one of the Marz Dirt Jumpers or Sherman Jumper, but then I saw this, a 20mm Rigid (!)
http://unrealcycles.com/item.php?view=120

I’d probably also get these to drop my bars a little and give me some sweep to help the wrists (currently on 4” straight bars).
http://unrealcycles.com/item.php?view=104

What say you? phUnk thinks it’s a bad idea, but I think he just doesn’t want to get schooled by a rigid while he’s on his AS-X

(If I was just riding doubles and skatepark I think it’d be OK. But I just started riding dubs and have already crashed a ton. And at I-Street I think I'd end up pretty battered between the flat landings and unforgiving fork.)

Hmmm, HMMMMM...I'll probably opt for the Marz...

[phUnk]

and I'm gonna replace my handlebars with a rattlesnake

that's the smartest thing you've said all morning fyi

[fondigley]

I think the rigid would make you flow better once you got used to it and you would definately jump a lot higher. It would suck at first but after a few days you would be used to the rigidness and just rock everything. Think it would be like a big BMX bike and those kids tear up street and jumps like no other. I think it would be worth a shot.

I gave Hev my old BMX 20" bike and he adapted in like a day to the differnce of a 5" fork to rigid fork. It was unreal seeing him just go at a huge double with the confidence on the BMX especially rigid and rear only brakes.

[Art Vandelay]

Do it. I switched to a bmx a few months ago and will never go back to a bike with suspension for dirt and street. Your wrists will hurt for the first week, but once you get used to it you'll enjoy it.

[Particle]

that just sounds painful. i'd never do it, but mostly because I can't imagine any reason on earth to do so. but to each his own...

[m1e448]

Go for it. Then you can call everyone with 5" forks a pussy.

[hev]

hmm....I'd say if you want rigid go BMX. the small wheels allow your body more travel which translates into more moves in the air. On a mountain bike with such a bigger frame your are more locked into your riding position and the travel you get out of your arms and legs is not as easy to use. There's a kid in our area that jumps a fully rigid mt bike and despite being a good frame for the job the fork drops the front end and makes it look pretty awkward for jumping. Definately good for more technical streat/trials type moves I'd say. That being said your on a 24" so your somewhere in the middle of that argument...and who knows. I always asumed skins wouldn't work on spatulas so I have been proven wrong before $.02

Art - let's bust out the 20s over at the fix sometime. My 26" jump bike is on the DL right now.

[Art Vandelay]

the fix is open again? sweet. I usually go to arbor, but at some point would be down for a trip to the fix.

[gravitylover]

I've been riding a rigid mtn bike with disc brakes in NYC for a few months now and I can't imagine trying some of the concrete landscaping stupid shit I've been doing on a 20". My moves in the air might not be so dramatic but I think it's way more stable on landings. Next week I'm putting 2.5 slicks on, then I should be able to get really stupid

[jayfrizzo]

So far Hev's got the best argument. Though phUnk's "that's a dumb idea" is pretty airtight, too.

I found some cheap '03 DJ2s, so if the steerer fits I might just have to poon out. Would be interesed in anyone else who's ridden rigid 26" or 24".

J-

[jayfrizzo]

Just got back from the PC jumps. No fucking way (NFW!) am I going fully rigid after nicking my front wheel on the landings a half dozen times, trying to bail out and eating shit into a boulder field, and other hilarious misadventures.

In other news, the "expert" line ended up pwned. Bagtagley greased it countless times. Dirt jumping is fun. I'm sore.

[phUnk]

Just got back from the PC jumps. No fucking way (NFW!) am I going fully rigid after nicking my front wheel on the landings a half dozen times, trying to bail out and eating shit into a boulder field, and other hilarious misadventures.

I still say it's a good idea.