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I've been heading out on some fairly gentle offroad rides with my partner recently and am thinking she needs something slightly squishier
She's currently on a Genesis Croix De Fer for 40mm semi-slicks and is doing quite fabulously given that set-up 🙂
So does anyone know what (700c) forks are available that can squeeze a 2inch 29er tyre in? (ideally steel)
Not sure her current Genesis one's could handle it, Surly Stragglers would. Any other options?
Just put some better 40mm tyres on? You're bound to affect the handling if you put bigger forks on, and you can actually ride a lot on 40mm tyres.
Exotic do a range of carbon legged mtb forks in various lengths. Might look a bit odd and not sure the offset would be right, but I have a pair on my singlespeed and they ride well and appear plenty tough. Wouldn't be roadie-style disc mounts neither.
[url= http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=0&rb=14& ]http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=0&rb=14&[/url]
ETA don't go by the wheel size it is specified for, go by the axle-crown. The shortest they do is 425mm which will fit a 700c rim and 2.1" tyre (just) - I've tried it. Though currently I have a 27.5 x 2.8 in mine. That may still be a bit taller than the existing forks I suspect.
Old pace rc31 came in 420 length for non suspension corrected frames. I managed to run a 29er wheel in it on my cross bike with 2.1 tyre.
Hmm, 420mm is a little long I think, need to stick to 400mm
There are a couple of things out there but they are rare. Soma's do some that look great: they take a 2.1 29er inch tyre and still have an a-c less than 400mm!
http://grit.cx/reviews/review-soma-wolverine
The current Genesis forks have massive clearance, I'll put a tape over them when I get home, but I'd be shocked if you could not get a 50mm in there.
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Disc Trucker? I have some 29x1.75 tyres in mine with mudguards. Obviously remove the latter and you have even more room.
They're 390mm, same as the CdF I think. Different aesthetic, though.
https://twitter.com/beztweets/status/737309099948429313
Singular Peregrine fork will clear a round 50c. Just in case you see one on your travels. Might not be worth actively looking though!
Although there was a chap on here a few months ago whose frame had cracked...
Edit: http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/last-flight-of-the-peregrine-new-tourercommuter-time
Longer fork and wider Tyre is going to be very different!
Would a 650b and a wider Tyre not be better solution?
Then you have road and off-road options