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Im looking to build a rigid bike around a Ragley Marley 275 frame (with one of the Jones bar clones). I have wheels, brakes and drivetrain etc to suit. Its a bit of an experiment so want to minimise spend.
CRC currently £170 for the frame and it kind of hurts to spend as much or more again for a simple rigid fork.
Plenty of cheap ebay no name options etc, but can anyone recommend a cheap fork which I don't have to fear for my life riding?
Exotic seem alright. Coincidentally I have one I need to sell. 15mmx100 alloy straight steerer though, I got the exotic because as you say everything else was crazy money. I ended up getting a gravel bike anyway so that experiment was short lived.
I bought one of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334888513361?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=9NhgZGkqSZu&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=05S7EoE4RB-&var=544063118313&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
It's not had a particularly hard life but it hasn't exploded yet either.
I've built a few rigid hard tails and never thought to use a Chinese special from ebay and the likes.
I'm sure they are ok and probably from the same factories etc but, for such a vital component I'd spend a little more for one of the known brands.
The Selcof branded one from On One/Planet X comes up occasionally as a display model for around £150. Clearly a variant of one of the Chinese products available, just gives me peace of mind etc.
I base the above on no actual research at all btw, just a personal preference, however that fork rides about as good as any other I've tried with both 29" and 17.5+ wheels.
I’d be looking at either a second hand steel fork like a Kona Project Two if you can find one, or a Salsa or Surly. I’ve put an ECR one on my hardtail project, new it was about the same price as the frame but worth it IMO.
Depends if you need QR or bolt through and what A2C you want to run too.
I have a tatty Kona Project P2 fork doing nothing. 29er, straight steerer, 9mm QR, 100MM.
Away at the moment, but could sort pics and price next week if it's any good for you.
Exotic forks are perfectly fine. I've had several of these in the past.
I've also had Hylix carbon off eBay which has also been good.
I think Pipedream cromo forks are around £150. Not mega cheap and might look a bit odd with its spindly legs poking out of a fat Marley headtube but it might be an option.
I’ve built a few rigid hard tails and never thought to use a Chinese special from ebay and the likes.
I’m sure they are ok and probably from the same factories etc but, for such a vital component I’d spend a little more for one of the known brands.
I've had at least 7 different carbon rigid Chinese forks all from different manufacturers in the last 15 years - different types, sizes etc. Never had an issue. Doesn't mean there are forks out there that would cause a problem but I do think that they are extremely few and far between and probably similar in levels to 'known brands'.
I see buying Chinese carbon forks in a similar to buying 2nd hand forks, no warranty with either but 2nd hand is possibly worse as you have no history of use either.
Exotic would be my next choice, if you want to spend a little more and gain a UK warranty base.