Possible to run a 29'er rigid fork in a Salsa Ala Carte (made for 26'')?

[toosahn]

I'm thinking of buying a Salsa Ala Carte locally and running it either as a true 26'' mountain bike, a 650b all-rounder or a 29'er front 650b rear weirdo (if that is even possible).

The bike is used and currently has a Marzocchi suspended front fork which I want to swap out for either a rigid 26'' front fork (to run 26'' or 650b wheels and disc brakes) or a 29'er front fork, if possible.

Since I'll be running discs front and rear, caliper reach won't be an issue.

Is it possible to run a 29'er front fork on a 26'' mountain frame? Can you account for the increased stack by simply running a shorter 29'er fork? (Thinking about getting a Salsa Vaya disc fork in the 29'er/700c size).

Or am I better off being consistent and just going with a 26'' rigid front fork (like the Vaya or Cromoto 26'' forks) and running a 650b wheelset?

[Ken Robb]

Why give up a suspension fork?

[p nut]

My non-suspension corrected rigid fork on my 29er is 455mm A/C so something like a 1x1/Troll or Cromoto fork should work fine. You'll slacken out the angles a little bit, but that's not a bad thing. Should be a fun ride. I would personally go 27.5x3" tire up front.

[bicycletricycle]

Your better off running a 26 front.

29er front will make for chopper.

650 will decrease tire clearance

Road or mountain usage?

[rcnute]

The Ala Carte is very snappy with a 26" up front and 80mm sus corrected rigid fork. (I have such a fork if you want it.)

Ryan

I'm thinking of buying a Salsa Ala Carte locally and running it either as a true 26'' mountain bike, a 650b all-rounder or a 29'er front 650b rear weirdo (if that is even possible).

The bike is used and currently has a Marzocchi suspended front fork which I want to swap out for either a rigid 26'' front fork (to run 26'' or 650b wheels and disc brakes) or a 29'er front fork, if possible.

Since I'll be running discs front and rear, caliper reach won't be an issue.

Is it possible to run a 29'er front fork on a 26'' mountain frame? Can you account for the increased stack by simply running a shorter 29'er fork? (Thinking about getting a Salsa Vaya disc fork in the 29'er/700c size).

Or am I better off being consistent and just going with a 26'' rigid front fork (like the Vaya or Cromoto 26'' forks) and running a 650b wheelset?

[toosahn]

Reason I want a rigid front is for the simplicity. I'm not going to be doing any major off-roading with the bike, just some light trails and doing errands around town.

I like the idea of 650b and tires like the Compass Babyshoe pass.

[pcxmbfj]

Years got a 29er fork from Dean Bike that they sold as 26/29.

Now 27.5 compatible.

With the disc tabs on my 19.5" Litespeed Obed frame lets me run 700c/27.5 (limited to 2.1 rear) and 26.

It's a 700 greenway, trail bike now and was 26 x 2'5" snow bike this winter.

Lots of options.

[p nut]

Reason I want a rigid front is for the simplicity. I'm not going to be doing any major off-roading with the bike, just some light trails and doing errands around town.

I like the idea of 650b and tires like the Compass Babyshoe pass.

I would just stick with 26" wheels, then. I don't see any advantage of mixing up wheel sizes if sticking to dirt roads and errand duty.

Vaya forks are 380mm A/C. Too short, IMO. Get the Cromoto, or maybe the Troll fork, if you want extra bottle mounts on the fork.

[thirdgenbird]

Reason I want a rigid front is for the simplicity. I'm not going to be doing any major off-roading with the bike, just some light trails and doing errands around town.

I like the idea of 650b and tires like the Compass Babyshoe pass.

I don't regret ditching my suspension fork. It's just as fun on the trail, lighter and simpler. I really wanted to go 650b but stuck with 26 for cost and simplicity. (Old stumpjumper)

[bicycletricycle]

compass is working on an extra nice 26" tire as well. they had an article in the recent BQ

those babyshoe's are so sweet.

if around town roadish riding is what your gunna do than i think converting to 650b with some paul motolites would be a good way to go.

those tires are really nice.

[JAGI410]

My frame builder friend used a Salsa 26" fork for his 29x3 build...there's a stupid amount of clearance on that fork.