Hi all:
I had recently rebuilt a 2002 Bianchi Veloce up from a frame that I use now as a regular rider (with modern Campy components, all new saddle and used fork). It rides like a dream on its steel frame and all new components. And of course it's that gorgeous Celeste color
And then found a Bianchi Super Ibex MTB frame in good shape for $60 that I thought I'd do as a new project.
However, it has no fork. And unfortunately it has a 1" head tube, which I found out today through trial and error (I can fit a 1 1/8 fork in it, but when it turns you can hear the scraping, which can't be right). Soo.......
Trying to find a threadless 1" suspension fork is not easy, I've learned. I'm NOT a hard core mountain biker, this would be for more your basic gravel and single track rides with rocks. I'm not looking to go jumping at age 52 . Since this is a dual suspension bike I wouldn't mind at all getting a decent fork, but it seems I'll be stuck more at the bottom end, as the only new ones I can find are Suntour XCMs, which is a pretty low end/basic fork. AND I'm worried about suspension travel.. everything new is 100cm and above, but I'm guessing this came with 60mm or maybe 80mm suspension , and will putting on a longer one screw things up?
Is anyone aware of my options here, beyond scouring Ebay for old forks? There's a NOS RockShox Judy with a 1" steerer on eBay now, but it only has a 6.5" steerer tube and the Bianchi's head tube is 4.14" long... don't think I can make that work.
Also, how much would it screw up the ride if I put a 100 mm fork in there?
Thanks all! I'm not a mechanic, just an enthusiastic amateur who can follow youtube videos competently
I had recently rebuilt a 2002 Bianchi Veloce up from a frame that I use now as a regular rider (with modern Campy components, all new saddle and used fork). It rides like a dream on its steel frame and all new components. And of course it's that gorgeous Celeste color
And then found a Bianchi Super Ibex MTB frame in good shape for $60 that I thought I'd do as a new project.
However, it has no fork. And unfortunately it has a 1" head tube, which I found out today through trial and error (I can fit a 1 1/8 fork in it, but when it turns you can hear the scraping, which can't be right). Soo.......
Trying to find a threadless 1" suspension fork is not easy, I've learned. I'm NOT a hard core mountain biker, this would be for more your basic gravel and single track rides with rocks. I'm not looking to go jumping at age 52 . Since this is a dual suspension bike I wouldn't mind at all getting a decent fork, but it seems I'll be stuck more at the bottom end, as the only new ones I can find are Suntour XCMs, which is a pretty low end/basic fork. AND I'm worried about suspension travel.. everything new is 100cm and above, but I'm guessing this came with 60mm or maybe 80mm suspension , and will putting on a longer one screw things up?
Is anyone aware of my options here, beyond scouring Ebay for old forks? There's a NOS RockShox Judy with a 1" steerer on eBay now, but it only has a 6.5" steerer tube and the Bianchi's head tube is 4.14" long... don't think I can make that work.
Also, how much would it screw up the ride if I put a 100 mm fork in there?
Thanks all! I'm not a mechanic, just an enthusiastic amateur who can follow youtube videos competently