Boomerang Bike!

[DCBassman]

A while ago, a former member here gave me an unfinished single-speed project based on a 2014 Merida Big.Nine 40. I rebuilt it as stock, and because I was not that enamoured of the weight/front suspension, gave it to a gardener lady we knew who was heavily into MTBing. Unfortunately, or not, her business is too much to do any cycling, and she has a decent full-sus machine or two. So...
Plan is to put a rigid fork on it. The drive teain is essentially brand-new from my rebuild, and it has only done a handful of miles since. If I still find it too heavy, I may electrify it.
Suggestions re fork gratefully received!
Quite looking forward to it!

 

[88robb]

Go for a Surly steel rigid fork. They're tough, reliable, and the 1 1/8" threadless model should be a straight swap for your old suspension fork. It'll slash weight and give the bike a great feel. Just double-check the axle-to-crown measurement to keep the geometry roughly the same.

 

[DCBassman]

Go for a Surly steel rigid fork. They're tough, reliable, and the 1 1/8" threadless model should be a straight swap for your old suspension fork. It'll slash weight and give the bike a great feel. Just double-check the axle-to-crown measurement to keep the geometry roughly the same.

Hmm. Lot of money, similar to a quote from my LBS. The developing plan is to get an alloy fork online, for a good deal less cash and weight. Fit with uncut steerer, as I'm still having trouble not being upright enough for my fused spine. Trial the bars at different height until happy. To further reduce wear and tear on the fork, I'm planning to go quite big on tyres, 37-40mm range. Schwalbe Road Cruisers top of the list right now. There's currently no equivalent of the old City Jets I used to like.

The first task, however, will be to unstick the brakes. This will be my first time messing with hydraulic discs, so steep learning curve ahead. I an also beginning to veer more toward an e-kit also, so any advice on that would be welcomed.

 

[88robb]

Good plan on the fork and big tires. For stuck hydraulic brakes, a piston press tool helps. Don't force them. For an e-kit, a front hub motor is the simplest DIY option. Bafang is a solid brand.

 

[DCBassman]

Good plan on the fork and big tires. For stuck hydraulic brakes, a piston press tool helps. Don't force them. For an e-kit, a front hub motor is the simplest DIY option. Bafang is a solid brand.

37-622 Road Cruisers ordered. Despite what seems like an economy drive on the forks, I was looking at the upcoming Swytch kit, which is good for 150 miles on the flat. Round here, flat is something you might live in, but it doesn't apply much to roads!
Will check out the tool for the brakes, thanks for the tip.

 

[DCBassman]

Tool ordered.

 

[DCBassman]

Some time spent researching has so far got the Boost kit as the simplest and best price balance, including a display/controller.

 

[DCBassman]

Let the fun begin!

 

[DCBassman]

At this point, I'll switch to the projects and builds forum. @Moderators , can this thread be moved? Ta!

 

[DCBassman]

OK, not going with the hydraulic brakes. Simply can't be arsed with the mess and sorting out what's wrong. TRP Spyres ordered. This will allow me to use my preferred Shimano combi shifters. Rigid fork, brakes, rotors, cables, it's like Christmas! Off out now to change the tyres over.

 

[DCBassman]

Arrivals: fork, Spyres, cables. Rebuild proper starting soon!

 

[DCBassman]

Oh well...
The fork, despite being a supposedly straight steerer, has a tiny amount of taper at the crown. Nothing fits or works, so back it goes...
More than a little discouraged. Will rebuild it with sus forks and new brakes, recable the lot, and move it on.
Meantime, I will work on the comfort of the Scott. I have little choice - my older son and I just got our London-to-Brighton slots for next year!
I may still put a Boost kit on it. I'll see how bad my fitness actually is.

 

[DCBassman]

And...have extracted the crown race from the suspension fork, and voila, that fits! So, back in business. Brakes on, cabling in progress, will have it ridable by end of day.

 

[DCBassman]

Built, checked, ridden. It works! But the stock MTB bars are far to wide for my wonky shoulders, so narrower set and stem fitted - all good.