To Springer Forks or Not to Springer Forks?

[RegularSyzed Mike]

Hey everybody,

I've been thinking about the forks on my bike. While the stock ones are decent, I am considering making the front a little more slick. One consideration has been Springer Forks, due in part to the look as well as the pricepoint since they seem to be cheaper than a lot of other funkier forks out there.

The price also makes me nervous, however, considering the amount of moving parts. I feel like they could be bad news if I were going too fast or something. Are there situations where I should avoid Springer Forks but not others? Should I just save my money for something more durable?

What do yall think?

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Bicycle808]

I vote "no" ... a rigid bike is a happy bike.

 

[pebblewurm]

I agree- springer forks look cool but make for a mushy ride. On a gas pipe steel cruiser the fat tires give you all the suspension you need.

 

[BARTO]

I have two springer bikes, my daughters bike has two springs on her fork and can be mushy, at 104 lbs it's no problem for her (besides we don't go fast). I have a Columbia single spring on mine and at 220+ I feel pretty secure. Guess what I'm saying is that there are several types out there and they all react a bit different. Other option are truss...look cool and very stable

 

[Big Ape]

I agreed with Barto. Every type of Springer acts and reacts a little different. Now, I wouldn't recommend many of the vintage springers if you ride hard, but just "cruising" around.......I like 'em!!

 

[OneHorsePower]

i vote springer ! for the mushyness , just get stiffer springs or tight them up

 

[RegularSyzed Mike]

Thanks for the input everyone! I think I'll hold off until I can afford one of the higher-end forks. I ride my bike a little rougher than I think a lot of cruisers get due to the hills in my area and the rougher paths in places. I'm not off-roading, but I'm not always just cruising flat asphalt, either.

Thanks again!

 

[us56456712]

I ride pretty hard. Not as hard as some of the young riders but I go over rock gardens, down steps, and run downhill courses with high banked corners. I do avoid most of the air as I go between the jumps, not over them. I also avoid the big 4 to 8 foot drops, but other than that I ride it. I had a plain forged fork but I now run a Colson truss rod fork as it is beefy. Most other truss rods are wimpy and in my opinion mostly for looks. It runs nice and straight and has not bent. I like it. I got it cheap on the net as one of the truss rods was broken at the top threads. I made my own top truss rod bracket to accommodate the slightly shortened rod, threaded it and back in business. It is beefy enough to almost look like a springer.

 

[BARTO]

Yup, that's what I'm talking about. Just bought one very much like that last weekend. I think this type of truss looks just as good as most springers. I'm going to put it on an old Colombia...gonna look great and really stand up.

 

[BARTO]

Oh, the black fork in the photo is the same as my daughters that I said was mushy.....how's yours? Are those the stock springs or did you upgrade them?

Barto

 

[user 15387]

No- I think they make the ride feel sloppy, especially on a ballooner where the tires are running about 30 PSI.

 

[us56456712]

Oh, the black fork in the photo is the same as my daughters that I said was mushy.....how's yours? Are those the stock springs or did you upgrade them?

Barto

Original springs. I never rode it as it is a mock up. 1948 Cleveland Welding Luxury Liner fork.

 

[SILVERKINGPC]

A springer will soften up the ride somewhat, which I like on some bikes. It dulls the quickness/handling of the bike and puts more weight on for sure. The designs are varied, and a few are actually pretty functional! Simpler the better imo. RATS look great with spingers.

 

[horsefarmer]

Rode an old ballooner Schwinn with springer last week for the first time. I kind of liked the Limo" ride.