Rigid Fork Conversion on my Hardtail

[@aznwierdone]

I didn't expect to like Andrew more than I already did from his ramblings and industry defying decisions from nsmb, meatengines, and now bike mag, but his explanations for all the mechanics have immensely raised my opinion of him higher than anticipated.

[@HardtailLife]

He’s also got some great insights on parenting too, which I’ve also had the privilege of learning.

[@chingerzz123123123]

Andrew is so knowledgeable. Love hearing him nerd out and teach you. This video gave me entertainment while sitting in the hospital bed.

[@HardtailLife]

Totally! And I had to cut out a ton more just because of all the tangents we took. Anyways, heal up quick and we’ll get out for a hardtail ride again soon!

[@taknname]

It's been fun watching Steve dip his toes into riding rigid last year, riding single speed this year, and here we are finally combining the two!

[@HardtailLife]

It’s been such a fun experience! (Most of the time) 😜

[@SaltySausage83]

Love seeing more full rigid MTB. I'm doing a selectively budget axum comp that is full rigid. It is an experience to say the least lol.

[@HardtailLife]

It’s also fun getting some reactions on the trails as well 😂

[@threeohm]

Double hardtail! Nice work Steve. You are only a rigid seatpost away from triple hardtail perfection.

[@HardtailLife]

Not even Andrew runs a rigid seat post 😜

[@threeohm]

@@HardtailLife - eventually the student teaches the master. 🤘

[@shawnpritchard366]

Welcome to the small and exclusive club know as rigid single speeding. May it become your happy place like it is for me.

[@HardtailLife]

Haha it’s definitely a place of silliness and fun.

[@stevencole7331]

I am taking my breezer storm expert hardtail and naking it a ridged carbon fork . Now i have also removed my 2.3 dhf and replaced them with 2.1 aspens . My new philosophy on tires that thinner is better . I am looking to the bike as a buzz bike . Trying to get some milage . You mighy think i shoukd just head to a gravel bike but i want it to remain a moutainbike in concept but have some gravely expectations to go the distance . A thiiner tire does not mean loss of grip . Being thiner it can dig down in stable ground like a sharp knife blade cutting a piece of paper . Now i still have exo casings which allow to carry a bit lower pessure . It has been a goal if mine to go ridged . Usdually the takented riders ride hardtails. The best can ride rudgid . Last part if the puzzle is take out the dropper which maybe a bridge to far . I also keep high pressures on my suspension and prefer it stiff so the change for me won't be a huge jump

[@leokuo7127]

Interesting take on rigid fork choice. I'm lazy on maintenance and thinking of getting a rigid fork now. 😄

[@HardtailLife]

It can also be a lot of fun too! You just have to ride the right trails at the right speed.

[@aaronblonden6774]

I partially have this channel to blame and andrew for a rigid hardtail. It's a blast, I have an rsd for my taival. I think I like it a lot for certain rides but I did just put a coil fork on the bike now as it's a good time of the year to have some cushion. (I only got up to 2.6 tires). My older ss rigid was only on 2.3 tires and the modern setup was way better.

[@HardtailLife]

Haha just big kids doing silly things on bikes!

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I have built a rigid Chromag samurai, it was great the first season but I abandoned it. We've come a long way since 1992 when I started. I'm happy about it 😂

[@HardtailLife]

Cool! I believe Andrew just built a Chromag Samurai for his daughter! 🙌

[@TC-iz1im]

There is a lot of solid tech data in this video Thanks!

[@HardtailLife]

I learned a ton too! There’s also a bunch of stuff I had to cut because they were tangents. Andrew is such a wealth of knowledge.

[@TC-iz1im]

Yeah I picked up on that, I have a Tyaugton as well. Thanks for exploring just how versatile it is!

[@bb7115]

Would love to do this to my bike. I ride on the road and I lock out my front forks, so I might as well go rigid forks. And save weight to.😊

[@HardtailLife]

Totally! And it simplifies the maintenance and settings side of things too!

[@bb7115]

@@HardtailLife 😁

[@winchmode]

You've come this far. Penny farthing down boogieman? I'm expecting it now.

[@HardtailLife]

Haha I feel like maybe mullet is next? I guess a penny-farthing is the ultimate mullet 🤔😂

[@DandyHippo]

Seeing rigid mtb’s make me physically ill 😂

[@szolekxxx]

From MTB to Cross bike

[@HardtailLife]

It's still a MTB in my books 😜

[@Xgecko66]

FWIW I have found toenail clippers a far superior tool for cutting zip ties

[@HardtailLife]

Me too! 🤫

[@KO-sx9uy]

I rode rigid, the fastest climbing and you pick good lines - but once you hit consecutive big bumps youll get launched into the air.

[@HardtailLife]

100% agree

[@Jackofafewtrades]

Video was really informative and good fun, but the colour grading could use some work imo. How is it both flat and contrasty? I understand going for a certain aesthetic, but i feel like this is just a little bit overdone. Also, I'm currently looking into converting my dj (only bike, too) to rigid, so this might end up coming in handy, so thanks.

[@HardtailLife]

Thanks for the feedback. I don’t really spend much time on grading, but it sounds like I should! Also, I’m glad there’s some useful info here. Make sure to hit up Andrew for questions! He writes at MEATengines and Bike Mag.

[@Jackofafewtrades]

@@HardtailLife if you're not into colour grading, find a colour profile on your camera that you like and just tweak it slightly. You don't need to fiddle with colour grading at all to get a good look. Either way, it's not a huge deal anyway. Your content is always cool regardless. Oh he sounds like a handy person to know, thanks for the tip.

[@HardtailLife]

@@Jackofafewtrades Thanks for the feedback! 🙏

[@johndef5075]

I ride my fully rigid hardtail once a year to remind me how much it sucks compared to my Epic. Theres a reason things progress.

[@HardtailLife]

Haha there’s a place for all sorts of bikes 🫶😊

[@rustyburger]

Easy sub :D

[@HardtailLife]

Haha thank you! 🙏

[@kris8165]

How old is the dude who set up your bike!?😅 Loved the video, greetings from Croatia from Kris 😎

[@HardtailLife]

Hello, and thanks for watching in Croatia! How's the riding there?

[@kris8165]

@@HardtailLife Croatia is a beautiful country, but being cyclist is not really a thing here...Not as advanced as it is in the States and Canada! I usually ride singletracks and fire roads,and of course my daily rides with my road bike since I don't have a 🚗! Greetings from Kris 😎

[@colten4355]

Do you exclusively ride a hardtail, or do you have a full sus too? If you do have a FS when do you ride it/ what do you ride when you choose it?

[@HardtailLife]

I only have the one bike, so the decision on which bike to ride is always easy! 😜

[@colten4355]

@@HardtailLife Cool thanks, I've toyed with the idea of going from a FS to a hardtail but can't decide whether I should not

[@HardtailLife]

@@colten4355 Is there a way to rent and try for a few days first? Another option is buying used, and selling if it doesn't work out? We think hardtails are a hoot and it shouldn't be a problem, but everyone has their own preferences! 😜

[@teenoltae]

48 years on rigid Single Speed. Never owned a bike with gears or suspension.

[@HardtailLife]

Wow! Tell us more about the bike and setup!

[@martinshortt7750]

I'm 50 on a rigid. I like my gears tho.

[@teenoltae]

@@HardtailLife Ha ha , Okay.. Stooge Mk1 Single Speed specific frameset (Only 5 made) . Stooge Moto bars. Imdustry 9 Hydra single speed hubs on 27.5 plus carbon rims. Maxxis Rekon 2.8s. Cane Creek eeWing cranks , Absolute black oval ring 34t. Odyssey Bluebird BMX halflink chain. Chris King King Cog 20t. Hope BB and headset .Thomson stem 40mm & Layback seatpost. Formula Cura X brakes with Galfer Shark rotors 180mm front & Rear. S Works saddle. Spank pedals.

[@BlueKnows]

That's not a rigid bike, that's a hardnosed hardtail!

[@HardtailLife]

Haha I like it! 😂