Salsa CroMoto Grande Rigid 29r Fork

Salsa Ridig 29r fork

Great fork, rides very well. Not overly flexy but some give to it. Replaced a Lefty 110 on my Cannondale rigid bike and it rides so much better. More comfortable upright position and no hitting every rock with the pedals for low bottom bracket. This fork sat the bike about 3/4" higher than stock and it's a big improvement all around.

Pros: Light and rigid.

Cons: None

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: February 23, 2013
Reviewed by: dave w., Pennsylvania

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Great Fork!

I had the Kona P2 fork on my steel On-One Inbred 29er and was looking for something a little more compliant. Although I love the look of this fork, I'm not sure if it solved my problem completely - I think I'll need to go back to my previous front tire set-up. (Ardent 2.4). Currently I'm using a Purgatory 2.3, and that may be my issue.

However, if you're going rigid for the first time on a budget, go with this.

Pros: Burly, lightweight (considering it's steel), great welds and high quality.

Cons: Hey... IT'S STILL RIGID! You will feel the trail, but enjoy the simplicity and stand-up hammer climbs.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 08, 2012
Reviewed by: DionRidesBikes, California

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Solid,Great ride!

Pros: CroMo! Disc only, black, Salsa quality.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: March 25, 2012
Reviewed by: Greg S., California

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great fork for price

this price is almost exactly the same dimensions as the ODIS fork my jabberwocky was designed around. since those forks are currently unavailable, this is the next best thing.

nice paint and finish. fwd facing dropouts.

Pros: all. price especially.

Cons: one color.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: June 08, 2011
Reviewed by: josh t., California

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First Rigid 29er Fork Salsa !

First ever rigid fork, and boy, was i apprehensive about the change.
I wanted to save a couple of pounds at the front for climbing and lofting the wheel over obstacles. Also, i wanted frame/fork material uniformity to take advantage of steel's properties. I mostly ride loose over hard, rooty surfaces.
I had ridden the Tora Solo Air my bike came with since new, locked out preparing for the switch. It offers one inch 'travel' while locked out, but no fore/aft compliance due to the rigidity of the legs.
The Salsa fork legs do have a slight fore/aft compliance, which, in addition to the 29er wheel's properties and lowering air pressure up front, takes care of most of the chattering. It felt better than the locked Tora in this aspect! On the other hand, the inch 'travel' that the Tora offers when locked out has to be provided by the front tire with lessened air pressure/wider thread so that impacts on the line of the fork are damped.

Uphill, the 2.5 lbs i saved up front meant immediate ease, lifting the wheel over obstacles. I'm even considering installing a one tooth higher gear on the back of my SS, because of the ease of climbing now and the saved weight.
Downhill. Small not too steep sections are ok, 4 inch steps too. Switchbacks are a pleasure, the steering so precise and the front doesn't nose dive, read, more control !
Rooty downhills, either take it slower and read the line better or modulate the front brake better. If not, these sections are still doable but a bit rattling.
This fork has slightly less dropout offset than the one i removed, which means it reduced my bike's wheel base and trail by a minute amount, just enough to liven handling in tight sections while keeping absolute control.
Bottom line, i don't need a suspension fork anymore. The Salsa steel provides enough vibration damping and fore/aft compliance to make rigid riding a pleasure. It's light, for steel, simple yet nice to the eye, and the price is unbeatable. If you're thinking about giving fully rigid a try, get this fork.

Pros: Very nice paint job, simple but tidy graphics, excellent stainless steel dropouts, no worries about chipping paint at the dropouts. Vibration damping like, or maybe even better than the fork it replaced, a Tora Solo Air on locked out mode. No shuddering while braking heavily downhill. Improved steering geometry. Price, so nice!


Cons: None at this moment, this is an initial review.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: December 19, 2010
Reviewed by: Josue D., Carolina Puerto Rico

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This fork rules!

Compared to my previous Karate Monkey fork, this is soooo much smoother riding. The KM fork is fine for 250 pounders, but my 170lb always took a thrashing when riding it.

Pros: Decent weight (for steel), decent price, tough as nails, smoooooth ride.

Cons: A lot heavier than a carbon fork. But that's the price you pay for a fork you can beat on.

Would Buy Again: Yes
Would Recommend: Yes

Reviewed on: October 08, 2010
Reviewed by: GlowBoy, Oregon

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