I have held off this topic, but perhaps I have a some experience to share. I bought a Tom Matchak fork to fit my utility vehicle, a Surly Long Haul Trucker. http://tommatchakcycles.blogspot.com/2007/03/frame-neutral-replacement-fork.html I did this because this bike is my tourer and grocery hauler, and I live in Colorado where climbs can go on for hours, and I was curious about the low trail concept. I found the handling of the stock LHT slow and cumbersome that only got worse with any front load and at slow speeds such as climbing and or heavily loaded. I came to (probably imperfectly) understand this was mainly due to the large wheel flop associated with the high trail geometry. I didn't mind its descending manners. Tom recommended changing my rake from stock 45mm to a custom 68mm. This took the bike's trail from mid 60s to low 40s. Well the change with the new fork was not immediately strange or at all drastic. Now the bike just responds more quickly to my steering inputs. What I have noticed is that on fast descents the bike no longer tracks 'as if it is on rails' but will change course if I ask it to. You may or may not like that.
The bike still has very reliable steering, not at all unstable. The bike rides very easily no handed. It really likes front loads now and I always carry my groceries home on the front racks. I attribute this to significantly less wheel flop. Nothing else changed with this experiment. All the same racks&fenders&handlebar bag were used before and after. My riding position did not change. The wheelbase did increase by nearly an inch due to the increased rake. This was a splurge for me. I bought an LHT instead of an Atlantis to save money and to feel I could use it hard and in any weather without guilt. With the new fork I nearly doubled the cost of the frame. For me it was worth it. The LHT is more fun for me now and more pleasant in its intended purpose, carrying stuff. But it may not be the same for you and your bike. Before: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/5268867525/in/set-72157607471577085/ Comparing: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/5268866551/in/set-72157607471577085/ After: http://www.flickr.com/photos/79695460@N00/5269479652/in/set-72157607471577085/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/hoFTUIbDsWkJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
