Where can I find a 20" fork?

[mydriatic]

Can a 20" fork and wheel from a kids bike be used on these AZ builds or are true BMX bike forks recommended? There are kids bikes that I can find and hack up but I don't know if they'll be durable enough for an AZ build for an adult like myself. Thanks

[GregLWB]

Can a 20" fork and wheel from a kids bike be used on these AZ builds or are true BMX bike forks recommended? There are kids bikes that I can find and hack up but I don't know if they'll be durable enough for an AZ build for an adult like myself. Thanks

I used a front fork out of a kids cheap BMX bike. I fully welded all the tack welds and it has worked fine (I'm 6'8" and ~300lbs.). I will probably change it out for the 20" front fork off of my commuter LWB now that my Tourmaster is almost done.

I can't remember whose thread it was on but Brad gave a tip about shortening 26" forks and they turn out really strong.

Greg

[Odd Man Out]

depends on what you want to do with your finished bike -- for casual riding any ole fork and wheel combo will do. If you are going to become a bike snob purist like myself, nothing but a velocity 451 rim with an ultegra 36hole hub with DT Swiss double butted spokes and brass 12mm pro loc nipples attached to an all aluminum enigma pro fork will do...

[graucho]

Hi mydriatic im not sure of your application but heres's a few sites from my archives.

http://www.choppersus.com/store/category/5/30/Forks/
http://www.thickbikes.com/Fork_Menu.html
http://www.bicycleparts.us/forks.htm
http://www.bikepartsusa.com/bikeparts/category/fork-20_inch
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=1073

[Odd Man Out]

Do an Ebay search for "20 fork" in the sports section. Lots o cheap ones to be found there sometimes.

[GregLWB]

I would recommend that if you're going to buy a 20" fork that you try to find one with brake bosses on it. You will be able to put much better stopping power on your bike. That is unless you are looking at going the disk brake route.

Greg

[mydriatic]

Thanks for the input and links guys. I should have done a search myself, I just didn't think they would be that cheap.

I tried searching the forum for the 26" to 20" fork with no luck. But if I can find a kids BMX bike (local / ebay)I'll go with that do to the brake bosses.

[Radical Brad]

Or you could make your own....

http://www.lucidscience.com/temp/forkchop.jpg

This is from the TradeWinds Tandem build.

Brad

[John Lewis]

I did my 20" fork as shown by Brad. It worked a treat. Here's how it came out.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh98/lew2au/Marauder-Build/dropouts.jpg
http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh98/lew2au/Marauder-Build/fork-mod.jpg

John Lewis

[mydriatic]

Thanks!

Ok, so basically hack off what a 20" fork length would be and weld the front dropouts on.

Honestly, the more I read about welding, the more things I think I could make myself. You guys must give pretty cool homemade, handcrafted gifts.

[Wood Butcher]

Here's a page describing how to cut down a 26" MTB suspension fork to fit a 20" wheel...

http://bike-recumbent.com/fork1.shtml

and brazing it back together again...

http://bike-recumbent.com/fork2.shtml

Mike