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MTB fork 3T Rigid Team in individual test

Sebastian Brust

 · 28.08.2016

MTB fork 3T Rigid Team in individual testPhoto: Georg Grieshaber
MTB fork 3T Rigid Team in individual test
The trend towards wide tyres is boosting the rigid fork range. Voluminous tyres are enough for some people for moderate forest trails. We tested the 3T Rigid Carbon fork.

With the trend towards wide plus-size tyres, new rigid forks are currently coming onto the market, vying for purist buyers with plenty of tyre clearance. This is because wide tyres, ridden with low air pressure, are completely sufficient for some on moderate forest trails. You don't even have to be a lightweight fanatic or other individualist to do this. "Back to the roots", because that's how it all began.

The 3T Rigid Carbon fork and the accessories supplied: thru axle, 3T headset cap and fork steerer insert for gluing in. Sandpaper, alcohol swabs and the epoxy resin adhesive (not in the picture) are included - and an ice-cream stick for smearing.Photo: Georg Grieshaber The 3T Rigid Carbon fork and the accessories supplied: thru axle, 3T headset cap and fork steerer insert for gluing in. Sandpaper, alcohol swabs and the epoxy resin adhesive (not in the picture) are included - and an ice-cream stick for smearing.

However, the elegant 3T carbon fork has nothing whatsoever of a dented CroMo fork. A thru axle (15x100 mm), tapered steerer tube and massive fork legs ensure rigidity. The 3T braces itself against the forces acting on it, especially in the direction of travel. This was the result of the first ever BIKE measurements for MTB rigid forks.

At 319 Nm/°, the braking stiffness value is significantly higher than that of an average suspension fork, which is in the range of up to 200 Nm/°. The original steel fork of the Krampus (224 Nm/°) is also well behind the 3T Rigid. The riding experience with the 3T is nevertheless comfortable, while the tracking accuracy and power transmission are both high.

The guide for the brake line. The only place where contact can occur with very thick plus tyres.Photo: Sebastian Brust The guide for the brake line. The only place where contact can occur with very thick plus tyres.

The left-hand bar is additionally reinforced to absorb the braking torque. The two differently stiff fork legs also help to suppress annoying brake flutter. The fork is "detuned", so to speak, and does not bounce so easily.

How do you like this article?

With the Rigid Team and the Surly Knard tyres in the Plus 29x3 inch format (86 mm tyre clearance!), there was no unpleasant vibration in the direction of travel when braking. This was completely different with the previously ridden Niner RDO carbon rigid fork.

Facts: 470 mm installation length, 45 mm forward travel, up to a maximum rider weight of 110 kg.


CONCLUSION Bulky, but chic. Light but stiff. The fork is also suitable for 29-inch plus sizes.

Also holds thick tyres up to 29x3 inches: MTB carbon fork 3T Rigid Team.Photo: Georg Grieshaber Also holds thick tyres up to 29x3 inches: MTB carbon fork 3T Rigid Team.


PLUS Tracks true, yet comfortable for a rigid fork, high power transmission, guide for brake line, with 29-Plus tyres still 3 mm gap
MINUS Expensive, carbon-typical sensitivity, only discs up to 180 mm approved, with 29 Plus tyres only 3 mm gap


Weight 606 g + 104 g thru axle
Price 440 Euro
Info www.3tcycling.com


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Sebastian Brust was born in 1979 and was originally socialised on his grandmother's folding bike, but has mainly been riding studded tyres since his fifth birthday. Loves all kinds of bikes - and merging with nature. Believes that disc brakes are much safer today than they were 15 years ago and thinks he has helped with his brake and pad tests. However, the trained vehicle technology engineer very much regrets that the bicycle industry is orientating itself on what he considers to be the wrong ideals of the car industry. At BIKE, he corrects, produces and organises digital content on the website.

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