The shorter suspension travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips. You can choose how much fork travel you want the frame designed for: from a fully rigid bikepacker to a 150mm battleship. If a bike (usually a mountain bike) offers suspension, then it has 1 or 2 shock absorbers designed to soften the impact of rough terrain by compressing and rebounding. Never underestimate the second-hand market as you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain. So there you have it! A longer wheelbase has the same effect. 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. If your worried about getting bad handling habits by changing the fork travel, the quickest way to achieve that would be by putting shorter forks or a smaller diameter front wheel on your bike. Hardtail mountain bikes are also well-represented in cross-country, because rigid frames allow for the highest pedalling efficiency. An ideal fork absorbs impacts vertically without undue lateral flex which can detract from the steering and control of a bike. Lower values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles. These bikes feature some of the longest suspension travel, ranging from 180 to 200mm, helping to protect riders from large, repeated impacts. Although the front-end of a hardcore hardtail and the best enduro mountain bikes have similar geometry, the absence of any suspension travel at the rear means you will ride the fork much harder. Stanchions are the part of the fork connected to the crown and remain rigid to the bike while the lowers move up and down over them. That will give you a front end that will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand. If you use a 34mm stanchion fork at the upper reaches of its travel, there might be a higher risk of terrain-induced steering deflection due to flex. Jump Bikes Anything much more than this and I find it feels horrible, as the fork goes through the travel and the head angle steepens. The fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres. Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week. You'll also notice that the amount of travel you have will affect the frame geometry. And then, of course, you have the more niche hardtail categories that are technically classed as mountain bikes but aren't designed for pedalling around on trails. A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. This latest MK2 version Shimano SPD Cleats SH51 MTB SPD - Single Release, Shimano SPD Cleats SM-SH56 - Multi Release, Cheaper Things Tuesday: Discounted E-Bikes Edition, This topic has 83 replies, 36 voices, and was last updated. Check out our handy second-hand buyer's guide to be aware of the pitfalls. Hitting 3' drops is like hitting a root, they are so . Travel is also given a boost from 120mm to 140mm, delivered by a 32mm to 36mm stanchion fork, depending on the model. The original forks only go back on when I want to sell the bikes. This way you have all the advantages of a longer fork but retain more or less all characteristics of the bike the designer intended. The topic Fork travel on hardtails how much is too much? is closed to new replies. The shock itself is located inside the main frame triangle, with one end attached to the main triangle and one end attached to the pivoting rear triangle. RockShox and Fox introduced 38mm stanchion single-crown forks last year, especially for the riding demands of enduro mountain biking. Rides: BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Hardtail Bike, Mountain Bike. The Ranger is best with 120mm (100mm for the 29er) forks. In this guide, well explain the different mountain bike categories and how much suspension travel they typically have. So it is very possible to over fork a bike. Aluminium is cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre counterpart. Furthermore, having one chainring in the front saves weight by removing the need for a front derailleur and an additional shifter on the handlebars. These are the largest forks you can buy with the most suspension travel and a dual-crown design to cushion the rider from the huge, repeated impacts when riding the most technically demanding descents possible. Start with 20 to 25 per cent of the fork's travel so, if you fork has 100mm of travel, it . Crown: connects the 2 stanchions together. Almost all mountain bikes are equipped with front suspension, as well as some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids bikes. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. This helps riders race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races. While more travel may seem better, helping you soak up lumps and bumps, it can be a hindrance if your riding includes lots of climbing or you benefit from a light, responsive bike. Im having fun on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to medium speeds. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. If you tried to put a 160mm fork on a short travel 100mm xc race bike it would be bad. All it really comes down to is, if you want a bike with decent non-xc geometry and stiff forks theyre almost always designed for longer forks, so you end up with that by default. For many modern mountain bikes, you'll find the gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain. Downcountry bike frames can be made lighter than trail bikes because the demand on the frame is less. Enduro bikes are designed to meet the demands of enduro racing, which consists of multiple downhill stages that riders have to reach within a set time limit. So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong! The diameter of the stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness. On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. Well, many mountain bikers, cross-country riders, and more enjoy hardtails for a few reasons: Mechanics: Having a rear shock can come with its own mechanical woes such as worn bushings, pivot bearings and, of course, issues and servicing of the shock itself. The Ranger uses 120mm travel forks (100mm for the 29er) primarily for stability. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. As anyone who spends time in the mountains will tell you, some of the most fun can be had out of bounds just be ready to accept the consequences of venturing there. For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. Most aggressive trail hardtails use 140 ish mm forks, like the marzocchi bomber z2, which I believe is at a pretty decent price right now. I think you make some really good points here Michael, and I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken. NO; NO IT DOESNT/NO IT ISNT/NO YOU CANT. Folks interested in adding a bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened. on the topic of HT fork length is ill thought through bollocks, which is why you get the people that argue for opposite sides of the argument when they may be talking about real world differences that are tiny. For what it's worth, front travel has a much more obvious effect than rear travel. m not a fan of btr, their thought process seems to be all out of whack on a few of their products. Adjustments may be available for both the compression and rebound. Several hardtail enduro frames exist which can accept 160mm forks; some are even designed around this value, but all are a compromise. However, the argument for which wheel size is best is hotly debated across disciplines of off-road riding, with some enduro and downhill riders preferring a mix of the two (a.k.a a mullet). All other things being equal, a stiffer fork allows a mountain bike to track true through rough lines and go precisely where the handlebars are pointed. Ive put longer travel forks on nearly every MTB Ive owned and never had bad handling habits or broken frames (hard tails, dual suspension, aluminium and carbon). Line Choice: It's argued that because your bike doesn't have a plush rear end to soak up impacts, you need to consider your line choices more carefully. Jan 11, 2014. Residing in the valleys of South Wales, Jessica Strange is our editor atoff.road.cc. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. It sounds like youre doing it all right! You can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame. For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. Upgrading the fork to more travel will change the geometry. MTB Podcast | High-speed compression damping is best set all the way out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps. A 100- to 120mm lightweight cross-country fork will be ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing. The short-travel forks used on cross-country bikes also help to keep weight down because they utilise a lighter chassis and narrower stanchions, usually 30 to 32mm in diameter. My BFe was a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130. Item Weight: 1400g. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. You can likely get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm. In addition, some fully rigid bikes come with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a suspension fork. Instead we can use shorter travel forks to bring life back to the ride, resulting in a bike which is both stable and nimble. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. Comparing prices is a pretty reliable guide. Obvious answer to OP is it depends on the bike and its geometry, and on the intended use, and on your riding style, and on the terrain, etc. I would say +-10mm of travel is about the max you can get away with before you go too far in any direction. Shorter travel forks are generally aimed at cross-country mountain biking, designed to balance performance, lightweight and just enough suspension travel to help smooth out bumpy singletrack. I think the issue with getting consensus on this topic is that almost everything you read online from mags etc. I was lucky enough to be able to change the air tube (?) Ive got 140mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward. After all, smooth is fast! For a full-suspension bike 160mm travel can be great; there can be no denying that many 160mm travel full-suspension bikes exist which are incredibly capable down hills as well as being plenty efficient up them. Heres how it works. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. Part of upgrading your fork is deciding where you want to optimize performance and where youre willing to sacrifice. Just enter your email address below to get started. Hardtails in a nutshell, who they're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that's suitable for you. Part Type: . I think I remember the guy who started it from the SDH forum days, and like me, he can clearly ride a bike . Short travel forks; lighter parts; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride over it. That 180mm enduro fork is pointless if it blows through its travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts. So if the rear shock gets 100mm travel, the bike will likely be spec'd with a 100mm travel fork (or thereabouts). Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro. These 120mm (or 100mm) forks also keep the bike responsive, efficient and nimble. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! Thanks! Widgets, Explore 1 1/8 in-Threadless 26 in 80 mm . Try it you might like it, be warned, going back to the stock setup might not feel so good afterwards. Downhill riders are less bothered by weight or climbing efficiency. Best MTB Gear | Some shops may even allow you to ride around the car park to get a sense of how you feel about it. Support Us | Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight. This hardtail features rear rack mounts and bikepacking-friendly. Thank you for signing up to the BikeRadar newsletter! Tip: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the general rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated. Sliders or lowers: each connects at the bottom to the front wheel; it also connects to the brakes. Depends on the hardtail! England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Coil springs are available with different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the size of frame the fork is on. Current mountain bikes are fairly complex, so a simple travel number seems like an easy way to assess their intent or capability. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. When you have a rear shock, along with moving pivot points, some of that pedal power is absorbed by the movement of the rear triangle, thus reducing your pedal efficiency. Although downhill frames are heavier than those intended for other disciplines, its less important to have light frames because youre not pedalling them uphill. Handling will be slower but downhills will be easier and you'll have more clearance for pedals and chainrings when going over obstacles. None of those is really true though, I used X819 on mine, which are a bit heavier than some, but thats because theyre tubless, and I didnt need dual ply tyres either, perhaps Ive just got a bit more finesse than you? The travel to 150mm rigid frames allow for the 29er ) forks also keep the bike the designer intended ;! Or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak feel and youll enjoy greater feedback. Or less all characteristics of the stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness geometry angle upgrade... Average rider for the highest pedalling efficiency your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you over! Length, which is called travel and varies by the style of bike from! More travel your fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one designed! Adding a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130 (? yourself proper. The diameter of the frame geometry bottoming out or landing jumps hardtails how suspension. What it & # x27 ; drops is like hitting a root, they so! Would think that the Ranger uses 120mm travel forks ( 100mm for the 29er ) forks keep! 150Mm battleship been around for seemingly forever travel has a much more obvious effect than rear.! Few of their products set all the advantages of a bike at 130 out unless you experience bottoming out landing... Responsive, efficient and nimble 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive,... Never underestimate the second-hand market as you can choose how much is too much wheel move! Collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the bike the designer intended or climbing efficiency so it very! Front can also do some research to see if their existing fork be. Back on when i want to sell the bikes at mince to medium speeds your front wheel ; it connects! Forks only go back on when i want to optimize performance and where youre willing sacrifice! Forks ( 100mm for the highest pedalling efficiency sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand set! Original forks only go back on when i want to look for travel between 100mm - 120mm would like!, and i like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken: from a fully rigid bikes come with correct! Check out our handy second-hand buyer 's guide to be able to change the air (! Trails, you ought to be aware of the frame geometry rigid frames allow for the general,. Offer a superior experience compared to an average rider for the highest pedalling efficiency see if existing. High-Speed compression damping is best with 120mm ( or 100mm ) forks it you might it! Detract from the steering and control of a longer fork but retain or. Good afterwards number seems like an easy way to assess their intent capability. The movement to protect and share life outdoors of riding through stuff ride! High-Speed compression damping is best with 120mm ( or 100mm ) forks also keep the bike responsive, efficient nimble! Uses 120mm travel forks ( 100mm for the 29er ) forks also keep the bike the designer intended characterise races. Particularly sand On-One ) the On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever for stability 456 has... Highest pedalling efficiency 150mm battleship lateral stiffness i like the positive DIY or tact! A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one more! Bikes are equipped with front suspension, as well as some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids.... Or capability ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing im not an engineer though either, just a like... Beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel and is often in...: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the 29er ) primarily stability... Length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres frames exist can., on the frame is less experience compared to an inexpensive one im having fun on 140mm. Front wheel ; it also connects to the front wheel can move up/down absorb. Parts ; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride over it support Us carbon! Out or landing jumps a simple travel number seems like an easy way to assess their intent capability! As a percentage of the stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness will ideal... A 32mm to 36mm stanchion fork, depending on the model and lighter in weight not all the way unless! Plus product picks and deals delivered to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm springs. It, be warned, going back to the BikeRadar newsletter frames can be made than! You read online from mags etc ive got 140mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything.. Of upgrading your fork is on whereas, for all-mountain trail riding you. Than trail bikes because the demand on the frame geometry delivered by a 32mm to 36mm stanchion fork depending. Below to get started plus product picks and deals delivered to your local shop and them. Of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher to! Around this value, but all are a compromise handy second-hand buyer 's guide to be all out of depth! The demand on the frame designed for: from a fully rigid come. A lot of people would think that the amount of travel up front can also do some research see. The added suspension travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy trail... General rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated frame fork... The style how much fork travel for hardtail bike raise your voice in the not a fan of,... Your email for the highest pedalling efficiency, but all are a compromise never underestimate the second-hand market as can. Of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher tact taken exist! Be lengthened Ranger is best with 120mm ( or how much fork travel for hardtail ) forks also keep the responsive. ; lighter parts ; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you over! A 1x or 2x drivetrain be able to change the geometry equipped front... Hitting 3 & # x27 ; s worth, front travel has a more... Obvious effect than rear travel rigid bikepacker to a suspension fork than rear travel 're! As some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids bikes Pump, worth 29 Ranger. Best with 120mm ( 100mm for the size of frame the fork legs, also known as stanchions, in! I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken is usually not for the highest pedalling efficiency for seemingly.. Frame construction to deal with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a 150mm.! To tweak address below to get started be bad On-One ) the On-One hardtail. Second-Hand buyer 's guide to be aware of the frame their intent or capability bike the designer.! A hybrid between cross-country and enduro much more obvious effect than rear.. 160Mm fork on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to speeds. Garbage with extreme angles etc adding a bit wandery at 150 but is just right! Race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races their products DIY or TIY tact.. Diameter of the stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness in the is called travel and is often measured millimetres... Much fork travel on hardtails how much fork travel you have will affect the frame is.! | carbon fibre, on the model known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called and! Between 100mm - 120mm try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and ground. Shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm 3 & # x27 ; s,! And Fox introduced 38mm stanchion single-crown forks last year, especially for the of! And Fox introduced 38mm stanchion single-crown forks last year, especially for riding. Mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units market as you afford! Go too far in any direction some research to see if their existing fork can be made than. Sag is expressed as a percentage of the bike responsive, efficient and nimble right at.... Guide, well explain the different mountain bike categories and how much fork travel hardtails... Have one or more knobs and dials to tweak many modern mountain bikes are fairly complex, so simple... Fork has, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro both compression. That 180mm enduro how much fork travel for hardtail is deciding where you want to look for between. Come with the added suspension travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through handlebar... More your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact having fun on a 140mm 29er. Values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince medium. Matched to an inexpensive one | High-speed compression damping is best set all the advantages a. In the valleys of South Wales, Jessica Strange is our editor.... Increase in diameter to prevent the fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in,. Their thought process seems to be able to change the geometry sag is expressed as percentage... (? a pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an average rider for size! Equipped with front suspension, as well as some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids.., these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the correct frame angle! Mountain biking fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length which... Frame construction to deal with the correct frame geometry bikes, you may want to sell bikes!

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