More adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain. https://www.dirtlabs.com/fork-travel-change/. Already have an account with us? off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: info@off-road.cc It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Check out our handy second-hand buyer's guide to be aware of the pitfalls. Bike suspension provides improved control, traction and comfort on rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. Made out of the best tubing on the planet for making steel bicycles, Reynolds 853, the Tweedy (Brady Tweedy pro-model) is ready for lift-off. Big news for mid-tier mountain bikes as Shimano CUES enters the chat and kills off Deore, Tiagra, Alivio, Sora and other familiar groupsets. Jan 11, 2014. Downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. Just like the Chromag, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original. We recommend that a trail fork ideally have 34mm stanchions, at 130-140mm, for a 29er - possibly, up to 150mm, for the smaller 27.5in wheel size. I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? Item Weight: 1400g. 100-130mm is the sweet spot IMO. Trust me; weve thought about it, tested it (and many other weird and wonderful combinations), and proven it to our own satisfaction as well as many others! Yet again, it is a tale of less being more. In future if i got another i think Id go for a 140. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. Bounce up and down on the fork and let it settle to the sagged position. Some points of comparison: If your current front suspension needs replacing due to non-serviceable wear or damage, you need to know these 4 specs to replace it: Buying a new bike? it makes no sense.. Depends on the hardtail! So, it goes without saying that a full-suspension mountain bike has both front and rear suspension systems. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. Thanks! its unpredictable.. Because the front suspension is telescoping, the suspension travel equals the resultant wheel travel. The obvious thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels unstable. He has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear. 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. The concept of the long travel hardtail is pretty well established too. These types are your dirt jump bikes and your freeride whips, which can be smaller in both frame and wheel size. This hardtail features rear rack mounts and bikepacking-friendly. Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight. Travel for enduro bikes starts at 150mm and ranges up to 180mm. Back it all the way out, then progressively add more until the suspension compresses and bounces only once as it returns to normal sag, when riding off a curb. Damping: In addition to a coil or air spring, forks contain a damper rod and oil bath that moderate the speed of the compression and rebound to smooth out the ride. Build quality: High-end models have superior technical design and construction and offer a longer life with regular maintenance and servicing. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. 2. That said it went uphill more easily than my old 130mm equipped Cove Stiffees. Sag refers to how much the suspension compresses with just the riders weight on the bike. Let me expand. We then go on to provide a more detailed look at how suspension works. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. I think you make some really good points here Michael, and I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken. Once you change fork travel by 20mm or more, you're likely going to alter the geometry of the bike in a way that will make it less rideable and also void the frame warranty. Morewood Kwela Here are a few components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bike. The fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres. RockShox and Fox introduced 38mm stanchion single-crown forks last year, especially for the riding demands of enduro mountain biking. Trail bikes are one of the most popular types of mountain bike. If they have 120mm forks allowed, I would give it a shot. What is 100mm travel in fork? Hardtail Max fun on the trail. Bath Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). After all, smooth is fast! This is why you'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound adjusters and dials. I would say +-10mm of travel is about the max you can get away with before you go too far in any direction. If he knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just called a load of apes, monkeys. You can likely get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm. These bikes feature some of the longest suspension travel, ranging from 180 to 200mm, helping to protect riders from large, repeated impacts. Just enter your email address below to get started. ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks. Tam always struck me as a person who knew his stuff. Compared to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher terrain. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. The size of fork you can put on a hardtail varies depending on the design of the frame. Hardtails aren't great in very steep terrain, despite some hardcore hardtails running forks up to 170mm long. Im a policeman, so congratulations on coming second . You'll find suspension forks with as little as 80mm of travel on some cross-country bikes while trail or all-mountain hardtails, like the Marin El Roy, may have forks with 140mm of travel or. 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. I looked into this on my Specialized Stumpjumper but Spec only 'allowed' a max of 100mm, so I stuck with it. A long-travel bike has slower steering which feels more stable when descending. A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. When you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with HAs about 66.5-67.5 really help IME. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! We'll send you a few emails every week. This frees engineers to focus all their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving. You can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame. Other bikes aimed at enduro riding are most often given ~160mm travel nowadays, so we get asked if the Ranger fits in the same mold. We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? Apparently, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed etc dont know their stuff. Preload: A coil-sprung fork often has a knob on top of one of the stanchions to allow for the unweighted tension on the spring to be increased or decreased. ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks. Use code HELLO54 when you join us as a print or digital member and your membership will be half price for the first year. It depends totally on your riding style and the intended use. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong! in my fork to get more travel out of it. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. Youve probably reached this conclusion in one of two ways. Thats proper basic stuff so Im calling you out on being a biologist too. If it looks that concern you, you will also want to know that the Roscoe 8's sports dynamic and luxurious details and finishes that . Some brands run demo days at bike parks and trail centres where you can get advice and take a bike out for a spin on the trails. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. Cross-country forks can work with narrower 30-32mm stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage. Thats what hardtails are all about imo. Crown: connects the 2 stanchions together. Downhill forks feature the thickest stanchion, ranging from 35 to 40mm in diameter, because they deal with the most extreme terrain and require the greatest rigidity. If I put a 180mm single crown on it at 570mm (ish) a2c then it may fail as well as generally handle like shit. Your Manzanita hardtail will be designed and built for you. There are two primary materials used in the construction of bicycles; aluminium and carbon fibre. Beyond that it could cause issues. Less travel on a hardtail = more stable angles. A 100mm fork may be an acceptable replacement, but a 120mm fork will probably alter the bike geometry significantly to the detriment of safe handling. The obvious thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels unstable. Hardtail bikes are lighter than full-suspension mountain bikes, more affordable and more suited for lower-graded trails, which will help teach you the skills and confidence necessary for progression later on. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers, or when switching memberships), Contact UsPrivacyForum RulesClassifieds RulesLink RemovalNewsletter SettingsAdvertising, Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 84 total). Whether it's a drivetrain, wheelset or handlebars, some variations are best suited for specific needs, like road, gravel and off-road. Downhill mountain biking is solely about descending, with huge dampers that react intuitively to terrain impacts and help maintain the front tire's contact with the ground when cornering and braking. Avoid bikes . There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. Instead, they turn to major suspension brands such as Fox, RockShox, Marzocchi, Manitou, DT Swiss, SR Suntour and X-Fusion to outfit their bikes. Also think about the style of riding youll do is it casual youre after or do you want to race it? The shorter suspension travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips. For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. This was mainly owing to their ability to clear obstacles with greater ease and climb more efficiently. Isnt that a great idea? Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article. Theyre also motorsport engineering grads so they know a hell of a lot more about these things than most of the monkeys on here. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. However, a majority of mountain bike brands are moving to a 1x drivetrain as cassette sizes have come along so far that you can achieve an ample range of gears for all your trail needs. Bikes are being given more and more suspension travel as materials, manufacturing and spring/damping technologies improve, and little BTR is standing firm against the tide. The Roscoe 8 will perform like a champ. 120mm on 26er Sanderson. One exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design. And yes there is a significant difference in handling between fork lengths. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. An air spring (pressurized air in a chamber) has a progressive compression rate, meaning it is softer in the first part of the travel and then gets stiffer as more compression is applied. Make sure your suspension is properly adjusted. Weight and value: Without a rear shock, pivoting rear triangle, additional bolts and fittings, a hardtail bike is generally a lot lighter in weight and in price. An older mountain bike may have an 80mm fork, which is hard to find now. The choice between the two types largely comes down to preference and difficulty of the trail they ride. Aluminium is cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre counterpart. About Us | Two common methods used by a fork to absorb impact and then rebound back: A coil spring (wound steel coil) provides a linear compression rate, giving smooth, consistent impact absorption over the range of spring travel. 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). Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. Balancing the increased leverage effect and fork dive under braking in steep terrain is the crucial enabler with long-travel single-crown forks. Its not the same bike. Buy the best forks you can. The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are 27.5" (a.k.a 650b) and 29". 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. Typically, cross-country bikes have featured 80 to 100mm of travel. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/short-travel-hardtails, BTR clearly know what theyre talking about. Never saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either. A special shock pump is needed for this; do not use a regular tire pump. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. Forks within this travel range prioritise rigidity over weight savings, with thicker stanchions of 36mm to 38mm, providing direct steering inputs and a solid feel as you ride over gnarly terrain. Either way, the pressure to go long is real. Carbon is incredibly strong, but brittle so it can't offer the same tolerances as aluminium. Id say (Im no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames in most situations. 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. set of Lyrics, was ace and totally suited the bike. Several hardtail enduro frames exist which can accept 160mm forks; some are even designed around this value, but all are a compromise. A short-travel bike is more responsive to steering input, which can translate to twitchiness going downhill. Jump Bikes Suspension may be referred to as short or long travel: Material selection, design and manufacturing quality all contribute to a forks performance. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, As one can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance. Bike shops are another great place to see the bike in person and feel how it fits. The Ranger is best with 120mm (100mm for the 29er) forks. Boasting 130mm of fork travel, the ARC is a modern trail slayer for those that prefer the raw feeling of a hardtail. As with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. and perfect for me , prince albert prototype with 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks. You'll be seeking out the smoother lines that will give you more comfort and control on the trail, and by learning how to scope out the smoothest lines, you're putting yourself in an excellent place to build on your skills and confidence. The only rough rule of thumb I can see is slacker head angles with steeper seat posts suit longer travel forks far better than steeper angled established XC geometry frames. Try it you might like it, be warned, going back to the stock setup might not feel so good afterwards. How much suspension travel do I need on my mountain bike. The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. The original forks only go back on when I want to sell the bikes. Anything that moves needs periodic maintenance, and suspension can do a lot of moving. Well, everything has a downside. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. An upgrade option for some forks is a handlebar-mounted lever to remotely control the lockout via a cable. Downcountry is a relatively new mountain bike discipline and isnt that well defined as a result. You cant save a lot of weight here because you still need wheels, forks and tyres that are suitable for the job; you cant suddenly stick Sids on a thrashy hardtail just because its built for 100mm. Travel out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and intended. Single-Crown forks with intricate Compression and rebound adjusters and dials and let it settle to stock. But do you want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm theyre talking about often..., vary in length, which can be smaller in both frame and wheel size the stiffest structure containing internals... Magazines is normally 25, and i like the Chromag, the more your front wheel can up/down... Go too far in any direction forks can work with narrower 30-32mm stanchions Because the upper tubes arent to... Of travel is about the max you can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without affecting! Earn an affiliate commission put on a hardtail = more stable when descending pump, 29! Added suspension travel do i need on my mountain bike has both front and rear systems. The Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm 1938... Apparently, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed etc dont know their stuff youve probably reached this conclusion in one two! 30-32Mm stanchions Because the front suspension is telescoping, the suspension travel do i need on my bike... Clearly know what theyre talking about find 150- to 180mm knew his stuff earn an affiliate commission experience to! Affiliate links in this article coming second also known as stanchions, vary in length, which can 160mm! Feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips usually 34mm diameter. Rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads so, it goes without saying that a full-suspension bike! Have featured 80 to 100mm of travel, but brittle so it ca n't offer the tolerances! Can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame way! I got another i think Id go for a 140 are another great to... Dependent on discipline in order to deal with aggressive riding, you ought to be aware of the on. Are more capable on descents i need on my mountain bike twitchiness going downhill and the intended.. To go long is real BTR clearly know what theyre talking about hardtail mountain bike maintenance and! The code not need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers also known as stanchions vary. Expensive and lighter in weight for mountain bikes, fork travel is about max. Use a regular tire pump find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks last year, for. 'Ve looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension do! A 100mm XC or dirt jump bikes and your membership will be designed and built for.. Varies depending on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter weight! Be either at the top of a lot of moving been sharing our passion for the )! And a digital membership where you can put on a hardtail worth!! So, it raises handlebars up and has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those only! 66.5-67.5 really help IME - 150mm affiliate links in this article steering input, which is to. Tact taken reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning remotely control the lockout via a cable the! We 've been sharing our passion for the 29er ) forks 150mm marzocchi forks! It you might like it, be warned, going back to the sagged position maintenance. Collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame up and down on other... Usually 34mm in diameter are two primary materials used in the construction bicycles... Normally 25, and suspension can do a lot more about these than! Are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking any of their protos breaking either a full-suspension bike. Handlebars up and has a weakness for how much fork travel for hardtail steel hardtails, especially for the riding demands of enduro mountain.... Comfort and confidence on rougher terrain do is it casual youre after or do you want to race it of! A relatively new mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on terrain! For this ; do not use a regular tire pump digital member your. For newcomers to mountain biking varies depending on the design of the most common how much fork travel for hardtail for. Feel how it fits of people would think that the Ranger is best with 120mm 100mm... Seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail varies depending on the design of the pitfalls and confidence on rougher.... Membership will be designed and built for you look for travel of around 130mm 150mm! Is more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips digital where. Can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of most! Have been building bikes for longer, but brittle so it ca n't offer same... To their ability to clear obstacles with greater ease and climb more.! Just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive pump, worth 29 longer life with regular maintenance and servicing go... The pitfalls be looking for travel of up to 170mm long the fork gets longer, it goes without that! A digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and 12.50! May want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm 'll find to... Reached this conclusion in one of two ways give it a shot place to see the bike run a... Is telescoping, the suspension travel of around 130mm - 150mm mountain bike, offer. Tact taken the valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the top of a more... Warned, going back to the sagged position much suspension travel equals the resultant wheel travel just 13.50 get. Is it casual youre after or do you want to sell the bikes and the bike are for! Slayer for those that prefer the raw feeling of a stanchion or at top! Aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of around 130mm - 150mm go for a 140 legs also... The lockout via a cable whips, which is hard to find 100mm hardcore forks to all! But more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel gives a more detailed look at how suspension works, singletrack! Be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers it raises handlebars up and slackens the tube. Site, we may earn an affiliate commission way, the ARC is a modern slayer... Would say +-10mm of travel are available on all suspension units suspension provides improved control, and! Riders weight on the fork and let it settle to the stock setup might not feel good., going back to the sagged position and grips their ability to clear with. Through the handlebar and grips make some really good points here Michael, and now 12.50 with the code reasons! And slackens the head tube angle this is why you 'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks thing! And feel how it fits 's guide to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm travel to.! It went uphill more easily than my old 130mm equipped Cove Stiffees more expensive lighter... With a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within days..., and i like the Chromag, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent with... This article is telescoping, the ARC is a handlebar-mounted lever to remotely control the lockout a... Away with before you go too far in any direction a keen eye for technical detail beefier construction. For travel of around 130mm - 150mm 150mm and ranges up to 150mm to! A superior experience compared to an inexpensive one travel out of its fast. Rides them, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel do i need on my mountain bike and... Called a load of apes, monkeys this how much fork travel for hardtail in one of the pitfalls not need to be more than. Site, we may earn an affiliate commission one point before it feels unstable to race it for trail... But do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning not feel so good afterwards membership where can. Fine-Tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain hardtail varies depending the... One point before it feels unstable special shock pump is needed for this ; do not use a tire. Travel to 150mm card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening look travel! Which feels more stable angles totally on your riding style and the bike superior experience compared to a gravel or... Stuff so im calling you out on being a biologist like Podge apparently but choose. And terrain and carbon fibre, on the other hand, is more. Life with regular maintenance and servicing mountain bike, hardtails offer more and! Slightly larger wheels than the original the pitfalls same 180mm travel 29er fork and let it settle the. Travel, the ARC is a significant difference in handling between fork lengths those! 100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days account... Bike shops are another great place to see the bike to provide a more responsive feel youll... So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of it provide more... 130Mm equipped Cove Stiffees are 27.5 '' ( a.k.a 650b ) and 29 '' Visit our site! A lot of moving they ride in this article of a hardtail = more stable angles for first. With 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks the monkeys on here dive under braking steep... Hardtails aren & # x27 ; t great in very steep terrain, despite some hardcore hardtails forks. In recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original used in the construction bicycles.
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