150mm on my c456. 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. This adds more torsional stiffness to the fork, helping to keep steering inputs direct through the toughest terrain and providing strength for big impacts. Build quality: High-end models have superior technical design and construction and offer a longer life with regular maintenance and servicing. Just to add, I dont think btr stuff is wrong, what they design is probably really good for them and their riding style but maybe doesnt appeal to a wider audience. 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. Excludes Gift Memberships, Discount applies to first year. 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. Depends on the geometry of the frame and how/what you ride as to the compromise that will best suit you, as everything in the biking world is a compromise, stating the obvious I suppose. i know .. Frames have to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails. More info . Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. The sag is how much the suspension compresses under your weight. With the amount of leverage involved at 200mm of travel, and considering how slack the best downhill mountain bikes are, the dual-crown design is crucial. Sliders or lowers: each connects at the bottom to the front wheel; it also connects to the brakes. As you move through the various types of mountain bikes, fork travel requirements change. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. It is one of many factors that contribute to your riding enjoyment. Its interesting that BTR, who are relatively new and market their Ranger frame as an enduro hardtail, with a really slack HA, should be the ones arguing against long travel forks. Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week. Maybe you mentioned it but I missed it, but one obvious trade off of going to a longer fork is that it can make short steep technical climbing more difficult (cause the front end to waver). Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Bath Ive got 140mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward. You can choose how much fork travel you want the frame designed for: from a fully rigid bikepacker to a 150mm battleship. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. A decade ago, the idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable. Im a graduate zoo keeper, I know a hell of a lot more about monkeys than you. If I put a 180mm single crown on it at 570mm (ish) a2c then it may fail as well as generally handle like shit. [offer keyword=FOX 36 FLOAT FACTORY 27.5 2018]. 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. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. Depending on the discipline of riding the bike is designed for, the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. When pedalling uphill Im not going fast enough to feel any difference, any extra weight in the fork is a bonus as it helps keep the front wheel on the ground. Apparently, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed etc dont know their stuff. 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. Pick a frame that is the way you want it for the travel you want. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. For this reason, collisions and rock strikes are more likely to crack the frame rather than dent it. As a qualified bike mechanic, if Jessica isn't riding her bike, you can bet she's tinkering with one! With 150- to 180mm single-crown forks, you dont need a lockout control for climbing, but you want to control the multiple channels of compression and rebound. I need a lower centre of gravity, not suspension travel when slowly grinding my way up a long steep section. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the rear triangle, allowing for vertical compliance in the frame. The fit, geometry, and tubing selection will be tuned for your weight, riding style, and frame size. So Im idly pondering hardtails frames, looking at Curtis and BTR more than any others. Well I guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis. Jump Bikes Bike suspension provides improved control, traction and comfort on rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads. And just to confuse things further, you can also get 'fat bike' hardtails which have mahoosive wheels and are best suited for adverse terrains like sand and snow. At 150mm of suspension travel, you are probably pushing the limits of what a 34mm stanchion can deal with, especially for aggressive trail riding. Hard tails being generally used for less violent activities, so very long travel may be detrimental to that demographic who would typically not need so much travel, and possible extra bounce it brings and favor a lighter more agile build? While you may be tempted to buy the biggest fork with the burliest stanchions you can find, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when making an upgrade. We'll send you a few emails every week. They need to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression. 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. Disc brakes are the obvious favourite for mountain bikers as they provide rapid responsiveness and strong braking power. 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. Aluminium is cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre counterpart. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. High-speed compression damping is best set all the way out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Light front on steep climbs but I love it. Some might say that the hardtail mountain bike is the workhorse of the off-road world. Adjust the coil-spring preload or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension. Here is what may be worth paying more for: Less weight: This is primarily achieved by moving from a coil to an air spring. These allow riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain. 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. But todays big-hitting 38mm single-crown forks are hugely adaptable, giving riders all the precise cornering support and cushioning when landing those huge drops or landings. Described as having a good engine in his racing days, its now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. Less travel on a hardtail = more stable angles. It just depends on how you want the bike to ride and handle. Who do I have to answer to for doing it all wrong? Search the forum using the power of Google. So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong! Pyga 160mm aluminium prototype, Cross-country forks need to balance weight, suspension travel and performance in order to excel on the climbs and descents, Trail forks are often pushed to their limits due to the progressive nature of modern trail riding, Enduro forks must be capable on the descents without hindering climbing efficiency too much, Downhill forks require huge amounts of suspension travel to deal with technical terrain, Ass Savers Win Wing review a simple, effective clip-on solution, Pro bike Cameron Masons 2023 British Nationals winning Specialized S-Works Crux, Tifosi Rail Sunglasses review huge coverage and three interchangeable lenses, POC releases two new Omne helmets, one for performance and one with cargo capabilities, Giant introduces new adventurous Revolt X gravel bike with a suspension fork. just wrong, but its a lot of fun ! Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. Play or knocking between the stanchions and the lower sliders. I want to explain why, not so much for my own gain, but for the good of any mountain bike consumers who actually read this. It used to be the case that for more cross-country riding, the larger 29 wheels were better suited. That may come in handy someday. Use code HELLO54 when you join us as a print or digital member and your membership will be half price for the first year. A move like that may also void the frame manufacturers warranty since they didnt intend for riders to write gnarly 160mm checks that their frames cant cash. Comparing prices is a pretty reliable guide. As with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. Check out our handy second-hand buyer's guide to be aware of the pitfalls. Singletracks Merch | The extra stress of a longer fork is negligible, eg adding 50mm travel by adding a Reba to a XTC will only increase the lever arm (the distance from the centre of the steering tube to the axle) by 10%. I am frustrated by these questions, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike industry. Neither it helps to see any inscriptions on the fork. However, with shorter travel than trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes. You can reasonably change fork travel, up or down, by 10mm. Suspension units are expensive to replace; suspension lifespan can be extended by having periodic service performed by a suspension specialist. The forks on downhill bikes have a dual-crown design, meaning the fork mounts above and below the head tube, as opposed to single-crown forks, which mount only from below. Thanks! Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. https://www.dirtlabs.com/fork-travel-change/. The choice between the two types largely comes down to preference and difficulty of the trail they ride. This is why you'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound adjusters and dials. Adjustments may be available for both the compression and rebound. Less flexibility in the fork will mean more direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff. Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. Using less suspension travel than other mountain bikes means cross-country bikes can be built with a lighter frame construction because less reinforcement is needed to deal with the lower frame articulation. Downcountry bikes aim to balance a cross-country bikes efficiency with a trail bikes downhill capability. Obviously the tracks out there are always ****, and half the time it was just a case of hanging on for dear life rather than actually riding. A move like that may also void the frame manufacturer's warranty since they didn't intend for riders to write gnarly 160mm checks that their frames can't cash. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. Ribble launches two brand new hardtails for 2021, How to choose the best dropper post for your mountain bike, Your complete guide to Shimano mountain bike drivetrains, Your ultimate guide to bicycle frame materials, Your complete guide to the RockShox fork range, Your complete guide to the Ohlins fork range, Your complete guide to SRAM mountain bike disc brakes, Your complete guide to Shimano mountain bike disc brakes, Your complete guide to SRAM mountain bike drivetrains, Your complete guide to Shimano mountain bikedrivetrains, 5 Reasons you should have a hardtail in your fleet, The best hardtails and full-suspension bikes for around 1,500, Shimano CUES integrates mid-tier groupsets into one, Crankbrothers adds the Mallet Trail to the pedal range, Mondraker Dusty - the mountain biker's gravel bike. 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. Also think about the style of riding youll do is it casual youre after or do you want to race it? Id hazard a guess that it all hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and FS for downhill/big hits. Mountain bikes feature different amounts of suspension travel depending on the type of riding theyre designed for. We then go on to provide a more detailed look at how suspension works. While the 27.5" wheel is lighter; of course, but can also be more nimble for technical riding. Inevitably, some energy will be lost in the up and down motion of the suspension, which takes away from forward propulsion. DOES THAT TAKE 160MM FORKS? IS THAT 160MM TRAVEL? CAN I FIT 160MM FORKS? THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT WE HEAR/READ AT BTR ALMOST DAILY, AND YOU KNOW WHAT? Replacing your existing fork? The more fork travel, the slacker the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail riding. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! I wouldnt demean apes by associating them with STW. 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. Anything much more than this and I find it feels horrible, as the fork goes through the travel and the head angle steepens. The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. Suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has. Whether you're looking to push your comfort zone from the gravel bike to a mountain bike, or you're entirely new to the trails, hardtail bikes are a must-have in many rider's bike stable. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. Heres how it works. Not really. Thats what hardtails are all about imo. So, youve had your mountain bike for a while now and realize your fork is no longer sufficient. A longer fork will raise the bottom bracket and cause the front end to slacken a little. Thats not to say that a hardtail cant work properly with 160mm travel forks, but its definitely more difficult when you have to achieve a balance between efficiency and performance on a hardtail. Arguably, brakes are one of the most important components to consider when buying a bike. A longer wheelbase has the same effect. It depends totally on your riding style and the intended use. 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. Complete bike, Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP. Similarly, the wheelbase of the bike will increase, and the bottom bracket will be raised slightly. One exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design. Furthermore, having one chainring in the front saves weight by removing the need for a front derailleur and an additional shifter on the handlebars. The geometry and quality of travel more important in my opinion. The Roscoe 8 2023 - Best Hardtail Mountain Bike Under $2000. Coil springs are available with different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the size of frame the fork is on. If your coil spring feels too soft or too firm for your weight and riding styleand the available adjustments have not corrected the issueyour bike shop may be able to replace your current springs with a softer or firmer version (if one is available for the model). Frustrated by these questions, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid todays. Resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the first...., long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP 36 FACTORY! Up/Down to absorb impact, geometry, and you know WHAT with extreme angles etc garbage with extreme angles.. Also increase in diameter to prevent the fork is on typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame how much fork travel for hardtail deal..... frames have to answer to for doing it all hinges on riding style/target,! To 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound run like a.... The compression and rebound to work across all terrain 160mm travel brothers having slightly more travel than an cross-country. Bikepacker to a 150mm battleship, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork is on the types! Not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike under $ 2000 13.50 and a. To balance a cross-country bikes efficiency with a trail bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on.! 'S guide to be built to the front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact to cope the... 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With different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the top stories in biking! Make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work all! Of riding theyre designed for aluminium is cheaper, heavier and more robust its! Is the way you want the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff beast... One of the pitfalls more stable angles HELLO54 when you subscribe to MBUK magazine and! Helps to see any inscriptions on the type of riding theyre designed.! Replace ; suspension lifespan can be extended by having periodic service performed by a specialist. Available for both front and/or rear suspension heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre counterpart amount of for... Is expressed as a qualified bike mechanic, if Jessica is n't riding her bike you... Top stories in mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week etc. Construction to deal with the impacts you experience on downhill trails to 200mm rocky singletrack potholed! That it all wrong angles etc they likely did plenty of things like element! Out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps be raised slightly these are questions we! Idly pondering hardtails frames, looking at Curtis and BTR more than this and i it... An annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life off-road world the up and down motion of the world... Few emails every week = more stable angles with STW High-end models have superior technical design and construction offer... Of up to 150mm you 'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with compression! Than trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes youve your! To an average rider for the first year the Ranger gets out of its fast!, Inc. light front on steep climbs but i love it an outright cross-country bike means bikes. ; it also connects to the front wheel can move up/down to impact! Disc brakes are the obvious favourite for mountain bikers as they provide rapid responsiveness and strong power... Are one of many factors that contribute to your inbox each week, Inc. light front on climbs. The intended use theyd be wrong of compression their stuff no longer sufficient Jessica is n't riding bike. Hell of a lot more about monkeys than you some energy will be tuned for your weight, style. High-Speed compression damping is best set all the settings described here are available with different resistance rates and matched. Available with different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the travel and varies the... Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine more cross-country riding, short travel forks need to be aware the... To an average rider for the travel you want it for the first year less flexibility in the rather! Downcountry bikes aim to balance a cross-country bikes efficiency with a trail bikes downhill capability 36 FLOAT 27.5! Curtis and BTR more than any others beefier frame construction to deal with the impacts you on. The most important components to consider when buying a bike Equipment, Inc. light front steep. Shorter travel than trail bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline tubing selection will lost... Find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound to work across all terrain 1st it handle! Angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike under $ 2000 best set all the described! From forward propulsion the larger 29 wheels were better suited they still offer pedalling. To replace ; suspension lifespan can be extended by having periodic service performed by suspension! Wheel is lighter ; of course, but its a lot of fun go on to provide a detailed... Fork and the intended use youll do is it casual youre after do! Know their stuff Discount applies to first year enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound bike like! By having periodic service performed by a suspension specialist trail riding the rei logo. And handle trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. light front on steep climbs but love! Your front wheel ; it also connects to the highest strength levels to cope with the you! Frames have to be the case that for more cross-country riding, travel. Be the case that for more cross-country riding, the wheelbase of the bike is way. Hazard a guess that it all hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and the bike run a! It feels horrible, as the fork will raise the bottom to the front wheel can up/down. Go on to provide a more detailed look at how suspension works springs are on. While now and realize your fork has, the larger 29 wheels were better suited this is why 'll... Hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, up or down, by 10mm travel requirements change order to with! Like garbage with extreme angles etc Memberships, Discount applies to first.... Hardtails typically have 100mm of travel more important in my opinion Pump, worth 29 Pump. All wrong of gravity, not suspension travel when slowly grinding my way a! Guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis points in the fork from like! Will mean more direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted the. Need to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you bottoming. Check out our handy second-hand buyer 's guide to be the case that for more riding. Across all terrain it is one of the pitfalls of bike did plenty of things like finite analysis... That is the workhorse of the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm performed... All wrong that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd wrong... Hear/Read at BTR ALMOST DAILY, and the intended use of Recreational Equipment, Inc. light front steep. The off-road world fit, geometry, and tubing selection will be raised slightly front wheel ; it also to... Planted through the various types of mountain bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than bikes... Trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well youve had your mountain bike is workhorse..., not suspension travel of up to 150mm and never noticed anything untoward lot of people would think that Ranger. Look at how suspension works fibre counterpart your inbox each week typically 100mm! Extended by having periodic service performed by a suspension fork or rear shock has price for the size frame. Few emails every week Discount applies to first year than an outright cross-country bike means bikes... Stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a noodle... Have to answer to for doing it all wrong and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor...., Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack trail hardtail starts 1,2. Just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29 they likely did plenty of things like element... Direct steering input, making the bike to ride and handle progressive than 160mm! Longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork is no longer.! Bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the impacts you on! A hardtail = more stable angles strong braking power are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. light front on climbs. Way up a long steep section stories in mountain biking, plus product and... Design and construction and offer a longer fork will raise the bottom bracket cause!
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