Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Fox F80RL 26" Suspension Fork IS disc mount 197mm Straight 1 1/8" Steerer at the best online prices at eBay! Tam always struck me as a person who knew his stuff. Typically, cross-country bikes have featured 80 to 100mm of travel. Check the manufacturers manual (usually found on their website) for your specific model. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. Never saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either. The topic Fork travel on hardtails how much is too much? is closed to new replies. Just based on what Ive found I can get the rear wheel over at speed without smashing it up. Travel is also given a boost from 120mm to 140mm, delivered by a 32mm to 36mm stanchion fork, depending on the model. A long-travel bike has slower steering which feels more stable when descending. Your Manzanita hardtail will be designed and built for you. 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! A narrow tube will flex more under the same force than a wider tube. The fork stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel increase stanchion size. Less travel on a hardtail = more stable angles. Seat tube angle: 75. 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. 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. And yes there is a significant difference in handling between fork lengths. Depending on the bike, that could be a good thing. . Bike manufacturers design their mountain bikes around different travel lengths, tailored to specific terrains or riding disciplines, and categorise the bikes accordingly. Suspension units are expensive to replace; suspension lifespan can be extended by having periodic service performed by a suspension specialist. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road. The weight, stanchion thickness, and travel all increase to meet the demands of each discipline and longer forks arent superior in every application. Single-crown fork design has had to go longer, with the best enduro mountain bikes now ripping down terrain once reserved for downhill rigs. Depending on the discipline of riding the bike is designed for, the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm. As with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. The geometry and quality of travel more important in my opinion. Id say (Im no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames in most situations. A hardtail means the bike will have suspension at the front, known as a fork, but no suspension at the rear, so the bike's back end is rigid. 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. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. Take our Belter for example- ideal with 160mm forks because its designed around them and doesnt have such a strong emphasis on efficiency as the Ranger. Some shops may even allow you to ride around the car park to get a sense of how you feel about it. Join once, enjoy forever. i know .. Best Bike Trails | This refers to the amount of distance the suspension will move before it is fully compressed. As for longer travel suspension creating a larger bobbing effect then start working on your pedalling technique, instead of expecting the bike to compensate for your faults. The terrain you ride on really determines how much travel you need. I am frustrated by these questions, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike industry. If you're looking for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want "All-Mountain" hard tail. Ive got 140mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward. This bike looks very, very good. A professional suspension service is also highly recommended whenever you experience the following: The newsletter sign-up system is currently down for maintenance. Electric bikes can be categorised by the other disciplines featured in this article and will tend to feature the travel of that discipline. I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? Jump Bikes As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. I'd say (I'm no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. This issue has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 or 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding. How will you know? It is usually a measurement of how far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses. 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. That said it went uphill more easily than my old 130mm equipped Cove Stiffees. Suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has. Although downhill frames are heavier than those intended for other disciplines, its less important to have light frames because youre not pedalling them uphill. Folks interested in adding a bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened. Apparently, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed etc dont know their stuff. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. Some front forks feature adjustable travel to provide more versatility: You can shorten the travel for going uphill and lengthen it for sustained or steep downhill sections. All rights reserved. As I said, Ive never noticed anything untoward with the 140mm on my current HT, although thats quite firm, just wondered what people thought of the reasoning. Because it has this tolerance for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a slight advantage in damping vibrations and impact absorption. Theres room to play there within reason. Hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel. Putting a 160mm fork on a hardtail designed for 100mm of travel will drastically alter the design, so you should think about it carefully before you commit. ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks. We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. Of course with the ones I keep looking at you can have custom sizing and geometry, so its not quite as easy as fit what its designed for. Here is a link that should help sort this out. RockShox has reacted too with its latest Pike range, blending 35mm stanchions with low fork weight. Yeti uses TURQ carbon construction for a stiff, lightweight, and durable frame. Electric mountain bikes are heavy, even compared to downhill bikes. You'll also notice that the amount of travel you have will affect the frame geometry. Regular service will also prolong the life of your bike frame. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. An upgrade option for some forks is a handlebar-mounted lever to remotely control the lockout via a cable. Hardtail Max fun on the trail. Lower values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles. Too many compromises IMHO. [offer keyword=FOX 34 FLOAT PERFORMANCE 27.5 2018]. 3. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. 2. You really don't need a lot travel to hit jumps. Fork Travel: 100mm. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. Hardtail mountain bikes have a suspension fork and a rigid rear end. it makes no sense.. Hardtail mountain bikes are also well-represented in cross-country, because rigid frames allow for the highest pedalling efficiency. I got a Trel Fuel Ex 9.9 with a fox 34 with 130 mm travel and Id like to upgrade it for a Fox 36 with 150 mm travel, but in my country this fork is not possible to buy, they only sell Fox 36 with 160 mm travel. Let me expand. While weight is certainly a factor in the upgrade decision, its also important to consider that a fork with more travel will be less efficient when the rider is pedaling. The suspension is compressed when the stress is applied, the lever arm will be very similar the the shorter original forks, so the stress will be the similar. 505 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. Check out our handy second-hand buyer's guide to be aware of the pitfalls. Already have an account with us? There are fewer things to worry about when servicing and maintaining your bike by not having a rear suspension. Unlike the useless fully extended locked position they come with. Hardtails have front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a fork. Wow, great piece of information Brian about possibly lengthening ones current fork. The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are 27.5" (a.k.a 650b) and 29". A longer wheelbase has the same effect. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. 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. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. 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. The fit, geometry, and tubing selection will be tuned for your weight, riding style, and frame size. In addition, you're not likely to notice much difference between a 120mm, 130mm, and 140mm fork. I would say +-10mm of travel is about the max you can get away with before you go too far in any direction. Be sure to read this entire article to stay safe and avoid any surprises. This article covers the basics of suspension for new bike shoppers or anyone considering an upgrade. A lockout feature is commonly included; one upgrade is a handlebar-mounted remote control for the lockout. This means you can't slap on a longer travel fork without potentially compromising your bike's handling, geometry and overall safety. Anything much more than this and I find it feels horrible, as the fork goes through the travel and the head angle steepens. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. Adjustments may be available for both the compression and rebound. Personally prefer the handling of longer forks and or larger front wheels, the faster and rougher it is, the more I prefer it. 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. Forks come in varying lengths of suspension travel and stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding. 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. 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. Ride quality: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a smooth ride. 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. The Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much travel to keep it planted. Forks with mid-sized stanchions, either 34mm, 35mm or 36mm in diameter, are common on trail bikes. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. Try it you might like it, be warned, going back to the stock setup might not feel so good afterwards. Support Us | With modern forks with proper damping, i cant see a problem tbh! Either way, the pressure to go long is real. If we were asked these questions about the Belter or the Pinner, the answers would be yes, no but its compatible, yes. Adjust the coil-spring preload or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension. Disc brakes that use a hydraulic system are available in many variations and at differing price points. 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). 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. Bottom line: They all work well, and the average recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance. So it is very possible to over fork a bike. This is why you'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound adjusters and dials. 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. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the rear triangle, allowing for vertical compliance in the frame. Mr__Rogerss 3 yr. ago 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. Too much is a bad thing, but 20mm or so should be OK. Be careful about trying to make a silk purse from a sours ear though - an entry level XC hard tail will never be a great down hill machine. The rear frame triangle, which holds the rear wheel, will have one or more pivot points to enable the wheel to travel through a range of motion. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. The shorter suspension travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips. 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. To further add to my previous comment. 140mm is ideal for even the toughest trail centres, with more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions. Chainstay length: 425mm. Crown: connects the 2 stanchions together. As fork travel increases with trail bikes, the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex. Less flexibility in the fork will mean more direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. This number indicates whether there are one or two chainrings in the front, often followed by a second number which indicates how many rings (or cogs) are on the cassette in the rear. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! Replacing your existing fork? The fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres. Neither it helps to see any inscriptions on the fork. Almost all mountain bikes are equipped with front suspension, as well as some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids bikes. You can likely get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm. Its not the same bike. Yet again, it is a tale of less being more. Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week. 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Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, He has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear. just wrong, but its a lot of fun ! 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). Belt . About Us | Is 120mm travel enough for downhill? Would like one for the laughs but I have other things to buy really. Upgrading the fork to more travel will change the geometry. However, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders. Locked lowered for a lower centre of gravity on the steep uphill sections (front and rear suspension), that would be useful to me. I have 140 on my 26p7. Personally I think the key to getting the right travel on your HT bike is: 1. Id hazard a guess that it all hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and FS for downhill/big hits. Enduro bikes require a burly frame construction in order to cope with the demands of downhill trails. Each has its pros and cons on how it affects a bikes ride quality. It usually comes down to what you feel more comfortable with, so it's highly recommended to try before you buy when possible. You can unsubscribe at any time. 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. Big news for mid-tier mountain bikes as Shimano CUES enters the chat and kills off Deore, Tiagra, Alivio, Sora and other familiar groupsets. If you really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike. Dont own a hardtail at the mo but the Transition Trans Am with Domains up front was a riot check the pic below anything less wouldve made the head angle silly steep.

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