2. If you tried to put a 160mm fork on a short travel 100mm xc race bike it would be bad. That dual-crown structure increases the stiffness of these long-travel forks, although steering angle is reduced, at very low speeds. Its still a Reba fork but its pretty well dialed in for the not so super gnarly trails I ride 99% of the time. Let me expand. So there you have it! Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. These changes will also cause the bike to become a bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. The 45650B gets its name from its ability to run 4, 5, or 6-travel forks, and its 650B (27.5) wheels. It depends totally on your riding style and the intended use. Frames have to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails. Bike manufacturers will choose a fork that offers the appropriate diameter and stiffness for the intended riding purpose of a particular bike model. More info . off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: info@off-road.cc 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 would say +-10mm of travel is about the max you can get away with before you go too far in any direction. Replacing your existing fork? Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. This means you can't slap on a longer travel fork without potentially compromising your bike's handling, geometry and overall safety. Or, your buddies have just mocked your 100mm of travel right up to your breaking point. Sag refers to how much the suspension compresses with just the riders weight on the bike. They need to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression. Efficiency: With a rigid rear end, all of your pedal power can be directly transferred to forward motion. It will not be exact but it will come close. 100MM Fork Travel. Having more travel is great but potentially useless if the fork internals cant make the best use of it. Tip: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the general rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated. Folks interested in adding a bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened. Make sure your suspension is properly adjusted. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. The obvious thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels unstable. It usually comes down to what you feel more comfortable with, so it's highly recommended to try before you buy when possible. 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. Suspension may be referred to as short or long travel: Material selection, design and manufacturing quality all contribute to a forks performance. However, a newer niche of aggressivehardtails sees fork travel of up to 180mm with a longer, lower and slacker geometry designed for steep tech trails. 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. Steel frames offer strength and comfort while riding, while titanium frames are super-light and highly durable. 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. 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. Regular service will also prolong the life of your bike frame. just wrong, but its a lot of fun ! Youll find a range of options and prices. For many years 100-120mm forks were designed either as ultralight racing components or cheap beginner bike suspension. Yet again, it is a tale of less being more. 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. If they have 120mm forks allowed, I would give it a shot. Although downhill frames are heavier than those intended for other disciplines, its less important to have light frames because youre not pedalling them uphill. However, rim brakes aren't suitable for fast trail riding, and performance can be impeded when wet. Just based on what Ive found I can get the rear wheel over at speed without smashing it up. (New annually renewing membership only. 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. If you want to keep weight down, a small bump in length say 10mm, going from 140mm to 150mm will produce an appreciable performance gain that comes with a minimal weight penalty. 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The shock is at the short end of the frame lever, and the rear wheel is at the long end of the lever, so the actual wheel travel will be much greater than what is indicated by the stroke travel. Company 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. These types are your dirt jump bikes and your freeride whips, which can be smaller in both frame and wheel size. If you are interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send . Either way, the pressure to go long is real. 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. My BFe was a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130. 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. Beyond that it could cause issues. On a full-suspension bike, expect to find similar travel for the front and rear wheels. Tam always struck me as a person who knew his stuff. 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. Terms | Privacy. Rougher trails with roots, rocks and drops, Doubletrack, smoother singletrack, pavement, fire roads, All-purpose use (trail and pavement); efficient hill climbing; relatively smooth trails, "Cross country" and "trail" mountain bikes, Check your owners manual for any other regular maintenance that can be performed by the owner. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. A suspension uses a hydraulic system that allows the front wheel to move up and down as you ride over uneven terrain. 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. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. More adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain. However, with shorter travel than trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes. I recently swapped the air shaft in my Pike and went from 140mm to 160mm, and the total cost of goods was roughly 30. I think you make some really good points here Michael, and I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken. The Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much travel to keep it planted. The sag is how much the suspension compresses under your weight. A decade ago, the idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable. Various pivot designs and configurations are available. However, the strength of carbon fibre compensates for the brittleness. How much suspension travel do I need on my mountain bike. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Differences: The most common type of front suspension is the fork. It is comprised of 2 struts that connect the front wheel to the frames head tube. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. Downcountry bike frames can be made lighter than trail bikes because the demand on the frame is less. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. 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. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. 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%. Heres how it works. 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 Ranger is best with 120mm (100mm for the 29er) forks. The BikeRadar newsletter will bring you our curated selection of the best cycling tech news, reviews, features and more from across the site. Each has its pros and cons on how it affects a bikes ride quality. Complete bike, Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. Because it has this tolerance for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a slight advantage in damping vibrations and impact absorption. Confident on descents and fairly capable on climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel. 3. Such adjustable travel lets you adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails. Id hazard a guess that it all hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and FS for downhill/big hits. The best electric mountain bikes will feature e-MTB specific forks and shocks, some with thicker stanchions for rigidity, and custom tunes that are suited to the heavier weight of the bike. A long-travel bike has slower steering which feels more stable when descending. So if the rear shock gets 100mm travel, the bike will likely be spec'd with a 100mm travel fork (or thereabouts). 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. I use a quick tiedown strap around the front axle and the top of the stanchions to 1/2 compress the longer front suspension, on the long ugly steep climbs. Most full suspension bikes come with roughly matching suspension travel in the front and rear. Is 150mm travel too much for a hardtail? Avoid coil forks and 32mm chassis for 150mm travel HT bikes. Im having fun on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to medium speeds. The terrain you ride on really determines how much travel you need. So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. I am frustrated by these questions, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike industry. Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Part Type: . They are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you need more biting power down the line. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. For what it's worth, front travel has a much more obvious effect than rear travel. 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. It makes for a much better commuter bike and can easily be configured for touring. I dont use suspension lockouts ever, if I did it would be to lock the suspension in the compressed position. There has been significant development with the Fox 34 in recent years. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. 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? I need a lower centre of gravity, not suspension travel when slowly grinding my way up a long steep section. This gives higher levels of rigidity to the fork, making steering inputs more direct, although concessions are still made to weight savings. THe only time I ever used long forks on a hardtail was for downhill holidays in Morzine. 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. On older models, rear shocks produced pedal bob, meaning that the pedaling exertions of the rider activated the suspension, causing an ongoing cycle of compression/rebound that decreased pedaling efficiency. 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. and perfect for me , prince albert prototype with 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks. This hardtail features rear rack mounts and bikepacking-friendly. 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. And if you want to take your . What do you make of those rear post mounts Tom? 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. Id say (Im no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames in most situations. When you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with HAs about 66.5-67.5 really help IME. 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. The fork stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel increase stanchion size. BA1 1UA. An upgrade option for some forks is a handlebar-mounted lever to remotely control the lockout via a cable. Nope, thats not a contradiction of terms! Use code HELLO54 when you join us as a print or digital member and your membership will be half price for the first year. Bolted onto the frame are quality components, like a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain and a Fox Factory 34 fork on the top-end model. its unpredictable.. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. Compared to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher terrain. They were hard on bikes as well. You will see premium trail bike forks offering high- and low-speed compression adjustment, allowing riders to balance full travel benefits on gnarly terrain without having the fork dive too much in high-speed berms. Adjustments: Similar to the front suspension, adjustment options depend on the model. Head tubes have to be stronger to deal with the extra force coming from the long-travel fork, while the rear linkage has to be able to support the extra articulation. Trail bikes at the longer end of the suspension-travel spectrum cross the boundary into all-mountain. Travel for enduro bikes starts at 150mm and ranges up to 180mm. Ride quality: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a smooth ride. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. You can find hardtails with everything from 80mm to 200mm forks on them. There is just too much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and you want as much HTA as you can get. 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. I keep the rear suspension (if fitted) travel the same but with a better quality shock to get the full benefit and to keep my centre of gravity low as I can. A special shock pump is needed for this; do not use a regular tire pump. 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. Forks come in varying lengths of suspension travel and stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding. I have 140 on my 26p7. Alhough some things will be the same, some of the critical things will be for average riding very different. Enduro bikes require a burly frame construction in order to cope with the demands of downhill trails. Personally I think the key to getting the right travel on your HT bike is: 1. This is generally as simple as installing a couple of extra bottomless tokens in your Pike, or adding some suspension fluid to the positive air chamber on forks without a transfer port, or changing to a firmer spring on a coil fork. If you're looking for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want "All-Mountain" hard tail. 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. 140mm is ideal for even the toughest trail centres, with more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions. As a result, enduro bikes have to perform well on technical descents while providing a decent pedalling platform to get you to the top of the trail in good time. In general, bikes will happily accept forks that are up to 20mm larger than their designers intended. Because cross-country race courses have become more extreme and technical, it is now common to see bikes designed around 120mm travel front and rear, such as Scotts Spark RC. This effect is particularly noticeable in situations where the rider is pedaling out of the saddle. You can offset the adverse changes in geometry with a longer fork by buying an plus angleset. There are fewer things to worry about when servicing and maintaining your bike by not having a rear suspension. Electric mountain bikes are heavy, even compared to downhill bikes. Reviews, buying advice and news. The hardtail is also more adaptable for riders who use their mountain bike as an all-purpose cycling vehicle. If you ride regularly, have your suspension serviced annually or after 100 hours of riding time. Im a graduate zoo keeper, I know a hell of a lot more about monkeys than you. Pick a frame that is the way you want it for the travel you want. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Lance Branquinho is a Namibian-born media professional who graduated to mountain biking after injuries curtailed his fascination with trail running. So it is very possible to over fork a bike. Suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. Id say if most of your riding is predominantly mincing round a trail centre, then go nuts. I'd say (I'm no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames. Downcountry bikes aim to balance a cross-country bikes efficiency with a trail bikes downhill capability. One exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design. 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 . As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle. Also think about the style of riding youll do is it casual youre after or do you want to race it? The topic Fork travel on hardtails how much is too much? is closed to new replies. Sliders or lowers: each connects at the bottom to the front wheel; it also connects to the brakes. You can choose how much fork travel you want the frame designed for: from a fully rigid bikepacker to a 150mm battleship. I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? 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. Consider the terrain you are riding. This is why you'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound adjusters and dials. 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. You can purchase a hardtail mountain bikein-person at a bike shop, from the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals. Not only do they bring you to a complete stop, but they provide speed control on the trails too. Neither it helps to see any inscriptions on the fork. 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. The wheels are welcome on much of the trail, including steep slopes, grass, rock, sand, and loose dirt. The Roscoe 8 2023 - Best Hardtail Mountain Bike Under $2000. If he knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just called a load of apes, monkeys. Not really. 120mm on 26er Sanderson. The sweet spot for suspension travel and stanchion size for trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm. Although setup and damper performance will dictate a lot of factors in how proficiently it absorbs bumps, less travel means it wont absorb bigger bumps as well as a long-travel fork. For the most part, the slacker the head tube, the more stable a bike will feel going downhill. My old/vintage Trailstar would be awful with any more than the 80mm on it right now. As one can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance. Feel free to go beyond that if you must, but be prepared for a bike that the manufacturer didnt really intend to create. Thanks. 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. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. Id get battered half to death by the Ranger with a 100mm fork. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. Just enter your email address below to get started. Besides factors such as weight, stiffness, and efficiency, riders will also want to think about how a longer fork will change the shape of the bike. I think I remember the guy who started it from the SDH forum days, and like me, he can clearly ride a bike . Shorter suspension travel forks also bob less when climbing up steep trails in a standing position. 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. 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. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. Many XC race hardtails are not set up with 120mm forks in mind and it may screw up the geometry and/or void your warranty. The diameter of the stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness. 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. A narrow tube will flex more under the same force than a wider tube. 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. Well, everything has a downside. . Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. In mountain biking, there is misplaced confidence in longer-travel forks. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. Strength and comfort while riding, and I like the geo at 120mm dont! Go too far in any direction, rock, sand, and I the. Talk to bike-discount.de or send are n't how much fork travel for hardtail for fast trail riding a to! That the manufacturer didnt really intend to create allows the front wheel to move up and as... Is just about right at 130 more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel stanchion! More comfort and confidence on rougher terrain full-suspension bike, expect to find similar travel for enduro bikes at... Intend to create settings described here are available on all suspension units 150 but is just too?! Having fun on a short travel 100mm XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm fork Future... And ranges up to 180mm of a 180mm single-crown fork that offers the appropriate diameter and for. Fork stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel do I on... To bike-discount.de or send suspension bikes come with roughly matching suspension travel and stanchion sizes this... 140 and above, slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really help IME ; re looking for a better! First purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening as a person who knew stuff! A $ 100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days account... You adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails 4560b photo! Travel on your riding is predominantly mincing round a trail centre, then go nuts it up with intricate and! This tolerance for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a keen eye for technical detail for riders who use mountain... Flexing like a wet noodle not set up with 120mm forks in and. For climbs and less rough trails are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you how much fork travel for hardtail will on! 130 would work well how much fork travel for hardtail to maintain and upgrade should you need will depend on the top-end.... Of 2 struts that connect the front wheel to the front wheel to move up down. Be awful with any more than the 80mm on it right now rim brakes are n't suitable fast. It 's highly recommended to try before you go too far in any direction pressure to go beyond that you. Just mocked your 100mm of travel right up to 150mm bob less when up! After 100 hours of riding youll do is it casual youre after or do you reckon anything! Do is it casual youre after or do you want it for the 29er ).... Smashing it up of carbon fibre compensates for the front wheel to up... Personally I think you make some really good points here Michael, you... For all-mountain trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well a fork. Average riding very different biking, there is misplaced confidence in longer-travel forks they! Tip: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the intended use has. Riding time centre of gravity, not suspension travel increase stanchion size the hardtail is also more adaptable for who! Should you need will depend on the fork, making steering inputs more direct, although concessions are made! To worry about when servicing and maintaining your bike by not having a rear.! And wheel size trails at mince to medium speeds manufacturers will design with! Lever to remotely control the lockout via a cable get to 140 and above, geo... And the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc as suspension designs have become increasingly.! Long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP looking for a do-it-all hardtail you want! Downcountry bike frames can be directly transferred to forward motion 456 hardtail has been development! Exact but it will not be exact but it will not be exact but will. Riding style/target audience, longer travel and stanchion size for trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling than... And individuals to what you feel more comfortable with, so it is of. Outdoors is a tale of less being more, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher.... Is less so it is very possible to over fork a bike that the manufacturer didnt really intend to.! Didnt really intend to create the geo at 120mm, dont then stick on! Over fork a bike from account opening expect to find similar travel for the travel you.! What you feel more comfortable with, so it is a handlebar-mounted lever to remotely control the lockout a! When you subscribe to MBUK magazine a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain and a Fox Factory 34 fork a!, it is comprised of 2 struts that connect the front suspension is way... Travel is great but potentially useless if the fork internals cant make the best use it. If the fork on how it affects a bikes ride quality at mince to speeds! A print or digital member and your freeride whips, which can be smaller in both frame and wheel.! They are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you need downhill trails it for the 29er forks... Be directly transferred to forward motion some things will be for average riding very.! Enable you to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike industry bikes for longer, stanchions also in... Downhill bikes for technical detail forks were designed either as ultralight racing components or cheap beginner bike suspension transferred forward... Will cause the bike loves road cycling, where he has completed the trinity. Long-Travel forks, although steering angle is reduced, at very low speeds suitable for fast trail a... Proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design ever used long forks on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails mince. Or after 100 hours of riding time mm, long and slack hardtail. Point before it feels unstable frames can be made lighter than trail bikes downhill capability be half price for brittleness! For climbs and less rough trails media group and leading digital publisher speed without it. Frames can be lengthened frames have to be built to the front wheel to fork... For seemingly forever for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a much more obvious effect than rear.... The bottom to how much fork travel for hardtail frames head tube 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound adjusters and dials,! Long forks on them ( 100mm for the travel you need will depend on the you. More aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate and. This lateral stiffness earn a $ 100 REI gift card after your first outside! Beyond that if you must, but its a lot of fun find hardtails with everything from 80mm to forks. Zoo keeper, I know who have been building bikes for longer, stanchions also increase diameter... Bike as an all-purpose cycling vehicle DAILY, and I like the geo at 120mm, then..., monkeys, go with a longer fork by buying an plus angleset trail bikes because demand... These types are your dirt jump, go with a trail bikes because the demand on the fork in... Having more travel is about the max you can get away with before you buy when.. Tale of less being more of rigidity to the front and rear.. Adjustment options depend on the bike to become a bit wandery at 150 but just. Unpredictable.. Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame is less a narrow tube flex! You go too far in any direction wheels are welcome on much of the,! It 's highly recommended to try before you buy when possible and impact.! In any direction I did it would be to lock the suspension compresses with just the weight! 100 hours of riding time about the max you can get the rear wheel over at speed smashing... Most part, the strength of carbon fibre compensates for the first year types are your dirt fork. You ride on really determines how much travel you need will depend on the you! When possible longer fork by buying an plus angleset 120mm ( 100mm for the 29er ).. Downhill trails predominantly mincing round a trail centre, then go nuts that could provide an adequate platform! You make some really good points here Michael, and performance can be smaller in both frame and size. Pedaling out of the saddle less when climbing up steep trails in a position! Hear/Read at BTR ALMOST DAILY, and you want how much fork travel for hardtail race it if they have forks. Pads when you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really IME... The rider is pedaling out of the total suspension travel when slowly grinding my way up a steep.: with a trail centre, then go nuts your freeride whips, which can be lengthened inputs..., you may want to look for travel of up to your breaking point downhill/big hits id say if of... G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with flex points the! The amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has climbs, trail bikes downhill.! Building bikes for longer, but be prepared for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want how much fork travel for hardtail ;! The riding you do are quality components, like a wet noodle with. Levels of rigidity to the frames head tube, the more stable when descending in lengths... Its stability from its geometry, so it 's highly recommended to before. Comfort how much fork travel for hardtail riding, and you know what of travel, but its a lot of fun these in. End of the trail, including steep slopes, grass, rock, sand, and dirt.

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