There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. Travel is also given a boost from 120mm to 140mm, delivered by a 32mm to 36mm stanchion fork, depending on the model. Depends on the hardtail- give it forks as long as it wants. Riding a bike off-road requires sturdy purpose-built components that can handle the demands of mountain biking. For more information about how we hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy. They were hard on bikes as well. Seat tube angle: 75. Dont know about other wheel sizes. Conversely, wider tubes will be heavier and stiffer to absorb the greater impacts generated from high speeds on rough terrain and jump landings. These types are your dirt jump bikes and your freeride whips, which can be smaller in both frame and wheel size. Increase the preload if the fork feels too spongy. Id say if most of your riding is predominantly mincing round a trail centre, then go nuts. This way you have all the advantages of a longer fork but retain more or less all characteristics of the bike the designer intended. Probably something to do with dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails. 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. 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. A suspension uses a hydraulic system that allows the front wheel to move up and down as you ride over uneven terrain. But in terms of suspension, these bikes range from beefed up cross-country at 110mm of travel, to lightweight trail with around 130mm front and rear travel. Lockout: Many forks have a stanchion top lever (shown at right) to lock out the fork, which eliminates the travel. If you really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike. The best cross-country mountain bikes are designed to compete in high-level, fast races, where lightness and pedalling efficiency are often the keys to success. 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. 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. One exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design. in my fork to get more travel out of it. for your first email from REI. Too many compromises IMHO. I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? Hardtails aren't great in very steep terrain, despite some hardcore hardtails running forks up to 170mm long. it makes no sense.. If you ride steep terrain with a lot of extended descents, you'll likely want more travel. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. 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. Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. Havent ridden a 650b ht myself but Id say 140mm is about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in. Pick a frame that is the way you want it for the travel you want. Morewood Kwela Confident on descents and fairly capable on climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Frames have to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails. ride it as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and the 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort. Nope, thats not a contradiction of terms! Electric bikes can be categorised by the other disciplines featured in this article and will tend to feature the travel of that discipline. Jump Bikes The fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres. Although downhill frames are heavier than those intended for other disciplines, its less important to have light frames because youre not pedalling them uphill. 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. The obvious thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels unstable. You can unsubscribe at any time. Bikes can quickly become more and more expensive when you begin looking at higher-end components and brands, so it's best to set yourself a spending limit. Sliders or lowers: each connects at the bottom to the front wheel; it also connects to the brakes. Rides: Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. So, youve had your mountain bike for a while now and realize your fork is no longer sufficient. Also, with longer forks, you need to fit dual ply tyres and strong/heavy wheels to really cope with the damage. The obvious thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels unstable. For the most part, the slacker the head tube, the more stable a bike will feel going downhill. As a forks suspension travel lengthens, set-up becomes crucial. Id say (Im no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames in most situations. 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. The Exposure Zenith MK2 is designed primarily as a helmet mounted light (which is how I tested it) but you can mount it on handlebars too. Belt . Hitting 3' drops is like hitting a root, they are so . We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? Isnt that a great idea? A short-travel fork will also run out of travel quicker compared to one with more travel. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Check the manufacturers manual (usually found on their website) for your specific model. Single-crown fork design has had to go longer, with the best enduro mountain bikes now ripping down terrain once reserved for downhill rigs. Such adjustable travel lets you adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails. 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. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! That will give you a front end that will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. However, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders. There is just too much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and you want as much HTA as you can get. Downcountry bikes aim to balance a cross-country bikes efficiency with a trail bikes downhill capability. Hopefully, youve been riding quite a bit, and thanks to your improving skills youre now placing more demands on your front suspension with higher speeds and/or more adventurous line choices. In addition, some fully rigid bikes come with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a suspension fork. The trade-off for this weight saving comes in the form of fork flex, which impacts the directness of steering inputs and the overall ability of the fork to perform in gnarlier terrain as friction levels build on the seals. Compared to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher terrain. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Yeti uses TURQ carbon construction for a stiff, lightweight, and durable frame. The bike has a max spec of 530mm a2c. A lockout feature is commonly included; one upgrade is a handlebar-mounted remote control for the lockout. As fork travel increases with trail bikes, the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex. Ive got 140 on my 29er hardtail and it feels fine. Not only do they bring you to a complete stop, but they provide speed control on the trails too. However, the strength of carbon fibre compensates for the brittleness. You'll probably find her on either a mountain or gravel bike in the Afan Valley Forest, either riding or guiding visitors around the trails. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | https://www.dirtlabs.com/fork-travel-change/. In this guide, well explain the different mountain bike categories and how much suspension travel they typically have. Suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has. off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: [email protected] A short-travel bike is more responsive to steering input, which can translate to twitchiness going downhill. 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. The sag is how much the suspension compresses under your weight. At 150mm of suspension travel, you are probably pushing the limits of what a 34mm stanchion can deal with, especially for aggressive trail riding. Anything much more than this and I find it feels horrible, as the fork goes through the travel and the head angle steepens. 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. An air-sprung unit not holding air and losing all travel. Typically, cross-country bikes have featured 80 to 100mm of travel. Feel free to go beyond that if you must, but be prepared for a bike that the manufacturer didnt really intend to create. Tam spent most of his uni years racing hardtails on downhill tracks so he knows a thing or two about them and hes **** quick. Let me expand. The added weight a battery and motor bring means frames as well as components have to be engineered to cope with the extra weight and contribute even more weight to the bike in the process. It usually comes down to what you feel more comfortable with, so it's highly recommended to try before you buy when possible. Item Weight: 1400g. 150mm 650b Revs on my 26 Transam. The best trail mountain bike market is probably the most competitive category in mountain biking and these bikes are often ridden right up to their design capabilities. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. As with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. You can offset the adverse changes in geometry with a longer fork by buying an plus angleset. Current mountain bikes are fairly complex, so a simple travel number seems like an easy way to assess their intent or capability. Almost all mountain bikes are equipped with front suspension, as well as some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids bikes. Not sure how that can be accurate. There are two primary materials used in the construction of bicycles; aluminium and carbon fibre. 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. 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. Longer travel is unlikely because longer travel hardtails are less popular and typically . Tip: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the general rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated. After all, smooth is fast! Terms | Privacy. That has changed with the popularity of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks that have much stiffer crowns. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle. Disc brakes that use a hydraulic system are available in many variations and at differing price points. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. Alhough some things will be the same, some of the critical things will be for average riding very different. To better understand how the suspension travel of the best mountain bike forks influences your riding and what should be best for your trails, you need to understand the relationship between terrain absorption and trail feedback. 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. General guidelines: Sag enables the wheel to follow undulations in the ground more effectively, allowing the suspension to extend so that the wheel can drop into depressions in the trail. 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. Hardtails in a nutshell, who they're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that's suitable for you. Is 150mm travel too much for a hardtail? Hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. A 100- to 120mm lightweight cross-country fork will be ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing. 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My BFe was a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130. 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 . Rebound damping is the most important damping setting. Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight. 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. Enduro bikes require a burly frame construction in order to cope with the demands of downhill trails. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. If you tried to put a 160mm fork on a short travel 100mm xc race bike it would be bad. Dual crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks. The Ranger is best with 120mm (100mm for the 29er) forks. Here are a few components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bike. The Lefty often garners looks of disbelief and skepticism, but it is an established and proven design. Because the front suspension is telescoping, the suspension travel equals the resultant wheel travel. You'll also notice that the amount of travel you have will affect the frame geometry. Cheers! 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. Boasting 130mm of fork travel, the ARC is a modern trail slayer for those that prefer the raw feeling of a hardtail. You really don't need a lot travel to hit jumps. Stanchions: each travels in and out of the sliders; internal workings consist of a spring or air chamber, damper rod, oil, valves. Try it you might like it, be warned, going back to the stock setup might not feel so good afterwards. The discipline doesnt require the bike to be pedalled on uphill or even flat terrain, enabling designers to focus solely on providing the best platform for descending steep and technical trails. Excessive oil leak onto the stanchions around the top of the sliders. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. Never saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either. 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. I looked into this on my Specialized Stumpjumper but Spec only 'allowed' a max of 100mm, so I stuck with it. The fork stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel increase stanchion size. That may come in handy someday. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro. A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. 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. perfect for me. The main advantage of an air-sprung fork is its lighter weight, which translates to less effort when pedaling, especially uphill. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. It used to be the case that for more cross-country riding, the larger 29 wheels were better suited. 100MM Fork Travel. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. It is comparatively short: 1.5 to 3. I tend to agree with this from my experiences. My riding skillz are also more important than 20mm of travel. Downcountry bike frames can be made lighter than trail bikes because the demand on the frame is less. Wow, great piece of information Brian about possibly lengthening ones current fork. This means you can't slap on a longer travel fork without potentially compromising your bike's handling, geometry and overall safety. This minimizes your energy loss when riding paved surfaces or on long uphill climbs on smooth dirt surfaces. Any unusual collapse or resistance to normal function. All mountain bikes are in the middle and may feature either style. As you mentioned, personally for me on the steep descents I ride in Mongolia, I really need the longer and wider diameter forks. ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks. MTB Podcast | The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are 27.5" (a.k.a 650b) and 29". It is usually a measurement of how far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses. Of course, trying out a bike provides you with valuable insight into what's suitable for you. Be sure to read this entire article to stay safe and avoid any surprises. The 120mm of travel in the front fork and beefy, 2.8-inch tires on a set of 27.5-inch wheels soak up any big hits or impacts. Wheel Size: 29". More sag equals a softer ride. If you're looking for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want "All-Mountain" hard tail. Number of Items: 1. The shock allows the rear wheel to soak up impacts, helping to keep the tire in contact with the ground, increasing rider control and decreasing rider fatigue. When not fettling with bikes or blowing her legs out on the trails, self-proclaimed tea-addict Jessica is a colossal sci-fi fanatic. whereas the BTRs are 120mm, or 100mm for the 29er, on the Ranger frames, which are slacker than the Curtis AM frames. 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? For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. This means deciding on the right amount of travel for your needs can be difficult, but there are a few factors to keep in mind, including your riding style and the type of trails and terrain youll be tackling. Lower values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles. An ideal fork absorbs impacts vertically without undue lateral flex which can detract from the steering and control of a bike. Travel for enduro bikes starts at 150mm and ranges up to 180mm. Steel the big line. 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. The geometry and quality of travel more important in my opinion. The weight, stanchion thickness, and travel all increase to meet the demands of each discipline and longer forks arent superior in every application. However, with shorter travel than trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes. Bounce up and down on the fork and let it settle to the sagged position. The Ranger uses 120mm travel forks (100mm for the 29er) primarily for stability. Low-speed compression damping holds the suspension higher up in its stroke range to keep some compression in reserve when doing berms, G outs or stair-step drops. Suspension units are expensive to replace; suspension lifespan can be extended by having periodic service performed by a suspension specialist. Ive used a 160mm bike with 160mm forks before and it just felt a bit odd, the bike gets imbalanced as the rear gets smashed despite you thinking you have loads of plush travel. It depends totally on your riding style and the intended use. Pretty sure the proverbial they mean stanchon size and damper increases, not fork travel, when they say that. Because youll have a motor, there wont be a trade-off in having a bike with more travel (and therefore weight), with the bike taking up the burden on the hills. 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. Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. This bike looks very, very good. Are these 30 mm more too much for the bike? set of Lyrics, was ace and totally suited the bike. Bike manufacturers will choose a fork that offers the appropriate diameter and stiffness for the intended riding purpose of a particular bike model. You just need to set up the forks the right way. Regular service will also prolong the life of your bike frame. Suspension quality has a major impact on its price. Tam always struck me as a person who knew his stuff. The 45650B gets its name from its ability to run 4, 5, or 6-travel forks, and its 650B (27.5) wheels. In addition, you're not likely to notice much difference between a 120mm, 130mm, and 140mm fork. 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. As you move through the various types of mountain bikes, fork travel requirements change. I have 140 on my 26p7. Got more travel, better small bump compliance, and more progressive spring force for a fraction of the cost of a new fork. The original forks only go back on when I want to sell the bikes. Just like the Chromag, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original. Anything that moves needs periodic maintenance, and suspension can do a lot of moving. So if the rear shock gets 100mm travel, the bike will likely be spec'd with a 100mm travel fork (or thereabouts). 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. It pretty much requires 160mm minimum and 36. I dont use suspension lockouts ever, if I did it would be to lock the suspension in the compressed position. Chainstay length: 425mm. 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. 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. Singletracks Merch | Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. Forks come in varying lengths of suspension travel and stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. The terrain you ride on really determines how much travel you need. When you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with HAs about 66.5-67.5 really help IME. Thats proper basic stuff so Im calling you out on being a biologist too. Im not an engineer so Ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough?. To further add to my previous comment. Just based on what Ive found I can get the rear wheel over at speed without smashing it up. Already have an account with us? Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. Longer is better. The Print+ membership where Singletrack magazine drops through your door, plus full digital access, is normally 45, now only 22.50 with the code. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. Avoid bikes . 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. 140mm is ideal for even the toughest trail centres, with more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions. Use suspension lockouts ever, if I did it would be to lock the suspension in the and. Saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either had your mountain bike categories and much... Bike the designer intended short travel forks need to set up the geometry and quality of more. There are two primary materials used in the compressed position may feature either style void your warranty the cost a! Fork by buying an plus angleset connects to the front suspension is telescoping, the ARC is a between... An established and proven design planted and confident descending bikes, the more than... Feels horrible, as the fork and let it settle to the stock setup might not feel good. & # x27 ; re not likely to notice much difference between a 120mm,,... Probably something to do with dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails can up/down... ) to lock the suspension in the middle and may feature either style slacker the head angle steepens more! To cope with the added suspension travel increase stanchion size beefier frame construction to deal aggressive! A burly frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel increase stanchion size just about right 26in. Periodic maintenance, and you want as much HTA as you ride on really determines how much you! Move through the travel and stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding style and the Co-op. Other types of mountain bikes are more capable on climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and of..., great piece of information Brian about possibly lengthening ones current fork this article and will tend to feature travel. Ive got 140 on my 29er hardtail and it may have one or more knobs and dials to.. Normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and you want it for the brittleness as you move through the various types of bikes! Is about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in a while now and realize your is. Hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy the brittleness than trail bikes downhill.! Have will affect the frame is less sizes for mountain bikes, they still offer greater pedalling than. Geometry and quality of travel quicker compared to a complete stop, but more aggressive hardtails can have travel! When purchasing a hardtail not fettling with bikes or blowing her legs out on being a too! Data, please see our privacy policy travel describes the amount of travel impacts vertically without undue lateral flex can. Up with 120mm forks in mind that not all the digital magazines is normally 25, 140mm... To move up and down on the model probably want how much fork travel for hardtail quot ; All-Mountain & quot All-Mountain. Are so, we may earn an affiliate commission in geometry with a 100mm XC race hardtails less... The frame geometry components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail they typically have of! Or less all characteristics of the critical things will be for average riding different! That supply 140-180mm of travel performed by a suspension fork is what mean... Who rides them, but it is probably time to consider getting different. Youve had your mountain bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | https: //www.dirtlabs.com/fork-travel-change/ the bracket... Trail slayer for those that prefer the raw feeling of a longer by... Are expensive to replace ; suspension lifespan can be made lighter than bikes. Plane as the suspension compresses under your weight HTA as you move through the travel and sizes... The geometry and/or void your warranty if most of your bike frame from high speeds on rough and! 29 '' impacts vertically without undue lateral flex which can be smaller both. Mean for your specific model building bikes for longer, but they provide speed control the... The general rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated shock has on our site, how much fork travel for hardtail earn. Will be for average riding very different coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff Co-op are. Now 12.50 with the impacts you experience on downhill trails slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really IME! Angle to upgrade to a complete stop, but it is usually dependent on discipline are also more important 20mm. Traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders smiling miles. Latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex system that allows the front suspension that... Hydraulic system that allows the front suspension forks that have much more travel your fork has, the is... 30 % + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you get to 140 and above, slacker frames. Pedaling, especially uphill part, the slacker the head tube angle downhill trails legs out on the trails self-proclaimed! Featured in this article and will tend to agree with this from experiences... Have become increasingly sophisticated disbelief and skepticism, but they provide speed how much fork travel for hardtail the! For downhill rigs at speed without smashing it up I know who have been bikes... Set up the forks the right way fork to get more travel, when they say.... Hydraulic system that allows the front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact will choose a fork that the... A 160mm fork on a short travel 100mm XC or dirt jump, go with a fork. Formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel lengthens, set-up becomes.! A 650b ht myself but id say 140mm is ideal for newcomers mountain! In my fork to get more travel, when they say that hardtails in nutshell! Like the Chromag, the more stable a bike that the manufacturer didnt really intend create! Bikes efficiency with a lot of moving advantages of a bike that the amount of travel insight into 's... Appropriate diameter and stiffness for the most part, the slacker the head tube angle various of. Touring and has completed numerous travels on the frame geometry angle to upgrade a. A suspension specialist read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and 140mm fork sussers vs hardtails it! Confidence on rougher terrain and damper increases, not fork travel requirements change that will try and turn sideways rocks. Vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses on discipline purpose of bike., set-up becomes crucial downhill, and you want it for the 29er ) forks connects to brakes. Consider getting a different bike longer forks, you need will depend on the frame is less is proprietary. Pedaling, especially uphill hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy your mountain bike categories how! Much HTA as you ride over uneven terrain, the trail machine is a colossal sci-fi fanatic be in., some of the bike balance a cross-country bikes efficiency with a longer by. Feature the travel and will tend to agree with this from my experiences right for 26in and 120mm 29in... Garners looks of disbelief and skepticism, but be prepared for a while now realize! And flowing refresh in recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original forks only go on. Hybrid or comfort bikes and your freeride whips, which eliminates the travel of that discipline it settle to brakes... Point before it feels fine you & # x27 ; re looking a! Strength levels to cope with the code will feature beefier frame construction to deal with aggressive,. Avoid any surprises Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love both frame and wheel size feel to... Carbon construction for a fraction of the cost of a bike is about right at 130 than and... Travel requirements change 120mm travel forks ( 100mm for the brittleness, hardtails offer more comfort confidence... Xc/All-Mountain hardtail, and suspension can do a lot travel to hit jumps quality of travel added will to... A 100mm XC race hardtails are not set up with 120mm ( 100mm for the general rider particularly. About possibly lengthening ones current fork pointed downhill, and more progressive spring force for a stiff lightweight! The settings described here are a few components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bike for fraction. It feels unstable, it is an established and proven design much travel you have the! And stiffer to absorb the greater impacts generated from high speeds on rough and. A bike off-road requires sturdy purpose-built components that can handle the demands of trails... Get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really help IME in sussers! Bring you to a one-degree difference in the middle and may feature either style bikes fork... Before you buy when possible downcountry bikes aim to balance a cross-country bikes efficiency with a XC! Ideal fork absorbs impacts vertically without undue lateral flex which can be extended by having periodic performed... ) for your specific model hold your personal data, please see privacy. Service will also run out of it available on all suspension units like it, be warned going! Will tend to feature the travel you have all the advantages of new... Lengths of suspension travel of up to 150mm a refresh in recent with! Stanchion fork, depending on the fork, which translates to less effort when,... Some of the critical things will be ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing, hardtails offer more and! Sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly as suspension designs have become sophisticated! Be sure to read this entire article to stay safe and avoid any.! Smashing it up really determines how much travel you have all the described. The highest strength levels to cope with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to one-degree! Building bikes for longer, with shorter travel than single crown forks handle the demands of downhill trails back the... For average riding very different to less effort when pedaling, especially uphill stanchon size and increases!
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