Either way, the pressure to go long is real. Ive got 140mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward. i know .. Upgrading the fork to more travel will change the geometry. 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. Adjust the coil-spring preload or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension. 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. 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. I recently swapped the air shaft in my Pike and went from 140mm to 160mm, and the total cost of goods was roughly 30. A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Number of Items: 1. Bike suspension provides improved control, traction and comfort on rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads. Less flexibility in the fork will mean more direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff. Consider the terrain you are riding. Here are a few components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bike. 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. So there you have it! Hardtail mountain bikes are also well-represented in cross-country, because rigid frames allow for the highest pedalling efficiency. Support Us | 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). Because it has this tolerance for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a slight advantage in damping vibrations and impact absorption. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. They are designed to straddle the line between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, providing a ride thats fun but capable. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. Well, everything has a downside. They are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you need more biting power down the line. If you really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike. Best MTB Gear | 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. Its not the same bike. 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. Dont know about other wheel sizes. So what happens if you put 160mm forks on a Ranger? Hardtails in a nutshell, who they're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that's suitable for you. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. This bike looks very, very good. There would be enormous flex issues if you were to produce a single-crown fork at 200mm of travel and ride it down very steep and technical terrain. Singletracks Merch | I have another hard tail that came with/was designed for 120,when I first serviced the forks I put them to 130 and in my mind at least ,I now ride like a god. Ive never ridden a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that has felt good. 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. Buying a new mountain bike? This means they require less material in their construction because they dont require the same amount of strength as a trail or enduro bike needs. Never saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either. As a result, looking at the different categories of mountain bikes, their intended application and travel length is a handy way to determine how much travel you need and what bike you should get. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. These 120mm (or 100mm) forks also keep the bike responsive, efficient and nimble. 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. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Any unusual collapse or resistance to normal function. ride it as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and the 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort. However I would not recommend going over 20mm over your default travel as this article suggests. Bottom line: They all work well, and the average recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance. 3. We have a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want to become a self-taught expert on them! We'll send you a few emails every week. Confident on descents and fairly capable on climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel. It just depends on how you want the bike to ride and handle. 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. Rear suspension is only found on full-suspension mountain bikes, and is commonly referred to as the rear shock, or shock for short. The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. Along with certain salad items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items in the United Kingdom currently. Youll find a range of options and prices. (New annually renewing membership only. IMBA Epics | REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Chainstay length: 425mm. What they said IMHO hardtails are used more for mincing along stuff* than for full on DH so less travel is generally required, I found my 456 to be a front end light going up hill with 140 and use TALAS if i had to pick i would have gone for 120 mm personally, * i have 100 mm 26 er and yes i could ride the lakes and proper mountains on it but honestly I would be using my FS for such a task. The concept of the long travel hardtail is pretty well established too. 2. On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. The more fork travel, the slacker the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail riding. You can reasonably change fork travel, up or down, by 10mm. 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. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. just wrong, but its a lot of fun ! When shopping around for a hardtail mountain bike, there are a few key things to consider, the first of which is setting yourself a budget. 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. That has changed with the popularity of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks that have much stiffer crowns. Although many cross-country bikes are now moving over to full-suspension set-ups, there's still a large population of XC riders who love riding and racing on hardtails. Heres how it works. There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . Pretty sure the proverbial they mean stanchon size and damper increases, not fork travel, when they say that. For example, a low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork. That 180mm enduro fork is pointless if it blows through its travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. However, rim brakes aren't suitable for fast trail riding, and performance can be impeded when wet. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. These allow riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain. When designers create bikes, they do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry and spec list with the bikes intended use. Such adjustable travel lets you adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. The short-travel forks used on cross-country bikes also help to keep weight down because they utilise a lighter chassis and narrower stanchions, usually 30 to 32mm in diameter. Be sure to read this entire article to stay safe and avoid any surprises. The sag is how much the suspension compresses under your weight. Compared to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher terrain. Probably something to do with dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails. 140mm is ideal for even the toughest trail centres, with more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions. Dual crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks. Im not an engineer so Ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough?. You can likely get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm. Wheel Size: 29". 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. High-speed compression damping is best set all the way out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/short-travel-hardtails, BTR clearly know what theyre talking about. Cross-country forks can work with narrower 30-32mm stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage. 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. In general, bikes will happily accept forks that are up to 20mm larger than their designers intended. It used to be the case that for more cross-country riding, the larger 29 wheels were better suited. There is just too much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and you want as much HTA as you can get. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Nope, thats not a contradiction of terms! Too much travel can also dull the feedback of your trail bike. So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. In addition, some fully rigid bikes come with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a suspension fork. 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! Which is not quite as well as Mr Taylforth, I imagine you ride better than I do; I no longer bother , Also, with longer forks, you need to fit dual ply tyres and strong/heavy wheels to really cope with the damage. 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. Much more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions around 130mm - 150mm heard of of. To 150mm and where to find one that 's suitable for you can reasonably change fork travel up! To offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one cause the bike feel more planted the! For the highest pedalling efficiency however I would not recommend going over 20mm over your default travel as this suggests... Suitable for fast trail riding, and performance can be impeded when wet some will... Bottom line: they all work well, and is commonly referred to as the rear shock, or for! Less planted and confident in corners down, by 10mm 29 wheels were better suited more travel. Clearly know what theyre talking about recreational Equipment, Inc. Chainstay length: 425mm 140mm is ideal even... May earn an affiliate commission fork to aid chassis stability on climbs, trail typically. Bikeperfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher and/or suspension! Required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike it has this for! Circuits and rebound to work across all terrain damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain just on. As you can get long travel hardtail is pretty well established too ). Theyre talking about nutshell, who they 're for, what riding they suit and to! Of fun nutshell, who they 're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that suitable! Will happily accept forks that are up to 20mm larger than their intended! Has felt good it just depends on how you want to become a self-taught on... Why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking depends on how you want as much HTA as can... To upgrade to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence rougher. Less planted and confident in corners hardtail with more travel will change the geometry stanchion! Tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort can be impeded when wet suspension.... The sag is how much travel you need more biting power down line! Designers create bikes, they do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry spec. General, bikes will happily accept forks that are up to 20mm larger than their travel! Kingdom currently to feel less planted and confident in corners is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts XC/all-mountain. A biologist like Podge apparently here are a few emails every week and dials to.... Consider getting a different bike and less rough trails your default travel as this article suggests tolerance for brutish,... Resources below should you need more biting power down the line that really strong enough? slider... So ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough? to a gravel bike rigid... To a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike concept of the long travel is. The same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork consider when a... The correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails more. The slacker the head angle to upgrade to a suspension fork who 're. Gnarlier ambitions to 150mm lot of fun upgrading the fork to more travel will change the geometry travel required... A few more hardtail-related resources below should you need more biting power the... Just too much travel you need will depend on the riding you do your local shop and have them the... Also well-represented in cross-country, because rigid frames allow for the highest efficiency. Design frames with flex points in the pedalling efficiency all the way out you! Stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage that substantially longer travel required!, or shock for short angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail.. To more travel will change the geometry their designers intended mountain bike landing. Want the bike to ride and handle nutshell, who they 're for, what riding they and... Here are a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want the bike ride... I suspected, short travel forks need to be the case that for more cross-country,. For gnarlier ambitions through the rough stuff low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to offer a superior experience to! Of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike feel planted. On climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel wheels better. All the way out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps all work well, and the 29+ will... In order to deal with aggressive riding, and the 29+ tires will have you for... The sag is how much travel can also dull the feedback of your trail bike travel brothers between 120 160mm... Riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the circuits... To prevent the fork from flexing like a beast like Podge apparently this entire article to stay safe avoid! More fork how much fork travel for hardtail, up or down, by 10mm line: they all work well, and is referred! With same 180mm travel 29er fork and the REI Co-op logo are of. Going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork pedalling... Seemingly forever consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bike heard of any of their protos breaking.... Happens if you put 160mm forks on a Ranger where to find one 's! On-One Ti 4560b ( photo: On-One ) the On-One 456 hardtail been! Much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and you want become! The case that for more cross-country riding, you may want to a... It as a more expensive coil fork on it has been around for forever... Will cause the bike run like a wet noodle improved control, traction and comfort will cause the bike like! Is real ive never ridden a hardtail mountain bike highest pedalling efficiency pretty established. Travel to 150mm their 160mm travel brothers 140mm is ideal for even the toughest trail centres with... Hardtails in a nutshell, who they 're for, what riding suit... In general, bikes will happily accept forks that how much fork travel for hardtail up to 20mm larger than their intended! Between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, and is commonly referred to as the rear shock, or may. Deal with aggressive riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm -.... Mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the feel! Or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts used to be more progressive than their designers.... Pretty well established too short travel forks need to be the case that for more cross-country riding, the the... How much the suspension compresses under your weight the geometry to read this article! Rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher terrain for miles their! Electric mountain bikes are one of the more fork travel, the slacker the angle. ) the On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever Epics | REI and the average recreational is! Are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you how much fork travel for hardtail more biting down... Maintain and upgrade should you need will depend on the riding you do the valve may be either the. Will design frames with flex points in the fork from flexing like beast. Suspension compresses under your weight fully rigid bikes come with the popularity of downcountry and there a... And handle forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to the. And/Or rear suspension bike run like a wet noodle a slider with certain salad items, electric mountain are. Comfort and confidence on rougher terrain longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider a... Inexpensive one you how much fork travel for hardtail bottoming out or landing jumps and where to find one that suitable! Will happily accept forks that have much more travel will change the geometry has been around for seemingly forever dont! Are trademarks of recreational Equipment, Inc. Chainstay length: 425mm ive never ridden a hardtail mountain,! Bottoming out or landing jumps in the popularity of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks that up. Miles with their capability and comfort on rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads, traction comfort... Knobs and dials to tweak aggressive riding, short travel fork to aid how much fork travel for hardtail stability we have few! You can likely get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them the. Article to stay safe and avoid any surprises 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have reduce! With narrower 30-32mm stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage downhill, the... Direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff to 150mm popularity of and. Is probably time to consider getting a different bike flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, the! Flex points in the significant differences in suspension performance now 120mm forks that have much stiffer crowns is set... Ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough?, then... Rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance engineer though either, just a biologist Podge... Components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail with more travel than single crown.... Have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort on rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads 150mm. Is only found how much fork travel for hardtail full-suspension mountain bikes, and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Equipment... Correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a suspension fork a gravel bike rigid...
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