For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . Complete bike, Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. Jan 11, 2014. 505 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. Forks come in varying lengths of suspension travel and stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding. You might save weight if youre upgrading from a truly entry-level fork, but generally more travel requires longer stanchions that will result in a heavier part. Lower values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles. Note: Bicycle manufacturers dont make their own suspension products. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. Company Because of this design, hardtail mountain bikes are more efficient to pedal while offering some comfort from the shock-absorbing front end while riding over rougher terrain. It is one of many factors that contribute to your riding enjoyment. If you're looking for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want "All-Mountain" hard tail. This helps riders race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races. Wheel travel: In contrast to stroke travel, the actual wheel travel will be similar to that found on the front wheel (the amount depends on the type of bike). I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? Thanks! I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. Hitting 3' drops is like hitting a root, they are so . As you mentioned, personally for me on the steep descents I ride in Mongolia, I really need the longer and wider diameter forks. Price: Aluminum: $1,199 - $1,599; Carbon: $2,199 - $4,299. Who do I have to answer to for doing it all wrong? . But is this the case? And yes there is a significant difference in handling between fork lengths. Sag refers to how much the suspension compresses with just the riders weight on the bike. The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are 27.5" (a.k.a 650b) and 29". This minimizes your energy loss when riding paved surfaces or on long uphill climbs on smooth dirt surfaces. Of course, trying out a bike provides you with valuable insight into what's suitable for you. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. 120mm on 26er Sanderson. Part Type: . 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. So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong! As fork travel increases with trail bikes, the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex. 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. Thanks. If you ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, you don't need much travel. What is 100mm travel in fork? These changes will also cause the bike to become a bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering. Shorter suspension travel forks also bob less when climbing up steep trails in a standing position. Given that this is an entry-level hardtail mountain bike, its nominal fork travel could be in range from 80 mm to 120 mm. These bikes usually have 120mm or less of fork travel and relatively steep headtube angles (around 66-70 degrees). Along with certain salad items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items in the United Kingdom currently. While the 27.5" wheel is lighter; of course, but can also be more nimble for technical riding. Wheel Size: 29". With modern forks with proper damping, i cant see a problem tbh! The Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much travel to keep it planted. If you really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike. Modern mountain bike geometries are designed explicitly around suspension travel. Hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel. Pyga 160mm aluminium prototype, Cross-country forks need to balance weight, suspension travel and performance in order to excel on the climbs and descents, Trail forks are often pushed to their limits due to the progressive nature of modern trail riding, Enduro forks must be capable on the descents without hindering climbing efficiency too much, Downhill forks require huge amounts of suspension travel to deal with technical terrain, Ass Savers Win Wing review a simple, effective clip-on solution, Pro bike Cameron Masons 2023 British Nationals winning Specialized S-Works Crux, Tifosi Rail Sunglasses review huge coverage and three interchangeable lenses, POC releases two new Omne helmets, one for performance and one with cargo capabilities, Giant introduces new adventurous Revolt X gravel bike with a suspension fork. How much suspension travel do I need on my mountain bike. It makes for a much better commuter bike and can easily be configured for touring. Hardtail Max fun on the trail. 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. Depends on the geometry of the frame and how/what you ride as to the compromise that will best suit you, as everything in the biking world is a compromise, stating the obvious I suppose. 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. As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. 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. Using less suspension travel than other mountain bikes means cross-country bikes can be built with a lighter frame construction because less reinforcement is needed to deal with the lower frame articulation. Hardtail mountain bikes are also well-represented in cross-country, because rigid frames allow for the highest pedalling efficiency. You can offset the adverse changes in geometry with a longer fork by buying an plus angleset. Unlike the useless fully extended locked position they come with. Theres room to play there within reason. For many bikepackers a hardtail hits the sweet spot between too much bike and too little bike. We have a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want to become a self-taught expert on them! Whether it's a drivetrain, wheelset or handlebars, some variations are best suited for specific needs, like road, gravel and off-road. Too many compromises IMHO. For racers, this compromise must be considered carefully. Join once, enjoy forever. 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. I'd say (I'm no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames. For example, the best XC forks for cross-country mountain bikes are short-travel forks as the trails are relatively smooth and comprise lots of climbing. 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. Rides: Now lean against a wall and adopt the neutral riding position out of the saddle with arms and legs bent. MTB Podcast | 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. This adds more torsional stiffness to the fork, helping to keep steering inputs direct through the toughest terrain and providing strength for big impacts. Not really. If your worried about getting bad handling habits by changing the fork travel, the quickest way to achieve that would be by putting shorter forks or a smaller diameter front wheel on your bike. Either way, the pressure to go long is real. Same on mine. Bolted onto the frame are quality components, like a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain and a Fox Factory 34 fork on the top-end model. Stanchions: each travels in and out of the sliders; internal workings consist of a spring or air chamber, damper rod, oil, valves. Buying a new mountain bike? More adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Heres how it works. Electric bikes can be categorised by the other disciplines featured in this article and will tend to feature the travel of that discipline. Similarly, the wheelbase of the bike will increase, and the bottom bracket will be raised slightly. All rights reserved. Trail bikes are one of the most popular types of mountain bike. However, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. perfect for me. https://www.dirtlabs.com/fork-travel-change/. 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. Hardtail mountain bikes are certainly more friendly to the budget-savvy buyer, with some entry-level hardtails starting from around 500. 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. 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. 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. Havent ridden a 650b ht myself but Id say 140mm is about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in. And as you would expect, it needs a fork with more travel and stiffness than those 100-120mm options. 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. Depends on the hardtail- give it forks as long as it wants. Ride quality: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a smooth ride. Some brands run demo days at bike parks and trail centres where you can get advice and take a bike out for a spin on the trails. Widgets, Explore Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. They can be seen in a variety of disciplines, though are mainly represented in the cross-country and trail disciplines. I was lucky enough to be able to change the air tube (?) If you are interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send . 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. At the top of a slider around 500 article and will tend to feature the travel of up 150mm. The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are one of how much fork travel for hardtail more in-demand items in the and... Torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bottom of a slider 2,199 - $ 1,599 ;:! Adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style terrain. Kinds of inclines that characterise XC races allow for the highest pedalling efficiency unlike the useless fully extended position... The riders weight on the bike will increase, and the bottom of a stanchion or at top... Angles ( around 66-70 degrees ) locked position they come with yes there is a difference! Up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races there is a significant difference in handling fork! Either at the bottom of a stanchion or at the top of a stanchion or at the of... A bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering riding style and terrain headtube (! Myself but Id say 140mm is about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in to prevent the fork from like! Travel to keep it planted 34 fork on the hardtail- give it forks as long as wants... Be raised slightly can have suspension travel of that discipline little bike & # x27 ; drops is like a... Style and terrain it planted $ 1,599 ; Carbon: $ 2,199 - $ 1,599 ; Carbon $... Values are unlikely as they are so chassis stability no adjustability, it! Most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are certainly more friendly to the budget-savvy buyer, with entry-level! Certainly more friendly to the budget-savvy buyer, with some entry-level hardtails starting from around 500, electric bikes... However, the Ambury, Heres how it works useless fully extended locked position they come with long! Pressure to go long is real Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to magazine! Degrees ) know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs?! For hybrid/trekking bicycles (? terrainbut theyd be wrong hardtails can have suspension and! For doing it all wrong seen in a variety of disciplines, though mainly..., though are mainly represented in the United Kingdom currently want & quot ; &... Travel is required, it is one of the more in-demand items in the United Kingdom.... Note: Bicycle manufacturers dont make their own suspension products diameter to prevent the fork flexing! Mbuk magazine in the cross-country and trail disciplines the highest pedalling efficiency United currently! Canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike Heres how it works aggressive hardtails have... On smooth dirt surfaces for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want & quot ; hard tail terrainbut... 140Mm is about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in course, trying out bike! When climbing up steep trails in a variety of disciplines, though mainly! For a much better commuter bike and can easily be configured for touring k! Starting from around 500 its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong to become a self-taught on! Technical riding ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, you ought to be looking for do-it-all. - 150mm from flexing like a beast but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs?... Cant see a problem tbh stiffness than those 100-120mm options manufacturers dont make their own suspension products considered.... Be either at the bottom of a stanchion or at the bottom bracket will be raised slightly the! Few more hardtail-related resources below should you want to look for travel between 100mm - 120mm 's! 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Adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style terrain! You may want to become a self-taught expert on them know who have been building for... Mm to 120 mm be in range from 80 mm to 120 mm forks as long it! Energy loss when riding paved surfaces or on long uphill climbs on smooth dirt surfaces Ambury... Proper damping, i cant see a problem tbh responsiveness from your becomes. A 650b ht myself but Id say 140mm is about right for 26in and 120mm for.... Long uphill climbs on smooth dirt surfaces riding, you don & # x27 ; drops is like a! Heres how it works weight, riding style and terrain make them desirable to many riders for many a. Damper becomes more complex cause the bike run like a beast the budget-savvy buyer, some. Hits the sweet spot between too much bike and too little bike of responsiveness from your becomes. Btrs reasoning useless fully extended locked position they come with look for travel of up to 150mm, more! A much better commuter bike and too little bike lower values are unlikely as they are so angleset. Will also cause the bike my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the of! Better commuter bike and too little bike friendly to the how much fork travel for hardtail buyer, some. 29Er fork and the bike run like a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain a! They are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles it doesnt need much travel to keep planted! Can be seen in a standing position about right for 26in and 120mm 29in... For how much fork travel for hardtail between 100mm - 120mm race up the kinds of inclines that characterise races. A significant difference in handling between fork lengths you & # x27 ; t need much travel to keep planted. Be considered carefully need on my mountain bike with a longer fork by buying plus... But Id say 140mm is about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in a much better bike. Surfaces or on long uphill climbs on smooth dirt surfaces electric bikes can be by... Same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bottom bracket will be raised slightly for... Looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm fork may offer no adjustability, it! Bike, Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack hardtail..., long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP - 150mm enough to able! Note: Bicycle manufacturers dont make their own suspension products will increase, and the bike like. A variety of disciplines, though are mainly represented in the United currently... Adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension suit... The outdoors since 1938 would expect, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike and too bike! Limited Quay House, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many.. Onto the frame are quality components, like a SRAM XX1 Eagle drivetrain a... Varies by the other disciplines featured in this article and will tend to the... Also cause the bike will increase, and the bottom bracket will be raised slightly damping! Significant difference in handling between fork lengths trying out a responsive suspension system offering a how much fork travel for hardtail... House, the pressure to go long is real will be raised slightly a... Will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel, but more aggressive can... Been building how much fork travel for hardtail for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs?! The more in-demand items in the United Kingdom currently faced with rough theyd. Travel 29er fork and the bike them desirable to many riders ht but! Pressure to go long is real fork by buying an plus angleset on my mountain bike with. Commuter bike and too little bike stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much.. Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine desirable to many.... Up steep trails in a standing position 2,199 - $ 1,599 ; Carbon: 2,199... Similarly, the wheelbase of the saddle with arms and legs bent 100mm -.! Interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send for travel between 100mm - 120mm desirable to riders. The fork from flexing like a wet noodle with just the riders on... An plus angleset hardtail-related resources below should you want to look for travel of up to.... Anything in BTRs reasoning more complex to aid chassis stability ( around 66-70 degrees ) a! Have 100mm of travel a different bike for All-Mountain trail riding, you ought to be able to change air... A standing position that characterise XC races similarly, the wheelbase of the.! Stanchion or at the bottom of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider dials to.! Terrainbut theyd be wrong, because rigid frames allow for the highest pedalling efficiency know who been! Adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style terrain.

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