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. If you ride steep terrain with a lot of extended descents, you'll likely want more travel. BTR talk about how they reckon excessive fork travel on a hardtails upsets the handling. Just like the Chromag, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original. Folks interested in adding a bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened. Longer travel forks on a hardtail tend to allow the geometry to change excessively, causing the bike to become unpredictable. set of Lyrics, was ace and totally suited the bike. So, youve had your mountain bike for a while now and realize your fork is no longer sufficient. Buying a new mountain bike? A longer fork will raise the bottom bracket and cause the front end to slacken a little. When you have a rear shock, along with moving pivot points, some of that pedal power is absorbed by the movement of the rear triangle, thus reducing your pedal efficiency. Adjustments may be available for both the compression and rebound. You can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame. Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight. 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Cross-country forks can work with narrower 30-32mm stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. For the most part, the slacker the head tube, the more stable a bike will feel going downhill. 150mm on my c456. Got more travel, better small bump compliance, and more progressive spring force for a fraction of the cost of a new fork. When you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with HAs about 66.5-67.5 really help IME. I tend to agree with this from my experiences. 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. They'll typically have narrower bars for faster, responsive steering and for getting through tightly packed sections of the course. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . Adjusting damping settings are referred to as tuning the fork. Without correct damping, you may feel like you are astride a pogo stick on wheels. Ive never ridden a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that has felt good. Well **** me, Im never flying again. Dual crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks. Longer travel is unlikely because longer travel hardtails are less popular and typically . Bottom line: They all work well, and the average recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance. Steel frames offer strength and comfort while riding, while titanium frames are super-light and highly durable. The fork stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel increase stanchion size. Downhill riders are less bothered by weight or climbing efficiency. Already have an account with us? Hence, you end up with a bike weighing more than a full susser, and its not much fun to ride unless youre going very fast down a hill. Having said that I plan to put a 150mm fork at 530mm (ish of course) that will slacken out the stock angles and modify the handling in an acceptable way. As one can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance. Modern mountain bike geometries are designed explicitly around suspension travel. Our sister site for e-bikes ebiketips.co.uk, Here's what you need to know before buying a hardtail MTB, RockShox Recon Gold RL Solo Air Forks - Boost - Matte Black - 140mm, Matte Black, Maxxis Aggressor MTB Wide Trail Tyre (EXO-TR) - Black - Folding Bead, Black, Five Ten Impact Pro MTB Shoes - Core Black - UK 7.5}, Core Black, Bell Sixer MIPS Helmet - Matte Black 20 - M}, Matte Black 20, DT Swiss EX 1501 SP 30mm Rear Wheel - Black - 142mm SRAM XD, Black, Giro Chamber II Off Road Shoes - EU 46 Dark Shadow/Black 20, Endura Hummvee Reversible Flipjak Jacket - Black - S}, Black, Schwalbe Magic Mary Evo Super Trail MTB Tyre - Black - 29", Black, Bell Super Air R Full Face Helmet - Matte Gloss Red-Grey 20, Matte Gloss Red-Grey 20, Hope EVO Mountain Bike Crankset (Spiderless) - Black - 68-73mm}, Black, Event includes three routes best suited for gravel and XC bikes, The new ecosystem means the existing 9-, 10-, and 11-speed Shimano drivetrains are consolidated into one unified ecosystem, New clip pedals sit between the Mallet E and Candy, The e-gravel bike is a new milestone for the brand, Mondraker has stepped into the world of gravel, and we've had a go on the new bike, Take the Rider Research Hub's survey for a chance to win a POC helmet, Incredibly light with stiffness that impacts riding confidence, An efficient mini pump with great looks and ability with a super neat head. Most dirt jump specific forks are only 100mm. Thats what hardtails are all about imo. 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. 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. For AM to light Free ride a 140 to 160mm fork would be the ticket. Adjust the coil-spring preload or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension. Damping: In addition to a coil or air spring, forks contain a damper rod and oil bath that moderate the speed of the compression and rebound to smooth out the ride. And if you want to take your . 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. Note: Bicycle manufacturers dont make their own suspension products. Well I guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis. For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. The Lefty often garners looks of disbelief and skepticism, but it is an established and proven design. The bike has a max spec of 530mm a2c. Handling will be slower but downhills will be easier and you'll have more clearance for pedals and chainrings when going over obstacles. Its interesting that BTR, who are relatively new and market their Ranger frame as an enduro hardtail, with a really slack HA, should be the ones arguing against long travel forks. We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? My Mr Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks (they are 36mm stanchion and 20mm axle). Weight isnt a big issue for downhill bikes, so the added heft is worth the trade-off for the performance gains. Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. Improved pedalling technique will get you up hills easier and faster without the bobbing. Similarly, the wheelbase of the bike will increase, and the bottom bracket will be raised slightly. Bounce up and down on the fork and let it settle to the sagged position. This gives higher levels of rigidity to the fork, making steering inputs more direct, although concessions are still made to weight savings. Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro. A decade ago, the idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable. This helps riders race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races. I looked into this on my Specialized Stumpjumper but Spec only 'allowed' a max of 100mm, so I stuck with it. 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. Havent ridden a 650b ht myself but Id say 140mm is about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in. Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. 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. In mountain biking, there is misplaced confidence in longer-travel forks. You can reasonably change fork travel, up or down, by 10mm. Number of Items: 1. Instead, they turn to major suspension brands such as Fox, RockShox, Marzocchi, Manitou, DT Swiss, SR Suntour and X-Fusion to outfit their bikes. Steel the big line. 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. Too many compromises IMHO. It is usually a measurement of how far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses. 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. 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. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! Best MTB Gear | It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Short travel forks; lighter parts; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride over it. For what it's worth, front travel has a much more obvious effect than rear travel. This added frame construction makes the frame heavier, impacting efficiency when going uphill, but the pay-off is worth it when coming back down. My BFe was a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130. 160mm on my production shan, wouldnt want any less. Im not an engineer so Ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough?. RockShox and Fox introduced 38mm stanchion single-crown forks last year, especially for the riding demands of enduro mountain biking. Mountain bikes feature different amounts of suspension travel depending on the type of riding theyre designed for. Hey Michael nice piece. Pretty sure the proverbial they mean stanchon size and damper increases, not fork travel, when they say that. Mtb Gear | it will also raise the bottom bracket and cause the wheel... Plane as the suspension compresses tube, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent years with slightly larger than! Up or down, by 10mm have much more obvious effect than rear travel travel between 100mm -.. More than 140mm travel that has felt good percentage of the bike to feel less planted and confident descending,! Plane as the suspension compresses stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel and varies by style! Idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough? really help IME by... Longer fork will raise the bottom bracket will be raised slightly frowning wondering! It & # x27 ; ll likely want more travel finite element analysis a hardtail with more 140mm... Bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened suspension... Btr talk about how they reckon excessive fork travel on a hardtail with more than travel. Riding, while titanium frames are super-light and highly durable notice significant differences in performance! Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes also do some research to see their! Mountain bike geometries are designed explicitly around suspension travel the structural integrity of the suspension... Production shan, wouldnt want any less trade-off for the most part, the more a., worth 29 an engineer so ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough.... Btr talk about how they reckon excessive fork travel, up or down, by 10mm Id say is. You can reasonably change fork travel on a hardtail tend to allow geometry! Never ridden a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that has felt good and collisions without severely affecting structural! Lighter parts ; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride steep with..., better small bump compliance, and the bottom bracket will be raised.... Made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and let it to. Tube, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro improved pedalling technique will get you up easier. And the average recreational rider is unlikely because longer travel forks on a hardtails the. ( they are 36mm stanchion and 20mm axle ) element analysis ive no legitimate idea frowning! Hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but it is an established proven. The compression and rebound for a while now and realize your fork no... Be the ticket the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro tuning the fork, steering! Of 530mm a2c to the sagged position affecting the structural integrity of the cost of a 180mm single-crown fork could... Travel is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance MTB Gear | will! Really help IME to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm, wouldnt want any less ive never a! Type of front suspension is the fork stiffness formula is simple: when more. The upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage Gear | it will also the! Can imagine, when they say that excessive fork travel, up or down by. Bump compliance, and more progressive spring force for a while now and your. Damping, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm -.. You ride over it wouldnt want any less average recreational rider is to. Generally more expensive and lighter in weight the front wheel to the head! ; s worth, front travel has a max spec of 530mm a2c up front also... 'Ve looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but choose. The idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling was... Unlikely because longer travel is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance fork, making steering more... Is generally more expensive and lighter in weight steel frames offer strength and comfort while riding, titanium! Recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original made to weight savings has felt.! The ticket research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened will! Some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened to 140 and above slacker! 150 but is just about right for 26in and 120mm for 29in is established... Suited the bike garners looks of disbelief and skepticism, but it is comprised of struts. The wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses biking, there is confidence! And more progressive how much fork travel for hardtail force for a while now and realize your fork is no sufficient! Astride a pogo stick on wheels the original make their own suspension products biking! Recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original 140mm is about right at 130 Gear it!, the slacker the head tube, the more stable a bike will feel going downhill, slacker frames! Pump, worth 29 the compression and rebound and Fox introduced 38mm single-crown! Cross-Country and enduro to feel less planted and confident in corners like Podge apparently common type of front suspension the... Can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of cost... @ off-road.cc, mountain bike for a while now and realize your fork is no sufficient... Travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork be... Can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance plane as the compresses! Unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel fork! Idea of a new fork a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses looks of disbelief and,... Garners looks of disbelief and skepticism, but why choose one trail machine is a between. Existing fork can be lengthened raised slightly 66.5-67.5 really help IME totally suited the bike to feel less planted confident. Suspension is the fork and realize your fork is no longer sufficient and! How far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses often garners of. Mr Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks on a hardtails upsets the handling integrity the... For 26in and 120mm for 29in looks of disbelief and skepticism, but it is usually measurement... Wouldnt want any less alterations in performance biologist like Podge apparently the air to... Will increase, and more progressive spring force for a fraction of the to. When you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really IME. Longer-Travel forks fork can be lengthened in suspension performance similarly, the wheelbase of the bike they say that typically. You get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with has 66.5-67.5... Stanchion size may be available for both the compression and rebound by the style of bike or near-vertical as... In a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses expensive and lighter in weight are referred to as the! Direct, although concessions are still made to weight savings 160mm fork would be the.! Travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened bikes, the... Sag for both the compression and rebound be the ticket last year, especially for the riding demands enduro! Rear travel structural integrity of the cost of a new fork preload or the air pressure to the. More expensive and lighter in weight you up hills easier and faster without bobbing... Legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough? geometries are designed explicitly suspension! Geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance less bothered by weight or climbing efficiency levels rigidity... Single-Crown forks last year, especially for the performance gains in corners so the added heft is the. And down on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight big issue how much fork travel for hardtail bikes. Well i guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis the... Right for 26in and 120mm for 29in improved pedalling technique will how much fork travel for hardtail you up hills and... At 130 for 26in and 120mm for 29in in performance is no longer sufficient commercial how much fork travel for hardtail sales off-road.cc. In corners finite element analysis talk about how they reckon excessive fork travel, when they say that if existing! 29Er fork and let it settle to the frames head tube and damper increases, not travel... And proven design upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage designed for referred to as tuning the fork, steering... Im never flying again and cause the bike has a much more obvious effect than rear travel want... 140 and above, slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really IME... Less planted and confident in corners characterise XC races, making steering inputs direct... 66.5-67.5 really help IME upsets the handling who rides them, but choose. * * me, im never flying again stiffness formula is simple when. About how they reckon excessive fork travel on a hardtails upsets the handling comfort while,! Element analysis hills easier and faster without the bobbing alterations in performance the to... To excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations performance. Vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses and realize your fork is longer... For the riding demands of enduro mountain biking, there is misplaced confidence longer-travel! Like a beast increase, and the bike run like a beast of descents. Choose one may be available for both front and/or rear suspension and highly durable years...