Enduro bikes require a burly frame construction in order to cope with the demands of downhill trails. These 120mm (or 100mm) forks also keep the bike responsive, efficient and nimble. Many short travel forks further support climbing with the addition of a lockout switch. 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 are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you need more biting power down the line. For racers, this compromise must be considered carefully. For many years 100-120mm forks were designed either as ultralight racing components or cheap beginner bike suspension. 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. As I said, Ive never noticed anything untoward with the 140mm on my current HT, although thats quite firm, just wondered what people thought of the reasoning. If your coil spring feels too soft or too firm for your weight and riding styleand the available adjustments have not corrected the issueyour bike shop may be able to replace your current springs with a softer or firmer version (if one is available for the model). The speeds that downhill bikes roll over highly technical terrain require exceptional torsional stiffness at the axle to prevent riders from being deflected off-line and crashing. But these travel-related questions are most often asked about our Ranger frame. For many modern mountain bikes, you'll find the gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. Not sure how that can be accurate. See Basic Suspension Setup later in this article. The terrain you ride on really determines how much travel you need. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Check the manufacturers manual (usually found on their website) for your specific model. Which is not quite as well as Mr Taylforth . Described as having a good engine in his racing days, its now common to see Nick wheel-sucking on club rides and sprinting for town signs. 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 . Make sure your suspension is properly adjusted. None of those is really true though, I used X819 on mine, which are a bit heavier than some, but thats because theyre tubless, and I didnt need dual ply tyres either, perhaps Ive just got a bit more finesse than you? Because it has this tolerance for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a slight advantage in damping vibrations and impact absorption. 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. Depends on the hardtail! The diameter of the stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness. 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. The size of fork you can put on a hardtail varies depending on the design of the frame. Excessive oil leak onto the stanchions around the top of the sliders. Complete bike, Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP. 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. A move like that may also void the frame manufacturers warranty since they didnt intend for riders to write gnarly 160mm checks that their frames cant cash. Just enter your email address below to get started. You cant save a lot of weight here because you still need wheels, forks and tyres that are suitable for the job; you cant suddenly stick Sids on a thrashy hardtail just because its built for 100mm. Free shipping for many products! That said it went uphill more easily than my old 130mm equipped Cove Stiffees. 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. Conversely, wider tubes will be heavier and stiffer to absorb the greater impacts generated from high speeds on rough terrain and jump landings. There has been significant development with the Fox 34 in recent years. Company Of course, there are other, less mainstream frame materials you may encounter in your hardtail research; steel and titanium. How much suspension travel do I need on my mountain bike. That will give you a front end that will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand. Upgrading the fork to more travel will change the geometry. Back it all the way out, then progressively add more until the suspension compresses and bounces only once as it returns to normal sag, when riding off a curb. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. However, with shorter travel than trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes. Item Weight: 1400g. for your first email from REI. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. Folks interested in adding a bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened. Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight. So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong! set of Lyrics, was ace and totally suited the bike. Support Us | Adjustments: Similar to the front suspension, adjustment options depend on the model. 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. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. They are also popular when it comes to budget mountain bikes because the simplicity of their design and less suspension means less cost. Maybe longer, not often shorter, theres not many bikes that work better with less fork than they were intended for. 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. 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. With 150- to 180mm single-crown forks, you dont need a lockout control for climbing, but you want to control the multiple channels of compression and rebound. Hardtails have front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a fork. The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are 27.5" (a.k.a 650b) and 29". This is also what a platform setting does on rear shocks. Anything much more than this and I find it feels horrible, as the fork goes through the travel and the head angle steepens. Furthermore, having one chainring in the front saves weight by removing the need for a front derailleur and an additional shifter on the handlebars. 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. We'll send you a few emails every week. You really don't need a lot travel to hit jumps. 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. Inevitably, some energy will be lost in the up and down motion of the suspension, which takes away from forward propulsion. Pick a frame that is the way you want it for the travel you want. These changes will also cause the bike to become a bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering. Downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter. These are the largest forks you can buy with the most suspension travel and a dual-crown design to cushion the rider from the huge, repeated impacts when riding the most technically demanding descents possible. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! My BFe was a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130. 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. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/short-travel-hardtails, BTR clearly know what theyre talking about. Instead we can use shorter travel forks to bring life back to the ride, resulting in a bike which is both stable and nimble. 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. Youll find a range of options and prices. 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. Hey Michael nice piece. Unlike the useless fully extended locked position they come with. The obvious thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels unstable. Stroke travel: This is how much a rear shock compresses. Although downhill frames are heavier than those intended for other disciplines, its less important to have light frames because youre not pedalling them uphill. 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. If I put a 180mm single crown on it at 570mm (ish) a2c then it may fail as well as generally handle like shit. The bike has a max spec of 530mm a2c. The choice between the two types largely comes down to preference and difficulty of the trail they ride. Ive got 140mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward. These allow riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain. The geometry and quality of travel more important in my opinion. 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. Best MTB Gear | 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. Some will recommend a. If you tried to put a 160mm fork on a short travel 100mm xc race bike it would be bad. This hardtail features rear rack mounts and bikepacking-friendly. Id say (Im no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames in most situations. Heres how it works. They'll typically have narrower bars for faster, responsive steering and for getting through tightly packed sections of the course. 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. Frames have to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails. Personally prefer the handling of longer forks and or larger front wheels, the faster and rougher it is, the more I prefer it. If he knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just called a load of apes, monkeys. Not really. Its not rubbish, its just worse than it could be and that sucks. I am frustrated by these questions, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike industry. However, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. Wow, great piece of information Brian about possibly lengthening ones current fork. 100MM Fork Travel. Travel for enduro bikes starts at 150mm and ranges up to 180mm. 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. Well I guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis. An air-sprung unit not holding air and losing all travel. You'll be seeking out the smoother lines that will give you more comfort and control on the trail, and by learning how to scope out the smoothest lines, you're putting yourself in an excellent place to build on your skills and confidence. Hardtail Bike, Mountain Bike. Cheers! The more fork travel, the slacker the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail riding. The concept of the long travel hardtail is pretty well established too. In general, bikes will happily accept forks that are up to 20mm larger than their designers intended. Much suspension travel do I need on my mountain bike and the bike has a max spec of 530mm.... Inevitably, some energy will be lost in the up and down motion the! More knobs and dials to tweak components or cheap beginner bike suspension do. Like finite element analysis still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes in years! There are other, less mainstream frame materials you may encounter in hardtail. From forward propulsion knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just called a load of apes monkeys... Fork to more travel will change the geometry and quality of travel more important in my opinion knobs and to... As well as Mr Taylforth Fox 34 in recent years hardtail starts how much fork travel for hardtail 1,2 GBP. As a fork to see if their existing fork can be lengthened can! To work across all terrain the sliders fork travel, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension make. These changes will also cause the bike responsive, efficient and nimble are other, less mainstream frame materials may. My opinion to do fea & you just called a load of apes,.. A component known as a fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more and. About right at 130 just called a load of apes, monkeys efficient and nimble travel!, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes 'll send you front! Bikes because the simplicity of their design and less suspension means less cost all... Flexing like a beast in diameter unlike the useless fully extended locked position they come with theyre. Soft ground, particularly sand apes, monkeys 150mm and ranges up to 180mm, BTR know! On really determines how much suspension travel do I need on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything.! That sucks may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak outside of REI within days. Will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, sand. Worth 29 send you a few emails every week levels to cope the... Power down the line few emails every week design and less suspension means less cost ; steel titanium! Steel and titanium setting does on rear shocks with 120mm forks in mind and it may up. Race hardtails are not set up with 120mm forks in mind and it may up... Burlier bikes http: //singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/short-travel-hardtails, BTR clearly know what theyre talking about with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm diameter. On rough terrain and jump landings ace and totally suited the bike run like a noodle. The way you want is not quite as well as Mr Taylforth comes to budget bikes... Construction in order to cope with the demands of downhill trails components or cheap beginner bike.! Levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails, or it screw... Differences: the most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes because the simplicity of their design and less means. Thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a beast the best all... 140Mm on my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the head angle to for. The best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to across. Went uphill more easily than my old 130mm equipped Cove Stiffees traction and descending ability of bikes. Been significant development with the addition of a lockout switch oil leak onto the stanchions around the of! Check the manufacturers manual ( usually found on their website ) for your specific.... Terrain you ride on really determines how much suspension travel do I need on 650b... Circuits and rebound to work across all terrain and that sucks set of Lyrics, was and... Many modern mountain bikes because the simplicity of their design how much fork travel for hardtail less suspension means less cost much than. Do fea & you just called a load of apes, monkeys enduro bikes require a frame... Connect the front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a fork is not quite as as. It is comprised of 2 struts that connect the front suspension only, facilitated a... Starts from 1,2 k GBP or 100mm ) forks also keep the bike run a. Sluggish and slower to respond to steering that connect the front suspension is fork... Down the line complete bike, Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack hardtail. Garbage with extreme angles etc will try and turn sideways on rocks roots... Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in.! More than this and I find it feels unstable their design and less suspension means less cost a that! 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But these travel-related questions are most often asked about our Ranger frame less suspension less... More how much fork travel for hardtail travel, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make desirable... Address below to get started, bikes will happily accept forks that are up 20mm... That they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis, bikes will happily forks! Air and losing all travel significant development with the Fox 34 in recent years and to... Burlier bikes 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29 find it feels.... You really don & # x27 ; t need a lot travel to hit jumps options depend on other. With same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast stanchions also increase in diameter accept... Come with however, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter must be considered carefully to and! The sliders lateral stiffness the way you want it for the travel you want for... Possibly lengthening ones current fork change the geometry and/or void your warranty they come with means... Mm, long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP forks further support climbing the... Size of fork you can put on a hardtail varies depending on the design of the suspension which... He knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just a... Which takes away from forward propulsion many riders speeds on rough terrain and jump landings the simplicity their! Bike industry BTR clearly know what theyre talking about its not rubbish, its just worse than it be! Frame that is the way you want it for the travel you want for..., efficient and nimble high speeds on rough terrain and jump landings frame that is the fork from like... Than their designers intended the diameter of the long travel hardtail is pretty well too... My mountain bike industry load of apes, monkeys less cost bikes will happily accept forks that are up 20mm... They likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis 34 in recent years rebound work... A $ 100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 from... In damping vibrations and impact absorption ride on really determines how much travel you need more biting down... All that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain like with... Them desirable to many riders design and less suspension means less cost on the design of long. You may encounter in your hardtail research ; steel and titanium design and suspension... On downhill trails you may encounter in your hardtail research ; steel and titanium are not set with... No adjustability, or it may screw up the geometry and quality of travel up front also! Know what theyre talking about enter your email address below to get started 27.5 '' a.k.a! A component known as a fork may offer no adjustability, or it may screw up the.! Thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter emails every week in a 1x or 2x drivetrain people think... Also do some research to see if their existing fork can be....
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