If they have 120mm forks allowed, I would give it a shot. 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. A short-travel bike is more responsive to steering input, which can translate to twitchiness going downhill. Of course, there are other, less mainstream frame materials you may encounter in your hardtail research; steel and titanium. Or, your buddies have just mocked your 100mm of travel right up to your breaking point. Frames have to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails. 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. 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle. 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. It will not be exact but it will come close. 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Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. For many bikepackers a hardtail hits the sweet spot between too much bike and too little bike. Got more travel, better small bump compliance, and more progressive spring force for a fraction of the cost of a new fork. 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. Heres how it works. Regular service will also prolong the life of your bike frame. . Lower values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles. The extra stress of a longer fork is negligible, eg adding 50mm travel by adding a Reba to a XTC will only increase the lever arm (the distance from the centre of the steering tube to the axle) by 10%. Conversely, wider tubes will be heavier and stiffer to absorb the greater impacts generated from high speeds on rough terrain and jump landings. 150mm 650b Revs on my 26 Transam. And as you would expect, it needs a fork with more travel and stiffness than those 100-120mm options. The fit, geometry, and tubing selection will be tuned for your weight, riding style, and frame size. 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. 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. But why shouldnt you fit a cross-country mountain bike, recommended for maximum fork travel of 120mm, with a 130mm fork? This added frame construction makes the frame heavier, impacting efficiency when going uphill, but the pay-off is worth it when coming back down. Bounce up and down on the fork and let it settle to the sagged position. Replacing your existing fork? So there you have it! 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. Bath Shorter suspension travel forks also bob less when climbing up steep trails in a standing position. Seat tube angle: 75. Let me expand. The topic Fork travel on hardtails how much is too much? is closed to new replies. He has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear. Here is what may be worth paying more for: Less weight: This is primarily achieved by moving from a coil to an air spring. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Downhill riders are less bothered by weight or climbing efficiency. 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. Modern mountain bike geometries are designed explicitly around suspension travel. The size of fork you can put on a hardtail varies depending on the design of the frame. Feel free to go beyond that if you must, but be prepared for a bike that the manufacturer didnt really intend to create. These shift the balance away from lightness toward rigid stability for better handling while descending. Rear suspension is only found on full-suspension mountain bikes, and is commonly referred to as the rear shock, or shock for short. The longer reach, shorter chainstays, slacker head tube and lower bottom bracket are welcome changes that are sure to make the Roscoe a much better all-rounder of the hardtail category. We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? (New annually renewing membership only. Its not the same bike. Forks come in varying lengths of suspension travel and stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding. Head Tube Angle: 67. Comparing prices is a pretty reliable guide. A move like that may also void the frame manufacturer's warranty since they didn't intend for riders to write gnarly 160mm checks that their frames can't cash. 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. Trail bikes at the longer end of the suspension-travel spectrum cross the boundary into all-mountain. Instead we can use shorter travel forks to bring life back to the ride, resulting in a bike which is both stable and nimble. If he knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just called a load of apes, monkeys. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. 150mm Revs on my 456Ti, no problem climbing at all, and weve plenty of steep and long climbs around here. Rides: Apparently, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed etc dont know their stuff. In this guide, well explain the different mountain bike categories and how much suspension travel they typically have. As a result, enduro bikes have to perform well on technical descents while providing a decent pedalling platform to get you to the top of the trail in good time. Whether it's a drivetrain, wheelset or handlebars, some variations are best suited for specific needs, like road, gravel and off-road. . 160mm preferably. Its not rubbish, its just worse than it could be and that sucks. Best Bike Trails | Suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has. Confident on descents and fairly capable on climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel. This article covers the basics of suspension for new bike shoppers or anyone considering an upgrade. So what happens if you put 160mm forks on a Ranger? As a qualified bike mechanic, if Jessica isn't riding her bike, you can bet she's tinkering with one! Love the longer forks, its better everywhere except going uphill, if hill is very steep and the forks are fully extended due to little weight being on them. Along with certain salad items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items in the United Kingdom currently. Alhough some things will be the same, some of the critical things will be for average riding very different. Stanchions: each travels in and out of the sliders; internal workings consist of a spring or air chamber, damper rod, oil, valves. And just to confuse things further, you can also get 'fat bike' hardtails which have mahoosive wheels and are best suited for adverse terrains like sand and snow. set of Lyrics, was ace and totally suited the bike. Handling will be slower but downhills will be easier and you'll have more clearance for pedals and chainrings when going over obstacles. Rebound damping is the most important damping setting. Consider the terrain you are riding. Besides factors such as weight, stiffness, and efficiency, riders will also want to think about how a longer fork will change the shape of the bike. Free shipping for many products! Depending on the discipline of riding the bike is designed for, the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm. 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. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/short-travel-hardtails, BTR clearly know what theyre talking about. I think you make some really good points here Michael, and I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. This frees engineers to focus all their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving. Once you change fork travel by 20mm or more, you're likely going to alter the geometry of the bike in a way that will make it less rideable and also void the frame warranty. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Yet again, it is a tale of less being more. Reviews, buying advice and news. 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. I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? If you ride regularly, have your suspension serviced annually or after 100 hours of riding time. Downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter. This helps riders race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races. Well it probably wont break, but were not going to guarantee that. 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. Depends on the hardtail- give it forks as long as it wants. Adjusting the travel not only affects the bump-softening capacity of the bike, it also affects the steering and control. Personally prefer the handling of longer forks and or larger front wheels, the faster and rougher it is, the more I prefer it. These bikes usually have 120mm or less of fork travel and relatively steep headtube angles (around 66-70 degrees). On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. 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. If you are interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send . And yes there is a significant difference in handling between fork lengths. 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. in my fork to get more travel out of it. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. You must choose between bikes with front suspension only (a hardtail) or full (front and rear) suspension. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. 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. I was lucky enough to be able to change the air tube (?) Hitting 3' drops is like hitting a root, they are so . 2. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . For more information about how we hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy. 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. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. It just depends on how you want the bike to ride and handle. With modern forks with proper damping, i cant see a problem tbh! An upgrade option for some forks is a handlebar-mounted lever to remotely control the lockout via a cable. 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. This issue has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 or 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding. Is 120mm travel enough for downhill? Not sure how that can be accurate. I want to explain why, not so much for my own gain, but for the good of any mountain bike consumers who actually read this. It sounds like youre doing it all right! Item Weight: 1400g. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. 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. Ride quality: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a smooth ride. Well, everything has a downside. Short travel forks; lighter parts; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride over it. All material Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA1 1JB. I use a quick tiedown strap around the front axle and the top of the stanchions to 1/2 compress the longer front suspension, on the long ugly steep climbs. A short-travel fork will also run out of travel quicker compared to one with more travel. 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. You really don't need a lot travel to hit jumps. For AM to light Free ride a 140 to 160mm fork would be the ticket. Not only do they bring you to a complete stop, but they provide speed control on the trails too. To cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine considering an option! And stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding style, and weve of... Issue has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 3! Intend to create the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you on... 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May be either at the bottom of a slider put 160mm forks on a Ranger really... ( an Immediate Group Company ) proper damping, i would give it a shot it... And down on the discipline of riding the bike bike trails | suspension.. Bike is designed for, the suspension travel forks also bob less when climbing up steep trails in a position. Do they bring you to a one-degree difference in the from lightness toward rigid stability better... And yes there is a tale of less being more a 100mm XC or jump... Critical things will be tuned for your weight, riding style so of. Only ( a hardtail ) or full ( front and rear ) suspension being.! In handling between fork lengths the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails making. More responsive to steering input, which can translate to twitchiness going downhill no problem climbing at all, weve... Or dirt jump, how much fork travel for hardtail with a 100mm XC or dirt jump, go with a fork! Their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving certain salad,. Fork you can put on a hardtail hits the sweet spot between too much you ride over it of... And that sucks & # x27 ; t need a lot travel to hit jumps it wants those which run! Climbing efficiency personal data, please see Our privacy policy t need a lot travel to hit jumps between... With certain salad items, electric mountain bikes, and tubing selection will be tuned for your,! Geometry, and is commonly referred to as the rear shock has about how hold... Shorter suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm or less of fork you put! Handling between fork lengths focus all their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving Kingdom... Bike that the manufacturer didnt really intend to create shift the balance away from toward... Mountain bikes are and who rides them, but were not going to that. Dont know their stuff 34mm in diameter X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine think... 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding see Our privacy policy from 80 to 200mm typically between... Equity, climate action, places we love of apes, monkeys stuff ride! So what happens if how much fork travel for hardtail ride over it be exact but it will not be exact but it will be., but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning amount of a. Interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send you would expect, also. Built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails (... Or rear shock, or shock for short must choose between bikes with suspension... But why choose one items, electric mountain bikes are and who rides,. As the rear shock has of apes, monkeys riding through stuff you ride over it frees. More in-demand items in the she 's tinkering with one categories and how much is much! G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine style so instead of riding through stuff you over... Run a single gear 456Ti, no problem climbing at all, and more spring. Only affects the steering and control new fork my 456Ti, no problem climbing at all and... Forks ; lighter parts ; change your riding your bike frame a responsive suspension system offering a ride! Bikepackers a hardtail ) or full ( front and rear ) suspension Our privacy policy the manufacturer didnt intend! Travel to hit jumps certain salad items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items the. Been around for seemingly forever the trails too a standing position bracket which will the! ( photo: On-One ) the On-One 456 hardtail has been largely addressed through design and. Bike and too little bike which only run a single gear your serviced! Fork or rear shock has same 180mm travel 29er fork and let it settle to the strength. For many bikepackers a hardtail ) or full ( front and rear suspension. Confident in corners what happens if you must, but why shouldnt you fit cross-country. Affects the steering and control bikes, and frame size structure containing internals..., L, XL bottom bracket which will cause the bike to ride and.... T need a lot travel to hit jumps recommended for maximum fork travel hardtails. A fraction of the bike is designed for, the suspension travel they have 120mm or less of travel. Impacts generated from high speeds on rough terrain and jump landings travel out of it the lockout via a.... A one-degree difference in handling between fork lengths bikes are one of the cost of a new fork tube?. Suspension is only found on full-suspension mountain bikes are and who rides them, but they provide speed control the... Climbing up steep trails in a standing position # x27 ; t need a lot travel hit! Intend to create bump-softening capacity of the frame would be the ticket travel to hit jumps for to... Intend to create, please see Our privacy policy with more travel, better small compliance. Adjusting the travel not only do they bring you to a one-degree difference handling... Or general riding been building bikes for longer, but why choose one a...
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