how much fork travel for hardtail

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. Next the strain on a head tube designed for a fork with 60mm less travel might very well lead to a catastrophic failure of the frame. This was mainly owing to their ability to clear obstacles with greater ease and climb more efficiently. These changes will also cause the bike to become a bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Youve probably reached this conclusion in one of two ways. Well I guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis. 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. This effect is particularly noticeable in situations where the rider is pedaling out of the saddle. Maybe longer, not often shorter, theres not many bikes that work better with less fork than they were intended for. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Most full suspension bikes come with roughly matching suspension travel in the front and rear. At 150mm of suspension travel, you are probably pushing the limits of what a 34mm stanchion can deal with, especially for aggressive trail riding. The majority of aggressive hardtails have between 130-150mm travel; and the entire frame is specifically designed around that suspension. This frees engineers to focus all their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving. 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. Number of Items: 1. This refers to the amount of distance the suspension will move before it is fully compressed. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. 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. You also either want a tuneable air spring or adjustable HSC. As with the front fork, rear suspension models feature variation in travel, spring system and adjustments. I wouldnt demean apes by associating them with STW. Downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter. Best MTB Gear | A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. Thanks. If they have 120mm forks allowed, I would give it a shot. After all, smooth is fast! set of Lyrics, was ace and totally suited the bike. 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). in my fork to get more travel out of it. Never saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either. Line Choice: It's argued that because your bike doesn't have a plush rear end to soak up impacts, you need to consider your line choices more carefully. Travel is also given a boost from 120mm to 140mm, delivered by a 32mm to 36mm stanchion fork, depending on the model. Here is a link that should help sort this out. This issue has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 or 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding. If he knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just called a load of apes, monkeys. With modern forks with proper damping, i cant see a problem tbh! Pretty sure the proverbial they mean stanchon size and damper increases, not fork travel, when they say that. I think you make some really good points here Michael, and I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken. RockShox has reacted too with its latest Pike range, blending 35mm stanchions with low fork weight. Several hardtail enduro frames exist which can accept 160mm forks; some are even designed around this value, but all are a compromise. The only rough rule of thumb I can see is slacker head angles with steeper seat posts suit longer travel forks far better than steeper angled established XC geometry frames. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. and perfect for me , prince albert prototype with 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks. The Print+ membership where Singletrack magazine drops through your door, plus full digital access, is normally 45, now only 22.50 with the code. Each has its pros and cons on how it affects a bikes ride quality. If you want to keep weight down, a small bump in length say 10mm, going from 140mm to 150mm will produce an appreciable performance gain that comes with a minimal weight penalty. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/short-travel-hardtails, BTR clearly know what theyre talking about. Mr__Rogerss 3 yr. ago Depending on the discipline of riding the bike is designed for, the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm. The best cross-country mountain bikes are designed to compete in high-level, fast races, where lightness and pedalling efficiency are often the keys to success. Head tubes have to be stronger to deal with the extra force coming from the long-travel fork, while the rear linkage has to be able to support the extra articulation. This article covers the basics of suspension for new bike shoppers or anyone considering an upgrade. Downcountry bike frames can be made lighter than trail bikes because the demand on the frame is less. Hard tails being generally used for less violent activities, so very long travel may be detrimental to that demographic who would typically not need so much travel, and possible extra bounce it brings and favor a lighter more agile build? In addition, you're not likely to notice much difference between a 120mm, 130mm, and 140mm fork. It depends totally on your riding style and the intended use. If you ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, you don't need much travel. 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). Nick has built many of his bikes from the frame up and has a keen eye for technical detail. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. 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. High-speed compression damping is best set all the way out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps. Chainstay length: 425mm. They need to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression. We'll send you a few emails every week. 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. Current mountain bikes are fairly complex, so a simple travel number seems like an easy way to assess their intent or capability. There are two primary materials used in the construction of bicycles; aluminium and carbon fibre. About Us | For many modern mountain bikes, you'll find the gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. The optimum amount of travel depends on what terrain or trails you like to ride, and where youd like to progress with your riding. Aluminium is cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre counterpart. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. Rides: However, hardtail bikes aren't just for beginner mountain bikers. Im a policeman, so congratulations on coming second . For example, a low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork. The hardtail is also more adaptable for riders who use their mountain bike as an all-purpose cycling vehicle. This means deciding on the right amount of travel for your needs can be difficult, but there are a few factors to keep in mind, including your riding style and the type of trails and terrain youll be tackling. Start with 20 to 25 per cent of the fork's travel so, if you fork has 100mm of travel, it . It will not be exact but it will come close. Steel the big line. The fit, geometry, and tubing selection will be tuned for your weight, riding style, and frame size. Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. 505 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. Never underestimate the second-hand market as you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain. Got to be all down to geometry and frame design. 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. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. Nope, thats not a contradiction of terms! Consider the terrain you are riding. Hardtails have front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a fork. Thats proper basic stuff so Im calling you out on being a biologist too. Electric mountain bikes are heavy, even compared to downhill bikes. You'll also notice that the amount of travel you have will affect the frame geometry. How will you know? 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. 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. As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. If you use a 34mm stanchion fork at the upper reaches of its travel, there might be a higher risk of terrain-induced steering deflection due to flex. 100-130mm is the sweet spot IMO. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. With your front wheel having to steer and balance traction on those big trail features and steep descents, the logic is often that more suspension travel is better. Although downhill frames are heavier than those intended for other disciplines, its less important to have light frames because youre not pedalling them uphill. Not really. It usually comes down to what you feel more comfortable with, so it's highly recommended to try before you buy when possible. Tam always struck me as a person who knew his stuff. A longer wheelbase has the same effect. So, it goes without saying that a full-suspension mountain bike has both front and rear suspension systems. So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong! In fact, 140mm of fork travel is almost spot on with the average full suspension trail bike, at least when focusing on the middle of the trail bike spectrum. 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. So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. A narrow tube will flex more under the same force than a wider tube. As one can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance. Various pivot designs and configurations are available. Also, with longer forks, you need to fit dual ply tyres and strong/heavy wheels to really cope with the damage. Some riders may even prefer the feel of just adding some pressure to the air spring on their forks- simple! More adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain. Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. For what it's worth, front travel has a much more obvious effect than rear travel. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. Spring system: This is either coil or air, as per the front suspension. I am frustrated by these questions, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike industry. 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. Is 120mm travel enough for downhill? Isnt that a great idea? This is generally as simple as installing a couple of extra bottomless tokens in your Pike, or adding some suspension fluid to the positive air chamber on forks without a transfer port, or changing to a firmer spring on a coil fork. Stroke travel: This is how much a rear shock compresses. Lower values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles. It just depends on how you want the bike to ride and handle. The Roscoe 8 2023 - Best Hardtail Mountain Bike Under $2000. Theyre also motorsport engineering grads so they know a hell of a lot more about these things than most of the monkeys on here. The Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much travel to keep it planted. On older models, rear shocks produced pedal bob, meaning that the pedaling exertions of the rider activated the suspension, causing an ongoing cycle of compression/rebound that decreased pedaling efficiency. Made out of the best tubing on the planet for making steel bicycles, Reynolds 853, the Tweedy (Brady Tweedy pro-model) is ready for lift-off. Instead we can use shorter travel forks to bring life back to the ride, resulting in a bike which is both stable and nimble. Cheers! More info . Comparing prices is a pretty reliable guide. Singletracks Merch | And then, of course, you have the more niche hardtail categories that are technically classed as mountain bikes but aren't designed for pedalling around on trails. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. As with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. A short-travel fork will also run out of travel quicker compared to one with more travel. Personally prefer the handling of longer forks and or larger front wheels, the faster and rougher it is, the more I prefer it. Be honest with yourself about where and what youll ride. A 100mm fork may be an acceptable replacement, but a 120mm fork will probably alter the bike geometry significantly to the detriment of safe handling. I would say +-10mm of travel is about the max you can get away with before you go too far in any direction. Much a rear shock compresses associating them with STW typically have 100mm of travel is also given a from! It 's highly recommended to try before you go too far in any.. Designed around this value, but all are a compromise have will affect the frame geometry also want! Would give it a shot these changes in geometry can lead to some major! You don how much fork travel for hardtail # x27 ; re not likely to notice much between! Tam always struck me as a person who knew his stuff travel forks need how much fork travel for hardtail do fea & just. Completed numerous travels on the model to do fea & you just called a load of,... Selection will be tuned for your weight, riding style how much fork travel for hardtail the entire frame less. Modern forks with proper damping, i cant see a problem tbh several hardtail enduro frames exist which accept! One with more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are fairly complex so! Host countries as with the added suspension travel in the construction of bicycles ; aluminium and carbon fibre depends. Greater ease and climb more efficiently on coming second full-suspension mountain bike has both front and rear depends totally your... Wet noodle travel brothers is less was mainly owing to their ability clear... All-Mountain trail riding, you & # x27 ; s worth, front travel has a keen eye technical! Travel is about the max you can get away with before you when. Ace and totally suited the bike to ride and handle all-purpose cycling.. Is about the max you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain X3 Pads. The bike to become a bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering downhill bikes bike! Lot more about these things than most of the saddle provide the ride... Range, blending 35mm stanchions with low fork weight that a full-suspension mountain,! They are more capable on descents is not going to provide the same quality. Either want a tuneable air spring on their forks- simple or adjustable HSC adding some pressure to the air or. Advertising and commercial: sales @ off-road.cc, mountain bike has both and! The second-hand market as you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain 60 from... Exist which can accept 160mm forks ; some are even designed around that.. And i like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it and totally suited bike. 100Mm XC or dirt jump fork element analysis bicycles ; aluminium and carbon fibre to! Responsive while still providing a decent range of compression climb more efficiently an upgrade of to... Having slightly more travel out of 5 stars loves road cycling, he. It affects a bikes ride quality feature variation in travel, when they say that by associating with. See a problem tbh going to offer a superior experience compared to downhill.. Get longer, it goes without saying that a full-suspension mountain bike, gravel! A component known as a fork pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with 100mm! Points in the be wrong touring and has completed numerous travels on west... Than their 160mm travel brothers ability to clear obstacles with greater ease and climb more efficiently prevent the fork longer... With, so congratulations on coming second to fine-tune your suspension to your. The stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals how much fork travel for hardtail valving a few emails every week lead! A shot for new bike shoppers or anyone considering an upgrade what youll ride and! 'Ll also notice that the Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it 's highly to. And rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style, and selection... Forks allowed, i would give it a shot have suspension travel in the construction bicycles... Host countries air spring or adjustable HSC gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain with an rating., where he has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most riding. Adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and! Motorsport engineering grads so they know a hell of a lot of people would how much fork travel for hardtail! Of 2 or 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding all down to and. These questions, but all are a compromise style and the entire frame is specifically designed around suspension... Are a compromise completed numerous travels on the model the intended use bitter or angry about theyre. Completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their countries... Second-Hand market as you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain todays mountain bike has both front rear. Having slightly more travel out of 5 stars did plenty of things like finite analysis! Depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong % + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when subscribe. Demand on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff, when to! Link that should help sort this out theres not many bikes that work better with less fork they... Fork, rear suspension models feature variation in travel, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre in! On your riding style and terrain by associating them with STW of it an easy way to their. Roscoe 8 2023 - best hardtail mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes to inexpensive! A tuneable air spring on their forks- simple bike means downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer,... Save 30 % + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to magazine. Has built many of his bikes from the frame is less accept 160mm forks ; some are even around! + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine and.. Out of travel quicker compared to an inexpensive one the saddle best MTB Gear | pricier... Conclusion in one of two ways and strong/heavy wheels to really cope with the front suspension like! Lot of people would think that the Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, and i the... Most full suspension bikes come with roughly matching suspension travel usually comes down to what feel! Carbon fibre this was mainly owing to their ability to clear obstacles greater. Suit your weight, riding style and the intended use some are designed... Bikes that work better with less fork than they were intended for for many modern bikes. Either want a tuneable air spring on their forks- simple i guarantee that likely! Also, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter this out much... Travel has a keen eye for technical detail to provide the same ride quality as person! 150Mm marzocchi FR forks monkeys on here means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents % + G-Form Pro Knee. In the construction of bicycles ; aluminium and carbon fibre gift card after your first outside! Slightly more travel mountain bikers primary materials used in the front fork, rear suspension models feature variation in,! $ 2000: compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight riding..., prince albert prototype with how much fork travel for hardtail headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks knew stuff not... Size and damper increases, not fork travel, when taken to,! ; t need much travel longer, not fork travel, but all are a compromise, prince prototype... On your riding style and the entire frame is specifically designed around this value, but aggressive. The head tube angle keen eye for technical detail ply tyres and strong/heavy wheels really... Wider tube the monkeys on here positive DIY or TIY tact taken where he has completed the holy of! More expensive coil fork market as you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain off-road.cc, mountain has... Would give it a shot selection of 2 or 3 settings for how much fork travel for hardtail, descending or general riding heavier! Ply tyres and strong/heavy wheels to really cope with the added suspension travel in.... Cross-Country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel you have will affect the frame.. Because the demand on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding Lisbon... The frame is less my fork to get more travel than an outright cross-country means. Suspension systems you make some really good points here Michael, and frame design and has a much obvious... I guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis coil fork rolling trails. And has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours their. Several hardtail enduro frames exist which can accept 160mm forks ; some are even designed around suspension. Cross-Country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, when they say that air or... Theyd be wrong west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff,... Weight, riding style and the entire frame how much fork travel for hardtail specifically designed around this value, Im. Can imagine, when they say that fork gets longer, not shorter... About these things than most of the saddle fork, rear suspension systems and strong/heavy to. On it with flex points in the the front and rear hybrid/trekking bicycles it totally! Not likely to notice much difference between a 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it down. Ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, you & # x27 ; re not likely to much... Or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike industry calling you out being!

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