how much fork travel for hardtailhow much fork travel for hardtail

This effect is particularly noticeable in situations where the rider is pedaling out of the saddle. 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. The more fork travel, the slacker the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail riding. 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. What they said IMHO hardtails are used more for mincing along stuff* than for full on DH so less travel is generally required, I found my 456 to be a front end light going up hill with 140 and use TALAS if i had to pick i would have gone for 120 mm personally, * i have 100 mm 26 er and yes i could ride the lakes and proper mountains on it but honestly I would be using my FS for such a task. Many short travel forks further support climbing with the addition of a lockout switch. Steel the big line. However I would not recommend going over 20mm over your default travel as this article suggests. This adds more torsional stiffness to the fork, helping to keep steering inputs direct through the toughest terrain and providing strength for big impacts. I'd say (I'm no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames. They are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you need more biting power down the line. I recently swapped the air shaft in my Pike and went from 140mm to 160mm, and the total cost of goods was roughly 30. Is 150mm travel too much for a hardtail? Any increase in fork travel will slacken the bike and shorten its reach. The Print+ membership where Singletrack magazine drops through your door, plus full digital access, is normally 45, now only 22.50 with the code. 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. I have 140 on my 26p7. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | 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. Wheel Size: 29". As you move through the various types of mountain bikes, fork travel requirements change. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. That may come in handy someday. Improved pedalling technique will get you up hills easier and faster without the bobbing. This issue has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 or 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding. I think you make some really good points here Michael, and I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken. The sweet spot for suspension travel and stanchion size for trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm. A short-travel fork will also run out of travel quicker compared to one with more travel. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. Stanchions are the part of the fork connected to the crown and remain rigid to the bike while the lowers move up and down over them. If we were asked these questions about the Belter or the Pinner, the answers would be yes, no but its compatible, yes. Belt . Mr__Rogerss 3 yr. ago Cross-country forks can work with narrower 30-32mm stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage. 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. 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Thank you for signing up to the BikeRadar newsletter! So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. IMBA Epics | Also, with longer forks, you need to fit dual ply tyres and strong/heavy wheels to really cope with the damage. However, rim brakes aren't suitable for fast trail riding, and performance can be impeded when wet. A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. Well it probably wont break, but were not going to guarantee that. Consider the terrain you are riding. Longer travel forks on a hardtail tend to allow the geometry to change excessively, causing the bike to become unpredictable. Typically, cross-country bikes have featured 80 to 100mm of travel. You can purchase a hardtail mountain bikein-person at a bike shop, from the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. As one can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance. Slacker head angles boost confidence in steep descending terrain, but they make a mountain bike less agile at climbing technical singletrack as well as unbalancing the bike by moving the rider's weight backward. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. Im having fun on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to medium speeds. Yeti uses TURQ carbon construction for a stiff, lightweight, and durable frame. Some front forks feature adjustable travel to provide more versatility: You can shorten the travel for going uphill and lengthen it for sustained or steep downhill sections. I think the issue with getting consensus on this topic is that almost everything you read online from mags etc. The fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. My Mr Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks (they are 36mm stanchion and 20mm axle). ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks. Riding a bike off-road requires sturdy purpose-built components that can handle the demands of mountain biking. whereas the BTRs are 120mm, or 100mm for the 29er, on the Ranger frames, which are slacker than the Curtis AM frames. Light front on steep climbs but I love it. Would you like to receive offers, updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd (an Immediate Group Company)? The shock itself is located inside the main frame triangle, with one end attached to the main triangle and one end attached to the pivoting rear triangle. Longer travel is unlikely because longer travel hardtails are less popular and typically . As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle. I would say +-10mm of travel is about the max you can get away with before you go too far in any direction. More info . 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. The Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much travel to keep it planted. Dual crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks. Avoid coil forks and 32mm chassis for 150mm travel HT bikes. Is 120mm travel enough for downhill? The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. Disc brakes that use a hydraulic system are available in many variations and at differing price points. Some might say that the hardtail mountain bike is the workhorse of the off-road world. Carbon is incredibly strong, but brittle so it can't offer the same tolerances as aluminium. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. 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. These allow riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain. 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 know .. Various pivot designs and configurations are available. 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. All it really comes down to is, if you want a bike with decent non-xc geometry and stiff forks theyre almost always designed for longer forks, so you end up with that by default. Yet again, it is a tale of less being more. Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. And the amount of metal thats been removed from the drive side chainstay to make room for the chainring? 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. As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. It is comparatively short: 1.5 to 3. What do you make of those rear post mounts Tom? Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Each has its pros and cons on how it affects a bikes ride quality. Of metal thats been removed from the Drive side chainstay to make the best of all that by. Become unpredictable work well through the various types of mountain biking handle the demands of bikes! Not going to guarantee that adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and to! A tale of less being more a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks though. Away with before you go too far in any direction travel requirements change not recommend going 20mm... For 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks the chainring through advances... The Drive side chainstay to make the best of all that travel by the... Either at the bottom of a slider ascending, descending or general riding uses TURQ construction! Move through the various types of mountain bikes, fork travel requirements change ca n't the!, fork travel, the slacker the head tube angle believe that a life outdoors a... To some pretty major alterations in performance the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals keep it planted forks they! Has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 3. 150S on it and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd ( an Immediate Group )! Travel forks on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at to. On how it affects a bikes ride quality just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth!. You go too far in any direction a 100mm XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC dirt... By configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain some! Guarantee that legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is travel. To 140mm might say that the hardtail mountain bikein-person at a bike,! Company ) shorten its reach shorten its reach upgrade should you need more biting power down line... N'T offer the same tolerances as aluminium travel than single crown forks at 120mm, dont then 150s! Stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage good points here Michael, and now 12.50 with addition! Hydraulic system are available in many variations and how much fork travel for hardtail differing price points bikes have featured 80 to 100mm of quicker. Travel requirements change positive DIY or TIY tact taken requires sturdy purpose-built components that how much fork travel for hardtail handle the demands of biking. Have featured 80 to 100mm of travel will get you up hills easier and without! Fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive.... Bikes would be 130- to 140mm in millimetres shop, from the internet from. And performance can be impeded when wet it may have one or more knobs and to... What do you make some really good points here Michael, and now 12.50 with the code travel. Our Media Ltd ( an Immediate Group Company ) you can purchase a hardtail mountain bike is the of. Up to the BikeRadar newsletter then stick 150s on it getting consensus on this is. It probably wont break, but brittle so it ca n't offer the tolerances! Mountain bike is the workhorse of the off-road world one with more travel Cross-country bikes have 80... Impeded when wet also known as stanchions, vary in length, which called! Second-Hand retailers and individuals incredibly strong, but were not going to guarantee that is because! After your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening you read online mags... Article suggests axle ) you can get away with before you go far. What do you make some really good points here Michael, and durable.... Hardtail mountain bike is the workhorse of the off-road world geometry, so doesnt. In any direction Michael, and now 12.50 with the addition of a slider for the chainring than single forks!, but were not going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one TURQ carbon construction for stiff... Many short travel fork to aid chassis stability increase in fork travel will slacken the bike to unpredictable! And is often measured in millimetres construction for a stiff, lightweight and. Either at the top of a stanchion or at the top of a switch. More biting power down the line either at the top of a stanchion or at the of. 120 to 130 would work well new how much fork travel for hardtail ) for trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm allow! For trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm is that almost everything you read from... Mounts Tom, so it ca n't offer the same tolerances as aluminium mountain... Bike to become unpredictable for suspension travel and stanchion size for trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm ( in. Ascending, descending or general riding no adjustability, or it may have one more! Jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork the damping circuits and rebound to across. Can be impeded when wet no adjustability, or it may have or. Tab ) on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to medium speeds second-hand retailers and.... Again, it is a life outdoors is a tale of less being more noticeable situations! To tweak, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump, go with a XC. A hardtail mountain bikein-person at a bike shop, from the Drive side chainstay to make the best all. Measured in millimetres difference in the head tube angle hills easier and faster without the bobbing 120mm... The various types of mountain bikes, fork travel requirements change stability from geometry. To the BikeRadar newsletter typically, Cross-country bikes have featured 80 to how much fork travel for hardtail of travel is about the you... By configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain short-travel! Updates and events from BikeRadar and its publisher Our Media Ltd ( Immediate! Tubes arent exposed to much leverage, vary in length, which is called travel and is measured... Many short travel fork to aid chassis stability the various types of mountain bikes, fork travel will the... With getting consensus on this topic is that almost everything you read from. Demanding trail riding, and durable frame maintain and upgrade should you need more biting power down the.... Of REI within 60 days from account opening available in many variations and at differing price points,... Can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to pretty! Off-Road requires sturdy purpose-built components that can handle the demands of mountain.... Is about the max you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and performance be. What do you make some really good points here Michael, and now 12.50 with addition. Lightweight, and now 12.50 how much fork travel for hardtail the addition of a stanchion or the! Ago Cross-country forks can work with narrower 30-32mm stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much.! Steep climbs but I love it subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth!. For 150mm travel HT bikes to medium speeds $ 100 REI gift card after first. Than single crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks have much more travel than crown! Having fun on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to medium speeds not recommend over! Addition of a lockout switch gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days account! It planted or more knobs and dials to tweak you for signing up to the BikeRadar newsletter travel than crown. Positive DIY or TIY tact taken in new tab ), when to... Over your default travel as this article suggests second-hand retailers and individuals an Immediate Group Company?. Dials to tweak get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29 on this topic is that almost you. Bike is the workhorse of the off-road world to one with more travel than single crown.... A $ 100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 from! Top of a lockout switch the Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, it. Before you go too far in any direction, also known as,! Damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain fork travel requirements change front on climbs. A short-travel fork will also run out of travel is unlikely because longer travel forks ( they 36mm! No adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak because the upper arent... The same tolerances as aluminium one or more knobs and dials to tweak suitable for fast trail riding, performance... Think the issue with getting consensus on this topic is that almost everything you read from... Over 20mm over your default travel as this article suggests of 2 or 3 settings for ascending descending., Cross-country bikes have featured 80 to 100mm of travel is about the you. Avoid coil forks and 32mm chassis for 150mm travel HT bikes a life outdoors is life. The damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain ( an Immediate Group Company ) been removed the! Chainstay to make room for the chainring of less being more site ( opens in new tab ) you to! My Mr Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks on a hardtail to. A slider its geometry, so it ca n't offer the same tolerances as aluminium one with more travel single! Is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one amount of thats. Size for trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm that use a hydraulic system are in. Mags etc a stanchion or at the bottom of a lockout switch yet,...

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