An air spring (pressurized air in a chamber) has a progressive compression rate, meaning it is softer in the first part of the travel and then gets stiffer as more compression is applied. For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. Stanchions: each travels in and out of the sliders; internal workings consist of a spring or air chamber, damper rod, oil, valves. Be sure to read this entire article to stay safe and avoid any surprises. Dual crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks. When designers create bikes, they do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry and spec list with the bikes intended use. 150mm 650b Revs on my 26 Transam. I need a lower centre of gravity, not suspension travel when slowly grinding my way up a long steep section. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. MTB Podcast | The more fork travel, the slacker the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail riding. 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. Some riders may even prefer the feel of just adding some pressure to the air spring on their forks- simple! Suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has. Support Us | This way you have all the advantages of a longer fork but retain more or less all characteristics of the bike the designer intended. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | For many modern mountain bikes, you'll find the gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain. Suspension units are expensive to replace; suspension lifespan can be extended by having periodic service performed by a suspension specialist. Be honest with yourself about where and what youll ride. Arguably, brakes are one of the most important components to consider when buying a bike. One exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design. 2. Start with 20 to 25 per cent of the fork's travel so, if you fork has 100mm of travel, it . For the most part, the slacker the head tube, the more stable a bike will feel going downhill. For racers, this compromise must be considered carefully. 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. Forks within this travel range prioritise rigidity over weight savings, with thicker stanchions of 36mm to 38mm, providing direct steering inputs and a solid feel as you ride over gnarly terrain. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. https://www.dirtlabs.com/fork-travel-change/. 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. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. In general, bikes will happily accept forks that are up to 20mm larger than their designers intended. Less travel on a hardtail = more stable angles. A mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales. 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. The obvious thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels unstable. A decade ago, the idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable. Probably something to do with dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails. I think I remember the guy who started it from the SDH forum days, and like me, he can clearly ride a bike . Join once, enjoy forever. You will see premium trail bike forks offering high- and low-speed compression adjustment, allowing riders to balance full travel benefits on gnarly terrain without having the fork dive too much in high-speed berms. So a lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong! They are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you need more biting power down the line. . Or, your buddies have just mocked your 100mm of travel right up to your breaking point. 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. We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? Too much is a bad thing, but 20mm or so should be OK. Be careful about trying to make a silk purse from a sours ear though - an entry level XC hard tail will never be a great down hill machine. My riding skillz are also more important than 20mm of travel. 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. Youll find a range of options and prices. I'd say (I'm no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames. Hardtail mountain bikes are certainly more friendly to the budget-savvy buyer, with some entry-level hardtails starting from around 500. 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. The Roscoe 8 will perform like a champ. For example, a low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork. You can find hardtails with everything from 80mm to 200mm forks on them. As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. See Basic Suspension Setup later in this article. All good, right? Downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter. My BFe was a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130. This effect is particularly noticeable in situations where the rider is pedaling out of the saddle. Most dirt jump specific forks are only 100mm. All rights reserved. Having raced XC for most of his youth, he has a deep understanding of the sport and loves bounding around the UK to spectate at events. perfect for me. 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. Number of Items: 1. Crown: connects the 2 stanchions together. All other things being equal, a stiffer fork allows a mountain bike to track true through rough lines and go precisely where the handlebars are pointed. Hitting 3' drops is like hitting a root, they are so . 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. Company For a full-suspension bike 160mm travel can be great; there can be no denying that many 160mm travel full-suspension bikes exist which are incredibly capable down hills as well as being plenty efficient up them. For what it's worth, front travel has a much more obvious effect than rear travel. 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. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. 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. He is currently riding a YT Capra on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the road. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. Too many compromises IMHO. Pyga 160mm aluminium prototype, Cross-country forks need to balance weight, suspension travel and performance in order to excel on the climbs and descents, Trail forks are often pushed to their limits due to the progressive nature of modern trail riding, Enduro forks must be capable on the descents without hindering climbing efficiency too much, Downhill forks require huge amounts of suspension travel to deal with technical terrain, Ass Savers Win Wing review a simple, effective clip-on solution, Pro bike Cameron Masons 2023 British Nationals winning Specialized S-Works Crux, Tifosi Rail Sunglasses review huge coverage and three interchangeable lenses, POC releases two new Omne helmets, one for performance and one with cargo capabilities, Giant introduces new adventurous Revolt X gravel bike with a suspension fork. High-speed compression damping is best set all the way out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps. Whether you're looking to push your comfort zone from the gravel bike to a mountain bike, or you're entirely new to the trails, hardtail bikes are a must-have in many rider's bike stable. Just like the Chromag, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original. Search the forum using the power of Google. I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? The shorter suspension travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips. Bottom line: They all work well, and the average recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance. I dont use suspension lockouts ever, if I did it would be to lock the suspension in the compressed position. There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. 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. Some will recommend a. Already have an account with us? Longer is better. Regular service will also prolong the life of your bike frame. Other bikes aimed at enduro riding are most often given ~160mm travel nowadays, so we get asked if the Ranger fits in the same mold. So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. Ive never ridden a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that has felt good. That may come in handy someday. Which is not quite as well as Mr Taylforth . Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. Downhill riders are less bothered by weight or climbing efficiency. The 45650B gets its name from its ability to run 4, 5, or 6-travel forks, and its 650B (27.5) wheels. Beyond that it could cause issues. However, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders. An ideal fork absorbs impacts vertically without undue lateral flex which can detract from the steering and control of a bike. If you ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, you don't need much travel. 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. But these travel-related questions are most often asked about our Ranger frame. Less flexibility in the fork will mean more direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff. Although most (70%) of my riding only needs probaby 4 or 4.5" of travel, having that extra inch or two just makes the ride that much smoother. Tip: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the general rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated. They need to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression. Just enter your email address below to get started. These bikes feature some of the longest suspension travel, ranging from 180 to 200mm, helping to protect riders from large, repeated impacts. Boasting 130mm of fork travel, the ARC is a modern trail slayer for those that prefer the raw feeling of a hardtail. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. Mr__Rogerss 3 yr. ago 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. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . You can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame. IMBA Epics | 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. Widgets, Explore The Roscoe 8 2023 - Best Hardtail Mountain Bike Under $2000. Any increase in fork travel will slacken the bike and shorten its reach. However, a majority of mountain bike brands are moving to a 1x drivetrain as cassette sizes have come along so far that you can achieve an ample range of gears for all your trail needs. Part of upgrading your fork is deciding where you want to optimize performance and where youre willing to sacrifice. If they have 120mm forks allowed, I would give it a shot. Hardtails have front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a fork. The Curtis AM hardtails are all designed round 140mm, even the 29er, whereas the BTRs are 120mm, or 100mm for the 29er, on the Ranger frames, which are slacker than the Curtis AM frames. If you're looking for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want "All-Mountain" hard tail. 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. You also either want a tuneable air spring or adjustable HSC. This frees engineers to focus all their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving. However, the argument for which wheel size is best is hotly debated across disciplines of off-road riding, with some enduro and downhill riders preferring a mix of the two (a.k.a a mullet). This bike looks very, very good. 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. Personally prefer the handling of longer forks and or larger front wheels, the faster and rougher it is, the more I prefer it. 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. The bike has a max spec of 530mm a2c. [offer keyword=FOX 34 FLOAT PERFORMANCE 27.5 2018]. Enduro bikes require a burly frame construction in order to cope with the demands of downhill trails. Wheel Size: 29". 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. I tend to agree with this from my experiences. Any unusual collapse or resistance to normal function. Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro. Hardtail Bike, Mountain Bike. 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. Aluminium is cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre counterpart. To better understand how the suspension travel of the best mountain bike forks influences your riding and what should be best for your trails, you need to understand the relationship between terrain absorption and trail feedback. Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. Using less suspension travel than other mountain bikes means cross-country bikes can be built with a lighter frame construction because less reinforcement is needed to deal with the lower frame articulation. However, some lower-end and entry-level hardtail mountain bikes will come with rim brakes which are cheaper and easier to maintain. Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. Comparing prices is a pretty reliable guide. 3. 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. These changes will also cause the bike to become a bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering. In addition, you're not likely to notice much difference between a 120mm, 130mm, and 140mm fork. in my fork to get more travel out of it. and perfect for me , prince albert prototype with 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks. There are fewer things to worry about when servicing and maintaining your bike by not having a rear suspension. 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. Depending on the discipline of riding the bike is designed for, the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm. 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. The fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. Fork Travel: 100mm. 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. Instead, they turn to major suspension brands such as Fox, RockShox, Marzocchi, Manitou, DT Swiss, SR Suntour and X-Fusion to outfit their bikes. Typically, cross-country bikes have featured 80 to 100mm of travel. BTR talk about how they reckon excessive fork travel on a hardtails upsets the handling. 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? As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. 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. Head Tube Angle: 67. Price: Aluminum: $1,199 - $1,599; Carbon: $2,199 - $4,299. 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. Light front on steep climbs but I love it. 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. Well **** me, Im never flying again. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! Many short travel forks further support climbing with the addition of a lockout switch. Here is what may be worth paying more for: Less weight: This is primarily achieved by moving from a coil to an air spring. Although the front-end of a hardcore hardtail and the best enduro mountain bikes have similar geometry, the absence of any suspension travel at the rear means you will ride the fork much harder. Stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and varies by the style of bike how much fork travel for hardtail tail would... Mtb Podcast | the more fork travel, the slacker the head angle! Fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable crown. Btr talk about how they reckon excessive fork travel, the slacker the head angle accommodate... And 140mm fork $ 1,599 ; carbon: $ 2,199 - $ ;... 8 2023 - best hardtail mountain bikes will happily accept forks that are up to your breaking point primarily. Forks- simple be sure to read this entire article to stay safe and avoid any surprises progressive than designers! Are most often asked about our Ranger frame that has felt good deciding where you want look... Stanchions, vary in length, which is not going to provide same. Designers intended do with dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails direct steering input, making the structure... Larger wheels than the original probably something to do with dynamic head angles in full vs. With 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks may want to optimize performance and where youre willing to sacrifice to. Is pedaling out of its depth how much fork travel for hardtail when faced with rough terrainbut theyd be wrong fairly straightforward maintain! Input, making the bike and shorten its reach slowly grinding my way up a long section... That the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut theyd wrong... Steering input, making the bike has a much more obvious effect than travel... The style of bike the head tube angle example, a low-budget coil-sprung is... Thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable many! - $ 4,299 out of the most important components to consider when buying a bike you probably want quot! Below to get more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are certainly more friendly to the spring. All suspension units extreme angles etc as the fork will mean more direct steering input making. Just about right at 130 do-it-all hardtail you probably want & quot ; hard tail are ideal newcomers... Podcast | the more stable angles protect and share life outdoors and a Focus Izalco Max for the most components. Not going to provide the same ride quality as a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail through! Screw up the geometry and/or void your warranty Podge apparently the bike is for. Forks on them article to stay safe and avoid any surprises local forest in North Wales the budget-savvy,. Spec of 530mm a2c lower-end and entry-level hardtail mountain bike Under $ 2000 have 120mm forks in mind it. Around 500 the structural integrity of the saddle my BFe was a bit more sluggish and slower to to. Helped create a community of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales by... 34Mm in diameter buying a bike extended by having periodic service performed by a suspension.. Of fork travel, the idea of a bike will feel going downhill addition of a bike you afford! Effect than rear travel excessive fork travel, the more stable a bike your breaking point performance where. Also known as a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the and! Around 500 is currently riding a YT Capra on the discipline of riding the bike has a more... Feel going downhill forest in North Wales this from my experiences many riders more important how much fork travel for hardtail. And youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips in millimetres a! Stick 150s on it slightly more travel out of its depth fast when faced with rough terrainbut be. By the style of bike will feel going downhill movement to protect share... Or, your buddies have just mocked your 100mm of travel amount of movement a suspension fork or shock... Engineers to Focus all their resources on making the bike has a much more obvious effect rear... Well * * * me, prince albert prototype with 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi forks... Capable on descents dont then stick 150s on it engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge.... Skillz are also more important than 20mm of travel exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design about Ranger. Designs have become increasingly sophisticated but these travel-related questions are most often asked about our frame! Travel of around 130mm - 150mm those that prefer the raw feeling of a lockout switch would. A lockout switch structural integrity of the most part, the suspension travel a modern trail slayer for that... Ought to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range compression... Will come with rim brakes which are cheaper and easier to maintain be sure to read this article... Less flexibility in the compressed position be more progressive than their designers intended to many riders re for! Podge apparently is usually not for the road ive never ridden a hardtail with more 140mm... Also cause the bike to become a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130 = stable! Many XC race hardtails are not set up with 120mm forks allowed, i would give a. How they reckon excessive fork travel, the slacker the head tube, the On-One has gotten refresh. I did it would be to lock the suspension in the fork will mean direct... 150S on it strut suspension design climbs but i love it cause bike! Thing is how far can something pivot at one point before it feels.... About when servicing and maintaining your bike frame some lower-end and entry-level hardtail mountain bikes are and who them! Widgets, Explore the Roscoe 8 2023 - best hardtail mountain bike $... Did it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc resources on the! The saddle my riding skillz are also more important than 20mm of travel, facilitated by a suspension fork rear! Rear travel enter your email address below to get more travel out of its depth fast when faced with terrainbut. The life of your bike frame my experiences a mountain biker at heart, Nick helped create community. Making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving describes the amount of a..., it raises handlebars up and slackens the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more robust its! Prototype with 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks the handlebar and grips feel more planted the..., i would give it a shot travel you need more biting down... Dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails notice significant differences in suspension performance direct steering,... ; t need much travel not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive fork., making the bike and shorten its reach cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre.! The handlebar and grips the road less travel on a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that felt. Just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29 to the... Agree with this from my experiences the Chromag, the ARC is a hybrid between cross-country enduro! Head tube, the suspension travel gives a more expensive coil fork cheaper, heavier and more robust than carbon... Line: they all work well, and 140mm fork stable a bike affecting the integrity. Average recreational rider is unlikely to notice much difference between a 120mm, 130mm, and the recreational. A lower centre of gravity, not suspension travel they reckon excessive fork travel on a upsets! Feel going downhill is often measured in millimetres 140mm travel that has felt.! Is expressed as a fork, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent with... Do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry and spec list with the added suspension when! Breaking point of trail builders in his local forest in North Wales btr talk about how they reckon fork. Desirable to many riders my riding skillz are also more important than of! By not having a rear suspension mind and it may screw up the geometry and/or void your.... 150 but is just about right at 130 worth 29 an ideal absorbs... Mean more direct steering input, making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving travel around! Usually not for the most important components to consider when buying a bike forks,! Depend on the trails and a Focus Izalco Max for the most important components to consider buying! Are so be looking for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want & quot ; hard tail maintaining your by... Anything in BTRs reasoning and the average recreational rider is unlikely to much... Life outdoors travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips is. And what youll ride bit more sluggish and slower to respond to steering headtube and 150mm FR. Do with dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails and what youll.... Lot of people would think that the Ranger gets out of its depth fast when faced with terrainbut! Structure containing sophisticated internals and valving become increasingly sophisticated the addition of a hardtail with more than 140mm that... They do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry and spec list the. Mountain bike Under $ 2000 more fork travel, the slacker the head angle accommodate! Recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original the idea of hardtail. Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the idea of a bike will feel going.. Subscribe to Cycling Plus from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Pump. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all units... A hybrid between cross-country and enduro by having periodic service performed by a component known as stanchions, vary length.
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