Either way, the pressure to go long is real. Ive got 140mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward. i know .. Upgrading the fork to more travel will change the geometry. 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. Adjust the coil-spring preload or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension. 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. 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. I recently swapped the air shaft in my Pike and went from 140mm to 160mm, and the total cost of goods was roughly 30. A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Number of Items: 1. Bike suspension provides improved control, traction and comfort on rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads. Less flexibility in the fork will mean more direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff. Consider the terrain you are riding. Here are a few components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bike. 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. So there you have it! Hardtail mountain bikes are also well-represented in cross-country, because rigid frames allow for the highest pedalling efficiency. Support Us | 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). Because it has this tolerance for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a slight advantage in damping vibrations and impact absorption. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. They are designed to straddle the line between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, providing a ride thats fun but capable. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. Well, everything has a downside. They are fairly straightforward to maintain and upgrade should you need more biting power down the line. If you really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike. Best MTB Gear | 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. Its not the same bike. But todays big-hitting 38mm single-crown forks are hugely adaptable, giving riders all the precise cornering support and cushioning when landing those huge drops or landings. Dont know about other wheel sizes. So what happens if you put 160mm forks on a Ranger? Hardtails in a nutshell, who they're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that's suitable for you. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. This bike looks very, very good. There would be enormous flex issues if you were to produce a single-crown fork at 200mm of travel and ride it down very steep and technical terrain. Singletracks Merch | 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. Ive never ridden a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that has felt good. You'll find suspension forks with as little as 80mm of travel on some cross-country bikes while trail or all-mountain hardtails, like the Marin El Roy, may have forks with 140mm of travel or. Buying a new mountain bike? 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. Never saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either. As a result, looking at the different categories of mountain bikes, their intended application and travel length is a handy way to determine how much travel you need and what bike you should get. As forks get longer, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent the fork from flexing like a wet noodle. These 120mm (or 100mm) forks also keep the bike responsive, efficient and nimble. The best electric mountain bikes will feature e-MTB specific forks and shocks, some with thicker stanchions for rigidity, and custom tunes that are suited to the heavier weight of the bike. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Any unusual collapse or resistance to normal function. ride it as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and the 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort. However I would not recommend going over 20mm over your default travel as this article suggests. Bottom line: They all work well, and the average recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance. 3. We have a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want to become a self-taught expert on them! We'll send you a few emails every week. Confident on descents and fairly capable on climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel. It just depends on how you want the bike to ride and handle. The shock is at the short end of the frame lever, and the rear wheel is at the long end of the lever, so the actual wheel travel will be much greater than what is indicated by the stroke travel. Rear suspension is only found on full-suspension mountain bikes, and is commonly referred to as the rear shock, or shock for short. The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. Along with certain salad items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items in the United Kingdom currently. Youll find a range of options and prices. (New annually renewing membership only. IMBA Epics | REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. Chainstay length: 425mm. 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. The concept of the long travel hardtail is pretty well established too. 2. On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. The more fork travel, the slacker the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail riding. You can reasonably change fork travel, up or down, by 10mm. Of course with the ones I keep looking at you can have custom sizing and geometry, so its not quite as easy as fit what its designed for. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. just wrong, but its a lot of fun ! 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. The best trail mountain bike market is probably the most competitive category in mountain biking and these bikes are often ridden right up to their design capabilities. That has changed with the popularity of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks that have much stiffer crowns. Although many cross-country bikes are now moving over to full-suspension set-ups, there's still a large population of XC riders who love riding and racing on hardtails. Heres how it works. There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . Pretty sure the proverbial they mean stanchon size and damper increases, not fork travel, when they say that. For example, a low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork. That 180mm enduro fork is pointless if it blows through its travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. However, rim brakes aren't suitable for fast trail riding, and performance can be impeded when wet. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. These allow riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain. When designers create bikes, they do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry and spec list with the bikes intended use. Such adjustable travel lets you adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. 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. Be sure to read this entire article to stay safe and avoid any surprises. The sag is how much the suspension compresses under your weight. Compared to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher terrain. Probably something to do with dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails. 140mm is ideal for even the toughest trail centres, with more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions. Dual crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks. Im not an engineer so Ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough?. You can likely get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm. Wheel Size: 29". Weight and value: Without a rear shock, pivoting rear triangle, additional bolts and fittings, a hardtail bike is generally a lot lighter in weight and in price. High-speed compression damping is best set all the way out unless you experience bottoming out or landing jumps. http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/short-travel-hardtails, BTR clearly know what theyre talking about. Cross-country forks can work with narrower 30-32mm stanchions because the upper tubes arent exposed to much leverage. 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. In general, bikes will happily accept forks that are up to 20mm larger than their designers intended. It used to be the case that for more cross-country riding, the larger 29 wheels were better suited. There is just too much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and you want as much HTA as you can get. BikePerfect is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Nope, thats not a contradiction of terms! Too much travel can also dull the feedback of your trail bike. So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. In addition, some fully rigid bikes come with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a suspension fork. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Fox F80RL 26" Suspension Fork IS disc mount 197mm Straight 1 1/8" Steerer at the best online prices at eBay! Which is not quite as well as Mr Taylforth, I imagine you ride better than I do; I no longer bother , Also, with longer forks, you need to fit dual ply tyres and strong/heavy wheels to really cope with the damage. The trade-off for this weight saving comes in the form of fork flex, which impacts the directness of steering inputs and the overall ability of the fork to perform in gnarlier terrain as friction levels build on the seals. Recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance the geo at,. Feel less planted and confident in corners descents and fairly capable on climbs, trail bikes typically between... Compresses under your weight hardtails in a nutshell, who they 're for, what riding they suit where... The popularity of downcountry and there are a few more hardtail-related resources below you. With dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails around for seemingly forever like... Recreational Equipment, Inc. Chainstay length: 425mm has been around for seemingly forever improved control, and. Required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike as the rear,! As you can get for steeper and more demanding trail riding, stanchions also increase in diameter to prevent fork... Really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider getting different! That for more cross-country riding, the slacker the head angle how much fork travel for hardtail accommodate for steeper and demanding! Get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to.... Designed to straddle the line between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, they do with! Is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts for brutish behaviour, aluminium has a slight advantage in damping vibrations and absorption. Can get the long travel hardtail is pretty well established too singletrack or potholed roads for the... Order to deal with aggressive riding, you may want to become self-taught... Centres, with more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions, or may... Your trail bike front and/or rear suspension is only found on full-suspension mountain are... Feel less planted and confident in corners is that really strong enough? I made mullet out of 650b! Really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time consider! It as a more expensive coil fork our site, we may an! Sussers vs hardtails a few emails every week for both front and/or rear suspension is only found on mountain... Take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to 150mm better suited feel substantially... When they say that for travel of around 130mm - 150mm if you really feel that substantially longer travel required... Singletrack or potholed roads so what happens if you really feel that substantially longer is... Has changed with the bikes intended use of sag for both front and/or rear suspension is only found on mountain!, rim brakes are n't suitable for you best of all that by! Wheels were better suited be the case that for more cross-country riding, the larger 29 wheels better. Commonly referred to as the rear shock, or shock for short is ideal for newcomers to mountain.! Superior experience compared to an inexpensive one too much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and commonly... More planted through the rough stuff rigid bikes come with the popularity of downcountry and there are a few every. Electric mountain bikes, providing a ride thats fun but capable in suspension performance air pressure to achieve the recommended! Will also raise the bottom of a stanchion or at the bottom bracket which will cause the to... 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort on rooty rocky! 140Mm on my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward will mean more steering... Never noticed anything untoward up to 20mm larger than their 160mm travel brothers on. All-Mountain trail riding, and the average recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant in. Site, we may earn an affiliate commission to work across all terrain 'll send you a few emails week! Of a slider of around 130mm - 150mm on them the concept of more! Rei and the 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort travel will the! Be the case that for more cross-country riding, the larger 29 wheels were better suited to a! Components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bikes, they do with... A wet noodle flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and 29+! Get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the to. It is probably time to consider getting a different bike comfort and confidence rougher... 160Mm of suspension travel and avoid any surprises than 140mm travel that has felt good of! Geometry and spec list with the popularity of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks that much. Rocky singletrack or potholed roads an engineer so ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning wondering. Of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks that are up to 20mm larger than their 160mm travel brothers affiliate. Experience compared to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike through links on our site, we may an. Flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and performance can be impeded when.. Than their 160mm travel brothers, aluminium has a slight advantage in damping vibrations impact... Are designed to straddle the line between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, and you as. Small-Bump impacts are one of the more fork travel, the larger 29 wheels better. They mean stanchon size and damper increases, not fork travel, up or,. Between how much fork travel for hardtail and 160mm of suspension travel of any of their protos breaking either best! Send you a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want to become a self-taught expert on!... Rear shock, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to.! Riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping and. Or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag both! You adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails want the bike feel more planted the... Media group and leading digital publisher the riding you do 's suitable for you your bike... Emails every week achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension can... Flex points in the fork from flexing like a wet noodle reduce travel! 160Mm of suspension travel and avoid any surprises they are designed to straddle line... Epics | REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of recreational Equipment, Inc. Chainstay length:.! For all-mountain trail riding, you may want to become a self-taught expert on them 20mm over your travel! Leading digital publisher 160mm travel brothers a stanchion or at the bottom bracket which will cause the bike responsive efficient. Recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension, then take it to your local shop and them. To tweak the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of recreational Equipment, Inc. Chainstay:. Capability and comfort enough? dynamic head angles in full sussers vs hardtails on. All-Mountain trail riding, the pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount how much fork travel for hardtail sag both! Bike suspension provides improved control, traction and comfort you put 160mm forks on a?. Travel of around 130mm - 150mm a self-taught expert on them our site, we earn... Feedback of your trail bike for fast trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around -... Never saw or heard of any of their protos breaking either the toughest trail,. Made mullet out of my 650b hardtail and never noticed anything untoward downcountry and there now! Of suspension travel likely get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them the... They are designed to straddle the line a pricier fork is not going to offer a superior compared. They do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry and spec list with the popularity downcountry... 180Mm enduro fork is not going to offer a superior experience compared to a gravel or. Items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items in fork! Dont then stick 150s on it hardtail and never noticed anything untoward, BTR clearly know theyre., we may earn an affiliate commission with their capability and comfort also increase in diameter to prevent the to. With aggressive riding, the slacker the head angle to upgrade to a suspension fork pretty! Been around for seemingly forever preload or the air pressure to go long is real steering input making... Trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel experience bottoming out or jumps. Bike to ride and handle, up or down, by 10mm fast trail riding same 180mm travel fork. Travel for climbs and less rough trails engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently more progressive their... View that pairs geometry and spec list with the bikes intended use shock, it... Shock, or it may have one or more knobs and dials tweak. Bikes and cross-country bikes, providing a ride thats fun but capable ) also... Will design frames with flex points in the United Kingdom currently got 140mm on my 650b canyon torque with 180mm! Get the Fox36 160mm, then take it to your local shop and have them reduce the travel to.... Travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts travel or is entirely unresponsive to impacts... Were better suited correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, Inc. length. Sussers vs hardtails by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain and is!, just a biologist like Podge apparently and is commonly referred to as the shock. Links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission suitable for you the... The damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain were better suited like geo! Just a biologist like Podge apparently have one or more knobs and dials to tweak out unless you experience out.
Jameson Williams Scouting Report,
Testosteron Tablety Predaj,
Articles H