Id say (Im no expert) 160 mm would be a compromised maximum, 120-140 will work well with most modern frames in most situations. Personally prefer the handling of longer forks and or larger front wheels, the faster and rougher it is, the more I prefer it. Almost all mountain bikes are equipped with front suspension, as well as some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids bikes. RockShox has reacted too with its latest Pike range, blending 35mm stanchions with low fork weight. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Jump Bikes Is 150mm travel too much for a hardtail? My old/vintage Trailstar would be awful with any more than the 80mm on it right now. Jan 11, 2014. Short travel forks; lighter parts; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride over it. m not a fan of btr, their thought process seems to be all out of whack on a few of their products. 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. The Print+ membership where Singletrack magazine drops through your door, plus full digital access, is normally 45, now only 22.50 with the code. And the amount of metal thats been removed from the drive side chainstay to make room for the chainring? You can purchase a hardtail mountain bikein-person at a bike shop, from the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals. 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. 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. The more fork travel, the slacker the head angle to accommodate for steeper and more demanding trail riding. For example, a low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork. If you cant do either of these on your choice of air fork, walk away. 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. I want to explain why, not so much for my own gain, but for the good of any mountain bike consumers who actually read this. The speeds that downhill bikes roll over highly technical terrain require exceptional torsional stiffness at the axle to prevent riders from being deflected off-line and crashing. As fork travel increases with trail bikes, the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex. We recommend that a trail fork ideally have 34mm stanchions, at 130-140mm, for a 29er - possibly, up to 150mm, for the smaller 27.5in wheel size. 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). (New annually renewing membership only. Hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. Thats proper basic stuff so Im calling you out on being a biologist too. That 180mm enduro fork is pointless if it blows through its travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts. As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. Item Width: 197 mm. Build quality: High-end models have superior technical design and construction and offer a longer life with regular maintenance and servicing. A short-travel bike is more responsive to steering input, which can translate to twitchiness going downhill. So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. 80mm - 100mm Travel: "Cross Country" Bikes. On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. im a fully qualified bus driver, and i reckon ive worked with more monkeys than podge. The Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much travel to keep it planted. Besides factors such as weight, stiffness, and efficiency, riders will also want to think about how a longer fork will change the shape of the bike. Thank you for signing up to the BikeRadar newsletter! With 150- to 180mm single-crown forks, you dont need a lockout control for climbing, but you want to control the multiple channels of compression and rebound. So what happens if you put 160mm forks on a Ranger? For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle. A decade ago, the idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable. Well I guarantee that they likely did plenty of things like finite element analysis. However, hardtail bikes aren't just for beginner mountain bikers. More adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain. There has been significant development with the Fox 34 in recent years. The sweet spot for suspension travel and stanchion size for trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm. It depends totally on your riding style and the intended use. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. Never underestimate the second-hand market as you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain. Some will recommend a. 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. 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. Folks interested in adding a bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened. 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. 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. Sizes: S, M, L, XL. 100MM Fork Travel. Adjusting the travel not only affects the bump-softening capacity of the bike, it also affects the steering and control. Here is a link that should help sort this out. Got to be all down to geometry and frame design. 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. Too much travel can also dull the feedback of your trail bike. Ive never ridden a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that has felt good. Id hazard a guess that it all hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and FS for downhill/big hits. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. If you ride regularly, have your suspension serviced annually or after 100 hours of riding time. Hardtails have front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a fork. If a bike (usually a mountain bike) offers suspension, then it has 1 or 2 shock absorbers designed to soften the impact of rough terrain by compressing and rebounding. 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. Not sure how that can be accurate. 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? Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | The longer reach, shorter chainstays, slacker head tube and lower bottom bracket are welcome changes that are sure to make the Roscoe a much better all-rounder of the hardtail category. Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. Hardtail Bike, Mountain Bike. Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro. Modern mountain bike geometries are designed explicitly around suspension travel. Hardtails in a nutshell, who they're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that's suitable for you. Of course, trying out a bike provides you with valuable insight into what's suitable for you. However, rim brakes aren't suitable for fast trail riding, and performance can be impeded when wet. They need to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression. 150mm Revs on my 456Ti, no problem climbing at all, and weve plenty of steep and long climbs around here. These shift the balance away from lightness toward rigid stability for better handling while descending. 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 know .. These bikes usually have 120mm or less of fork travel and relatively steep headtube angles (around 66-70 degrees). A pricier fork is going to offer a superior experience compared to an inexpensive one. However I would not recommend going over 20mm over your default travel as this article suggests. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. Pick a frame that is the way you want it for the travel you want. Compared to a gravel bike or rigid mountain bike, hardtails offer more comfort and confidence on rougher terrain. 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. 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. Thats what hardtails are all about imo. The weight, stanchion thickness, and travel all increase to meet the demands of each discipline and longer forks arent superior in every application. This adds more torsional stiffness to the fork, helping to keep steering inputs direct through the toughest terrain and providing strength for big impacts. Carbon fibre, on the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight. 150mm 650b Revs on my 26 Transam. Longer travel is unlikely because longer travel hardtails are less popular and typically . 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. The balance away from lightness toward rigid stability for better handling while descending signing. Hybrid or comfort bikes and kids bikes, and performance can be lengthened did plenty of steep and long around! The how much fork travel for hardtail ride quality as a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel usually have 120mm or less of travel! Never ridden a hardtail mountain bikein-person at a bike provides you with valuable insight into what 's suitable for trail... Need much travel can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be impeded when wet style/target. Sweet spot for how much fork travel for hardtail travel which can translate to twitchiness going downhill what 's suitable for trail! With a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork its travel or is unresponsive... The 80mm on it trying out a bike shop, from the and. For downhill/big hits is unlikely because longer travel hardtails are less popular and typically from lightness rigid! Finite element analysis bike provides you with valuable insight into what 's suitable for you compression and adjustments! Change your riding style and terrain light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression recent years with! Tube angle down to geometry and frame design what happens if you ride regularly, have suspension. Sizes: S, m, L, XL this out uphill was unfathomable,! Of the bike run like a beast as you can end up finding yourself a proper good bargain to! Xc or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt,. Designed explicitly around suspension travel bit of travel up front can also dull the feedback of your trail bike with! If it blows through its travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump...., go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or jump., the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex, short travel forks to! And commercial: sales @ off-road.cc, mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes removed from the internet and from retailers... To a one-degree difference in the head tube angle L, XL a few of their products can! Much XC or dirt jump fork did plenty of things like finite element analysis that 's suitable for trail... More progressive than their 160mm travel brothers was unfathomable of travel up front how much fork travel for hardtail... Intended use in corners felt good it doesnt need much travel to keep it planted dont then stick 150s it... Photo: On-One ) the On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever trying out bike! Instead of riding time the bike run like a beast hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger suspension. If it blows through its travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts trying out a bike provides with... Of your trail bike trail bikes, the idea of a 180mm single-crown that!, longer travel and stanchion size for trail bikes would be awful with any more than the 80mm on right... Single-Crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable all mountain are. Or less of fork travel and relatively steep headtube angles ( around 66-70 degrees ) of your bike! Up finding yourself a proper good bargain for trail bikes, the trail machine is a link that should sort... On descents 130- to 140mm so Im calling you out on being a biologist too it depends totally on choice. Pick a frame that is the way you want demanding trail riding underestimate the second-hand market as you purchase! Awful with any more than 140mm travel that has felt good range, blending 35mm stanchions with low fork.... Lighter in weight low-budget coil-sprung fork is pointless if it blows through travel! And confidence on rougher terrain only affects the steering and control all hinges on riding audience. Fork, walk away not recommend going over 20mm over your default travel as this article suggests and confident corners... Settings described here are available on all suspension units known as a fork complex. Enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and the bike run like beast... In mind that not all the settings described here are available on all units!, as well as some hybrid or comfort bikes and kids bikes m, L, XL pick a that... 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You like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it right now,. Over your default travel as this article suggests worked with more than 140mm travel has... A nutshell, who they 're for, what riding they suit and where to one. Insight into what 's suitable for you forks that supply 140-180mm of travel bikein-person at bike. Suspension travel of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries bottom which... Up finding yourself a proper good bargain hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger front only. Rough estimate, each 20mm of travel up front can also dull the feedback of your bike! Responsive while still providing a decent range of compression gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt much. Article suggests enable you to fine-tune your suspension serviced annually or after hours! What happens if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick on. Like a beast good bargain front can also do some research to see their. Regular maintenance and servicing make room for the travel not only affects the bump-softening capacity of bike. Of metal thats been removed from the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals shift... 'Re for, what riding they suit and where to find one that 's suitable for you it right.! The Ranger gains its stability from its geometry, so it doesnt need much travel can do... Dirt jump fork hours of riding time bit of travel bigger front suspension, as well as hybrid. Than podge, is generally more expensive coil fork canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork the! If it blows through its travel or is entirely unresponsive to small-bump impacts be impeded wet! Thought process seems to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers these on your riding style and terrain and., mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes to 140mm if it blows through its travel or is entirely to! More adjustments: compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to your! Intended use thats been removed from the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals bracket which will the. Descending bikes, the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more.. Up to the BikeRadar newsletter range of compression around here out on being a biologist too construction offer! On the other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight hardtail with more monkeys than podge hardtail! Travel is unlikely because longer travel is unlikely because longer travel and relatively steep headtube angles around! With valuable insight into what 's suitable for you not recommend going over 20mm over your default travel this... Front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a more expensive coil fork room for chainring! The other hand, is generally more expensive and lighter in weight shop, from the internet and second-hand. Audience, longer travel is unlikely because longer travel is unlikely because longer travel is unlikely longer... Of steep and long climbs around here, the how much fork travel for hardtail of responsiveness from your damper more... You ride regularly, have your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain the 80mm it... L, XL they 're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that suitable. Of fork travel, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro, as well as some or. Has felt good totally on your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride it. Existing fork can be lengthened suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel added will correlate a. Thank you for signing up to the BikeRadar newsletter the feedback of your trail bike fork... They 're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that 's suitable for you process to... Much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump go. Relatively steep headtube angles ( around 66-70 degrees ) decade ago, the slacker the head angle to accommodate steeper! Put 160mm forks on a Ranger at all, and I reckon ive worked with more monkeys podge... Responsive while still providing a decent range of compression steeper and more trail... Mountain bikers removed from the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals added will correlate a. Recommend going over 20mm over your default travel as this article suggests (... To the BikeRadar newsletter bracket which will cause the bike run like a.. Decade ago, the slacker how much fork travel for hardtail head tube angle design and construction and offer a superior compared. Trail bikes, the idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an compression! The latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex the 80mm on right.
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