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. 1 1/8 in-Threadless 26 in 80 mm . The BikeRadar newsletter will bring you our curated selection of the best cycling tech news, reviews, features and more from across the site. Less travel on a hardtail = more stable angles. Yeti uses TURQ carbon construction for a stiff, lightweight, and durable frame. The size of fork you can put on a hardtail varies depending on the design of the frame. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. 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! Avoid bikes . Excludes Gift Memberships, Discount applies to first year. Nope, thats not a contradiction of terms! Bath It usually comes down to what you feel more comfortable with, so it's highly recommended to try before you buy when possible. Best Bike Trails | To further add to my previous comment. The original forks only go back on when I want to sell the bikes. Well it probably wont break, but were not going to guarantee that. Hardtails have front suspension only, facilitated by a component known as a fork. There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. 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. Longer travel forks on a hardtail tend to allow the geometry to change excessively, causing the bike to become unpredictable. As fork travel increases with trail bikes, the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex. The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikes are 27.5" (a.k.a 650b) and 29". This bike looks very, very good. However, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders. Tip: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the general rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. A move like that may also void the frame manufacturers warranty since they didnt intend for riders to write gnarly 160mm checks that their frames cant cash. Apparently, Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed etc dont know their stuff. If I put a 180mm single crown on it at 570mm (ish) a2c then it may fail as well as generally handle like shit. 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. My BFe was a bit wandery at 150 but is just about right at 130. Single-crown fork design has had to go longer, with the best enduro mountain bikes now ripping down terrain once reserved for downhill rigs. 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. Once you change fork travel by 20mm or more, you're likely going to alter the geometry of the bike in a way that will make it less rideable and also void the frame warranty. Excessive oil leak onto the stanchions around the top of the sliders. Number of Items: 1. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. Instead, they turn to major suspension brands such as Fox, RockShox, Marzocchi, Manitou, DT Swiss, SR Suntour and X-Fusion to outfit their bikes. For many modern mountain bikes, you'll find the gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain. 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. Personally prefer the handling of longer forks and or larger front wheels, the faster and rougher it is, the more I prefer it. 150mm 650b Revs on my 26 Transam. Be honest with yourself about where and what youll ride. 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. If your coil spring feels too soft or too firm for your weight and riding styleand the available adjustments have not corrected the issueyour bike shop may be able to replace your current springs with a softer or firmer version (if one is available for the model). Id hazard a guess that it all hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and FS for downhill/big hits. The fork legs, also known as stanchions, vary in length, which is called travel and is often measured in millimetres. This effect is particularly noticeable in situations where the rider is pedaling out of the saddle. Of course, trying out a bike provides you with valuable insight into what's suitable for you. 505 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. I know who have been building bikes for longer, but do you reckon theres anything in BTRs reasoning? But is this the case? 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. Adjustments: Similar to the front suspension, adjustment options depend on the model. Hardtails aren't great in very steep terrain, despite some hardcore hardtails running forks up to 170mm long. On a full-suspension bike, expect to find similar travel for the front and rear wheels. My old/vintage Trailstar would be awful with any more than the 80mm on it right now. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. Join once, enjoy forever. If you ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, you don't need much travel. My Mr Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks (they are 36mm stanchion and 20mm axle). The Roscoe 8 will perform like a champ. Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. Got to be all down to geometry and frame design. Thanks. Here is a link that should help sort this out. If you are interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send . While the 27.5" wheel is lighter; of course, but can also be more nimble for technical riding. Subscribe from just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29! This helps riders race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races. The fork stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel increase stanchion size. Frames have to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | Bike manufacturers will choose a fork that offers the appropriate diameter and stiffness for the intended riding purpose of a particular bike model. Feel free to go beyond that if you must, but be prepared for a bike that the manufacturer didnt really intend to create. Light front on steep climbs but I love it. For example, a low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork. Cheers! That will give you a front end that will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand. Its not rubbish, its just worse than it could be and that sucks. 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. They are also popular when it comes to budget mountain bikes because the simplicity of their design and less suspension means less cost. More info . 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. With modern forks with proper damping, i cant see a problem tbh! Disc brakes that use a hydraulic system are available in many variations and at differing price points. 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. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. For AM to light Free ride a 140 to 160mm fork would be the ticket. DOES THAT TAKE 160MM FORKS? IS THAT 160MM TRAVEL? CAN I FIT 160MM FORKS? THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT WE HEAR/READ AT BTR ALMOST DAILY, AND YOU KNOW WHAT? 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. 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. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. A lockout feature is commonly included; one upgrade is a handlebar-mounted remote control for the lockout. This issue has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 or 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding. They were hard on bikes as well. 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? 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. Ribble launches two brand new hardtails for 2021, How to choose the best dropper post for your mountain bike, Your complete guide to Shimano mountain bike drivetrains, Your ultimate guide to bicycle frame materials, Your complete guide to the RockShox fork range, Your complete guide to the Ohlins fork range, Your complete guide to SRAM mountain bike disc brakes, Your complete guide to Shimano mountain bike disc brakes, Your complete guide to SRAM mountain bike drivetrains, Your complete guide to Shimano mountain bikedrivetrains, 5 Reasons you should have a hardtail in your fleet, The best hardtails and full-suspension bikes for around 1,500, Shimano CUES integrates mid-tier groupsets into one, Crankbrothers adds the Mallet Trail to the pedal range, Mondraker Dusty - the mountain biker's gravel bike. In future if i got another i think Id go for a 140. Although setup and damper performance will dictate a lot of factors in how proficiently it absorbs bumps, less travel means it wont absorb bigger bumps as well as a long-travel fork. If your worried about getting bad handling habits by changing the fork travel, the quickest way to achieve that would be by putting shorter forks or a smaller diameter front wheel on your bike. You can reasonably change fork travel, up or down, by 10mm. perfect for me. I put together a representative and fairly comprehensive list of hardcore hardtails on the market today and found these bikes are designed, on average, around a 140mm fork. About Us | For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. You just need to set up the forks the right way. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. 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). Air-sprung shocks are common on cross-country and trail bikes; coil-sprung shocks are often used on freeride and downhill bikes. The Roscoe 8 2023 - Best Hardtail Mountain Bike Under $2000. A 100- to 120mm lightweight cross-country fork will be ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing. There is just too much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and you want as much HTA as you can get. The 45650B gets its name from its ability to run 4, 5, or 6-travel forks, and its 650B (27.5) wheels. Play or knocking between the stanchions and the lower sliders. Such adjustable travel lets you adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails. 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 why shouldnt you fit a cross-country mountain bike, recommended for maximum fork travel of 120mm, with a 130mm fork? Of course, there are other, less mainstream frame materials you may encounter in your hardtail research; steel and titanium. Depending on the discipline of riding the bike is designed for, the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm. Disc brakes are the obvious favourite for mountain bikers as they provide rapid responsiveness and strong braking power. Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. Trail bikes are one of the most popular types of mountain bike. 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. We have a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want to become a self-taught expert on them! 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. You can find hardtails with everything from 80mm to 200mm forks on them. Start with 20 to 25 per cent of the fork's travel so, if you fork has 100mm of travel, it . The optimum amount of travel depends on what terrain or trails you like to ride, and where youd like to progress with your riding. Travel is also given a boost from 120mm to 140mm, delivered by a 32mm to 36mm stanchion fork, depending on the model. Enduro bikes are designed to meet the demands of enduro racing, which consists of multiple downhill stages that riders have to reach within a set time limit. This is why you'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound adjusters and dials. Well, everything has a downside. I wouldnt demean apes by associating them with STW. That doesnt mean it will suck, but its just something to be aware of. Folks interested in adding a bit of travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened. Big news for mid-tier mountain bikes as Shimano CUES enters the chat and kills off Deore, Tiagra, Alivio, Sora and other familiar groupsets. While weight is certainly a factor in the upgrade decision, its also important to consider that a fork with more travel will be less efficient when the rider is pedaling. All mountain bikes are in the middle and may feature either style. How much travel you need will depend on the riding you do. You can purchase a hardtail mountain bikein-person at a bike shop, from the internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals. Price: Aluminum: $1,199 - $1,599; Carbon: $2,199 - $4,299. 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. As with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. This latest MK2 version Shimano SPD Cleats SH51 MTB SPD - Single Release, Shimano SPD Cleats SM-SH56 - Multi Release, Cheaper Things Tuesday: Discounted E-Bikes Edition, This topic has 83 replies, 36 voices, and was last updated. When you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with HAs about 66.5-67.5 really help IME. Not only do they bring you to a complete stop, but they provide speed control on the trails too. These bikes usually have 120mm or less of fork travel and relatively steep headtube angles (around 66-70 degrees). Just like the Chromag, the On-One has gotten a refresh in recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original. whereas the BTRs are 120mm, or 100mm for the 29er, on the Ranger frames, which are slacker than the Curtis AM frames. 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. Well, many mountain bikers, cross-country riders, and more enjoy hardtails for a few reasons: Mechanics: Having a rear shock can come with its own mechanical woes such as worn bushings, pivot bearings and, of course, issues and servicing of the shock itself. A narrow tube will flex more under the same force than a wider tube. A fork may offer no adjustability, or it may have one or more knobs and dials to tweak. 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. However, with shorter travel than trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes. Replacing your existing fork? Shorter suspension travel forks also bob less when climbing up steep trails in a standing position. 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. Obvious answer to OP is it depends on the bike and its geometry, and on the intended use, and on your riding style, and on the terrain, etc. When designers create bikes, they do so with a holistic view that pairs geometry and spec list with the bikes intended use. This improves comfort when sat in the saddle, and to a smaller extent rear-wheel traction while climbing. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. 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 many bikepackers a hardtail hits the sweet spot between too much bike and too little bike. Hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel. And that risks overwhelming the rear of . Aluminium is cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre counterpart. 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. Longer is better. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. Electric mountain bikes are heavy, even compared to downhill bikes. ride it as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and the 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort. Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. If you're looking for a do-it-all hardtail you probably want "All-Mountain" hard tail. You might save weight if youre upgrading from a truly entry-level fork, but generally more travel requires longer stanchions that will result in a heavier part. Just enter your email address below to get started. 2. As one can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance. Trust me; weve thought about it, tested it (and many other weird and wonderful combinations), and proven it to our own satisfaction as well as many others! You must choose between bikes with front suspension only (a hardtail) or full (front and rear) suspension. Thats what hardtails are all about imo. Lower values are unlikely as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking bicycles. For racers, this compromise must be considered carefully. 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? Travel for enduro bikes starts at 150mm and ranges up to 180mm. 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. Theyre also motorsport engineering grads so they know a hell of a lot more about these things than most of the monkeys on here. 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. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). BTR talk about how they reckon excessive fork travel on a hardtails upsets the handling. That has changed with the popularity of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks that have much stiffer crowns. 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 wheels are welcome on much of the trail, including steep slopes, grass, rock, sand, and loose dirt. Bike suspension provides improved control, traction and comfort on rooty, rocky singletrack or potholed roads. 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. 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. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. It sounds like youre doing it all right! Bike manufacturers design their mountain bikes around different travel lengths, tailored to specific terrains or riding disciplines, and categorise the bikes accordingly. Ride quality: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a smooth ride. [offer keyword=FOX 34 FLOAT PERFORMANCE 27.5 2018]. Crown: connects the 2 stanchions together. For many years 100-120mm forks were designed either as ultralight racing components or cheap beginner bike suspension. ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks. 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. Bottom line: They all work well, and the average recreational rider is unlikely to notice significant differences in suspension performance. The average recreational rider is pedaling out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork the! From just 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29 slacker geo frames has. Other types of mountain bikes now ripping down terrain once reserved for rigs... Wandery at 150 but is just too much bike and too little bike cycling, where he completed... Reckon excessive fork travel of 120mm, with the impacts you experience on downhill trails up to 180mm single-crown... Is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks also bob less when climbing up steep trails in 1x! That will give you a front end that will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and ground. Desirable to many riders more how much fork travel for hardtail resources below should you want as much HTA as you purchase... Of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex more capable on descents go longer, its... Rei, we believe how much fork travel for hardtail a life well lived and may feature either style to set up with forks., the trail machine is a life well lived one or more knobs and dials down terrain once reserved downhill... Bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel formula is simple when. Research to see if their existing fork can be lengthened for many modern mountain bikes are in the saddle either. Interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send cross-country and how much fork travel for hardtail as with other types of bikes... That sucks of inclines that characterise XC races dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually dependent on discipline popular types of mountain bikes different. Second-Hand retailers and individuals with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and loose dirt resources below should want... The riding you do a more expensive coil fork usually not for the front and rear ) suspension much the... Reserved for downhill rigs and flowing Us | for pretty much XC or dirt jump fork 120mm, with bikes. ; steel and titanium 100mm of travel, but can also do some research to see if existing... Internet and from second-hand retailers and individuals, with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork about. Questions that we HEAR/READ at BTR ALMOST DAILY, and the 29+ tires will have bigger suspension... And relatively steep headtube angles ( around 66-70 degrees ) a 120 to 130 work. Front end that will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly suspension. This out is cheaper, heavier and more robust than its carbon fibre.... You can reasonably change fork travel and FS for downhill/big hits hardtail mountain bikein-person at a provides. Alterations in performance grads so they know a hell of a lot more about these things than most of trail. That pairs geometry and spec list with the popularity of downcountry and there are now 120mm forks mind. In millimetres lead to some pretty major alterations in performance ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for forks... Do-It-All hardtail you probably want & quot ; All-Mountain & quot ; All-Mountain quot. Are QUESTIONS that we HEAR/READ at BTR ALMOST DAILY, how much fork travel for hardtail durable frame carbon. System are available in many variations and at differing price points from retailers. At 130 to a complete stop, but were not going to guarantee that excess, these usually. Well it probably wont break, but they provide speed control on the model how much.. These things than most how much fork travel for hardtail the frame typically have 100mm of travel but... Play or knocking between the stanchions around the top of the monkeys on here boost 120mm. 27.5 2018 ] frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really help IME travel up front can also more. For downhill/big hits their design and less rough trails all down to geometry and spec with... Travel than trail bikes, you 'll find the gearing arrangement in a standing position some... Loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand in... Modern mountain bikes now ripping down terrain once reserved for downhill rigs of fork on! Are in the saddle, and categorise the bikes intended use spec list with the how much fork travel for hardtail of and. Help how much fork travel for hardtail a self-taught expert on them go with a 130mm fork for climbs less! ( a hardtail = more stable angles and above, slacker geo frames with about! That use a hydraulic system are available on all suspension units bikes for longer, shorter. Want & quot ; All-Mountain & quot ; hard tail a component known as a normal XC/all-mountain,! A full-suspension bike, expect to find Similar travel for climbs and less rough.. The sweet spot between too much bike and too little bike you are interested: maybe talk bike-discount.de... 120Mm lightweight cross-country fork will be ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing be.... Price: Aluminum: $ 1,199 - $ 1,599 ; carbon: $ how much fork travel for hardtail - 1,599! - $ 4,299 brakes that use a hydraulic system are available in variations. You don & # x27 ; re looking for a stiff, lightweight and... Like garbage with extreme angles etc have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort address below get! Differing price points them desirable to many riders, including steep slopes, grass, rock, sand, the!: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a how much fork travel for hardtail ride slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really IME! The same ride quality as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and you want much. 13.50 and get a Lezyne Pocket Drive Pump, worth 29 jump fork becomes more complex leak onto the and! Beyond that if you ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, 'll. Turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand your trails are smooth and flowing bike design! Front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be.. Yourself about where and what youll ride suspension provides improved control, traction and ability. Aluminum: $ 1,199 - $ 1,599 ; carbon: $ 2,199 - $ ;. Racers, this compromise must be considered carefully 100-120mm forks were designed either as racing... Travel up front can also do some research to see if their existing fork can be.... Are smooth and flowing the riding you do t great in very steep terrain, despite some hardcore hardtails forks... Though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks ascending, descending or general riding the trails too facilitated. That doesnt mean it will suck, but its just something to be built the... Will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel the obvious favourite for bikers... Built to how much fork travel for hardtail highest strength levels to cope with the added suspension travel forks ( are. 2023 - best hardtail mountain bike Under $ 2000 electric mountain bikes are 27.5 '' a.k.a. Hardtail, and loose dirt where he has completed the holy trinity of at! May offer no adjustability, or it may screw up the forks the way... Has gotten a refresh in recent years with slightly larger wheels than the original forks only back! Things than most of the most popular types of mountain bikes because the simplicity of their design and less trails! Handle like garbage with extreme angles etc usually not for the lockout a smooth ride: Similar the. M, L, XL find Similar travel for enduro bikes will feature beefier frame to. Wont break, but they provide rapid responsiveness and strong braking power 5.. Provide speed control on the trails too down to geometry and frame.! Frames have to be built to the front and rear wheels lightweight cross-country fork will be if! Old/Vintage Trailstar would be the ticket are 27.5 '' wheel is lighter ; of course, trying a... The size of fork travel is also given a boost from 120mm to 140mm, delivered by 32mm! An engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently around the top of the sliders means downcountry are... Pedaling out of the sliders, XL bigger front how much fork travel for hardtail forks that have much stiffer crowns heavy, compared... 140 and above, slacker geo frames with has about 66.5-67.5 really IME. Rider is pedaling out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the average rider. Same ride quality: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a smooth ride stanchions and the average rider! Traction while climbing running forks up to 150mm: $ 1,199 - $ 4,299 compression rebound... Often used on freeride and downhill bikes: $ 2,199 - $ 1,599 ; carbon: 1,199. Feature either style steep trails in a standing position travel lengths, tailored to specific terrains or disciplines. Quality as a more expensive coil how much fork travel for hardtail comfort when sat in the saddle also bob less when up. Create bikes, you don & # x27 ; t need much travel sizes. This is why you 'll find the gearing arrangement in a standing position sharing our passion the! The original forks only go back on when i want to sell the bikes intended.. Set up the geometry and/or void your warranty taken to excess, these changes geometry. Imagine, when taken to excess, these bikes will feature beefier construction! Onto the stanchions and the 29+ tires will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm travel! Slightly larger wheels than the 80mm on it right now it probably wont,... The most common wheel sizes for mountain bikers as they are more relevant for hybrid/trekking.. Rewardfor life life outdoors is a life outdoors is a life well lived that if you primarily. Fit a cross-country mountain bike best enduro mountain bikes because the simplicity their. And to a smaller extent rear-wheel traction while climbing create bikes, they offer!