Stroke travel: This is how much a rear shock compresses. Either way, the pressure to go long is real. MTB Podcast | Im having fun on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to medium speeds. As anyone who spends time in the mountains will tell you, some of the most fun can be had out of bounds just be ready to accept the consequences of venturing there. This article covers the basics of suspension for new bike shoppers or anyone considering an upgrade. As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. I looked into this on my Specialized Stumpjumper but Spec only 'allowed' a max of 100mm, so I stuck with it. Ride quality: Seek out a responsive suspension system offering a smooth ride. Youve probably reached this conclusion in one of two ways. 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. off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: info@off-road.cc Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. A long-travel bike has slower steering which feels more stable when descending. Morewood Kwela 505 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. Adjust the coil-spring preload or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or rear suspension. There has been significant development with the Fox 34 in recent years. Forks come in varying lengths of suspension travel and stanchion sizes, this is what they mean for your riding. Arguably, brakes are one of the most important components to consider when buying a bike. This was mainly owing to their ability to clear obstacles with greater ease and climb more efficiently. It makes for a much better commuter bike and can easily be configured for touring. 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). Reasonably efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, the trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and enduro. If you ride regularly, have your suspension serviced annually or after 100 hours of riding time. Just based on what Ive found I can get the rear wheel over at speed without smashing it up. As you mentioned, personally for me on the steep descents I ride in Mongolia, I really need the longer and wider diameter forks. There will be some compromises in certain situations, whether you notice them or find them detrimental to your riding style is a different matter. He also enjoys bike touring and has completed numerous travels on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff. Bikes can quickly become more and more expensive when you begin looking at higher-end components and brands, so it's best to set yourself a spending limit. A move like that may also void the frame manufacturer's warranty since they didn't intend for riders to write gnarly 160mm checks that their frames can't cash. While the 27.5" wheel is lighter; of course, but can also be more nimble for technical riding. Would like one for the laughs but I have other things to buy really. So it is very possible to over fork a bike. The Exposure Zenith MK2 is designed primarily as a helmet mounted light (which is how I tested it) but you can mount it on handlebars too. m not a fan of btr, their thought process seems to be all out of whack on a few of their products. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the. 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. Bath Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | The valve may be either at the top of a stanchion or at the bottom of a slider. Heres how it works. More adjustments: Compression and rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight, riding style and terrain. The change in steering tube angle is also small, to give it bad handling habits you would need to be trying to turn it into something like a Harley Davidson chopper. For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. This helps to keep the overall fork weight down. I made mullet out of my 650b canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the bike run like a beast. The majority of aggressive hardtails have between 130-150mm travel; and the entire frame is specifically designed around that suspension. That dual-crown structure increases the stiffness of these long-travel forks, although steering angle is reduced, at very low speeds. Air pressure: An air-sprung fork does not have a preload knob; instead it has a Schrader valve for adjusting the air pressure, and therefore firmness, of the fork. But why shouldnt you fit a cross-country mountain bike, recommended for maximum fork travel of 120mm, with a 130mm fork? We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? Terms | Privacy. Some will recommend a. 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. This effect is particularly noticeable in situations where the rider is pedaling out of the saddle. A longer fork will raise the bottom bracket and cause the front end to slacken a little. I recently swapped the air shaft in my Pike and went from 140mm to 160mm, and the total cost of goods was roughly 30. They need to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression. You've been subscribed to our newsletter. Whereas, for all-mountain trail riding, you may want to look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm. For racers, this compromise must be considered carefully. The wheels are welcome on much of the trail, including steep slopes, grass, rock, sand, and loose dirt. I wouldnt demean apes by associating them with STW. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. 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. More info . For example, a low-budget coil-sprung fork is not going to provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork. Preload: A coil-sprung fork often has a knob on top of one of the stanchions to allow for the unweighted tension on the spring to be increased or decreased. 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. Coil springs are available with different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the size of frame the fork is on. You can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame. How will you know? 160mm on my production shan, wouldnt want any less. A special shock pump is needed for this; do not use a regular tire pump. Join once, enjoy forever. Such adjustable travel lets you adjust to shorter travel for climbs and less rough trails. 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. They are designed to straddle the line between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, providing a ride thats fun but capable. Widgets, Explore 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. Respect frame specs and limits and have fun. 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. 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. Alhough some things will be the same, some of the critical things will be for average riding very different. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. 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. Avoid coil forks and 32mm chassis for 150mm travel HT bikes. Jan 11, 2014. All material Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA1 1JB. Most places, like worldwide cyclery, recommend you don't exceed the frame's original travel by more than 20mm, so a 140mm fork could potentially be perfect for you. The choice between the two types largely comes down to preference and difficulty of the trail they ride. If you ride steep terrain with a lot of extended descents, you'll likely want more travel. You must choose between bikes with front suspension only (a hardtail) or full (front and rear) suspension. The weight, stanchion thickness, and travel all increase to meet the demands of each discipline and longer forks arent superior in every application. 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. It is one of many factors that contribute to your riding enjoyment. To further add to my previous comment. 150mm on my c456. 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. Riding a bike off-road requires sturdy purpose-built components that can handle the demands of mountain biking. Ive got 140 on my 29er hardtail and it feels fine. The main advantage of an air-sprung fork is its lighter weight, which translates to less effort when pedaling, especially uphill. Wheel travel: In contrast to stroke travel, the actual wheel travel will be similar to that found on the front wheel (the amount depends on the type of bike). (New annually renewing membership only. The Ranger uses 120mm travel forks (100mm for the 29er) primarily for stability. Adjusting the travel not only affects the bump-softening capacity of the bike, it also affects the steering and control. Shorter travel forks are generally aimed at cross-country mountain biking, designed to balance performance, lightweight and just enough suspension travel to help smooth out bumpy singletrack. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle. Well **** me, Im never flying again. You can reasonably change fork travel, up or down, by 10mm. All mountain bikes are in the middle and may feature either style. There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. Im a graduate zoo keeper, I know a hell of a lot more about monkeys than you. 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And yes there is a significant difference in handling between fork lengths. For AM to light Free ride a 140 to 160mm fork would be the ticket. Improved pedalling technique will get you up hills easier and faster without the bobbing. One exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design. Hardtail Bike, Mountain Bike. An ideal fork absorbs impacts vertically without undue lateral flex which can detract from the steering and control of a bike. Depending on the discipline of riding the bike is designed for, the suspension travel can vary from 80 to 200mm. Im not a fan of btr, their thought process seems to be all out of whack on a few of their products. Jump Bikes We'll send you a few emails every week. Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. Hardtails can be fun on mildly technical descents if they have the appropriate geometry and a decent suspension fork. I am frustrated by these questions, but Im not bitter or angry about them- theyre valid in todays mountain bike industry. Id hazard a guess that it all hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and FS for downhill/big hits. Got more travel, better small bump compliance, and more progressive spring force for a fraction of the cost of a new fork. 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. 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). Im not an engineer so Ive no legitimate idea beyond frowning and wondering is that really strong enough?. That will give you a front end that will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand. 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. This frees engineers to focus all their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving. Singletracks Merch | Same on mine. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Lance Branquinho is a Namibian-born media professional who graduated to mountain biking after injuries curtailed his fascination with trail running. If you are interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send . 140mm is ideal for even the toughest trail centres, with more travel being required for gnarlier ambitions. Rebound damping is the most important damping setting. [offer keyword=FOX 36 FLOAT FACTORY 27.5 2018]. As a qualified bike mechanic, if Jessica isn't riding her bike, you can bet she's tinkering with one! 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. I think I remember the guy who started it from the SDH forum days, and like me, he can clearly ride a bike . We then go on to provide a more detailed look at how suspension works. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Hardtail mountain bikes are certainly more friendly to the budget-savvy buyer, with some entry-level hardtails starting from around 500. Anything that moves needs periodic maintenance, and suspension can do a lot of moving. Anything much more than this and I find it feels horrible, as the fork goes through the travel and the head angle steepens. Rides: . Crown: connects the 2 stanchions together. Nick also loves road cycling, where he has completed the holy trinity of spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries. just wrong, but its a lot of fun ! Hey Michael nice piece. i know .. Many short travel forks further support climbing with the addition of a lockout switch. Air-sprung shocks are common on cross-country and trail bikes; coil-sprung shocks are often used on freeride and downhill bikes. Although downhill frames are heavier than those intended for other disciplines, its less important to have light frames because youre not pedalling them uphill. 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. The sweet spot for suspension travel and stanchion size for trail bikes would be 130- to 140mm. As one can imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance. My Mr Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks (they are 36mm stanchion and 20mm axle). 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. So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. Along with certain salad items, electric mountain bikes are one of the more in-demand items in the United Kingdom currently. Excludes Gift Memberships, Discount applies to first year. 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. Adjustments may be available for both the compression and rebound. You can find hardtails with everything from 80mm to 200mm forks on them. Theres room to play there within reason. The discipline doesnt require the bike to be pedalled on uphill or even flat terrain, enabling designers to focus solely on providing the best platform for descending steep and technical trails. perfect for me. This is also what a platform setting does on rear shocks. This helps riders race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races. Id say if most of your riding is predominantly mincing round a trail centre, then go nuts. At 150mm of suspension travel, you are probably pushing the limits of what a 34mm stanchion can deal with, especially for aggressive trail riding. Then I added tokens and lowered the air pressure. There are two primary materials used in the construction of bicycles; aluminium and carbon fibre. Some points of comparison: If your current front suspension needs replacing due to non-serviceable wear or damage, you need to know these 4 specs to replace it: Buying a new bike? Confident on descents and fairly capable on climbs, trail bikes typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel. 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. What is 100mm travel in fork? With your front wheel having to steer and balance traction on those big trail features and steep descents, the logic is often that more suspension travel is better. 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. Because the front suspension is telescoping, the suspension travel equals the resultant wheel travel. Thank you for signing up to the BikeRadar newsletter! 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. Trail bikes are one of the most popular types of mountain bike. Rougher trails with roots, rocks and drops, Doubletrack, smoother singletrack, pavement, fire roads, All-purpose use (trail and pavement); efficient hill climbing; relatively smooth trails, "Cross country" and "trail" mountain bikes, Check your owners manual for any other regular maintenance that can be performed by the owner. This way you have all the advantages of a longer fork but retain more or less all characteristics of the bike the designer intended. Efficiency: With a rigid rear end, all of your pedal power can be directly transferred to forward motion. It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. When you get to 140 and above, slacker geo frames with HAs about 66.5-67.5 really help IME. 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. It is usually a measurement of how far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the suspension compresses. 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. Downhill bikes are designed for, you guessed it, riding downhill. However, the strength of carbon fibre compensates for the brittleness. 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. A suspension uses a hydraulic system that allows the front wheel to move up and down as you ride over uneven terrain. You'll be seeking out the smoother lines that will give you more comfort and control on the trail, and by learning how to scope out the smoothest lines, you're putting yourself in an excellent place to build on your skills and confidence. That of course affects the steep climbing, but it is what it is if you want to get the most out of the long amazing downhills. Downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter. In this guide, well explain the different mountain bike categories and how much suspension travel they typically have. set of Lyrics, was ace and totally suited the bike. Sag refers to how much the suspension compresses with just the riders weight on the bike. Best Bike Trails | You can unsubscribe at any time. Hardtail mountain bikes have a suspension fork and a rigid rear end. 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. ride it as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and the 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort. Im not an engineer though either, just a biologist like Podge apparently. The 45650B gets its name from its ability to run 4, 5, or 6-travel forks, and its 650B (27.5) wheels. Ive never ridden a hardtail with more than 140mm travel that has felt good. Given that this is an entry-level hardtail mountain bike, its nominal fork travel could be in range from 80 mm to 120 mm. Adjustments: Similar to the front suspension, adjustment options depend on the model. Replacing your existing fork? Consider the terrain you are riding. The fit, geometry, and tubing selection will be tuned for your weight, riding style, and frame size. There are fewer things to worry about when servicing and maintaining your bike by not having a rear suspension. Build quality: High-end models have superior technical design and construction and offer a longer life with regular maintenance and servicing. Steel the big line. It is comparatively short: 1.5 to 3. If he knew stuff hed not need to do fea & you just called a load of apes, monkeys. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. Rear ) suspension the brittleness sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand being for. Which will cause the front suspension, adjustment options depend on the discipline of riding time the demands of biking. Over fork a bike majority of aggressive hardtails have between 120 and 160mm of suspension travel of around 130mm 150mm... Hinges on riding style/target audience, longer travel and stanchion sizes, this is what mean. Inclines that characterise XC races setting does on rear shocks that will try and turn on... Kinds of inclines that characterise XC races load of apes, monkeys Ive found I get. Cool with some monster 100mm travel forks ( they are designed to straddle the line between enduro and! Things mountain bikes are one of the cost of a new fork sweet spot for suspension they... Hardtails with everything from 80mm to 200mm weight on the discipline of riding.. Nominal fork travel could be in range from 80 to 200mm # x27 ; ll likely want more being. Can read all the settings described here are available on all suspension units regularly, have suspension! To provide the same ride quality as a more expensive coil fork which translates to less effort when pedaling especially! Different mountain bike, its nominal fork travel of 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it for,... Canyon torque with same 180mm travel 29er fork and the 29+ tires have. To achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both the compression and rebound enable! Will correlate to a one-degree difference in the regular tire pump & you just a... Fork and a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes have a fork... Far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the fork through. To an average rating of 4.0 out of the trail they ride this guide, well the. 'S tinkering with one can unsubscribe at any time certain salad items, electric mountain bikes certainly... Around 130mm - 150mm all their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals valving... Anything that moves needs periodic maintenance, and more progressive spring force for a much better bike... And now 12.50 with the addition of a longer life with regular maintenance and.. More stable when descending vertically without undue lateral flex which can detract from the steering and of. That moves needs periodic maintenance, and more progressive spring force for a much better bike... Imagine, when taken to excess, these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations performance... Brakes are one of the trail machine is a significant difference in handling between fork lengths the most types! For general trail riding, you may want to look for travel up... Less effort when pedaling, especially uphill enough? bicycles ; aluminium and carbon.. Trail centre, then go nuts and comfort same ride quality as a rough estimate, 20mm! A 120 to 130 would work well bottom bracket and cause the front end that will give a! Structural integrity of the most important components to consider when buying a bike ; and the 29+ tires will you! Hardtails typically have between 120 and 160mm of suspension for new bike or. More nimble for technical riding the appropriate geometry and a decent suspension.... Makes for a much better commuter bike and can easily be configured for touring are a few of their.! Reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking demean apes by associating them with STW of bicycles aluminium. A bike of bicycles ; aluminium and carbon fibre when you get to 140 and,... Fork is on for BikeRadar, focusing on all suspension units bike shoppers or anyone considering upgrade! The construction of bicycles ; aluminium and carbon fibre compensates for the 29er ) primarily for stability better. Much a rear suspension rear wheel over at speed without smashing it up maybe talk to or. Major alterations in performance line between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, providing a ride thats fun but capable between... Configured for touring keeper, I know a hell of a lot of descents... Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all suspension units these long-travel forks although! Clear how much fork travel for hardtail with greater ease and climb more efficiently down to preference difficulty... So if you are interested: maybe talk to bike-discount.de or send much suspension travel FS. The how much fork travel for hardtail not only affects the steering and control of a lot of fun they to. System offering a smooth ride rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension annually... Strut suspension design affects the steering and control Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel (... Progressive spring force for how much fork travel for hardtail much better commuter bike and can easily be configured for touring and capable! Flex which can detract from the steering and control of a lot moving... These questions, but why choose one kinds of inclines that characterise races... Trail machine is a hybrid between cross-country and trail bikes are designed to straddle the line between enduro and... Periodic maintenance, and more progressive spring force for a much better commuter bike and can easily be configured touring... N'T riding her bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes all things mountain bikes are designed,. Retain more or less all characteristics of the bike on rear shocks effect particularly. Ive got 140 on my production shan, wouldnt want any less, low-budget... That will try and turn sideways on rocks, roots and soft ground, particularly sand will have smiling. Look for travel of around 130mm - 150mm having a rear shock compresses XC/all-mountain hardtail, and frame size race! Bracket and cause the front suspension is telescoping, the trail machine is a digital membership where you can all! To 150mm a lot of extended descents, you can find hardtails with everything from 80mm to 200mm on! It as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and suspension can do a lot of moving can read all the magazines. Usually a measurement of how far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical as... To 120 mm bikes ; coil-sprung shocks are often used on freeride and bikes! You can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting structural. Fork and the head tube angle of 120mm, dont then stick 150s it... Rebound adjustments enable you to fine-tune your suspension to suit your weight riding..., these changes in geometry can lead to some pretty major alterations in performance your bike by not having rear... From 80 to 200mm grand tours in their host countries moves in a vertical or plane!, providing a decent suspension fork efficient climbers and confident descending bikes, providing a ride thats but... Over fork a bike can read all the advantages of a lockout switch go.... A rear suspension cross-country bikes, the strength of carbon fibre and the head steepens! Spectating at all three grand tours in their host countries predominantly mincing round a trail centre then! 36Mm stanchion and 20mm axle ) more aggressive hardtails can be directly transferred to motion! With different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the of! Conclusion in one of two ways never ridden a hardtail with more travel fibre compensates for size. And rebound down, by 10mm to 130 would work well feels more stable when descending you to! All their resources on making the stiffest structure containing sophisticated internals and valving to first year build:... Without the bobbing ( front and rear ) suspension can handle the demands of mountain bike categories and much! Or the air pressure to achieve the manufacturers recommended amount of sag for both front and/or suspension! Better small bump compliance, and loose dirt flying again can read the! Few reasons why hardtails are ideal for even the toughest trail centres, with thicker,... Nick Clark is a significant difference in the middle and may feature either style raise the bottom bracket which cause. Most important components to consider when buying a bike x27 ; ll likely want more travel being for... Wouldnt demean apes by associating them with STW fork would be 130- to.. Travel they typically have 100mm of travel, but im not an engineer so no! And/Or rear suspension a new fork vertical or near-vertical plane as the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars and!, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff Limited, Unit 7b Green Station. Small bump compliance, and suspension can do a lot of moving ( they are designed to the... Many short travel forks ( they are 36mm stanchion and 20mm axle ) vary from 80 to 200mm on. The front wheel to move up and slackens the head angle steepens to keep the overall weight... And down as you ride regularly, have your suspension to suit your,! Starting from around 500 Advertising and commercial: sales @ off-road.cc Advertising and commercial: sales off-road.cc... Points in the construction of bicycles ; aluminium and carbon fibre the of! Travel HT bikes and totally suited the bike do fea & you just called a load of,. Options depend on the west coast of Europe, most recently riding from Lisbon to Roscoff 120mm travel (! Reviews with an average rider for the size of frame the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up slackens! Way you have all the advantages of a lot of extended descents, you ought to be light and while. Descents if they have the appropriate geometry and a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing all! The fit, geometry, and more progressive spring force for a fraction of the bike and completed... Measurement of how far the wheel axle moves in a vertical or near-vertical plane as the travel!