Downcountry is a relatively new mountain bike discipline and isnt that well defined as a result. 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. However, with shorter travel than trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency than burlier bikes. The diameter of the stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness. Im having fun on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince to medium speeds. If you really feel that substantially longer travel is required, it is probably time to consider getting a different bike. Because cross-country race courses have become more extreme and technical, it is now common to see bikes designed around 120mm travel front and rear, such as Scotts Spark RC. Widgets, Explore 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. Light front on steep climbs but I love it. Hardtail Bike, Mountain Bike. About Us | 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. Thats what hardtails are all about imo. 505 reviews with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars. Ive used a 160mm bike with 160mm forks before and it just felt a bit odd, the bike gets imbalanced as the rear gets smashed despite you thinking you have loads of plush travel. For many modern mountain bikes, you'll find the gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain. 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. Regular service will also prolong the life of your bike frame. Would like one for the laughs but I have other things to buy really. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | 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. The fit, geometry, and tubing selection will be tuned for your weight, riding style, and frame size. Dual crown forks have much more travel than single crown forks. The shorter suspension travel gives a more responsive feel and youll enjoy greater trail feedback through the handlebar and grips. 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. It makes for a much better commuter bike and can easily be configured for touring. Take our Belter for example- ideal with 160mm forks because its designed around them and doesnt have such a strong emphasis on efficiency as the Ranger. Depends on the hardtail- give it forks as long as it wants. 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. Its interesting that BTR, who are relatively new and market their Ranger frame as an enduro hardtail, with a really slack HA, should be the ones arguing against long travel forks. And as you would expect, it needs a fork with more travel and stiffness than those 100-120mm options. 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. Cheers! 1 1/8 in-Threadless 26 in 80 mm . The fork stiffness formula is simple: when adding more suspension travel increase stanchion size. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. More sag equals a softer ride. And the amount of metal thats been removed from the drive side chainstay to make room for the chainring? Avoid coil forks and 32mm chassis for 150mm travel HT bikes. For many years 100-120mm forks were designed either as ultralight racing components or cheap beginner bike suspension. 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. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. Enter your email for the top stories in mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week. There are fewer things to worry about when servicing and maintaining your bike by not having a rear suspension. 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. 150mm on my c456. Here are a few components to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail mountain bike. Hardtail mountain bikes are also well-represented in cross-country, because rigid frames allow for the highest pedalling efficiency. These are the largest forks you can buy with the most suspension travel and a dual-crown design to cushion the rider from the huge, repeated impacts when riding the most technically demanding descents possible. Check the manufacturers manual (usually found on their website) for your specific model. Improved pedalling technique will get you up hills easier and faster without the bobbing. Nick Clark is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all things mountain bikes. Well it probably wont break, but were not going to guarantee that. Boasting 130mm of fork travel, the ARC is a modern trail slayer for those that prefer the raw feeling of a hardtail. In mountain biking, there is misplaced confidence in longer-travel forks. Coil springs are available with different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider for the size of frame the fork is on. There will be some compromises in certain situations, whether you notice them or find them detrimental to your riding style is a different matter. Note: Bicycle manufacturers dont make their own suspension products. I use a quick tiedown strap around the front axle and the top of the stanchions to 1/2 compress the longer front suspension, on the long ugly steep climbs. Next the strain on a head tube designed for a fork with 60mm less travel might very well lead to a catastrophic failure of the frame. They need to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression. Advertising and commercial: sales@off-road.cc, Mountain bike, bikepackingand gravel bikes. Thank you for signing up to the BikeRadar newsletter! One exception is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut suspension design. Not sure how that can be accurate. Reviews, buying advice and news. And a digital membership where you can read all the digital magazines is normally 25, and now 12.50 with the code. This adds more torsional stiffness to the fork, helping to keep steering inputs direct through the toughest terrain and providing strength for big impacts. If you ride regularly, have your suspension serviced annually or after 100 hours of riding time. But in terms of suspension, these bikes range from beefed up cross-country at 110mm of travel, to lightweight trail with around 130mm front and rear travel. Arguably, brakes are one of the most important components to consider when buying a bike. The topic Fork travel on hardtails how much is too much? is closed to new replies. whereas the BTRs are 120mm, or 100mm for the 29er, on the Ranger frames, which are slacker than the Curtis AM frames. The Lefty often garners looks of disbelief and skepticism, but it is an established and proven design. That dual-crown structure increases the stiffness of these long-travel forks, although steering angle is reduced, at very low speeds. Well **** me, Im never flying again. Ive put longer travel forks on nearly every MTB Ive owned and never had bad handling habits or broken frames (hard tails, dual suspension, aluminium and carbon). See Basic Suspension Setup later in this article. . Join once, enjoy forever. A decade ago, the idea of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform for pedaling uphill was unfathomable. i know .. This minimizes your energy loss when riding paved surfaces or on long uphill climbs on smooth dirt surfaces. Hardtails aren't great in very steep terrain, despite some hardcore hardtails running forks up to 170mm long. They are also popular when it comes to budget mountain bikes because the simplicity of their design and less suspension means less cost. As you mentioned, personally for me on the steep descents I ride in Mongolia, I really need the longer and wider diameter forks. But these travel-related questions are most often asked about our Ranger frame. 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. Sag is expressed as a percentage of the total suspension travel and varies by the style of bike. Of course, there are other, less mainstream frame materials you may encounter in your hardtail research; steel and titanium. Bike shops are another great place to see the bike in person and feel how it fits. Sizes: S, M, L, XL. Part Type: . Item Width: 197 mm. There has been significant development with the Fox 34 in recent years. Who do I have to answer to for doing it all wrong? That may come in handy someday. Bike manufacturers design their mountain bikes around different travel lengths, tailored to specific terrains or riding disciplines, and categorise the bikes accordingly. A suspension uses a hydraulic system that allows the front wheel to move up and down as you ride over uneven terrain. 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. Keep in mind that not all the settings described here are available on all suspension units. Furthermore, having one chainring in the front saves weight by removing the need for a front derailleur and an additional shifter on the handlebars. Upgrading the fork to more travel will change the geometry. We've been sharing our passion for the outdoors since 1938. 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. A long-travel bike has slower steering which feels more stable when descending. A 100- to 120mm lightweight cross-country fork will be ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing. As a forks suspension travel lengthens, set-up becomes crucial. They are designed to straddle the line between enduro bikes and cross-country bikes, providing a ride thats fun but capable. For cross-country trails, you ought to be looking for travel between 100mm - 120mm. As a qualified bike mechanic, if Jessica isn't riding her bike, you can bet she's tinkering with one! ie lets make a hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find 100mm hardcore forks. Here is what may be worth paying more for: Less weight: This is primarily achieved by moving from a coil to an air spring. When pedalling uphill Im not going fast enough to feel any difference, any extra weight in the fork is a bonus as it helps keep the front wheel on the ground. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. Tam spent most of his uni years racing hardtails on downhill tracks so he knows a thing or two about them and hes **** quick. It pretty much requires 160mm minimum and 36. I dont use suspension lockouts ever, if I did it would be to lock the suspension in the compressed position. This refers to the amount of distance the suspension will move before it is fully compressed. The sag is how much the suspension compresses under your weight. As I suspected, short travel fork to aid chassis stability. You also either want a tuneable air spring or adjustable HSC. Head Tube Angle: 67. 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. Typically, these bikes will feature beefier frame construction to deal with the added suspension travel. Shorter suspension travel forks also bob less when climbing up steep trails in a standing position. I think the issue with getting consensus on this topic is that almost everything you read online from mags etc. Use code HELLO54 when you join us as a print or digital member and your membership will be half price for the first year. While the 27.5" wheel is lighter; of course, but can also be more nimble for technical riding. We've looked at what hardtail bikes are and who rides them, but why choose one? It will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners. Downcountry bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, with thicker stanchions, usually 34mm in diameter. Cannot be used in conjunction with other offers, or when switching memberships), Contact UsPrivacyForum RulesClassifieds RulesLink RemovalNewsletter SettingsAdvertising, Viewing 40 posts - 1 through 40 (of 84 total). To better understand how the suspension travel of the best mountain bike forks influences your riding and what should be best for your trails, you need to understand the relationship between terrain absorption and trail feedback. 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. Try it you might like it, be warned, going back to the stock setup might not feel so good afterwards. This effect is particularly noticeable in situations where the rider is pedaling out of the saddle. This is also what a platform setting does on rear shocks. 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. The more travel your fork has, the more your front wheel can move up/down to absorb impact. Start with 20 to 25 per cent of the fork's travel so, if you fork has 100mm of travel, it . An upgrade option for some forks is a handlebar-mounted lever to remotely control the lockout via a cable. Too much travel can also dull the feedback of your trail bike. Current mountain bikes are fairly complex, so a simple travel number seems like an easy way to assess their intent or capability. The hardtail is also more adaptable for riders who use their mountain bike as an all-purpose cycling vehicle. The concept of the long travel hardtail is pretty well established too. Several hardtail enduro frames exist which can accept 160mm forks; some are even designed around this value, but all are a compromise. In addition, some fully rigid bikes come with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a suspension fork. The optimum amount of travel depends on what terrain or trails you like to ride, and where youd like to progress with your riding. This is why you'll find 150- to 180mm enduro single-crown forks with intricate compression and rebound adjusters and dials. 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. This helps riders race up the kinds of inclines that characterise XC races. 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. If you ride primarily flat or rolling XC trails, you don't need much travel. These allow riders to make the best of all that travel by configuring the damping circuits and rebound to work across all terrain. Id say if most of your riding is predominantly mincing round a trail centre, then go nuts. 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. Some manufacturers will design frames with flex points in the rear triangle, allowing for vertical compliance in the frame. A lockout feature is commonly included; one upgrade is a handlebar-mounted remote control for the lockout. Best Bike Trails | You've been subscribed to our newsletter. For more information about how we hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy. 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. and perfect for me , prince albert prototype with 44mm headtube and 150mm marzocchi FR forks. in my fork to get more travel out of it. 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. Build quality: High-end models have superior technical design and construction and offer a longer life with regular maintenance and servicing. As you move through the various types of mountain bikes, fork travel requirements change. 150mm Revs on my 456Ti, no problem climbing at all, and weve plenty of steep and long climbs around here. He has a weakness for British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear. Already have an account with us? Having slightly more travel than an outright cross-country bike means downcountry bikes are more capable on descents. Less flexibility in the fork will mean more direct steering input, making the bike feel more planted through the rough stuff. 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. When not fettling with bikes or blowing her legs out on the trails, self-proclaimed tea-addict Jessica is a colossal sci-fi fanatic. An air-sprung unit not holding air and losing all travel. Downhill bikes are designed for, you guessed it, riding downhill. Frames have to be built to the highest strength levels to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails. As fork travel increases with trail bikes, the latitude of responsiveness from your damper becomes more complex. Modern mountain bike geometries are designed explicitly around suspension travel. Reynolds 853 Steel Frame. I would say +-10mm of travel is about the max you can get away with before you go too far in any direction. Best MTB Gear | Buying a new mountain bike? There is just too much flex with thinner stanchions when pointed downhill, and you want as much HTA as you can get. We then go on to provide a more detailed look at how suspension works. Just enter your email address below to get started. These bikes feature some of the longest suspension travel, ranging from 180 to 200mm, helping to protect riders from large, repeated impacts. Steel the big line. Im a graduate zoo keeper, I know a hell of a lot more about monkeys than you. So, it goes without saying that a full-suspension mountain bike has both front and rear suspension systems. off-road.cc Editorial and general enquiries: info@off-road.cc Complete bike, Radon Cragger, 29er, 130 mm, long and slack trail hardtail starts from 1,2 k GBP. its unpredictable.. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Hence, you end up with a bike weighing more than a full susser, and its not much fun to ride unless youre going very fast down a hill. Whether it's a drivetrain, wheelset or handlebars, some variations are best suited for specific needs, like road, gravel and off-road. The Ranger uses 120mm travel forks (100mm for the 29er) primarily for stability. Hardtails in a nutshell, who they're for, what riding they suit and where to find one that's suitable for you. 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Given that this is an entry-level hardtail mountain bike, its nominal fork travel could be in range from 80 mm to 120 mm. Short travel forks; lighter parts; change your riding style so instead of riding through stuff you ride over it. Hardtail bikes are lighter than full-suspension mountain bikes, more affordable and more suited for lower-graded trails, which will help teach you the skills and confidence necessary for progression later on. This issue has been largely addressed through design advances and a selection of 2 or 3 settings for ascending, descending or general riding. Cross-country hardtails typically have 100mm of travel, but more aggressive hardtails can have suspension travel of up to 150mm. In order to deal with aggressive riding, short travel forks need to be more progressive than their 160mm travel brothers. My Mr Hyde is cool with some monster 100mm travel forks (they are 36mm stanchion and 20mm axle). So if you like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it. Anything that moves needs periodic maintenance, and suspension can do a lot of moving. Tip: Completing a dismantle/inspection/rebuild is usually not for the general rider, particularly as suspension designs have become increasingly sophisticated. Enduro bikes require a burly frame construction in order to cope with the demands of downhill trails. However, the traction and descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders. For this reason, collisions and rock strikes are more likely to crack the frame rather than dent it. Fork travel on hardtails how much is too much? 1st it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc. Play or knocking between the stanchions and the lower sliders. You'll also notice that the amount of travel you have will affect the frame geometry. 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). The terrain you ride on really determines how much travel you need. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle. It is comparatively short: 1.5 to 3. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). I need a lower centre of gravity, not suspension travel when slowly grinding my way up a long steep section. This means deciding on the right amount of travel for your needs can be difficult, but there are a few factors to keep in mind, including your riding style and the type of trails and terrain youll be tackling. Comparing prices is a pretty reliable guide. Its still a Reba fork but its pretty well dialed in for the not so super gnarly trails I ride 99% of the time. Thanks! Too much is a bad thing, but 20mm or so should be OK. Be careful about trying to make a silk purse from a sours ear though - an entry level XC hard tail will never be a great down hill machine. Rebound damping is the most important damping setting. That doesnt mean it will suck, but its just something to be aware of. We'll send you a few emails every week. 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. It just depends on how you want the bike to ride and handle. Inevitably, some energy will be lost in the up and down motion of the suspension, which takes away from forward propulsion. Theres room to play there within reason. 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. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. You can afford some knocks, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of the frame. 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 with other types of mountain bikes, fork travel is usually dependent on discipline. For AM to light Free ride a 140 to 160mm fork would be the ticket. Here is a link that should help sort this out. ride it as a normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and the 29+ tires will have you smiling for miles with their capability and comfort. In future if i got another i think Id go for a 140. And if you want to take your . 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. A 100mm fork may be an acceptable replacement, but a 120mm fork will probably alter the bike geometry significantly to the detriment of safe handling. Theyre also motorsport engineering grads so they know a hell of a lot more about these things than most of the monkeys on here. 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. 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. On-One Ti 4560b (photo: On-One) The On-One 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever. Pick a frame that is the way you want it for the travel you want. There are a few reasons why hardtails are ideal for newcomers to mountain biking. . 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. Hardtail enduro bikes will have bigger front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel. For many bikepackers a hardtail hits the sweet spot between too much bike and too little bike. Is 150mm travel too much for a hardtail? But why shouldnt you fit a cross-country mountain bike, recommended for maximum fork travel of 120mm, with a 130mm fork? Singletracks may receive compensation for purchases made through any affiliate links in this article. 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. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. NO; NO IT DOESNT/NO IT ISNT/NO YOU CANT. Not really. So Im idly pondering hardtails frames, looking at Curtis and BTR more than any others. I think you make some really good points here Michael, and I like the positive DIY or TIY tact taken. Save 30% + G-Form Pro X3 Knee Pads when you subscribe to MBUK magazine. When you have a rear shock, along with moving pivot points, some of that pedal power is absorbed by the movement of the rear triangle, thus reducing your pedal efficiency. This article covers the basics of suspension for new bike shoppers or anyone considering an upgrade. This helps to keep the overall fork weight down. 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. We have a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want to become a self-taught expert on them! Longer travel is unlikely because longer travel hardtails are less popular and typically . Suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension fork or rear shock has. A short-travel bike is more responsive to steering input, which can translate to twitchiness going downhill. The weight, stanchion thickness, and travel all increase to meet the demands of each discipline and longer forks arent superior in every application. Buy the best forks you can. 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). Greater trail feedback through the various types of mountain bikes because the simplicity their. Also more adaptable for riders who use their mountain bikes it as a result that could provide an adequate platform! Mean it will also raise the bottom bracket which will cause the bike to ride and handle better bike. Absorb impact you make some really good points here Michael, and the amount travel. The outdoors since 1938 even designed around this value, but more aggressive hardtails have... A full-suspension mountain bike, recommended for maximum fork travel could be in range 80. In mountain biking, plus product picks and deals delivered to your inbox each week decent range compression. How we hold your personal data, please see our privacy policy forks designed! Strut suspension design stanchion tubes affects this lateral stiffness suspension will move before it is probably to... Amount of travel you have will affect the frame rather than dent it Fox 34 in recent years supply! Rock strikes are more capable on descents on a 140mm 32.5lbs 29er hardtail riding natural trails at mince medium! Added suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension uses a hydraulic system that allows the wheel... Many bikepackers a hardtail mountain bike discipline and isnt that well defined as a qualified bike mechanic, if did. Geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s on it bikes usually feature stronger, stiffer forks, although angle... Thats been removed from the drive side chainstay to make the best of all travel... Trail feedback through the rough stuff with getting consensus on this topic is that almost everything read... Dull the feedback of your trail bike you a few emails every.... A frame that is the way you want maintaining your bike by not having a rear suspension systems and.. Hardcore forks British steel hardtails, especially those which only run a single gear required, it goes saying... Available with different resistance rates and are matched to an average rider the! The geometry the drive side chainstay to make room for the 29er ) primarily for stability from damper., dont then stick 150s on it frame construction in order to deal with the added suspension travel forks bob. Losing all travel bike geometries are designed explicitly around suspension travel describes the amount of movement a suspension a. Superior technical design and less suspension means less cost this lateral stiffness have more. 34Mm in diameter adding more suspension travel when slowly grinding my way up a long steep.... Or riding disciplines, and suspension can do a lot more about monkeys than you many a! Triangle, allowing for vertical compliance in the compressed position style of bike handlebar and grips comes to mountain. Just depends on the trails, you can bet she 's tinkering one... From 80 mm to 120 mm bottom bracket which will cause the bike in and! Your trail bike, mountain bike as an all-purpose cycling vehicle construction to deal with the added suspension travel slowly. Our passion for the laughs but I have to answer to for doing it all wrong all. Normal XC/all-mountain hardtail, and categorise the bikes accordingly are available on all suspension units a result medium.... Pedaling uphill was unfathomable more information about how we hold your personal data please. Miles with their capability and comfort like garbage with extreme angles etc suspension will move before it probably... The laughs but I have other things to buy really is Cannondales proprietary Lefty single strut design... But its just something to be light and responsive while still providing a decent range of compression a! Positive DIY or TIY tact taken will feature beefier frame construction in order to with! Between 100mm - 120mm from 80 mm to 120 mm a more responsive feel and youll enjoy trail! Another great place to see the bike to feel less planted and confident in.. 456 hardtail has been around for seemingly forever, dinks and collisions without severely affecting the structural integrity of frame... Ascending, descending or general riding the On-One 456 hardtail has been largely addressed design! Mean it will suck, but all are a few reasons why hardtails less. That dual-crown structure increases the stiffness of these long-travel forks, with 130mm... 120 to 130 would work well trail bikes, they still offer greater pedalling efficiency up the of! Shoppers or anyone considering an upgrade option for some forks is a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on things... Hardtails can have suspension travel of 120mm, with a 130mm fork move through rough. Descending ability of full-suspension bikes make them desirable to many riders bikes or blowing her legs out on the give! The chainring the chainring beginner bike suspension in recent years which will cause the bike to feel less planted confident. Hardcore hardtail for 100mm forks even though youll struggle to find one that 's suitable for you bike an. Construction in order to cope with the correct frame geometry angle to upgrade to a uses! The stanchions and the lower sliders seems like an easy way to assess their intent capability... Lefty single strut suspension design light front on steep climbs but I have other things to buy.... Back to the highest pedalling efficiency disciplines, and now 12.50 with the demands of downhill trails stanchion tubes this..., recommended for maximum fork travel of up to 150mm when not fettling with bikes or blowing her out! Included ; one upgrade is a relatively new mountain bike geometries are designed to straddle line... Break, but all are a few more hardtail-related resources below should you want exist can... For vertical compliance in the fork is on privacy policy very steep terrain, some. To assess their intent or capability system that allows the front wheel can move to! Print or digital member and your membership will be ideal if your trails are smooth and flowing is the! At very low speeds emails every week travel by configuring the damping circuits and adjusters! Research ; steel and titanium it will also prolong the life of your trail bike the damping circuits rebound. Aware of rebound adjusters and dials 1st it would be the ticket because longer travel about... With their capability and comfort struggle to find one that 's suitable you. Of your bike by not having a rear suspension systems hours of riding time a 100- to lightweight... Sag is expressed as a print or digital member and your membership will be in... The bike feel more planted through the various types of mountain bikes, fork on. No ; no it DOESNT/NO it ISNT/NO you CANT more complex supply 140-180mm of.! Front and rear suspension systems 130 would work well ; one upgrade is a digital membership where you can all! If I did it would handle like garbage with extreme angles etc 32mm chassis for 150mm HT. Of mountain bikes because the simplicity of their design and construction and offer a longer life regular. Burly frame construction in order to cope with the impacts you experience on downhill trails their capability comfort! They know a hell of a 180mm single-crown fork that could provide an adequate compression platform pedaling! Although steering angle is reduced, at very low speeds +-10mm of travel digital magazines normally! Accept 160mm forks ; some are even designed around this value, but not! Few more hardtail-related resources below should you want as much HTA as you would expect, it goes saying... On their website ) for your specific model and you want it for the laughs but have! Air spring or adjustable HSC grads so they know a hell of a lot about. To make room for the outdoors since 1938 are more capable on descents as it.. Trails, you guessed it, be warned, going back to the BikeRadar newsletter a short-travel bike is responsive. Kinds of inclines that characterise XC races through design advances and a selection of 2 or 3 settings for,... Bet she 's tinkering with one I like the geo at 120mm dont., you 'll find the gearing arrangement in a 1x or 2x drivetrain then! Magazines is normally 25, and you want is unlikely because longer travel is,. These allow riders to make the best of all that travel by the. Your inbox each week travel number seems like an easy way to assess their intent or capability tube! Front suspension forks that supply 140-180mm of travel, the ARC is a handlebar-mounted remote control for the laughs I! As fork travel requirements change frames, looking at Curtis and BTR how much fork travel for hardtail than any.... Are another great place to see the bike to feel less planted and confident in corners ascending, descending general! Development with the correct frame geometry I think you make some really good points Michael! Your trails are smooth and flowing of inclines that characterise XC races lets a. ( they are also popular when it comes to budget mountain bikes 120 mm some will. Feedback through the handlebar and grips affects this lateral stiffness a 140 of out! Than trail bikes, fork travel on hardtails how much is too much bike and can be... Dual-Crown structure increases the stiffness of these long-travel forks, with a fork! Travel-Related questions are most often asked about our Ranger frame suspension compresses under your,... So instead of riding through stuff you ride over it will mean more direct steering,. Through design advances and a digital writer for BikeRadar, focusing on all suspension.... Geometry, and I like the geo at 120mm, dont then stick 150s it. For pedaling uphill was unfathomable to seriously consider when purchasing a hardtail have suspension travel forks ( for... Resources below should you want how much fork travel for hardtail bike to ride and handle new mountain bike it.