New forks - sizing
Discussion
Gonna upgrade the forks on my MTB soon. It has what I think are 50mm travel Suntour jobbies.
I see a lot of forks are 80/100mm etc, what difference does it make to the bike if I get 80 or 100mm forks instead of 50mm ?
I do light cross country and road work, any recommendations on forks? About £100, second hand no problem if I can service/rebuild as necessary.
I see a lot of forks are 80/100mm etc, what difference does it make to the bike if I get 80 or 100mm forks instead of 50mm ?
I do light cross country and road work, any recommendations on forks? About £100, second hand no problem if I can service/rebuild as necessary.
It depends a lot upon the axle-to-crown height. However, assuming that's largely constant (for reasons of simplicity), longer-travel forks means the the potential for the bike to feel "slack" i.e. ride/steer like a Raleigh Chopper/cheesy "Easy Rider" Harley Davidson, if that makes sense. Steering will be slower, but more stable, and more "wondery" on the climbs.
However, given it's a frame running 50mm forks, I'd be wary about running 80-100mm forks: 'tis a bin increase, which your frame/headtube might not appriciate :|
However, given it's a frame running 50mm forks, I'd be wary about running 80-100mm forks: 'tis a bin increase, which your frame/headtube might not appriciate :|
I wouldn't put larger forks on than the frame already has. For one, it'll encourage you to do a bit more than the bike was intended to cope with, and if you do 'a bit more too much' you might find the ground heading for your face, with a wheel, fork, and handlebars completing the sandwich, with the rest of the bike landing on your back 
Say my next forks have some level of adjustability, can they be set so they'd ride at a similar height to the current ones? I'll measure the forks with a tape measure, crown is measured from the bottom of the arched bit at the top of the fork I assume?
Edited by john_p on Thursday 19th March 09:25
How much are you thinking of spending, and what is the current spec of your bike?
If you're going to replace the fork yourself, it's going to cost you. Only putting enough air in an 80mm fork so you get 50mm of travel means that you risk bottoming it out, which can send you over the bars.
My advice would be that unless you have a great spec bike to begin with, to seriously consider replacing the whole thing.
If you're going to replace the fork yourself, it's going to cost you. Only putting enough air in an 80mm fork so you get 50mm of travel means that you risk bottoming it out, which can send you over the bars.
My advice would be that unless you have a great spec bike to begin with, to seriously consider replacing the whole thing.
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