Mountain Bike Forks
4 Types Of Mountain Bike Forks And Their Uses
Almost every mountain bike comes with a front suspension fork. If your bike does not have it, chances are it is a road bike or a hybrid. The prices of mountain bike forks can range from just over a hundred to over a thousand. Similar to choosing a bike frame, choosing a bike fork has a lot to do with what you will do with the bike and how much you are willing to spend on it. When choosing a mountain bike fork, it is important to know what the terms in the specifications mean. Listed below are some of the common terms which you will come across.
Coil sprung forks – Coil sprung forks are made up of steel coils of spring in the forks. They are affordable but can be disadvantageous because of their weight. However, they are tough and strong and are able to take hard knocks and jumps.
Air sprung forks – Air sprung forks are lighter and more expensive. However, they offer more versatility to riders as they can increase the amount of air to increase the pressure, making it harder to compress.
Travel – Travel basically refers to how far the springs can be compressed when pressure is loaded to it. For example the spring measures 120 millimetres in length. When fully compressed, it measures 40 millimetres. This means that it has a travel of 80 millimetres. More travel is usually better for travelling downhill and less travel is preferred for climbing uphill. Some brands of mountain bike forks allow riders to adjust the length of travel.
Rebound – Rebound is the rate at which the fork bounces back after it is being compressed. Higher end forks usually have rebound adjusters to allow more advanced riders like to set their own rebounds to alter the feel of the bike.
Now, let’s see how the different types of forks are used on different mountain bikes.
Cross country or XC bikes usually emphasise more on speed and endurance rather than being built for very rugged terrain. Hence, XC suspension forks tend to have a short travel and are light weight. Many of them are air sprung and can be easily adjusted.
Jump riders require forks which are heavy and can withstand a big landing. Typically, jump bikes have coil sprung forks with short travel so that the front will not compress too much and provides more stability for their next move.
Downhill bikes require forks with longer travels and which are capable of handling bigger bumps and hits. These forks are usually coil sprung.
It is important for the rider to note that not all frames are compatible with every type of forks. For instance, cross country bike frames may not be suitable to be fitted with forks for designed for downhill bikes. Do keep in mind too, that if you are planning to upgrade to disc brakes in the near future, ensure that there are disc brake mounts on the fork so that you do not have to change them again. As you can see, choosing a bike fork depends on what you primarily do with your bike, so when in doubt, always approach your bike store for advice.
About the Author
Looking for
Mountain Bike Suspension Forks
? Check out the latest
DT Swiss Forks
.
Manitou mountain bike forks – Interbike 2010
|
|
Manitou Marvel Pro 26 Fork 100mm White QR Tapered $411.87 Manitou Marvel Suspension ForksAll 2012 Manitou forks are convertible to MILO remote lockout lever by using FK5510Item SpecificationsColorWhiteBrake Usage F/RFrontCrown Race30.0Steerer Tube Length265mmBrake TypeDiscWheel Size26″Fork Travel100mmFront Hub Spacing100mmFront Axle Type9x1SpringAirWheel Mount Center Offset0mmLockoutCrown MountedDefined ColorWhiteS.H.I.S. Clamp Diameter28.6Item NameMarve… |
|
|
Cannondale Lefty Fork Hardware Bolts – 2 Bolts $9.93 Cannondale Lefty Fork Hardware Bolts… |
|
|
GoPro Handlebar Seatpost Mount for HERO Cameras $19.99 GoPro Camera Accessories. Features: Replacement wrist housing for Digital HERO 3… |
|
|
RockShox Totem RC2L 2 Step Air 180 White Maxle 20 ’11 Fork $1,292.00 RockShox Suspension ForksIntended application: Freeride40mm 7000-series aluminum upper tubesMagnesium lower legs incorporate Power Bulges to reduce weight and maximize bushing placementAll control knobs are machined aluminum and feature detentsSpeedLube system allows user to change oil without disassembling the forkNew Maxle Lite FR quick-release thru-axle system for quick wheel changes and 360deg… |
|
|
Under Armour Abilene Christian Wildcats Men’s Performance Hood $65.00 Made for comfort and collegiate style, the Under Armour® men’s Performance hood is the perfect apparel to add to your NCAA® wardrobe. The classic hooded design, including a kangaroo pouch and banded cuffs and sleeves, combines with the PolyArmour® material to make it unbeatably comfortable. The screenprinted team name and logo illustrate your true team allegiance…. |
|
|
Delta Bike Hitch Pro 2 Locking Fork Mount $15.51 The Delta Bike Hitch Pro features pre-aligned positioning for easier fork installation. Also featuring special anti-rust treatment with tough powder-coat finish, patented Delta locking lever, and an ultra-rigid 9mm skewer. The Delta Bike Hitch Pro will keep your bike nice and secure Color: Silver/BlackMfr Part: CCDLBH1005N… |
|
|
Yakima Fork Lift Bike Carrier The Fork Lift Bike Carrier represents YakimaAAAs first ever direct-to-factory-crossbar fork mount bike rack. Easy to install and compatible with almost any fork with disc-brakes, the Fork Lift comes ready to work. The sleek design sits low on your factory rack and looks hot on top of your whip. YakimaAAAs SKS lock cores (sold separately) let you rest easy knowing you wonAAAt get bike-jacked. The e… |
|
|
Hollywood Racks T970 Fork Block 1 Bicycle Fork Mount $17.70 This one-bicycle fork block allows a bicyclist to securely transport a bike in a van or in a truck or to securely store a bike just about anywhere, including on a wall. It has a 9-mm skewer that firmly grips a bike’s fork and a heavy-duty base that bolts to any solid surface. About Hollywood Racks Hollywood Racks started in 1973 when they began making trunk racks in the back of our bike shop in H… |
|
|
KMC Z410 Bicycle Chain (1-Speed, 1/2 x 1/8-Inch, 112L) $7.98 The KMC Z410 Chain is perfect for your BMX or Single Speed bike. The KMC Z410 Chain is a 1/2″ x 1/8″ chain and has 112 Links except the black chain which has 96 Links…. |
|
|
Wald 742 Training Wheels (16-26-Inch) $32.99 Three slots on the brace arm allows these wheels to mount to most bicycles measuring 16 to 26 inches.Features 5 1/2″ Diameter plated steel wheels with rubber tiresIntended for use by riders weighing up to 125 poundsBrace arms are designed to fit rear frames tubes up to .75 inches in diameter… |
