without wishing to offend anyone… I honestly think a hardtail with a 160mm fork on the front is a stupid idea. totally unbalanced and your head angle is varying wildly depending on the fork compression. If you need that much travel then get a freeride or DH bike. I really don't see the point in going over 120mm on the front of a hardtail (less if you want to spend more time jumping). if you're riding beyond the limits of a properly-set-up 120mm fork, then you're almost certainly riding well beyond the limits of a hardtail.
Not that it really matters but surely a full suss goes through bigger swings in head angle as the suspension compresses at the rear it slackens the head angle more than on a hardtail. You'll be surprised what you can do on one of these hardtails I've pushed boundaries i never did on my 06 enduro, although that's more to do with growing some balls than the bike.
furry_marmot you should try a 160mm HT, I wouldn't recommend trying one on a smooth simple trail but show them something a bit more challenging and it makes sense and is a lot of fun.
Hi Mike. Yes. Hopefully a boy. If its a girl —————————->
I rode my chameleon with 160mm travel forks down Walna Scar. Felt great but they do need to be windable travel forks otherwise you cant pedal up even the slightest gradient!
without wishing to offend anyone… I honestly think riding bikes around the woods all night with your mates in the mud /rain / dark is a stupid idea. Its a good stupid idea though.
Not that it really matters but surely a full suss goes through bigger swings in head angle as the suspension compresses at the rear it slackens the head angle more than on a hardtail
Full suss: Fork compresses, steepens HA and rear-shock compresses, slackens HA
Hardtail: Only the fork compresses, steepens HA
Situation is more balanced on a full suss when squatting on turns etc.
Well I've just spent the week ragging my 160mm Lyric equipped Bfe round the Les Arcs trails and it's been absofookinlutely AWESOME. I can't quite stick with the guides on their 7" full susses on the mega fast straight bits, but in the technical sections it is revelationary how easy it is to ride. Short light back end that is easy to flick around and big forks for absorbing the hits. Sure there's been a few bits that I've had to grit my teeth and hang on for, but overall it's just awesome. I've got my Turner out here, but frankly I can't be arsed to drag it around.
(with some frankly shite zocchis on)
…and being ridden…
Maybe they "don't make sense", but they sure as hell are fun, and I think my Bfe fits the clean image as well as any geared bike covered in cables and hoses can.