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[Closed] Newbie question on Fork Travel

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My current bike was sold originally with 80mm travel forks, but I have always run it with 100mm.

My point is that I am sure Giant did loads of r+D and designed the bike around an 80mm travel so will it handle "wrong" with the 100mm?

Second question is, what is the advantage of 80mm over 100mm for example? .why would you choose one over the other? Just curious because while my forks are in bits, I could change the travel from 100mm to 80 as giant intended.. (and avoid using the really bad bit of stantion at the top! )


 
Posted : 24/06/2009 8:10 pm
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Giant should have a small range that the frame is designed to work with rather than a single value. Worst case scenario with running bigger forks than it needs is that you snap the frame. 20mm is probably not likely to do that.


 
Posted : 24/06/2009 9:21 pm
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You will end up riding at a different angle and this may slightly change riding efficiency and may change handling by a fraction. But 100mm on an 80mm frame will be fine. I assume it an Anthem or XTC?


 
Posted : 24/06/2009 9:24 pm
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A longer fork will slacken the head angle slightly - broadly speaking should make the downs more fun and maybe the climbs slightly less fun (probably won't make that much difference though).


 
Posted : 24/06/2009 9:33 pm
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If you lower the forks by 20mm, you'll still use the same bits of stanchion as the travel will simply start 20mm further uo (does that make sense?).

As others have said, 20mm won't make a lot of difference. It'll reduce the head and seat angles by about 3/4 of a degree and raise the bb height by about 8mm.


 
Posted : 24/06/2009 9:33 pm
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If you lower the forks by 20mm, you'll still use the same bits of stanchion as the travel will simply start 20mm further uo (does that make sense?).

not sure yet.. My wear is about 20-30mm deep and located inside the top bush at full extension. (100mm) If I lower the stantion by 20mm then the badly worn part worn part will be just below the top bush and wont be used? By moving the roll pin in the extension stop you effectivly stop the forks extending as much and the really goosed bit (hopefully) wont reach the bush.

Ill clarify this with photos and a nerd's blog. I may be completely wrong, of course, but the fun is in the finding out!


 
Posted : 25/06/2009 8:00 am