I have a whyte 801 xc (Head Angle 68.5° Seat Angle 73° BB Height 314 With 100mm front forks -rockshox xc 28)and ride in various places from cycle paths to forest roads to technical red route singletracks with jumps dropoffs etc... I want to start upgrading my bike now and think the first thing to do is get half decent forks.(Rockshox recon gold 120mm or something similar) I cannot seem to contact Whyte to find out the manufacturers recomendations for travel on that frame. Will it affect the handleing geometry by adding an extra 20mm, i wonder if i need the extra travel or just better 100mm forks?? also if i did change to 120mm forks, should i use a shorter stem to compensate for the change in steering response????
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You won't die, might fall off the back though...
I think they call it a chopper.
I'd definitely get in touch with Whyte first
[url] http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/contact.php [/url]
Having looked at the geometry chart, and compared to the Whyte 19, it looks like you might be able to get away with it, as on paper the 19 Geometry looks just like the 801 but with a 20mm longer fork (head angle is slackened by 0.8 degrees, BB 9mm taller), so you might well be in luck.
It's just too difficult to give a general answer, questions like this need answering on a case by case basis, and it's usually best to speak to the people that design and make them as they know what they're talking about.
cannot speak for that bike tbh but I dont think 20 mm will make any real difference
i have used up to 140 [ that was getting silly tbh] forks on a old 100 mm suited frame without dying or any real issues
they may not maintain your warranty though as I dont that frame per se
Personally I'd just do it. Been running 140mm forks on my 100mm Blur for the last 6 years...
120 forks on my 100 bike here (ti commencal) combined with 711mm wide bars
Transformed it so much better and more fun
Been okay for 18 months, bike still in one piece and ive not died
Thanks for all the advise. I think that i'll go with an upgraded air 100mm fork and keep to the long distance xc trails with my bike. Maybe soon i'll get a second bike, 140mm full susser and have the best of both worlds. 😀
If you bought the frame new and are worried about the warranty then check with Whyte first. If it's okay then go for it as you'll find the bike will give you a little more confidence when going downhill and when ti comes to climbing, if the wheel starts to feel light or wander then just move your weight more towards the front. Simples.