[Closed] Which 140mm Fork is the Stiffest

I would have thought a Lyrik running at 140mm would be plenty stiff enough? Not tried a Zeb but intrigued to know why you need a fork that stiff at 140mm.

Old fox 36 with the massive 20mm axle and 4 pinch bolts probably.

A pain in bum to take the wheel out but flippin' solid.

It sounds like if a 140mm Lyrik is noodley then you may need something from a motorcycle.

Obviously in not competing at Crankworx, so my thoughts may not be valid

Ian

I have a lyrik set to 150mm on one bike and a Zeb set to 150mm on another. The difference is noticeable, especially when turning under force and squirm in landings.

I’m not doing crankworks stuff, but I am large and strong. I can feel how vague the lyrik is in comparison to the Zeb.

The lyrik is still great, its just that the Zeb feels better to me.

The new Chameleon for example, tops out at 140mm so this limits the fork choice. I’m not bothered about loosing 10mm travel from 150mm but I would like super precise steering.

@The Ghost, ok i understand.

Perhaps you can speak to tftuned or similar and see if they can reduce an airshaft for you. That may be a way into a 38mm chassis with 140 travel?

Let us know how you get on 😀

Ian

can run a mezzer at 140mm - comes with travel adjusters in the box.

Stiffest, you say?

Trust Message or Shout. Super stiff.

Other considerations may apply 😀

Don’t forget, a Zeb or a 38 will have a longer axle to crown length and taller ride height than a Lyrik or 36 with the same travel. I wouldn’t go putting a 140mm Zeb or 38 on a frame that states max 140mm travel forks… the manufacturer won’t have designed and tested with a Zeb or a 38 in mind.

@kelvin good point the Zeb is 6mm longer than the Lyrik at 150mm.

I think i’ll have to rule out some frames.

Torque Caps?

My new wheels have them and I can really notice the extra stiffness.

Torque caps already in place on the Lyrik and the Zeb 🙂

I wanted to run a Zeb at 140mm, after lots of research and various questions to suspension tuners, its not possible. Unless you fancy cutting down an air shaft and trying to do it that way.

As mentioned the axle to crown length is also longer, as i did think about running one at 150mm, but with the extra 5-6mm ATC length, it would have thrown out the geo i love so much.

Pretty sure its the same with a 38. As mentioned the Manitou Mezzer can be dropped to 140mm and it has a 37mm chassis.

I ended up with a Lyrik ultimate set to 140 (on my norco optic). I find it plenty stiff, but then i tip the scales at 85kgs fully kitted, so i can understand someone might want more stiffness if they are weighing in heavier.

Torque caps already in place on the Lyrik and the Zeb

Take them off the wheels you use in the Zeb, et viola, less difference between the two forks... 😉

The regular Fox 36 is not as stiff as a Lyrik, but the ebike ones are beefed up quite a lot, especially in the crown area where most of the stiffness comes from. You could try one of them. I doubt anyone's actually quantified the difference in stiffness though.
I think the Marzocchi Z1 is also stiffer than the normal Fox 36.

I have a lyrik set to 150mm on one bike and a Zeb set to 150mm on another. The difference is noticeable

I hear what you're saying. However, the Lyrik will feel a touch stiffer at 140mm.

And maybe a little bit more chassis flex might be fitting on a hardtail anyway?

Or just get the Mezzer.

I think the Marzocchi Z1 is also stiffer than the normal Fox 36.

I thought of that, but I don't think it drops to 140mm? Unless there's an aftermarket airshaft?

Do airshafts work the same way as Suntour and X-Fusion ones do, ie you can just bung a load of spacers on it and reduce the travel that way?

I'd focus less on the axle format and more on the construction of CSU and stanchions. Ironically, cheaper forks are often stiffer due to the stanchions being non-butted and/or steel.

I think the Marzocchi Z1 is also stiffer than the normal Fox 36.

I thought of that, but I don’t think it drops to 140mm? Unless there’s an aftermarket airshaft?

Drops all the way down to 100mm according to this
https://www.ridefox.com/fox17/help.php?m=bike&id=961

Ohlins RXF36 goes down to 140 and they are pretty stiff!

you could run a mezzer at 100mm if you wanted. You just keep adding spacers.

^^ i was going to suggest a mezzer