Slacken my head angle on my bike, Yay or Nay?

[Bomberman]

Morning Guys.

 

If been wondering if its possible to change my head angle on my bike, and would it make a big difference on the bike? 

 

What would be the pros and cons, and what will I need?

 

Bike Im riding is a Merida with a tapered fork.

 

Thanks.

[Iwan Kemp]

We will need to know more detail, but for now slackening your head angle with a head set will have the following knock-on effect

 

• Drop BB height (increased "planted" feel, possible increase in pedal strikes due to lower clearance
• Steepen seat angle
• Increase wheelbase (increase confidence at speed and in straight line, not so good for tighter situations)

Slackening with a longer travel fork

• Raise BB height
• Increase wheelbase
• increase stack
• reduce reach

But tell us, which model Merida, why and how.

[Odinson]

Slacken by adding a longer fork? If so, you need to specify what your current bike model is and what fork it has. Then, you also need to consider what fork you would want to install and how that would affect your bike's geo. 

[Bomberman]

We will need to know more detail, but for now slackening your head angle with a head set will have the following knock-on effect

 

• Drop BB height (increased "planted" feel, possible increase in pedal strikes due to lower clearance
• Steepen seat angle
• Increase wheelbase (increase confidence at speed and in straight line, not so good for tighter situations)

Slackening with a longer travel fork

• Raise BB height
• Increase wheelbase
• increase stack
• reduce reach

But tell us, which model Merida, why and how.

 

 

 

 

 

Which model:  Merida 120 900 D (2013) Will ad a pic now

 

Why: I see all the bike trail bikes have nice slack angle, I understand the fork dos make a big difference in the stance of the bike. I just have this image in my mind that my bike will handle a bit better on the down sections. (Or is just me?)

 

Current fork is a manitou 130mm. Not sure on the tube length and its tapered 

 

[Ryanpmb]

Quite possible with a longer travel fork and/or with a slackset headset. But as above, more detail is needed to see if the bike (frame) can accommodate these changes...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

IMO the Merida 120 would be killer with a 140mm revelation / sektor / pike / yari on it...

 

Those 120's are built nicely. 

[Bomberman]

I would love to add  150mm in the front but that will have to wait a little bit.

[Long Wheel Base]

IMO the Merida 120 would be killer with a 140mm revelation / sektor / pike / yari on it...

 

Those 120's are built nicely. 

LOL I was just about to post, ask Myles and then saw you had posted. 

[Duane_Bosch]

Which model:  Merida 120 900 D (2013) Will ad a pic now

 

Why: I see all the bike trail bikes have nice slack angle, I understand the fork dos make a big difference in the stance of the bike. I just have this image in my mind that my bike will handle a bit better on the down sections. (Or is just me?)

 

Current fork is a manitou 130mm. Not sure on the tube length and its tapered 

 

If you're going to get an angleset I'd advise against the canecreek version. They creek. There's an outfit in the UK called works componenents. They make angleset headsets. They are pretty user friendly in that they'll give you can tell them your model of bike and fork and what offset angle you want and they'll tell you which headset to buy.

 

A mate of mine fitted a 2 degree one to his bike and no problems at all.

 

http://www.workscomponents.co.uk/

 

* Disclaimer. Personally I'm not a fan of angleset headsets. I think they're a simplistic solution to fix one problem that might create other problems.

[Bomberman]

If you're going to get an angleset I'd advise against the canecreek version. They creek. There's an outfit in the UK called works componenents. They make angleset headsets. They are pretty user friendly in that they'll give you can tell them your model of bike and fork and what offset angle you want and they'll tell you which headset to buy.

 

A mate of mine fitted a 2 degree one to his bike and no problems at all.

 

http://www.workscomponents.co.uk/

Thanks will have a look on their website

[Steven Knoetze (sk27)]

Slacken by adding a longer fork? If so, you need to specify what your current bike model is and what fork it has. Then, you also need to consider what fork you would want to install and how that would affect your bike's geo. 

 

Also check frame warranty.

Most cases the manufacturer has a maximum length fork they will still warranty.

I agree with MM, 140mm would be a winner. 150mm and you may overdo it and unbalance the bike.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Also check frame warranty.

Most cases the manufacturer has a maximum length fork they will still warranty.

I agree with MM, 140mm would be a winner. 150mm and you may overdo it and unbalance the bike.

true to a point, but if the axle to crown measurement on the 150 is the same as a 140mm, that won't be an issue. He'll also be able to run it a bit plusher than the 140mm fork.. 

[Bomberman]

Also check frame warranty.

Most cases the manufacturer has a maximum length fork they will still warranty.

I agree with MM, 140mm would be a winner. 150mm and you may overdo it and unbalance the bike.

who are the Merida agents in south africa, cant find them?

[Iwan Kemp]

who are the Merida agents in south africa, cant find them?

 

Cytek in Somerset West

 

I wouldn't go 150mm. 10mm doesn't sound like a lot, but I rode one with a 140mm fork and although improved on downhills the handling was marginal everywhere else. Not bad, just not great. 

 

It also depends on the fork. Some have a shorter axle to crown which will negate some of the extra travel. 

[Bomberman]

So its seems the best would be a 150mm fork. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

So its seems the best would be a 150mm fork. 

no, it wouldn't. 140mm would be best. You MAY be able to get away with 150mm IF the axle to crown measurement was right, but that's most likely not going to happen