To much fork,good or bad.

[RyanSB]

Hi BH team

long story short, im looking for real world local advice on who actually fitted a way greater travel fork on there mtb.

Ive got a 24' silverback hard tail  with 100mm travel and would like to go to 130mm, but ive seen good deals on 150mm forks so beside the YT videos and online posts saying its not a good idea, im looking sound tested advice on why i should or shouldn't do so much travel.

I ride everything, but my RS judy just feels dead.

Thanks

[PhilipT]

Howsit, What silverback you running, would prob say it would depend on ur head angle and what u intend to ride.

Im running a 160mm travel fork on a ragley mmmbop and it’s amazing.

[RyanSB]

hi its a silverback stride delux 29er

[Me rida my bicycle]

42 minutes ago, RyanSB said:

hi its a silverback stride delux 29er

120mm anything more than that the bike will struggle to climb. The more travel you add the more you're moving your weight more over the back wheel causing the front to go light and lifting on steep climbs. I would look at a 120mm Pike or fox 34. You either have a Rockshox judy or recon a decent 120mm will make a world of difference. 

[DieselnDust]

That bike will likely crack and fail with a fork as long as a 130mm travel. Too much leverage on the headtube. 
Some people run longer travel forks with more sag to make the fork more supple off the top. 
how heavy or light are you?

[RyanSB]

13 hours ago, DieselnDust said:

That bike will likely crack and fail with a fork as long as a 130mm travel. Too much leverage on the headtube. 
Some people run longer travel forks with more sag to make the fork more supple off the top. 
how heavy or light are you?

80kgs, look im pretty sure you need to case the front for stress to be a big factor, thats why im looking for some real time testers, ive also measured other bike frame the head tube lengths are the same new as my silverback.

 

[WT]

17 hours ago, RyanSB said:

Hi BH team

long story short, im looking for real world local advice on who actually fitted a way greater travel fork on there mtb.

Ive got a 24' silverback hard tail  with 100mm travel and would like to go to 130mm, but ive seen good deals on 150mm forks so beside the YT videos and online posts saying its not a good idea, im looking sound tested advice on why i should or shouldn't do so much travel.

I ride everything, but my RS judy just feels dead.

Thanks

I remember looking at the stride a few years ago and one of the FAQ's was actually in as many words "Can I put a 140mm pike on it"😅

The answer was NO in case you were wondering😝

Generally the rule of thumb is no more than 20mm increase in fork travel when changing forks.

More than that you are starting to raise the BB a whole lot. You are also slackening your seat tube angle so like @Me rida my bicycle noted it will make it much more uncomfortable to climb.

Just remember that bikes are designed to work optimally with a certain amount of suspension travel. It is like putting a 3.0l engine in your 1.5l car. You could possibly get it to fit but you gearbox will hate you😅

What do you mean your fork feels dead? Maybe a setup issue? Alternatively you could see if you could upgrade the damper and/or airspring? Cheaper than a new fork maybe?

Or sell your bike and get a "trail" hardtail😜

Hope that helps!

[RyanSB]

16 minutes ago, WT said:

I remember looking at the stride a few years ago and one of the FAQ's was actually in as many words "Can I put a 140mm pike on it"😅

The answer was NO in case you were wondering😝

Generally the rule of thumb is no more than 20mm increase in fork travel when changing forks.

More than that you are starting to raise the BB a whole lot. You are also slackening your seat tube angle so like @Me rida my bicycle noted it will make it much more uncomfortable to climb.

Just remember that bikes are designed to work optimally with a certain amount of suspension travel. It is like putting a 3.0l engine in your 1.5l car. You could possibly get it to fit but you gearbox will hate you😅

What do you mean your fork feels dead? Maybe a setup issue? Alternatively you could see if you could upgrade the damper and/or airspring? Cheaper than a new fork maybe?

Or sell your bike and get a "trail" hardtail😜

Hope that helps!

Indeed I've seen that on SB site, I can't sell my full bike, I was looking at getting a SB stratos dual suspension frame only but Cwc who are the agents say they can't sell me a frame only. IL probably get a 130mm fox fork and give it a go. Most suppliers are trying to sell you a new bike for a silly upgrade

 

[PhilipV]

1 hour ago, RyanSB said:

80kgs, look im pretty sure you need to case the front for stress to be a big factor, thats why im looking for some real time testers, ive also measured other bike frame the head tube lengths are the same new as my silverback.

 

No, at 130mm travel the stress will be a long term issue. The SB  Slade was built for those forks. The Stride wasn’t. 
However, a 130mm or even 150mm fork can be shortened to 120mm with a new airspring. I suggest getting a 2nd hand Fox 34 or RS revelation and putting in a shorter air spring. Sommer service it while you are at it. 
 

I’ve been over forking bikes for 24 years. 120mm will be the sweet spot for the Stride.

[RyanSB]

Totally understand, IL check who supplies airspring for the forks I'm looking at before I buy them, just want something I can use on a new frame aswell. So I would over buy now than double buy later. 

[DieselnDust]

3 hours ago, RyanSB said:

80kgs, look im pretty sure you need to case the front for stress to be a big factor, thats why im looking for some real time testers, ive also measured other bike frame the head tube lengths are the same new as my silverback.

 

those bikes crack regardless of fork length. You'll only bring it on faster. BUT its your bike and your choice

[WT]

1 hour ago, RyanSB said:

Totally understand, IL check who supplies airspring for the forks I'm looking at before I buy them, just want something I can use on a new frame aswell. So I would over buy now than double buy later. 

Maybe a good idea to consider DVO forks (Sapphire or Diamond) then, they can be travel adjusted without needing a new airspring or airshaft.

Might be a better long term solution for you?

FYI, I have an older DVO Sapphire 32 that I might be looking to let go of (Currently at 140mm travel can easily go down to 120mm)😜

Good luck with it! Suspension upgrades are super fun!

[RyanSB]

1 hour ago, DieselnDust said:

those bikes crack regardless of fork length. You'll only bring it on faster. BUT its your bike and your choice

I suppose they all crack, what would you suggest? What is a good bike (frame) to get, I'm talking underdog I won't be going and spending R50k on a frame to like you said crack tomorrow maybe. 

[Bro Derek]

How tall/what size frame do you usually ride?

[RyanSB]

25 minutes ago, Bro Derek said:

How tall/what size frame do you usually ride?

Im 175cm, riding a medium.

[Ruben101]

1 hour ago, RyanSB said:

I suppose they all crack, what would you suggest? What is a good bike (frame) to get, I'm talking underdog I won't be going and spending R50k on a frame to like you said crack tomorrow maybe. 

https://www.rapide.co.za/product/rapide-tigre-29-ht/