Mountain Biking - How much travel?

Currently I am riding on a hardtail with an 80mm fork. I've been doing mostly trails (some road riding in summer) and will do the occasional jump on the bike. Later in the year I am planning on getting a new bike and going full suspension. To make it easy, I’ll just used specialized bikes as that’s what I’ve been looking at currently.

I will be looking for the bike to be able to handle semi-aggressive trail riding with some jumping and would I also want it to be able to handle up to a 4' drop (ive done a 1.5' drop on my hardtail). Would a bike like the FSRxc with 100mm travel front rear be enough, or should I be looking at something more like the stumpjumper fsr with 120mm rear and 100-140mm fork (stumpjumper comp has 120mm fork)


Thanks for your input.

I would go with anything over 120mm, perhaps through 145/150mm. Stumpjumper FSR would seen pretty nice. Have you thought about the Trek Remedy?

Speaking about Specialized lineup only, if you're going to be seeing alot of air and drops, i would go with an enduro myself. A stumpy fsr would work too though i reckon. FSRxc? I wouldnt.

I would go with anything over 120mm, perhaps through 145/150mm.

outta coursity, would you notice there being a bige difference in efficiency when using a 145/150mm travel vs a 120mm?

also, i have been looking at trek and kona, but just hann't had the chance to look at them as much as i have specialized.

Well on my cheap stance flow on my Loki it goes from 120-150mm., and I can slightly feel a difference. Nothing too noticable except the 3cm's does make a difference in cushyness. Now if I tried a 170mm one probably:D

Oh yeah, compared to the air 100mm fork on my fuel, and a coil 120mm fork from loki, there is a huge difference. Well that is air and coil. Im not sure what a high travel air fork will be like.

A little bit of efficiency. I feel like I sacrificed perhaps a little more efficiency than necessary on my Kona Dawg (125 mm/5 inch), but I'm still pretty happy with it. I gained a little bit of extra capacity in exchange, and I like the differentiation between my hardtail and my squishy.

Ok, If you are going with the FSR, you can take some good size stuff. On my hardtail, I can do about 22FT, and still making a cleaner landing then the fullys I ride with. I used to ride with 100mm travel, not sure what I am going to use now. (My bike got ran over) Check the warrenty to see how big they allow the frame to go up to.

Ok, If you are going with the FSR, you can take some good size stuff. On my hardtail, I can do about 22FT, and still making a cleaner landing then the fullys I ride with. I used to ride with 100mm travel, not sure what I am going to use now. (My bike got ran over) Check the warrenty to see how big they allow the frame to go up to.

you can do a 22ft drop?

Ok, If you are going with the FSR, you can take some good size stuff. On my hardtail, I can do about 22FT, and still making a cleaner landing then the fullys I ride with. I used to ride with 100mm travel, not sure what I am going to use now. (My bike got ran over) Check the warrenty to see how big they allow the frame to go up to.

Yeah, man 22 to flat...right?:roflmao:

If you're doing 4 ft to transition, then the stumpy and FSRXC would be alright.

If there's not much of a transition to land on then you'd better think about the Enduro or Trek Remedy.

The Jamis Dakar XLT can really take a beating too. It's a more affordable ride IMO and still very good quality.

you can do a 22ft drop?

Sorry, my bad.

22ft gap, and around 7FT drops.

Sorry, my bad.

22ft gap, and around 7FT drops.

ok i was thinking holy cow this man must be superman

ok i was thinking holy cow this man must be superman


Only if... Only if...

125 and up wont be so great on the bike you have...but if you get a bike with more travel later you will want to judge it by the bike you get. something with a ton of travel would be different than something like a cross country fs bike where you wouldnt need as much. just make sure you know what bike your getting before you waste money on a fork you wont use ;)

125 and up wont be so great on the bike you have...but if you get a bike with more travel later you will want to judge it by the bike you get. something with a ton of travel would be different than something like a cross country fs bike where you wouldnt need as much. just make sure you know what bike your getting before you waste money on a fork you wont use ;)

naw, i'm not getting a new fork for my hardtail. i wsa just currious about overall travel on a new bike.


thanks for all the input.