Mountain Biking - Is 20mm of fork travel worth some extra $$

As some of you might have noticed in another thread, I'm fitting a new Seven.

I've chosen to go with the Fox Terralogic fork (F80X and F100X). I guess I've hit that part of the year where the 2005 models are coming out. Apparently there is small change in the model. So my options are:

1. Get either the F80X or F100X in the 2005 model for $775 (ouch).

2. Get the 2004 F100X for $660. (saves me about $115)

3. Get the 2004 F80X for $560. (saves me about $215).

I'd kinda like to go with the cheap option (#3), but I don't know how much of a different 20mm of travel will make for me. It's only about 3/4 of an inch. I am a big guy (6'2", 270lbs), but I'm not jumping or going over huge obstacles. I'm going to be riding on firetrails, easy single tracks, and paved/crushed stone covered bike trails.

A guy at my LBS asked me how tall I was, and after I told him, he immediately said to get the 100mm travel option. Didn't ask what type of riding I do or how much I weight.

For your type of riding, the 80 is fine. You aren't going to see the benefits of a 100 unless you are doing bigger hits.
I don't know how the Seven is designed but the 100 also slacks the headtube angle, making steering slower.

The Fox terralogic is awesome- good choice!

For your type of riding, the 80 is fine. You aren't going to see the benefits of a 100 unless you are doing bigger hits.
I don't know how the Seven is designed but the 100 also slacks the headtube angle, making steering slower.

The Fox terralogic is awesome- good choice!


Thanks. I just couldn't imagine 20mm making that much difference for me. If I hit something that caused me to bottomed out on the 80mm, I'd probaby also bottom out on a 100mm.

take into consideration what the frame was designed for, as the most important effect will be the change in geometry.

Personally I prefer a slacker head angle, so I'd probably go for the 100mm.

Without knowing the geometries of your SEVEN, it's hard to say. BUT, SEVEN isn't known for their Freeride bikes. They make incredible Ti road bikes and their focus is usually in the XC race bike market. With that, the 80 should be a perfect match for the frame. The difference between the '04 and '05 is that the lowers will NOT have canti brake bosses, so if you have vee's, forget about the '05. The internals are the same, so save some cha-ching and stick with the '04.

Good luck and we want to see picture of it, before, during and after the completion of the build.

L8R

Without knowing the geometries of your SEVEN, it's hard to say. BUT, SEVEN isn't known for their Freeride bikes. They make incredible Ti road bikes and their focus is usually in the XC race bike market. With that, the 80 should be a perfect match for the frame. The difference between the '04 and '05 is that the lowers will NOT have canti brake bosses, so if you have vee's, forget about the '05. The internals are the same, so save some cha-ching and stick with the '04.

Good luck and we want to see picture of it, before, during and after the completion of the build.

L8R

Thanks. This is a XC bike. Is the Verve (you can find it on their webpage www.sevencycles.com). I kinda thought the 80 was a better choice. I really don't expect to be taking any huge hits. There are quite a few potholes and what not on the C&O Canal Towpath (where I do most of my riding), but most of them are much less than a regular curb you'd find on the street.

Thanks for the advice. Also good to know about the difference between the 04 and 05... I'm going with discs, so the bosses aren't a big deal to me.