Affects of Headtube Angle?
#1
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Affects of Headtube Angle?
I have a Y2k Specialized Stumpjumper FSR XC that is equipped with an MRP aftermarket swingarm. By attaching the rear shock to the different available pivot points effectively changes the headtube angle. I've been searching and found that the Intense Tracer also has this feature.
Available documentation only outlines how to do it. I've been unable to find out from that documentation what the advantages/disadvantages of the different geometries provide.
Can anyone shed some light on the subject for me? Is the slacker angle advantageous for descending? Or Cross country/climbing?
Thanks in advance
Available documentation only outlines how to do it. I've been unable to find out from that documentation what the advantages/disadvantages of the different geometries provide.
Can anyone shed some light on the subject for me? Is the slacker angle advantageous for descending? Or Cross country/climbing?
Thanks in advance
#2
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Slacker=Stable.
Steep= Nimble.
Thus, A stable downhill setup would have a slacker head angle than a good xc/trailbike setting. I prefer mine on the slacker side of XC since I do a lot of everything(including tagging freeriders).
Another aspect to account for is the terrain(uphill or downhill extremes). What will work well on flat may not be as ideal for an extreme climb, due to the rearward tilt. Conversely, a downward extreme will require a different angle to compensate.
Steep= Nimble.
Thus, A stable downhill setup would have a slacker head angle than a good xc/trailbike setting. I prefer mine on the slacker side of XC since I do a lot of everything(including tagging freeriders).
Another aspect to account for is the terrain(uphill or downhill extremes). What will work well on flat may not be as ideal for an extreme climb, due to the rearward tilt. Conversely, a downward extreme will require a different angle to compensate.
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Originally Posted by mtbikerinpa
Slacker=Stable.
Steep= Nimble.
Thus, A stable downhill setup would have a slacker head angle than a good xc/trailbike setting. I prefer mine on the slacker side of XC since I do a lot of everything(including tagging freeriders).
Another aspect to account for is the terrain(uphill or downhill extremes). What will work well on flat may not be as ideal for an extreme climb, due to the rearward tilt. Conversely, a downward extreme will require a different angle to compensate.
Steep= Nimble.
Thus, A stable downhill setup would have a slacker head angle than a good xc/trailbike setting. I prefer mine on the slacker side of XC since I do a lot of everything(including tagging freeriders).
Another aspect to account for is the terrain(uphill or downhill extremes). What will work well on flat may not be as ideal for an extreme climb, due to the rearward tilt. Conversely, a downward extreme will require a different angle to compensate.
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Originally Posted by sydney
Isn't fork rake also part of the equation for trail , which defines faster or slower? Headtube angle is not a stand alone function.Sheldon Brown has the complete skinny.
#5
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Fork trail/rake is not considered a variable in most mtb/freeride setups however. In a true sense it does affect the handling yes, but it is not easily changed, unlike said headtube angle. On the variable of Travel, that introduces a range of angle change as it moves through it's stroke.
Yes, big can of worms.
Yes, big can of worms.
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Originally Posted by mtbikerinpa
Fork trail/rake is not considered a variable in most mtb/freeride setups however. In a true sense it does affect the handling yes, but it is not easily changed, unlike said headtube angle. On the variable of Travel, that introduces a range of angle change as it moves through it's stroke.
Yes, big can of worms.
Yes, big can of worms.
#7
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Originally Posted by sydney
How do yo easily change the headtube angle? That would seeem a bigger can of worms.
also, isnt rake pretty much a constant foor mtb forks? I never see it mentioned anywhere in catalogs
#8
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Yes, Rake is determined to be at a spec by the susp fork mfg. They choose the position that best satisfies the most people in an application.