Is it more important to get fork length or rake right?
01-03-18 | 08:55 PM
#1
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 105
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Is it more important to get fork length or rake right?
I think this qualifies as a mechanical question but let me know if I should move it.
I just bought, secondhand, a late-90s John Cherry steel mountain bike (it was called an "ATB bike"). You can see it here if you like: https://www.ebay.com/itm/mountain-bi...vip=true&rt=nc
I want to put a rigid fork on it. (It has a suspension fork right now). The original documentation says that the recommended offset and length for a rigid fork is 1 1/4" and 15 1/2" respectively. This translates to 32mm and 394mm.
This is what I've found on today's market
Maker | Length | Offset
Nashbar | 385 | 45
Origin8 | 400 | 45
Velo Orange | 400 | 57
I guess my question is, is it better to be a little long (400) or a little short (385), and does the fact that I can't find anything as low as the suggested offset matter. Thanks!
I just bought, secondhand, a late-90s John Cherry steel mountain bike (it was called an "ATB bike"). You can see it here if you like: https://www.ebay.com/itm/mountain-bi...vip=true&rt=nc
I want to put a rigid fork on it. (It has a suspension fork right now). The original documentation says that the recommended offset and length for a rigid fork is 1 1/4" and 15 1/2" respectively. This translates to 32mm and 394mm.
This is what I've found on today's market
Maker | Length | Offset
Nashbar | 385 | 45
Origin8 | 400 | 45
Velo Orange | 400 | 57
I guess my question is, is it better to be a little long (400) or a little short (385), and does the fact that I can't find anything as low as the suggested offset matter. Thanks!
01-03-18 | 09:01 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
It's all very close, but IMO (only an opinion) if the offset is increased you want to go with the longer fork. It's not going to be a big difference, but raising the head makes the steering axis shallower, which makes a better combo with the increased offset.
So, all things being equal I say go with the Origin 8.
So, all things being equal I say go with the Origin 8.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
