Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Changing of the fork

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Changing of the fork

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-20-15 | 05:00 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Changing of the fork

Hi guys

I wanna change my suspension fork for a corrected fork.
So my actual fork has 475mm axle to crown and the corrected fork i am looking to has 440mm.

So i am asking, does the 35mm difference is normal when going from suspension to rigid fork?
Will it change something in my posture, may i get sore back?
Should i get a different stem, with bigger angle to lift me back to my initial posture?

Thank you
rideau is offline  
Reply
Old 01-21-15 | 07:31 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,687
Likes: 297
Is the 475 with you on the bike?

Sus forks are expected to compress about 25% of their full travel with the rider in the saddle, so if 475 is the length for unloaded bike, the 440 might be about right for actual riding conditions - if you had your sus fork correctly set up.

Otherwise then I would indeed expect a 35 mm drop to cause some noticeable changes in both rider posture and handling characteristics.
If you are happy with how the bike rides at 475, maybe look for a longer sus corrected fork?
If your bike has disc brakes, you can consider shopping outside your wheel size for a better fit.
But do notice that wheel size does influence the possible load on the fork, and some manufacturers do differentiate between 26" and 29er forks for that reason.
dabac is offline  
Reply
Old 01-21-15 | 01:02 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,773
Likes: 105
From: West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
So what do you have now?

Suspension correction generally is for bikes from the 90's, everything available since about 2000 (going on a 26" 80-100mm bike) is corrected out the box.

You really need to provide details of the bike, wheel size, fork/travel now, planned replacement etc, otherwise, it's all guess work, as with the info given, you could have 3 different wheel sizes which would all give different answers.
jimc101 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-21-15 | 01:07 PM
  #4  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

+1 . have someone else measure the axle to crown race seat distance while You are on the bike, as if you were riding it, and taking that compression sag into account.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 01-21-15 | 01:08 PM
  #5  
LesterOfPuppets's Avatar
The space coyote lied.
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,727
Likes: 10,984
From: dusk 'til dawn.

Bikes: everywhere

Is this a 29?

if so, you'll want a longer fork
LesterOfPuppets is offline  
Reply
Old 01-21-15 | 01:19 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
 
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

Originally Posted by dabac
Is the 475 with you on the bike?....
+1
This is the important point. Forks settle when you sit on the bike and the dimension you want to match is the settled one.

An easy way to measure is to put a cable tie or twisted pipe cleaner on a stanchion, loose enough to slide, but tight enough to stay put on it's own. Sit on the bike and the slider will be pushed up. Now measure the gap between loaded and unloaded position on the stanchion, and subtract that from the unloaded axle to crown distance. That will give you the target dimension to match.

IMO, anywhere within an inch or so to either side of the target is good enough unless you're an expert bike handler who might feel he difference. Depending on how much drop or raise you end up with you might want to compensate the stem height, but that can wait until you ride it a while. Who knows, you might actually prefer the new height.
__________________
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.
FBinNY is offline  
Reply
Old 01-22-15 | 12:43 AM
  #7  
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Ok thanks guys,

475mm is unloaded, so i guess i will sit on the bike and have a friend measure it.

It's is 26" with v-brakes
rideau is offline  
Reply
Old 01-22-15 | 01:04 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 4,400
Likes: 106
From: SF Bay Area

Bikes: Bianchi Infinito (Celeste, of course)

What's the fork travel? Most suspension forks are designed for ~20% sag. So a 150mm fork would have a nominal sag of 20-25mm depending on rider preference.

In this case, measuring with you on the bike may only be misleading, since it's likely the sag was never properly set to begin with.
gsa103 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-22-15 | 02:09 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 70
Originally Posted by rideau
Ok thanks guys,

475mm is unloaded, so i guess i will sit on the bike and have a friend measure it.

It's is 26" with v-brakes
475mm a/c would be a 100mm travel fork
25% sag = 450mm
20% sag = 455mm

These 100mm suspension corrected forks would have a closer a/c measurement to what you'd want.
453mm a/c: https://surlybikes.com/parts/forks/1x1_fork
447mm a/c: https://surlybikes.com/parts/forks/instigator_fork
cobba is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
drowling23
General Cycling Discussion
13
09-08-20 12:46 PM
J.Higgins
Bicycle Mechanics
10
07-31-19 12:51 PM
ALLSTOTT
Commuting
6
09-29-10 07:36 AM
wunderkind
Bicycle Mechanics
14
09-10-10 07:49 AM
bamster
Bicycle Mechanics
4
08-09-10 04:22 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.