Going from 75mm fork to 100mm?
#3
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From: North Carolina
Bikes: 2008 Trek Fuel EX7, 2007 Trek 1600, 2007 Eastern Warthog
It depends. 75 to 100 is more noticable, than say, 200 to 220. The bikes geometry will be changed significantly.
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#4
Soma Lover
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From: Logan, UT
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What's the current head tube angle?
What's the current bottom bracket height?
What's the current frame size and wheelbase?
Without knowing this, I'd recommend 80mm as well. The extra 10mm of axle to crown height difference between my 75mm Jett XC and my 80mm Duke XC was noticeable in its effect on handling.
If I went from 75mm to 100mm on my Backwoods (old school geometry), it would get hyper stable and downhilling would be a blast but I could no longer negotiate tight switchbacks.
My Zaskar's head tube is about a degree steeper (newer school geometry) and the effect would be similar but tight switchbacks wouldn't present as much of a problem.
What's the current bottom bracket height?
What's the current frame size and wheelbase?
Without knowing this, I'd recommend 80mm as well. The extra 10mm of axle to crown height difference between my 75mm Jett XC and my 80mm Duke XC was noticeable in its effect on handling.
If I went from 75mm to 100mm on my Backwoods (old school geometry), it would get hyper stable and downhilling would be a blast but I could no longer negotiate tight switchbacks.
My Zaskar's head tube is about a degree steeper (newer school geometry) and the effect would be similar but tight switchbacks wouldn't present as much of a problem.
#5
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From: Blo-no, IL
Bikes: 2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport, 1970's Miyata Liberty ala fixed gear
You don't necessarily need more travel. A better quality fork will provide a better ride. That is to say, if you're bottoming out at 75mm and (for sake of argument) you replace it with a fox f-80, you probably won't ever bottom out again, if the fork is set up correctly.
#6
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From: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
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Interesting, I asked almost the same question on the mechanics forum a few months ago and got the completely opposite responses. I proposed changing an 80mm Suntour shock on a 2001 Hard Rock frame up build for a 100mm Manitou Axle I had hanging around. The responses were unanimous that it would not be an issue.
I made the change and took the bike out for a shake down ride on the street, it handled fine. As soon as my shoulder heals, I'll try a trail, but I expect it will work out fine.
I made the change and took the bike out for a shake down ride on the street, it handled fine. As soon as my shoulder heals, I'll try a trail, but I expect it will work out fine.
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#7
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Hi I was looking at a similar problem because I was thinking of changing out the Manitou SX that is on my Klein Adroit for a Magura Durin, so I asked Magura. They said what was more important than travel was the length from the center of the axle to the top of the crown in the sagged position. Compare this length for your existing fork with the length of the one that you are intending to use.
#8
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From: Logan, UT
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This is merely an example of a situation where it wouldn't work as well as hoped. The trails around here are riddled with tight switchbacks and negotiating them efficiently is piece of cake on my Zaskar but currently requires much more careful planning on the Backwoods.
Taking another degree of the head tube and adding another 6mm to the wheelbase as well as another 6mm to the bottom bracket height would have the Backwoods handling more like a freeride hardtail. If that's what the OP wants, I say do it. However, around here it would have more of a tendency to wander on all the extended granny gear climbs and having to swing another 6 or more inches wider around some of the aforementioned switchbacks would likely put me off edge of the trail and into the trees.
#9
NO and especially if it is an older frame. Go with what the bike was originally designed for. I went from a 75mm fork to a 100 and it rode like a chopper. I then went to an 80mm fork but the damage was done. I cracked the head tube. Game over for the frame.






