How to tell when to change steel front fork?

Asked by: Amanda Smith

When should I replace my carbon fork?

Any fork that shows signs of cracking should not be ridden and replaced immediately. In general terms, a component made from carbon fiber will far out-last a component made from metal.

How do I choose a fork replacement?

Quote from video: If you're coming from a quick release for and you're looking for quite a performance upgrade then chances are the new fork is going to have a bolt through axle on it some wheels can be converted.

How does fork length affect handling?

Longer offset results in less trail, which makes for a lighter but twitchier steering feel. Conversely, shorter offset forks increase the trail, which makes for more stable, heavier steering especially in steep corners or bumpy sections.

How do I know if my fork fits?

Take your existing front wheel out and measure the current axle diameter to work out further narrow down what fork your bike can accommodate.

Why are carbon forks better?

From commuting to traveling short distances, carbon forks have become a cyclist’s choice for every type of ride due to their lightweight and high tensile strength. Replacing a steel fork with a carbon fork can reduce the weight of your bike to up to 50% of the weight of the fork.

Can you put 140mm forks on a 120mm bike?

Going from 120 mm up to 140 mm should be perfectly fine. It will probably give you 1 degree of slack angle to your front end and raise your bb height by possibly 1/2″. Going up to 160 mm on your fork would be really pushing the limit in my humble opinion.

Is 150mm travel too much for trail bike?

Too much travel can also dull the feedback of your trail bike. We recommend that a trail fork ideally have 34mm stanchions, at 130-140mm, for a 29er – possibly, up to 150mm, for the smaller 27.5in wheel size.

How much does a longer fork change head angle?

As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle.

Does increasing fork travel change head angle?

Adding travel to your fork is a go-to for many riders because not only does it change your geometry but you’ll also reap the rewards that a bit more travel offers. As a rule of thumb, an extra 20mm of travel will equal 1° of angle adjustment and 10mm of growth in its front centre.

Are aluminium forks good?

Truth be told, aluminum forks are not desirable. They’re lighter than steel forks, but not by a lot, and offer a harsh ride. Meanwhile, carbon forks are both lighter than steel and more compliant than aluminum models.

Do carbon forks absorb shock?

Carbon forks, be it for MTB bikes or general road bikes, absorb shock more effectively than any other metallic materials, thus providing a better riding experience overall.

Do I need a carbon fork?

These features are typical of bikes that are used in touring, racing, and traveling long distances in general. They are also useful for off-road bikes, so if you want lightweight, flashy bikes, you can look for carbon forks. If you want a lighter bike for exercising, then carbon will also suit your needs.

Can I put a 29er fork on a 26 bike?

It would work, but there would be no benefit to it at all. It would probably just mess up the bikes geometry and add weight. You would only get more travel if the fork you put on has more travel than the one its replacing.

How do you measure fork travel?

Use a zip tie around the stanchion to make the measurement. Push the zip tie down to the wiper seal and then compress the fork all the way. This is your total travel. Then fill the fork to your regular pressure, push the zip tie back down to the wiper, and go ride your favorite trail.

How does fork travel affect head angle?

Geometry changes



As the fork gets longer, it raises handlebars up and slackens the head tube angle. As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle.

Should I upgrade my MTB fork?

Generally, the more money you spend you get better performance, in trail and XC forks you get a lighter weight fork and a better feel, on trail/enduro forks you normally get better performance, stiffer chassis, and more adjustments.

Is 100mm travel enough for trail riding?

yes, it’s plenty. pro-Dh’ers need/use 200mm-ish. mere mortals will be riding stuff that’s half as gnarly, half as fast. that’ll be 100mm being plenty for us then.

What should I upgrade first on a mountain bike?

3. What To Upgrade First On Your Mountain Bike. The first thing to upgrade is anything that might be bothering you, or to fix any annoyances on your bike. That might look like different grips, wider bars (or in some cases to cut your bars down), a shorter stem, more grippy or lighter tires, a saddle and pedals.