modern forks on retro frames

[IbocProSX]

I run modern Pace carbon rigid forks in the retro Ti hardtail and my guess it is 20mm longer than "design" was bitd. I quite like the handling this produces and so do other riders that had a go with it. Note the extra 20mm in a rifgid fork have a very direct effect on head angle, no sag there. So in my book anything in the 20mm change you should be fine, but you may or may not like the resulting effect

There are other parameters in the steering equation, notably the fork rake. Head angle works with fork rake to determine trail? and a lot of the steering feel. But weight distribution over the front and rear also affects it. Remember gary Fisher genesis geometry? Combines short seat stays with long top tubes and short stems to create a different steering feel to his bikes.

However, I also ride modern All Mountain rigs with 68-69 degree head angles, my perception of steering probably has shifted.

Enjoy!!

 

[South Bound]

Same here, the Superstar carbon forks I am running on my Kona are a bit longer than the P2s they replaced, but I love the way it rides.

 

[letmetalktomark]

My Caldera was originally supplied with 63mm travel forks (440mm A2C :? )

These were replaced a couple of years ago with some 100mm forks (480mm A2C :? )

The change in riding posistion and handleing is minimal but I actually favour it.

I run the same 63mm forks on my other Kona and find the ride to be less confidence inspiring especially half way through the travel.

At the end of the day if you add longer travel forks you could always mitagte the difference in A2C height by dialling in a little more sag.

Just my 2 cents worth - I'll expect to be corrected later :roll:

 

[IbocProSX]

At the end of the day if you add longer travel forks you could always mitagte the difference in A2C height by dialling in a little more sag.

Just my 2 cents worth - I'll expect to be corrected later :roll:

Absolutely! But not by me. I've said here before that sag in my experience was less promounced bitd where modern bouncy forks can work around the 30% sag mark.

Since that older discussion it did occur to me that the trerrain in the UK probably warrants sag more (or more sag) than what we can ride here in Holand. very possible the Dutch scene was lagging in the adoption of sag and suspension. More people in the "pump it till it hardly moves" club over here.

Enjoy!!

 

[slimpee]

I have a Judy FSX on a 22" Attitude. I don't think the bike likes even the modest travel on the fork (63 mm?)

 

[Anthony]

There’s no right and wrong to this, it’s just a matter of taste and what kind of riding you do.

But it is a fact that modern forks work way better than retro ones and it’s also a fact that most people prefer more travel rather than less. So some people think they like slack geometry because they prefer their bike with a modern fork. But it could be that the geometry aspect is actually a disadvantage that is outweighed by the advantages of the modern fork. So maybe they’d like a modern frame even better, because then they could still have the advantages of the modern fork without the disadvantage of the slack geometry.

 

[DomLake]

The modern forks feel fantastic on my LTS

 

[Frank West]

I've got a 110mm Marzocchi MXpro on my '95 Stumpy M2.

Climbing hurts. But then it rolls back down like it's suspended from a cable. The way I see it, as a man perhaps not blessed with the finest technique ever to grace the trails, I'd rather be panting on my way up than killed on my way down.

Cornering seems fine now that I've got some new tires on it. You point, it goes.

 

[longun]

cheers,think ill get the protactor out n start playing with maths :shock: lol,a slacker head angle suits my general riding style at mo on my modern ride so ill see what difference to angles itll make on a retro frame.

also any modern forks will get the retro look treatment to keep the theme

 

[haribo]

I run some RS Revelations Dual Airs on my '97 Heckler - mainly because I got them stupid cheap s/h. They come set at 130mm but I think you can change travel internally to 115mm with a spacer. They feel fine and I think the Heckler can take the slacker angle OK strength-wise. Feel fine riding XC, great DH but not great up hills when the front end can feel very light (would be great if you could lock it towards the bottom of the travel instead of the top!). I run a fair amount of sag (and more - ve pressure which sucks travel down a bit) but will prob get them taken down to 115mm when I get them serviced.