• DO NOT ASSUME anything about the relationship of a frame and a fork, as there are enough variables to make one dizzy and disoriented
• EVERY frame has an intended fork travel within its design, and though there may be variable travel lengths to choose from, EVERY frame has parameters to stick within
• While the rear travel on a full suspension frame may be a general indicator, DO NOT rely on that as your only indicator for which travel length you should be looking at
• As a general statement, most hardtail frames and most frames older than 2001 or there abouts usually operate most effectively with an 80mm – 85mm fork, with a maximum of 105mm.
• As a general statement, when in process of increasing the front fork travel, as the travel length increases, the steering and geometry affect the frame’s responsiveness and handling exponentially. For example, when increasing the front fork travel from 80mm to 100mm, there is a difference but it is minimal. On the other hand, when increasing the front fork travel from 130mm to 150mm of travel, the difference is significant. Therefore by example, there tends to be a greater effect made on the responsiveness and handling of a frame when converting from 130mm to 150mm, than there is from 100mm to 130mm. Even though the travel increase of 30mm is greater, the fact that the 20mm difference occurs higher up in the echelon of fork travel makes this change more drastic.

Now that we’ve gotten all of that boring book work out of the way, let’s get to the real meat of the subject. It’s about time we address this “longer travel” craze sweeping through the MTB community. More travel is good in mainly two situations: 1.) really steep, slow, technical descents that throws more of your weight forward as you go down 1-2 foot drops at steeper angles so that you don’t bottom your fork and get that impending over the handlebar feeling, as well as a longer travel fork lifts the front end higher to lessen the degree of steepness that you feel on the bike, and 2.) if you are prone to rolling too fast through sections that should be taken at slower speeds.

You should consider less front fork travel if:

• you are more concerned about climbing than descending
• you are concerned with weight as a gram counter
• you have a hardtail frame (no rear suspension)
• you have a frame 2001 or older
• you enjoy mostly technical single track where immediate steering response is a life saver
• you are a light weight rider (less than 190lbs)
• you enjoy less bumps and more smooth riding, like fire access roads
• your bike came stocked with less travel up front
• you go on rides referred to as “up over that there mountain there,” or “I don’t know, I just pedal”

You should consider more front fork travel if:

• you are a heavier rider (200+ lbs)
• you are looking to take your rider to higher level of aggressiveness
• you ride steeper descents, whether at high or low speeds
• you go on rides referred to as “shuttle run,” “epic ride,” or “no girls allowed” (exceptions may vary)
• you enjoy speeds that your mother or significant other wouldn’t approve of
• you are the type that allows your significant other to buy whatever they want, whenever they want, just so that you can buy any bike parts when it comes time to upgrading your bike (oh yeah!)