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First question, is it completely mental to stick a say a 140mm 27.5 fork in a 26 bike(120 originally). I'd like a better fork, but i'd also like to build a new bike as funds become available over the next year or something.
So is that a mental proposition, 1 firstly running it with 26 wheel, then latterly 27.5 upfront. kinda affect we talking here? obviously, bike gets slacker and bb gets higher, but ridiculously so?
Next step after that would be to buy a frame, and rear shock (want to go from hardtail to full suss) and a back wheel, then just swap over all the other bits.
Is this a completely silly idea? What are the pitfalls and benefits to this approach?
Na, go for it Joe, I bet you won't notice a difference, apart from the actual performance of the fork against your old one.
It probably depends on the current bike you have and what fork you are thinking about adding on. If you went with a fork that you can adjust the travel on via an airshaft change (ala Rockshox) you could for the fork you want on the new bike, but put in a shorter airshaft whilst running it on the current bike.
Just be careful about frame standards with everything you are buying to make sure it will fit both frames.
Yeah my thought I think, defo think the bike could handle going a bit slacker anyhow, sitting at 69.5 the now, so should be fine I think. Guess worst happens is I'm running a slightly odd bike for a while...
I had a few Cotic souls over the years, always liked them with 150mm up front, everyone else seemed to think they were only good at 120 ish.
You'll be grand.
btw - frame does take tapered steerers eh? 🙂
~2 degree slacker head angle and the trail will be out too, who knows, seems an odd way to do it to me TBH
Depending on the fork, you could adjust the travel to 100mm to give yourself roughly the same characteristics, or 120 for less slackness than the 140/27.5 combo.
joe, well it's a pretty kicked in genesis core 40 I've got the now, it's pretty robust/overbuild upfront, so I think it could probably handle being slacker anyhow.
Yeah, the standards thing is a pain, but i should be able to figure it out. First thing is, I've 20mm maxle on the front jsut now, so I'll need to get a convert that to 15mm(seems to be the standard eh?).
When I get the frame, brakes should transfer fine, drive train, tbh I'll probably need new by then anyhow, and I'll want to go from 9 speed to 11(maybe 12.), so that's something else I'll need to buy, but long as threaded bb I should be fine. Seat post, i'd need to measure, bar and stem, will probably transfer. But I'd think i'd replace these too.
So I think essentially, I'd replace everything. Guess the big question is, am I just as well persevering with what I got, and saving up the pennies for a completely new bike. Or is is worth building(I'm guessing more expensive to build your own anyhow), so I, eventually, get the complete bike that I've spec'd and want. hmm, will give it some thought.
btw – frame does take tapered steerers eh?
Aye tapered.
If not much is transferring over and you don’t need a new fork now I’d save and do it all in one go I think.
If not much is transferring over and you don’t need a new fork now I’d save and do it all in one go I think
Cool, cheers all, think really what I need go do, is spec up a complete bike, price it up and then see what's available at that price point, then, I'll know the price difference, roughly. Think that's the starting point before I do anything.
Have messaged you.
sounds like really you just need a new bike. i've put a 27.5 fork on the front of my 26 five because i wanted a better one and this came up as a great deal - funnily enough there's a better choice for 27.5 forks. it rides brilliantly. however you're talking about changing your frame, drivetrain, controls, maybe seatpost, inevitably wheels. just buy good quality bits that come up as you spot deals to build a new bike. and keep the hardtail.
Cut the fork steerer really "too long" and use plenty spacers for your current bike.
Later on in the game, new frame: might has a long head tube...
Older bikes with new "long travel forks": yes - good idea.
Cheers all.
Greg, yeah, think i really want to go down the full sus route, would be a good idea buying that and sticking a fork on it mind if I was after a hardtail mind.
tbh it's all just considerations at the minute, i'm not really ready to go spending loads at this moment in time, I've fixed up the current bike, so it's actually all working good at the minute(mostly, one or 2 other things to do). So that'll last me a good bit anyhow. Just getting the thoughts together for when I am ready to go for it.
interesting thoughts about just keeping the hardtail too, as just a run about, particularly on the streets, if you seen my fork woes on the other thread, does look like it's not a good idea to run your main mtb through a few years of salty roads! 😆 So having the 2 bikes is probably a good idea in that respect. trail machine and transport machine.
I've got a large canyon spectral, 29" full suss frame, it's more like a medium, was a bawhair too wee for me, gimme a shout if ye fancy it. Has all new pivot bearings, headset and BB bearings too, just needs built up. Gimme a shout if ye fancy it, no looking for much for it tbh. 250 mibbe?.
cool, cheers, will keep that in mind after I've thought about this more and came up with a definite way forward!