There are many mountain bike forks available from a variety of different companies such as Cannondale and Marzocchi. Suspension forks for mountain bikes are often categorized according to the type of riding which they should be used for. For example, XC mountain bike suspension forks are made to be as light as possible while having a short travel. Freeride suspension forks, on the other hand, have a much greater travel as they have to deal with huge drops.
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ROCKSHOX DART 2 2007 SUSPENSION FORK MTB DISC LOCKOUT GCUS $39.77 |
Chrome 26 Springer Fork for Beach Cruiser Steel Spring Action SuspensionUS $39.95 |
RST 801 7 Suspension Cross 700c Fork Silver V Brake NEWUS $39.97 |
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Electra Suntour Suspension ForkUS $40.00 |
Manitou Axel Suspension Fork 1 1 8 x 75 steerer w 100mm of adj travelUS $41.00 |
Zoom 550 MTB Suspension Fork On SaleUS $42.00 |
Budget
Some of the most important things to consider when buying mountain bike suspension forks are your budget, how much travel you require and how much adjustability you need. Generally the more serious you are about riding the more customization becomes important. While it can be tempting to opt for cheaper bike forks in reality these are rarely a good long term investment. Cheap suspension forks for mountain bikes will often develop problems quicker and will also be heavier. It goes without saying that the most important factor is the type of riding which you will be performing with the suspension forks.
Terminology
Knowing and understanding the terminology used for mountain bike suspension forks is an essential step when selecting forks for your bike. For example, travel is the amount that the fork can move when it is put under strain. While more travel is great for drops it also means that more force will be dissipated while pedaling. For this reason when hill climbing a shorter travel is best in order to conserve energy. Some of the more expensive bike forks allow the rider to adjust the travel.
Other terms include the rebound (the speed at which the suspension fork returns to its original position), damping (the method of control) and crown which is the metal that attaches to the two fork legs together. When choosing suspension forks some mountain bike versions will come with a double or triple crown. The majority, however, will use a single crown system.
Unsurprisingly when looking at suspension forks for mountain bikes you’ll find that each manufacturer has their own system which they claim to the best or most effective. In reality, high end bike components will nearly always be able to do the job as long as you buy the right suspension forks for the riding you’ll be doing. The best way to choose suspension forks is to have a go on a number of different bikes to see which match your riding style.
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