Have I got the wrong amount of travel on forks....?

miss notax

Hello

I bought some Fox Float 140 forks for my girlie Orange 5 (2007 frame) and I have just realised that whilst is within their recommended range, they actually advise that 150 is the optimum amount of travel (every other year has been 140 - it seems the 2007 frame was different!) :?

Is it going to make any difference that i've not got the optimum amount of travel for the frame? In reality, what difference is it really going to make to my riding? I'm not into massive drops, jumps etc, I just want a bike that can tackle anythign a trail cantre is likely to throw at it with as much ease as possible!!

Thanks for all advise

JonnyN

It's 10mm!!

cee

Hey.

The 07 Five Diva is ok for forks between 120mm and 160mm

They say the optimum is 150mm.

It would be fine with a 120mm it will be fine with a 140.

You are talking about a difference of 10mm in travel. Thats a centimetre.

You are unlikely to even notice the difference in the type of riding you talking about.

Worst case scenario is that the front sits 10mm lower than optimum, tightening the head angle (sharpening steering and reducing the downhill rock impact capability....)..

If you find this is an issue, run a tiny bit more sag at the back to counter it.....

Of course...That optimum chart assumes that all settings are set to optimum. The reality is that we use the 'about a third' measurement for sag....

Again... you will probably not even notice the difference.

Hope this helps.

C

miss notax

JonnyN wrote:

It's 10mm!!

Yep - I can manage to minus 140 from 150 thanks

I'm new to all this bike-putting-together lark and I just didn't know if it would make any difference so thought I would ask. They obviously give an optimum size for a reason :?

Thanks cee

BigJimmyB

Optimum is perfect and nothing ever is.

As said, slightly adjust sag at rear if 140mm knocks the geomerty out too much for your liking, but I reckon you probably won't notice.

I don't think anyone was knowing your mathematical ability, just highlighting the fact that we are talking about 10mm, which shouldn't cause too many dramas....

BJB

miss notax

Cheers

Torres

Keep in mind that with sag the fron't only going to be 7 or 8mm lower than it should be, which i doubt you'll notice However, if you do, a higher rise bar/stem would sort you out (i think).

ExTrEmE BiKeR

if i can put a 130mm fork on a 100mm xc bike and be fine than you should have no problems at all.

Andy B

140mm forks were pretty much standard on most '07 Orange 5's

The '07 model is the last one before they slackened off the head angle & upped the recommended/optimum travel on the front end, hence the differences you have found

My '07 5 has 140mm Fox forks, it's awesome for ragging round trails, the bike can take shedloads of abuse & shrugs off bad line choices that'd have some bikes struggling to remain composed.

Stick the forks on & go play.

miss notax

Andy B wrote:

140mm forks were pretty much standard on most '07 Orange 5's

The '07 model is the last one before they slackened off the head angle & upped the recommended/optimum travel on the front end, hence the differences you have found

My '07 5 has 140mm Fox forks, it's awesome for ragging round trails, the bike can take shedloads of abuse & shrugs off bad line choices that'd have some bikes struggling to remain composed.

Stick the forks on & go play.

Thank you - that's the perfect answer I think!!

Really glad to hear this. The forks are new and the frame has never been built, so i'm REALLY looking forward to having a fab new bike to play with