short fork

ninjanoir78

Hi, I am beginner and I am 5'10'' tall and I've had an entry level mtb, manitou fork 100mm for 2 months and now I just bought a specialized hardtail medium with rockshox brain 80mm fork but I did not know about 80-90-100mm etc, so the bike is awesome and very good deal. But someone told me that 80mm was maybe a bit short for a man and or beginner, what do you think?

thanks

cooldad

If it's the right fork for the bike, it's the right fork.

You don't change fork travel depending on height or skill level.

So your 'somebody' has no idea what they are talking about.

JGTR

If the bike is awesome then what's the problem?

ninjanoir78

ok great thank you. cause they told me that usually is about 100mm, except with specialized, 90mm and women 80mm.
80mm is supposed to very race setup... ?

cooldad

They told you bollocks. Fork travel (or length) depends on what the frame was designed for, nothing else.
My Kona Hahanna has rigid forks, no travel.
My Kona Explosif has 60mm.
My Kona Four has 100mm
My Trek Rumblefish has 120mm.
My (ex)Specialised Enduro has 150mm.
My son's Nicolai has 180mm.

Your friend is an egg.

ninjanoir78

ok good ;-)
but just last one... my rocky mountain hardtail 100mm vs my specialized 80mm, do you think it can be a lot different on the driving?

cooldad

As they are different bikes, probably. But as you have them, ride them and see.

There's a lot more to how a bike rides than fork length. Like geometry, materials used, components, weight, size, and anything else you can think of.

My hardtail Konas have frames that look identical. The Hahanna is bottom end made of plain gauge pipe, with bottom end bits. The Explosif is butted Columbus OR tubing with top end bits. They are very, very different bikes. One is OK for my short commute, the other is a very capable bike, with or without suspension.

ninjanoir78

one thing I know, it will be harder to deal with challenging trails and obstacles.

The Rookie

No, other factors than fork length affect that.