How Much Travel For Beginner Mountain Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Depending on your skill, riding style, and terrain, there is likely an ideal amount of suspension travel. Other specs such as geometry, wheels, and tires matter too, but they are usually tailored to match a bike’s suspension. Most modern mountain bikes will have somewhere between 100mm and 170mm of suspension travel .

Is 160mm travel too much for trail riding?

160mm of travel is only really needed if you’re hitting big hucks, or you’re smashing really long bouldery fast descents . Do I need 160mm travel? 99% of the time, no.

How should a beginner start mountain biking?

Is 120 enough to travel?

In addition, you’re not likely to notice much difference between a 120mm, 130mm, and 140mm fork. Honesty, a 120mm fork is enough travel for most Trail riders .

What does 130mm travel mean?

~130mm Travel: “Trail” Bikes

Around 130mm travel is what most companies would call a “Trail” bike. These are generally designed for all around riding. They climb pretty well, and they descend pretty well. 130mm is also about the longest travel fork that you’ll commonly find on a hardtail.

Is 100 mm travel enough?

yes, it’s plenty . pro-Dh’ers need/use 200mm-ish. mere mortals will be riding stuff that’s half as gnarly*, half as fast*. that’ll be 100mm being plenty for us then.

Is 170mm travel too much?

But Yeah, 170mm will still be fine , you are getting on for DH-esq travel, however if you think you might make use of it, or it will help you man up a shade more then there’s no harm in giving it a whirl.

Is 80mm travel enough?

I rode it for 3 rides and came to the conclusion that 80mm isn’t enough . I have to run too much air in it to allow it to be plush. Upping the travel to 90mm made a noticable difference in plushness. If your frame will accomodate, I’d suggest 100mm.

How much difference does 20mm of travel make?

As a rough estimate, each 20mm of travel added will correlate to a one-degree difference in the head tube angle.

Is 140mm travel too much?

140mm of travel is not much in real terms ...its just like a slight bend of the legs... I think many people get caught up in exactly how much travel to use. The important thing is that the travel you use suits the bike design and wont spoil the angles or turn it into a “chopper”.

Is 150mm travel enough for bike park?

150 mm travel fork is plenty ! You will have fun for sure. If you are the biker for big jumps & drops and bike parks the Swoop is a great bike. But takes fun away when doing trail biking on tamer trails.

Is mountain biking hard for beginners?

Well, that depends on what you consider hard... Yes, it takes effort to pedal uphill and you may feel like you’re dying at times. Just like any form of exercise, mountain biking can be physically challenging especially when you’re just starting out and your muscles aren’t conditioned to riding a bike.

Is mountain bike good for beginners?

We usually recommend a hardtail to start off on, but luckily the best budget mountain bikes can encompass both genres. There loads of different types of mountain biking and bikes dedicated to each of those disciplines, but for most new riders trail mountain biking is the best place to start .

Can I use mountain bike on road?

Yes, you can ride a mountain bike on the road . Many people like to have a mountain bike instead of a road bike or hybrid because they like the option of being able to ride off-road should they choose. We look into the pros and cons of riding a mountain bike on the road.

How much travel should you use?

Set sag between 20-30%. If you only ride smooth trails, you should still use about 3/4 of the travel . Measure this, since the exposed stanchion is longer than fork travel. If you start to ride harder or start to ride rougher trails and bigger drops, you will need to add air.

How much does it cost to go to Whistler?

The average price of a 7-day trip to Whistler is $1,547 for a solo traveler, $2,778 for a couple, and $5,209 for a family of 4 . Whistler hotels range from $53 to $164 per night with an average of $104, while most vacation rentals will cost $220 to $1000 per night for the entire home.

What does 120mm travel mean?

travel is how far down the fork can compress (how much shorter it will get when it is pushed as far as it will go) like spawne said, short travell (usually 120mm or less) is for cross country , medium (130-160mm usually) is for trail, or all mountain riding. anything 160mm or more will be for downhill or freeride.

Are air forks better than coil?

Air forks provide better bottom-out resistance

Near the end of the range, it takes a huge amount of force to further compress the air inside. The total amount of force required to compress an air fork and bottom it out is greater than a coil fork. This is assuming that both are set for the same rider weight.

What mountain bike has the most travel?

Enduro. Enduro bikes have between 150 and 170mm, or even 180mm, of travel in the most extreme cases. They are designed to tackle the toughest tracks and bike park laps while still being light enough to pedal to the top of the hills.

Is 150mm travel enough for Enduro?

What should I look for in the best enduro mountain bikes? An enduro bike is basically a mountain bike with at least 150mm of suspension travel , but more commonly 160-180mm. They’re built for the rigours of racing full-bore downhill whilst being sufficiently efficient on climbs and contouring trails too.

Can you jump on a hardtail?

Hardtail mountain bikes are good for jumps . It is also easier to jump on a hardtail mountain bike compared to a full-suspension mountain bike. However, because of the lack of a rear suspension, the drop on a hardtail won’t be as forgiving compared to a full suspension.

How much travel do I need on a hardtail?

It depends totally on your riding style and the intended use. For pretty much XC or dirt jump, go with a 100mm XC or dirt jump fork. For general trail riding a 120 to 130 would work well. For AM to light Free ride a 140 to 160mm fork would be the ticket.

Can you fit 120mm fork on a 100mm bike?

Yes, it is noticeable but not a disaster . You may have to alter the stem length to compensate but if you want to try it, go for it.

Can the YT Capra climb?

It worked well up switchbacks and tight climbs , and the short top tube really did let me manipulate my weight on the bike.

How do you travel with a mountain bike?

Does a mountain bike need suspension?

Most mountain bikes have suspension to keep you in control over rough ground , but not all mountain bikers need the same amount and type of suspension. Hardtail mountain bikes do not feature a rear shock, whereas full suspension bikes feature front and rear shocks.

Emily Lee
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Emily Lee
Emily Lee is a freelance writer and artist based in New York City. She’s an accomplished writer with a deep passion for the arts, and brings a unique perspective to the world of entertainment. Emily has written about art, entertainment, and pop culture.