When it comes to mountain biking, having a well-tuned suspension is crucial for a smooth and controlled ride. One key component of your bike’s suspension system is the fork, which helps absorb impacts and keeps the bike stable on rough terrain. However, there may be times when you want to adjust the travel of your fork to suit your riding style or the specific trail conditions you’ll be facing. Shortening the fork travel can provide you with a more responsive and agile ride, allowing you to navigate tight corners and technical sections with ease.
What is Fork Travel?
Fork travel refers to the distance the fork can compress and extend. It is typically measured in millimeters and determines how much the fork can absorb impacts. In general, longer travel forks are designed for more aggressive riding styles and rougher terrains, while shorter travel forks are better suited for smoother trails and cross-country riding. Shortening the fork travel reduces the distance the fork can compress and extend, making it stiffer and more responsive.
Why Shorten Fork Travel?
Shortening the fork travel can benefit riders who prefer a more aggressive and nimble riding style. By reducing the fork travel, you effectively increase the stiffness of the fork, which improves the bike’s handling and responsiveness. This can be advantageous when tackling technical sections or navigating tight switchbacks, as the reduced travel allows for quicker and more precise steering. Additionally, shorter travel forks are typically lighter, resulting in less weight on the front end of the bike and making it easier to lift the front wheel over obstacles.
Adjusting air pressure
Adjusting the air pressure in your fork is an effective way to shorten its travel and make it stiffer. This can be especially useful for riders who prefer a more responsive and aggressive riding style.
To adjust the air pressure, you will need a shock pump specifically designed for forks. Most forks have a valve on the top cap that allows you to add or release air pressure.
Here are the steps to follow when adjusting the air pressure in your fork:
- Start by checking the recommended air pressure range for your specific fork model. This information can typically be found in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
- Attach the shock pump to the valve on the top cap of your fork.
- Pump a few times to increase the air pressure or release some air by pressing on the valve button to decrease the pressure. You can use the pressure gauge on the pump to help you achieve the desired pressure.
- Test out your fork to see if the travel has been shortened and if the stiffness suits your riding preferences.
- If needed, repeat the process to fine-tune the air pressure until you achieve the desired results.
Keep in mind that adjusting the air pressure affects the overall performance of your fork. If you decrease the pressure too much, the fork may feel harsh and uncomfortable, while too much pressure may result in a lack of sensitivity and responsiveness.
It’s important to find the right balance that suits your riding style and trail conditions. Experiment with different air pressures to find what works best for you, and don’t be afraid to seek advice from experienced riders or bike mechanics.
Changing the travel spacers
If you want to shorten the travel of your fork, one option you have is to change the travel spacers. The travel spacers are small plastic or metal rings that sit inside the fork’s air spring assembly and determine its overall travel length.
To change the travel spacers, you will need to disassemble the fork and access the air spring assembly. This process may vary depending on the brand and model of your fork, so it’s important to consult the manufacturer’s instructions or seek professional help if you’re not confident in doing it yourself.
Once you have access to the air spring assembly, you can remove the existing travel spacers by carefully sliding them out. Take note of their arrangement and order, as this will affect the overall travel length when you reassemble the fork.
Next, you can either remove or add travel spacers to achieve your desired fork travel length. If you want to shorten the travel, you can remove a spacer or replace it with a smaller one. On the other hand, if you want to increase the travel, you can add spacers or replace them with larger ones.
It’s important to note that changing the travel spacers will affect the performance and characteristics of your fork. Shortening the travel may make it stiffer and more suitable for aggressive riding, while lengthening the travel may make it more suitable for technical and rough terrains.
After making the necessary changes to the travel spacers, carefully reassemble the fork, ensuring that all components are securely in place. It’s a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s recommended torque specifications when tightening bolts and fasteners.
Once the fork is reassembled, you may need to adjust the sag and rebound settings to optimize the fork’s performance. Experiment with different settings to find the right balance and feel for your riding style and preferences.
Remember, changing the travel spacers is a technical procedure that requires proper knowledge and skills. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with performing this task, it’s always best to seek professional assistance to ensure your fork is properly adjusted and safe to ride.
Adding or removing volume tokens
One way to shorten fork travel is by adding or removing volume tokens to the fork’s air spring chamber. A volume token is a small plastic spacer that is inserted into the fork’s air spring to reduce its volume. By reducing the volume of the air spring, you can make the fork compress more easily and reach its travel limit quicker, effectively shortening the overall travel.
To add volume tokens, you will need to disassemble your fork and access the air spring chamber. Consult your fork’s manufacturer manual for specific instructions on how to do this for your particular model. Once you have access to the air spring chamber, you can easily install additional volume tokens. These tokens are typically added in increments of one or two, but the exact number will depend on your fork model and personal preference.
On the other hand, if you want to increase the fork travel, you can remove volume tokens from the air spring chamber. This will increase the volume of the air spring and make the fork compress less easily, resulting in longer travel. Again, consult your fork’s manual for specific instructions on how to remove volume tokens for your fork model.
It’s important to note that adding or removing volume tokens can affect the performance and feel of your fork. Adding tokens will make the fork feel more progressive and supportive, while removing tokens will make it feel more linear and supple. Therefore, it’s recommended to experiment with different token configurations to find the setup that suits your riding style and preferences.
To summarize, adding or removing volume tokens is an effective way to shorten or increase the travel of your fork. However, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take the time to experiment with different configurations to find the right setup for you.
Replacing the spring
If you want to shorten the travel of your fork, one option is to replace the spring with a shorter one. The spring is a critical component of the fork, as it provides the suspension and absorbs the impact when riding over rough terrain.
Before replacing the spring, you should first determine the current travel of your fork and how much you want to shorten it. This will help you choose the appropriate replacement spring.
Steps to replace the spring:
- Remove the fork: Start by removing the front wheel and loosening the bolts that secure the fork to the bike frame. Carefully slide the fork out of the frame.
- Disassemble the fork: Once the fork is removed, disassemble it by unscrewing the top cap and removing the spring from inside.
- Measure the spring: Take the measurement of the current spring to determine its length and determine the desired length for the new spring.
- Select the replacement spring: Consult with a bike specialist or research online to find a replacement spring that matches your requirements.
- Install the new spring: Insert the new spring into the fork and reassemble the fork by screwing the top cap back on.
- Reinstall the fork: Slide the fork back into the bike frame and tighten the bolts securely. Make sure the fork is aligned and straight before tightening.
- Test the fork: Take the bike for a test ride to ensure the spring replacement has shortened the fork travel to your desired preference. Make any necessary adjustments if needed.
Replacing the spring can be a more cost-effective way to shorten fork travel compared to other methods. However, it’s important to consult with a bike specialist or do thorough research to ensure you choose the right replacement spring for your fork and riding style.
