SUSPENSIONS

Compatibility to check

• Wheel size: 29" or 27.5". A 29" fork also takes a 27.5" wheel, but raises the front of the bike.
• Steerer: tapered (1 1/2" at the bottom, 1 1/8" at the top) on almost all recent MTBs, straight 1 1/8" on older ones. A new steerer is long and is cut to length when fitted.
• Axle: 15x110 mm Boost on most recent MTBs, 15x100 mm on older ones. It must match your front hub.
• Brake mount: Post Mount, with a minimum and maximum rotor size set by the manufacturer (often 180 mm minimum on enduro forks).

Travel for your riding

• Cross-country: 100 to 120 mm, for low weight and efficiency.
• Trail and all-mountain: 130 to 150 mm, the best compromise for riding anywhere.
• Enduro: 150 to 180 mm, with 36 to 38 mm stanchions for stiffness.
• Downhill: 180 to 200 mm, dual crown.

Stay within the travel range set by your frame manufacturer: 10 mm more already changes the geometry, and beyond that the frame warranty may be refused.

Air or coil?

• Air spring: the most common. It is set to your weight with a high-pressure shock pump and stays light.
• Coil spring: more sensitive over small bumps and consistent on long descents, but heavier. The spring is chosen according to your weight.

Adjustments

The more advanced the damper, the more adjustments it offers: rebound, low-speed compression, high-speed compression, sometimes a lockout for climbing. On Fox, the Grip2 damper adjusts everything separately; on DVO, the OTT system adjusts the negative spring preload.

Frequently asked questions

See also: MTB wheels · MTB brakes · MTB frames