How to Buy a New Suspension Fork for a Hardtail Mountain Bike
About a year ago I purchased an entry level hardtail mountain bike. At the time I did not want to spend a lot of money and I did not want poor quality. So I purchase a bike that had a good frame and basic components.
After riding for a year I have decided that I want to improve the comfort and control of my bike on the trail. Therefore I made the decision to upgrade my front suspension fork on my hardtail mountain bike.
My initial research concluded that there are a lot of different brands, types and sizes forks on the market so I conceded knew I needed help. After all, suspension forks are expensive and I didn’t want to waste my money.
After talking to different rides, employees at a few bike shops, reading article and posting questions online I put together a couple of bullet points to consider when buying a front suspension fork.
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Determine if your bike has the geometry to support a suspension fork. If it does have the correct geometry try to determine the maximum height fork it can accommodate. I almost bought a fork with 160mm of travel but the seller convinced me not to buy it because he believed my bike did not have the correct geometry. After checking with the factory I determined that he was correct.
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Consider your riding style. Are you a cross country, down hill or a dirt jump rider. Make sure you buy a fork that suites your style of ride. This will help prevent you from buying more fork then you need.
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Determine your budget and stick to it. Suspension forks can vary in price and can be very expensive. However if you ride often spending a little more on a fork might be warranted.
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Determine the size of the bikes head tube. The size of the tube could limit your selections. Is your head tube 1 inch or 1 1/8 inches, etc?
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Consider buying a suspension fork that is adjustable. Some forks are adjustable at the head and some have a pop lock adjuster that mounts on the handlebars. The adjustable function will accommodate different riding terrains.
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Determine if you need to buy new parts to install your new fork. Do you need a new headset, stem or brakes?
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Consider the installation charges of a new fork. If you plan on installing the fork yourself you will need to press on a bearing and potentially cut the fork tub. This could result in additional tools and time so you want to weigh your options.
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Find out what your friends are riding and ask them their opinion on brand and options. Ask them if you can ride their bike to test out their fork.
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Do you want to buy new or used? Some riders buy great bikes, immediately upgrade them and never use the original parts. You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which lists mountain bike classifieds containing bikes for sale, bike parts and race events.
Keep in mind list above will help you get started in your decision making process and there are more items to consider as you explore your options.
The tips listed above will hopefully help you narrow down your choices before you purchase a new fork. Good luck and see you on the trail.
About the Author
Experience with full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes, bike parts and organizing race events for mountain biking.
bikes for salemountain bike classifieds
Fisher Farm Mountain Bike Trail, Stem Cam
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PAZZAZ CROSS COUNTRY OR DOWN HILL MOUNTAIN BIKE HANDLEBAR & STEM 31.8″ $25.00 |
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New Uno MTB Bicycle Bike Ahead Stem 1-1/8″ x 110mm 20° Purple $7.99 |
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IDIO CARBON STEM MTB ROAD ALLOY 31.8 80MM WHITE c $44.99 |
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Orange Answer DJ Threadless Mountain Bike Stem – 50mm x 31.8mm $9.95 |
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Orange Answer DJ Threadless Mountain Bike Stem – 35mm x 31.8mm $9.95 |
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Pink Answer DJ Threadless Mountain Bike Stem – 50mm x 31.8mm $9.95 |
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Pink Answer DJ Threadless Mountain Bike Stem – 35mm x 31.8mm $9.95 |
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Renthal Integra DM MTB Stem 0 Deg 45/50mm 31.8mm CNC Alloy 2 Piece Gold/Black $155.78 |
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Raceface Evolve XC MTB stem 100mm 31.8 $24.99 |
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Giant Contact Stem 100mm 8° oversize bars 1⅛” steerer. Mountain bike MTB $26.64 |
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New Ritchey Pro 30D MTB/ROAD Bike Stem 31.8 o/s 90 mm 30 degree rise $48.00 |
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AFFIX HYDRO MTB 28.6mm ROTOR HYDRAULIC MINERAL HANDLEBAR STEM RRP £129.99 $78.39 |
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NEW UNO Ultralight 31.8D x 60mm MTB ROAD BIKE STEM 88g $27.44 |
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gobike88 KREX C-Clip Cable Guide for MTB, 5 pieces, Red, 401 $6.39 |
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gobike88 KREX C-Clip Cable Guide for MTB, 5 pieces, Gold, 400 $6.39 |
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IDIO MTB ROAD STEM ALLOY + CARBON COVER – BLACK COLOR – 90MM X 31.8MM $45.95 |
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ITM 1 1/8″ Threadless MTB/ROAD BIKE STEM 120mm 31.8 NEW $14.97 |
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Hylix Carbon stem Road/Mountain bike 31.8mm/1-1/8″-145g $47.00 |
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Ritchey OS O/S, 31.8 bar bore x 6˚ rise x 90mm Mountain Bike Bicycle Stem $15.00 |
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Thomson X4 Mountain Bike Stem 110 mm Black $49.00 |
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Reynolds 1″ Inch Carbon Headset Stem Spacer 5mm x 1 Single Piece -MTB Road Bike $1.99 |
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Reynolds 1 1/8″ Carbon Headset Stem Spacer 20mm x 1 Single Piece -MTB Road Bike $4.95 |
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Stans 35mm Tubeless MTB Universal Valve Stem / Core – Pair – FREE SHIPPING $18.99 |
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New PZ Racing CR2.3S MTB ROAD Alloy Stem 31.8 x 90mm , Black $37.00 |
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gobike88 KREX C-Clip Cable Guide for MTB, 10 pieces, Gold, 400 $8.79 |
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gobike88 KREX C-Clip Cable Guide for MTB, 10 pieces, Red, 401 $8.79 |
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New PZ Racing CR2.3S MTB ROAD Alloy Stem 31.8 x 80mm , Black $37.00 |
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New PZ Racing CR2.3S MTB ROAD Alloy Stem 31.8 x 60mm , Black $37.00 |
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2012 New Full Carbon Fiber 3K glossy Road / MTB Bike Stem 31.8mm 90mm – 115g $29.00 |
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RINGLE ATB MOUNTAIN BIKE STEM – Evolution Series $0.99 |
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2012 Brand New Full Carbon 3K MTB Mountain Bike Flat Handlebar 600mm Stem 100mm $99.00 |
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2012 Brand New Full Carbon 3K MTB Mountain Bike Flat Handlebar 600mm Stem 110mm $99.00 |
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2012 Brand New Full Carbon 3K Road / MTB Mountain Bike Stem 31.8mm x 110mm $48.99 |
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TOKEN TK930A Road MTB Bike Bicycle Stem 31.8 x 80 mm $42.95 |
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Vintage Road Or MTB Stem $0.99 |
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TOKEN TK930A Road MTB Bike Bicycle Stem 31.8 x 70 mm $42.95 |
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TOKEN TK930A Road MTB Bike Bicycle Stem 31.8 x 90 mm $42.95 |
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New PZ Racing CR2.2S MTB ROAD Alloy 2014+ Carbon Stem 31.8 x 90mm $84.00 |
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Thomson X4 Elite Stem 31.8 x 50 mm 5 cm 0 Deg 1-1/8″ MTB Road Bike Black New $99.99 |
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Thomson X4 Stem 31.8 x 80 mm 8 cm 0 Deg 1-1/8″ MTB Road Bike Black New $99.99 |
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New PZ Racing CR3.1S MTB ROAD Full Carbon Fiber Stem 31.8 x 90mm $172.00 |
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YELLOW MTB bike Stem Alloy 90mm RISE New in box $14.90 |
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BBB BHS-15 MTB Black 120mm Lite Alu Stem 1-1/8 25.4 Clamp 4blt Face Plate 135g $19.95 |
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BBB BHS-15 MTB Black 105mm Lite Alu Stem 1-1/8 25.4 Clamp 4blt Face Plate 135g $23.95 |
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1 1/8th Inch RMB Mountain Bike Stem 25.4 x 100mm L@@K! $1.35 |
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GUB Aluminium / Alloy Stem Road/Mountain bike $18.56 |
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FSA GRAVITY Mtb Bike Stem 60mm 31.8mm 6 Degree 1.5″ NEW $19.97 |
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MasterBuilt 23102009 Butterball 12-Inch Stainless Steel Deep Fry Thermometer $14.47 Butterball is 12 in. thermometer is great for measuring temperatures in all kinds of meats to make sure they are cooked completely. Easy to read dial. 12 in. shaft for measuring temperatures.Measures temperatures from 50 degrees to 550 degrees fahrenheit…. |
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RAM Mounting Systems RAM-B-149Z-GA12U Handlebar Mount for Garmin Astro 220, GPS 60, GPSMAP 60, 60C, 60CS, 60CX, 60CSx $27.98 The RAM marine grade aluminum mount with zinc coated U-Bolt rail adaptor base includes a 1” diameter ball and socket system with RAM plastic cradle for the Garmin Astro 220, GPS 60, GPSMAP 60, 60C, 60CS, 60CX, 60CSx. The rail adaptor base will fit circular rails from .75″ to 1″ in diameter. Manufactured in the USA and comes with RAM Lifetime Warranty…. |
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SM020+CM032-ST-2: SmartPhone Bike Mount $16.95 # Soft, cushioned side grip “jaws” # Adjustable support legs # Compatible with most mobile phones # Compatible with iPods 3G and 4G # Dual T-Slot connection on backside of cradle… |
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Azonic 888 DM 47mm Extension Off-Road Cycling MTB Stem – Black Marzocchi 888 Direct Mount StemCNC Machined 6061 T6 Aluminum47mm extension0 degree RiseWeight: 218g/Anodized… |
