BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Buy a Mountain Bike Suspension Fork

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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Just 10 years ago, suspension forks were a novelty. Now you find them on all types of bikes - even inexpensive ones. They'll improve your comfort and control out on the trail.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Headsets
Bike Stems
Bike V-brakes
Suspension Forks

Step1

Determine whether or not your bike frame has a "suspension specific" geometry. If your bike was built before the mid-'90s, a suspension fork may alter its handling.

Step2

Understand, also, that your selection will be limited if you have a 1-inch headtube (and not a 1-1/8-inch).

Step3

Determine how much you want to spend. Suspension forks vary in price from $100 to $600.

Step4

Consider how much you ride. If you ride often, it may be worth spending a bit more. Inexpensive forks tend to be heavy, not very active, and often develop play fairly quickly.

Step5

Consider the installation charge. Generally, this will be around $25.

Step6

Weigh in other necessary purchases. Will the new fork require you to buy a new headset? A new stem? Will you be required to upgrade to V-brakes?

Step7

Look into maintenance issues. Many of the higher performance forks require frequent maintenance. Others require little or no maintenance.

Step8

Gauge your riding style. If you are a heavier rider or a rider who likes jumps, consider a fork with a cromoly steerer.

Step9

Consider adjustabilty. Will you be able to tune this fork to your riding style, weight and riding conditions?

Step10

Ask around. See what your friends are riding. Find out what the people at your local bike shop recommend.

Tips & Warnings

Look around for deals. Often, there are great deals on "last year's" models, even when the only thing that changed on the bike was the color or stickers.
Be aware that some shops may waive the installation charge.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Suspension forks today have come a long way and there are several variables to look for. The major issue is to determine if you need air or spring fork. Will you be doing jumps? If you are, perhaps you should stick to a coil fork. Air forks are perhaps more expensive, but are for more cross-country use. A fork's travel also has a lot to do with how the bike handles. Longer forks make the bike more cumbersome but you will be able to huck off of more stuff. Shorter forks are more for racing and cross-country use.Other bells and whistles are travel, rebound, compression, lock-out, or even a combination that provides a stable pedaling platform on flat ground, but becomes active over bumps. Most of the latter kinds have a threshold adjustment.

Also remember that if your bike does not have disc brakes, keep in mind the fact that you might want to upgrade to disc later, so look into disc brake mounts.