[jonshonda]

Looking at a new XL Krampus first loser build (aka rigid) and the shop has a variety of suspension fork options. I wouldn't mind the added stack height and slacker ht angle, and have always liked stiffer forks at 6'2" 250lbs. Plan is running 3" tires on 40mm rims. For I am drawn to the Fox 36 as I have yet to ride a Fox.

Options the shop has in stock.
Rockshox 35 Gold 120mm

130mm Rockshox Pike Ultimate RCT

Fox 34 Factory Grip2 Damper 130mm

Fox 36 Performance Elite Grip2 140mm lightly used, and what I think is a decent price.

 

[*OneSpeed*]

It can be done (140) but it's not ideal IMO. You'll likely want a -1.5 or -2 headset to keep from messing up the geo. Note the already slack seattube angle.

I'm 6'3" with an XL, I used to have a 120mm fork on it and it was kind of floppy without the angleset. Currently running it rigid with the stock fork now.

I know there are a couple of guys on here with a 130-140 fork, just depends on personal preference and local terrain.

I guess the used Fox 36 with Grip2 is what I would go for, with an angled headset. Worst case you can always buy a new air shaft and shorten it if you feel you need to, but that's a killer fork.

 

[jonshonda]

Thanks for the info. I don't really need 140mm of travel, what I do need is a little stack. But it would be interesting to ride the rigid and suspension fork models back to back to see the difference.

 

[*OneSpeed*]

Yeah, without the added height from the longer suspension fork, when I converted it back to rigid I added a nice riser bar. (along with headset spacers of course.

Surly has really short headtubes...

Here's mine now.

 

[marvin rouge]

I’m running a Bombtrack BPC rigid fork on my XL Krampus. At 500mm a-c it’s 17mm longer over the stock Surly 483mm the bike came with ( taking the head angle from the specced 69* to around ~68.2*). It’s equivalent to a sagged ~130mm fork, or maybe a bit more, right?

Irrespective, bb drop shrinks from 65 to something a few mm less? No problem. Offset increases from 47mm to 51mm on this fork, giving a bit of nimble to counteract the slacker. Nicely higher stack. All good.

I like the handling - just a slight hint of flop. Carves really well at speed - good for rowdy - but its still very manageable for slow speed climbing.

My guess is that a 140mm fork may work, shining on the steeps? Whereas the bike may perceptibly less wieldy elsewhere? I guess the decision could best rest on the bike’s 90% use…

 

[NYrr496]

My Krampus was originally rigid and I had no plans to put a suspension fork on it but I got this Yari SO cheap. It took some getting used to because I was really good on that bike rigid with a 3.25" front tire. Now I run a 3 inch Bontrager XR4 and I really love it.
Please never mind my son. He found a bunch of pictures of me as a teen flipping the bird and now I can't point a camera at him without getting it. He really likes that bike. Rides it whenever I go fat.
I'm pretty sure that's a 120mm fork on my bike. I honestly installed it, set the air pressure and off I went. Haven't touched it again.

 

[marvin rouge]

Something funky with the website - anyway, also deleted.

 

[marvin rouge]

deleted

 

[AOK]

The stock 120mm fork that comes on the Krampus these days has a a-c of 537 and I believe that Surly says the max acceptable a-c is 550.

So if you are running the 36 at 140 you are 10mm over the stock fork but still in Surly's recommended range. Seems like it would work fine to me.

FWIW I am running a Fox 36 set at 130mm on my Krampus. Axle to crown for this fork is 537mm and it seems to handle just fine.

 

[916062]

Currently running a 120mm fork with 3" riser bars. I still sort of prefer the way the krampus geometry handles though in rigid mode...It feels more balanced and planted especially climbing. Not sure what 140mm would be like but maybe fine if you are more into bombing downhills.

 

[jonshonda]

Currently running a 120mm fork with 3" riser bars. I still sort of prefer the way the krampus geometry handles though in rigid mode...It feels more balanced and planted especially climbing. Not sure what 140mm would be like but maybe fine if you are more into bombing downhills. View attachment 1952638

Greywall dirt wizards? Looks neat!!

I also prefer rigid handling on pretty much every bike as it is much more predictable for my size and weight (aka don't have to worry about dive or pumping a lot to lift). But my wrists more then likely will let me know I shouldn't be riding rigid.

The shop has a used 36 for less then half of retail and I am really tempted to get it. Can if be dropped to 120mm travel? They have the surly sunrise bars, and some slx 4 piston brakes I think I might have them throw on as well.

 

[AOK]

The shop has a used 36 for less then half of retail and I am really tempted to get it. Can if be dropped to 120mm travel?

130 is the shortest air shaft I have seen for a 36. Here is the one that I put in my fork.

Fox Racing Shox 36 Float Air Shaft - 2020

Fox's 36 Float air shaft now includes a top out bumper which provides for a smoother ride when the trails gets rowdy. 130, 140, 150, and 160mm air shafts fit Factory, Performance, and GRIP 27.5" / 29" 36 forks 170mm air shaft fits ONLY 27.5" or 29" LONG TRAVEL chassis 36 forks 180mm air shaft...

www.fanatikbike.com

Note that if the 36 is a 2021 I think it uses a different shaft.

 

[jonshonda]

130 is the shortest air shaft I have seen for a 36. Here is the one that I put in my fork.

Fox Racing Shox 36 Float Air Shaft - 2020

Fox's 36 Float air shaft now includes a top out bumper which provides for a smoother ride when the trails gets rowdy. 130, 140, 150, and 160mm air shafts fit Factory, Performance, and GRIP 27.5" / 29" 36 forks 170mm air shaft fits ONLY 27.5" or 29" LONG TRAVEL chassis 36 forks 180mm air shaft...

www.fanatikbike.com

Note that if the 36 is a 2021 I think it uses a different shaft.

Hey thanks for the link! I am pretty excited to try a Krampus again, mostly to compare and contrast against my current Growler American Stout with 455mm chainstays.

I have had this stupid idea for a while now that I want custom hardtail frame, and found that the XXL Growler fit me well. The only problem is the stays are longer then I "think" I want for normal riding, and hoping the Krampus will get me closer to the ideal custom frame geo for me.

 

[AOK]

Plan is running 3" tires on 40mm rims. For I am drawn to the Fox 36 as I have yet to ride a Fox.

I think this will work, but it will be somewhat tight based on my experience. I have lots of room with the 36 as shown above, but that is with 2.8" tires on a 30mm rim.

I have some 3.0" tires that I will run at some point. I slapped them in there just to test fit in the 36 and while they fit, there was much less clearance under the arch. I had the 3" tires mounted on the same 30mm rims, so I would assume they will flatten out a little on a wider rim and give a touch more arch clearance.

I actually have a 29+ Yari sitting in the box that I was planning to run with the 3" tires and wider rims at some point. It has plenty of clearance and should work with any config I can come up with. So if you are for sure planning on running 3" tires with wide rims you might consider getting the dedicated 29+ fork. The 120/130 models with 51mm offset listed here are the 29+ ones. The downside of the 29+ fork is an even longer a-c. I think the Yari set at 120mm is longer than my 130mm Fox.

Rock Shox Yari RC Solo Air B3 29" Forks

Rock Shox Yari RC Solo Air B3 29" Forks :: 15x110mm Boost Spacing :: From $299.99 :: Rock Shox Yari 29 Inch "Boost" Forks

www.universalcycles.com

Having said all of that, for now I have been having a blast with my 36 and 2.8" tires. I will probably leave it this way for a while.

 

[jonshonda]

I think this will work, but it will be somewhat tight based on my experience. I have lots of room with the 36 as shown above, but that is with 2.8" tires on a 30mm rim.

I have some 3.0" tires that I will run at some point. I slapped them in there just to test fit in the 36 and while they fit, there was much less clearance under the arch. I had the 3" tires mounted on the same 30mm rims, so I would assume they will flatten out a little on a wider rim and give a touch more arch clearance.

I actually have a 29+ Yari sitting in the box that I was planning to run with the 3" tires and wider rims at some point. It has plenty of clearance and should work with any config I can come up with. So if you are for sure planning on running 3" tires with wide rims you might consider getting the dedicated 29+ fork. The 120/130 models with 51mm offset listed here are the 29+ ones. The downside of the 29+ fork is an even longer a-c. I think the Yari set at 120mm is longer than my 130mm Fox.

Rock Shox Yari RC Solo Air B3 29" Forks

Rock Shox Yari RC Solo Air B3 29" Forks :: 15x110mm Boost Spacing :: From $299.99 :: Rock Shox Yari 29 Inch "Boost" Forks

www.universalcycles.com

Having said all of that, for now I have been having a blast with my 36 and 2.8" tires. I will probably leave it this way for a while.

Yeah to be honest I don't know for sure that the guy at the bike shop knows for sure the combo will even work, but I don't know the shop very well and that isn't fair of me to say without doing a fit up. My plan would be to run 40mm rims with 3" tires to maximize the volume and profile.

 

[marvin rouge]

Thinking on this, Fox site says 537mm a-c on their 130mm fork. Taking account of typical 30% sag of 130mm travel is approximately 43mm. Subtract that off 537mm and the fork is sitting at 494mm. Under braking, less even.

For 140mm @ 30% it’s 547 - 45mm = 502mm a-c. Just the same as my Krampus’s rigid Bombtrack fork, which is fab. I’m coming to the view that 140mm could be perfect…

Or is my maths wrong?

 

[MendonCycleSmith]

Running a Pike at 140 on my gen 2 Kramp, and have 100% zero complaints.

I'd say go for it, and shorten it if you don't like it. Bikes are nice that way....

 

[NYrr496]

I want to know how Loren0090 got that bike to that spot without getting any mud on the tires.

 

[jonshonda]

Running a Pike at 140 on my gen 2 Kramp, and have 100% zero complaints.

I'd say go for it, and shorten it if you don't like it. Bikes are nice that way....

Good to know! Might give it a go!

 

[916062]

I want to know how Loren0090 got that bike to that spot without getting any mud on the tires.

"The mudless mystery of Mathieu van der Poel's shoes - CyclingTips" The mudless mystery of Mathieu van der Poel's shoes - CyclingTips