[moto120]

I am building up a full suspension 29er frame set that I have. The original spec fork was 140mm Can I use either a 130mm or 150mm fork on the bike?
I have a 130mm fork sitting around. Would a change of fork travel by 10mm either up or down affect the handling? Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[TraxFactory]

typically 10mm is ok....

generally longer travel will give slower steering slightly better stability higher speeds....shorter will be the opposite, faster steering, snappier turning..

 

[stripes]

I am building up a full suspension 29er frame set that I have. The original spec fork was 140mm Can I use either a 130mm or 150mm fork on the bike?
I have a 130mm fork sitting around. Would a change of fork travel by 10mm either up or down affect the handling? Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

Yes. 10mm in either direction changes the geometry of a bike. While it may not seem like much, it’s definitely noticeable.

Raise the fork 10mm:

• Slacken the HA and SA .5 degrees
• Raise the BB 3-4mm

Lower the fork 10mm

• Steepen the HA and SA .5 degrees
• Lower the BB 3-4mm

What frame are you talking about?

Some frames have a range of travel they’re ok with, others do not.

 

[moto120]

It is a Felt Virtue Nine 60. Original spec was 140mm fork/130mm rear travel

 

[Shark]

I would not go down in travel, lower bottom bracket and steeper head tube.

I would go higher.

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[Joe Handlebar]

Surprisingly, I often see people respond with only changes in HTA, STA and BB height in these types of conversations and never mentioning the change in the trail measurement. By changing the HTA, and maintaining the same offset in the fork, trail will change also. Increasing the HTA will increase the trail measurement, and vice versa. As a (former) frame builder, I've always found trail to be a key factor to the way a bike feels. Certainly, everything put together gives the full picture, but it doesn't seem to get brought up much.

 

[Cary]

Surprisingly, I often see people respond with only changes in HTA, STA and BB height in these types of conversations and never mentioning the change in the trail measurement. By changing the HTA, and maintaining the same offset in the fork, trail will change also. Increasing the HTA will increase the trail measurement, and vice versa. As a (former) frame builder, I've always found trail to be a key factor to the way a bike feels. Certainly, everything put together gives the full picture, but it doesn't seem to get brought up much.

As you know head angle, wheel size, and fork offset dictate total trail. Consumers compare head angles, builders look at the total trail.

 

[Shark]

How much does a 10mm difference affect all that?

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[MSU Alum]

I am building up a full suspension 29er frame set that I have. The original spec fork was 140mm Can I use either a 130mm or 150mm fork on the bike?
I have a 130mm fork sitting around. Would a change of fork travel by 10mm either up or down affect the handling? Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

You have a 130. Put it on. If you hate it, buy a 140 or 150. You might even be able to extend your 130 to 140, depending on make and model.

 

[maynard4130]

You could use a 130 fork and a 10mm crown race spacer to keep the original specs.

 

[Joe Handlebar]

As you know head angle, wheel size, and fork offset dictate total trail. Consumers compare head angles, builders look at the total trail.

That was the point....yes.

 

[attaboy]

For those who want a more thorough explanation: The Relationship Between Fork Offset, Headtube Angle, and Wheel Size: Trail

 

[TraxFactory]

Some people like to geek out with all the numbers and massively over analyze the difference others like to just slap the fork on and feel it.

Many people run their Fork soft with more sag then needed turning their 140 into 130 essentially... not saying it's right or wrong but unless you're really honed into those little things you may never notice the difference of 10mm.

All that said I think you would feel less of a difference going longer than you would shorter, yes because of the end resulting trail.