Bike Forks Buying Guide
The
bike fork is what holds the front wheel of the
bicycle; it steers and keeps the balance of the bike. There are different types of bike forks made specifically for different types of bikes. The size of the fork, the material it is made from, and the attachment points all have an effect on how the bike fork functions. A bicycle's performance depends on the bike fork that is chosen, so it is important to find the right bike fork for you and your bike.
Dimensions
* The length of the fork should run parallel to the steering tube.
* The steerer tube length is measured in order to accommodate the headset.
* The steerer tube diameter must not be larger than that of the frame.
* The blades of the forks must match the size of the wheels. The standard is to have the wheel axle fit in the fork drop outs.
Suspension Fork
* Mountain bikes encounter quite a lot of rough terrain, in which case they need bikes with good shock absorption. Suspension forks are designed for such use.
* Suspension forks not only have shock absorbers but telescoping tubes for legs.
* The shock absorbers contain a spring and a dashpot. The spring allows the suspension to lift when the wheel passes a bump and drop quickly once the wheel gets over the bump.
* The dashpot dissipates the energy so the spring in the suspension does not bounce out of control.
Bike Fork Materials
* Forks can be made from steel, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, and magnesium.
* Carbon fiber is the most popular fork material because it is lightweight and has shock absorption.
Quick Picks
Fantastic Finds
Related Guides
Major Manufacturers
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Foes Racing
*
Fox
*
Manitou
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Marzocchi
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Maverick
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Rock Shox
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Suntour
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