Comments on: An Experiment In Front End Geometry: Fork #1 http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/ 29er Bike Reviews, Rumors and News Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:04:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Dave http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43907 Dave Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:19:05 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43907 I do appreciate it, Ted. You know, I thought about this stuff a lot when I was selecting my road frame/fork. I even went to a 43mm rake from stock 40mm rake (steel Schwinn) to quicken the already quick handling. I guess I was conditioned from my front-sprung days on the MTB where the rake/offset "was what it was" when you got a suspension fork. But this series of posts got me thinking again that the rigid setup is quite tweakable. So a Salsa Cromoto Grande is on its way with its 43mm of rake to replace my stock MC29er's 38mm rake. :-) I do appreciate it, Ted. You know, I thought about this stuff a lot when I was selecting my road frame/fork. I even went to a 43mm rake from stock 40mm rake (steel Schwinn) to quicken the already quick handling.

I guess I was conditioned from my front-sprung days on the MTB where the rake/offset “was what it was” when you got a suspension fork. But this series of posts got me thinking again that the rigid setup is quite tweakable.

So a Salsa Cromoto Grande is on its way with its 43mm of rake to replace my stock MC29er’s 38mm rake. :-)

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43902 Guitar Ted Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:39:33 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43902 Steve: My aim in doing this is to help those that might be considering "tuning their rides", not an exercise in the effects of different geometry tweaks. Not everyone can have a fork like Walt Wehner's test fork, but many of you can and are doing real world fork swaps with commonly available forks and frames. That is why I am using the forks I am posting about. :) Steve: My aim in doing this is to help those that might be considering “tuning their rides”, not an exercise in the effects of different geometry tweaks.

Not everyone can have a fork like Walt Wehner’s test fork, but many of you can and are doing real world fork swaps with commonly available forks and frames. That is why I am using the forks I am posting about. :)

]]> By: Steve http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43883 Steve Tue, 05 Aug 2008 05:14:12 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43883 Why not commission that Walt fork or have a better ( adj. A-C and rake) fork built fore this test? I bet Walt's fork is just sitting, collecting dust. And what aspiring framebuilder wouldn't want to donate such a fork in exchange for some publicity? Any attempt to compare geometry is great, but the ability to change a single dimension at a time would encourage greater understanding. (My LBS/IBD told me so) Why not commission that Walt fork or have a better ( adj. A-C and rake) fork built fore this test? I bet Walt’s fork is just sitting, collecting dust.

And what aspiring framebuilder wouldn’t want to donate such a fork in exchange for some publicity?

Any attempt to compare geometry is great, but the ability to change a single dimension at a time would encourage greater understanding.

(My LBS/IBD told me so)

]]> By: Dave http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43768 Dave Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:56:43 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43768 Man... after reading part 2, I think the quicker Blackbuck fork numbers would suit my style better than either of the two carbon offerings. I'd prefer the bike to be quick and my inputs subtle, not ham-handed. Very interesting. I'd be more than happy to test a Blackbuck fork on my MC29er. :-) Man… after reading part 2, I think the quicker Blackbuck fork numbers would suit my style better than either of the two carbon offerings. I’d prefer the bike to be quick and my inputs subtle, not ham-handed. Very interesting.

I’d be more than happy to test a Blackbuck fork on my MC29er. :-)

]]> By: Dave http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43767 Dave Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:52:59 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43767 Sorry... been away a while. Yes, Ted, that makes sense now. Sorry… been away a while. Yes, Ted, that makes sense now.

]]> By: Mike http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43763 Mike Sun, 03 Aug 2008 20:16:01 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43763 ...and if you use the same method to measure each time, you will get results that are consistent for a comparison test. …and if you use the same method to measure each time, you will get results that are consistent for a comparison test.

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43759 Guitar Ted Sun, 03 Aug 2008 19:29:43 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43759 Steve: I'm using a Craftsman pendulum protractor, which gets me as close as I need for this comparison. I measure three times to check my findings, so they are pretty accurate. If you can feel a few tenths of a degree difference in head angle, well then I applaud your sensitivity. ;) jeremy uk: Nope. 74 degrees. :) Steve: I’m using a Craftsman pendulum protractor, which gets me as close as I need for this comparison. I measure three times to check my findings, so they are pretty accurate. If you can feel a few tenths of a degree difference in head angle, well then I applaud your sensitivity. ;)

jeremy uk: Nope. 74 degrees. :)

]]> By: jeremy uk http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43711 jeremy uk Sun, 03 Aug 2008 08:44:10 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43711 I've always thought that one inch of drop on the front fork roughly equates to one degree. Given that general rule surely the head angle is nearer 73 degrees? I’ve always thought that one inch of drop on the front fork roughly equates to one degree. Given that general rule surely the head angle is nearer 73 degrees?

]]> By: Steve http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43694 Steve Sun, 03 Aug 2008 02:52:03 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43694 What are you using to get your angle measurements? Digital (good), gravity (so not good), or geometry (math is hard) What are you using to get your angle measurements? Digital (good), gravity (so not good), or geometry (math is hard)

]]> By: Guitar Ted http://twentynineinches.com/2008/07/31/an-experiment-in-front-end-geometry-fork-1/#comment-43593 Guitar Ted Sat, 02 Aug 2008 02:28:12 +0000 http://twentynineinches.com/?p=1208#comment-43593 Mike: Great story about the frame builders and thanks for that Breeze link. Very interesting! I always thought it was more about just riding, but it's more about just riding than I thought. If that makes any sense! :) Garrett: Yeah, Thanks! I'm having fun with this. (Of course, I get to ride a lot! ;) ) Makes sense that if road bikes can get away with it, why not a mountain bike? Gary Fisher told me a few years ago, "Now we can all tune our rides". in referance to being able to get other than 38mm off set suspension forks for 29"ers. I think it's great and more folks should check it out. Hopefully, this test will inspire some of you folks to do just that. :) Mike: Great story about the frame builders and thanks for that Breeze link. Very interesting! I always thought it was more about just riding, but it’s more about just riding than I thought. If that makes any sense! :)

Garrett: Yeah, Thanks! I’m having fun with this. (Of course, I get to ride a lot! ;) )

Makes sense that if road bikes can get away with it, why not a mountain bike? Gary Fisher told me a few years ago, “Now we can all tune our rides”. in referance to being able to get other than 38mm off set suspension forks for 29″ers. I think it’s great and more folks should check it out. Hopefully, this test will inspire some of you folks to do just that. :)

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