Street Bicycles

How to Buy a New Suspension Fork for a Hardtail Mountain Bike

About a year ago I purchased an entry level hardtail mountain bike. At the time I did not want to spend a lot of money and I did not want poor quality. So I purchase a bike that had a good frame and basic components.

 

After riding for a year I have decided that I want to improve the comfort and control of my bike on the trail. Therefore I made the decision to upgrade my front suspension fork on my hardtail mountain bike.

 

My initial research concluded that there are a lot of different brands, types and sizes forks on the market so I conceded knew I needed help. After all, suspension forks are expensive and I didn't want to waste my money.

 

After talking to different rides, employees at a few bike shops, reading article and posting questions online I put together a couple of bullet points to consider when buying a front suspension fork.

 

• Determine if your bike has the geometry to support a suspension fork. If it does have the correct geometry try to determine the maximum height fork it can accommodate. I almost bought a fork with 160mm of travel but the seller convinced me not to buy it because he believed my bike did not have the correct geometry. After checking with the factory I determined that he was correct.

• Consider your riding style. Are you a cross country, down hill or a dirt jump rider. Make sure you buy a fork that suites your style of ride. This will help prevent you from buying more fork then you need.

• Determine your budget and stick to it. Suspension forks can vary in price and can be very expensive. However if you ride often spending a little more on a fork might be warranted.

• Determine the size of the bikes head tube. The size of the tube could limit your selections. Is your head tube 1 inch or 1 1/8 inches, etc?

• Consider buying a suspension fork that is adjustable. Some forks are adjustable at the head and some have a pop lock adjuster that mounts on the handlebars. The adjustable function will accommodate different riding terrains.

• Determine if you need to buy new parts to install your new fork. Do you need a new headset, stem or brakes?

• Consider the installation charges of a new fork. If you plan on installing the fork yourself you will need to press on a bearing and potentially cut the fork tub. This could result in additional tools and time so you want to weigh your options.

• Find out what your friends are riding and ask them their opinion on brand and options. Ask them if you can ride their bike to test out their fork.

• Do you want to buy new or used? Some riders buy great bikes, immediately upgrade them and never use the original parts. You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which lists mountain bike classifieds containing bikes for sale, bike parts and race events.

 

Keep in mind list above will help you get started in your decision making process and there are more items to consider as you explore your options.

 

The tips listed above will hopefully help you narrow down your choices before you purchase a new fork. Good luck and see you on the trail.

About the Author

Experience with full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes, bike parts and organizing race events for mountain biking.

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Bicycle Parts & Maintenance : How to Measure for a Mountain Bike Frame

Ascent Aluminum Mountain Bike Frame $149.99 Ascent Aluminum Mountain Bike Frame. The Ascent double-butted aluminum mountain bike frame is one of our top sellers -- and for good reason. Several, actually. It's durable. It's lightweight. And it's an incredible value in a quality-made double-butted frame.

Access XCL Comp Mountain Bike Frame $199.99 Access XCL Comp Mountain Bike Frame. With quality, style and performance that'll exceed your expectations, this mountain bike frame gives new meaning to the term dirt cheap.

2011 Diamondback Outlook Mountain Bike $239.99 2011 Diamondback Outlook Mountain Bike. If you've been on the lookout for a real value in a dependable, entry-level mountain bike for fun and fitness, put down those binocs and throw a leg over the 2011 Diamondback Outlook. Equipped with a sturdy, high-tensile steel frame, suspension fork, Shimano derailleurs and shifters, lightweight alloy linear-pull brakes and multipurpose tires, the Diamondback Outlook mountain bike has everything you need to start having fun, no matter where you want to go.

2011 Diamondback Response Mountain Bike $299.99 2011 Diamondback Response Mountain Bike. Whether you are new to the trails or a seasoned single track rider, the Diamondback Response mountain bike series offers uncompromised performance without compromising your bank account. At the heart of each Response is a rugged Strongbox frame design, providing strength and style with clean lines. The components provide more proof of Diamondback's commitment to providing you with the best all mountain hardtail bike your money can buy. When you ask for a solid and reliable all-purpose mountain bike, you deserve a Response.

2012 Diamondback Response Mountain Bike $399.99 2012 Diamondback Response Mountain Bike. Trail-riding newbies and seasoned single trackers alike will appreciate that the Diamondback Response mountain bike offers uncompromised performance without compromising the old bank account. At the heart of each Response is a rugged Strongbox frame design, providing strength and style with clean lines. The Suntour 100mm suspension fork, efficient Shimano drivetrain and lightweight cockpit components provide more proof of Diamondback's commitment to providing you with the best all mountain hardtail bike your money can buy. When you ask for a solid and reliable all-purpose mountain bike, you deserve a Response.

2010 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc Mountain Bike $599.99 2010 GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc Mountain Bike. The low-level price on this mid-level hardtail mountain bike will sweep you off your feet. With a legendary GT Triple Triangle designed aluminum frame, Rock Shox front suspension and Shimano components, this ride will challenge you to reach new heights.

2010 GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc Mountain Bike $449.99 2010 GT Avalanche 2.0 Disc Mountain Bike. This mid-level hardtail mountain bike will keep you in front of all chasers. The GT Avalanche 2.0 features a NEW hydroformed and butted 6061 Triple Triangle aluminum frame, Suntour hydraulic suspension with lockout, and Shimano components.

2010 Diamondback Lux Sport Women's Mountain Bike $399 2010 Diamondback Lux Sport Women's Mountain Bike. We all know that mountain biking isn't just for guy's. But did you know that women don't have to ride a guy's bike to enjoy it? Take the Diamondback Lux Sport women's mountain bike, for example. It may look like any other mountain bike at first glance, but it's made specifically for women. It features a lightweight aluminum frame with tube dimensions and geometry to fit a woman's anatomy, specially sized brake levers, and comfortable women's saddle and handlebar grips. So whether you tackle the trails for fun or fitness, why not do it on a bike that fits?

2011 Focus Super Bud 3.0 Mountain Bike $2079.99 2011 Focus Super Bud 3.0 Mountain Bike. Go fast. Go far. Get there in comfort on a Focus Super Bud 3.0 full-suspension mountain bike. It features a hydroformed aluminum frame that's rugged and lightweight, a trail-taming Fox fork/rear shock combo and a competition-ready Shimano XT drivetrain. Whether you live to race, love to challenge your skills or just enjoy getting out and exploring, the Super Bud 3.0 will bring a new level of performance and control to the Mountain Bike table.

2011 Fuji Nevada 1.0 Mountain Bike $659.99 2011 Fuji Nevada 1.0 Mountain Bike. For not much more than you'd spend on a mountain bike of questionable pedigree from a big box merchandiser, you can get your hands on a quality-built, professionally assembled Fuji Nevada 1.0. It's the real deal, with custom-butted aluminum frame for the perfect combination of strength and light weight, bump-absorbing SR Suntour suspension fork and 27-speed Shimano Alivio drivetrain. For a lot of mountain bike without a lot of money, the Fuji Nevado 1.0 is the way to go.

Focus Whistler Mountain Bike-U.S. Exclusive $649 Focus Whistler Mountain Bike-U.S. Exclusive. You may never make it to B.C.'s fabled Whistler Mountain Bike Park, but thanks to Focus you can own a capably-equipped, German-enginered mountain bike named in its honor. The Focus Whistler hardtail mountain bike is as rugged as its namesake, but it handles about as easily as Whistler's Mother. You get a lightweight aluminum alloy frame, Suntour suspension fork with 100mm travel, proven Shimano Alivio drivetrain components, and dependable disc brakes, all in an affordable, fun-to-ride package.

2011 Diamondback Response Comp Mountain Bike $699.99 2011 Diamondback Response Comp Mountain Bike. Fun, capable and bombproof -- that's what the Diamondback Response Comp mountain bike is all about. If having a bike that will last even longer than your student loan payments is more important than having the lightest, blingiest bike at the trailhead, the Response Comp is your kind of bike. Thrash it, crash it, slam it and jam it -- it's harder to kill than a zombie. Sure, you might eventually wear out or break some of the original Shimano Alivio components here and there, but the rugged, upgrade-worthy frame will beg for more. Don't disappoint it and the Response Comp won't disappoint you.

2011 Diamondback Recoil Comp Mountain Bike $849 2011 Diamondback Recoil Comp Mountain Bike. The 2011 Diamondback Recoil Comp full-suspension mountain bike combines rock-solid performance with down-to-earth value. The sturdy, trail-tested frame features a proven single-pivot design for efficient and dependable shock control and easy maintenance. Outfitted with a 100mm travel suspension fork, reliable Shimano drivetrain and efficient disc brakes, the Diamondback Recoil Comp is a lot of bike for the money.

2010 Diamondback Lustre 1.0 Women's Mountain Bike $199 2010 Diamondback Lustre 1.0 Women's Mountain Bike. Follow fun and adventure wherever it leads -- the road, the bike path or even the trail. The Diamondback Lustre 1.0 women's 21-speed mountain bike features a lightweight, women's-specific aluminum frame outfitted with a 50mm-travel suspension fork and multipurpose tires for a smooth, comfortable ride on-road and off. The easy-shifting Shimano Revo twist shifters make gear changes a breeze and the alloy linear-pull brakes give you plenty of stopping power.

2011 Access Raptor 1.0 Mountain Bike $599 2011 Access Raptor 1.0 Mountain Bike. New for 2011, the Access Raptor series combines a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano drivetrain, disc brakes and durable WTB wheels to deliver an incredible mountain bike value. The top-of-the-line Raptor 1.0 features the strong and reliable Rock Shox Tora 302 fork, Shimano Deore shifters and Shimano BR-M445 disc brakes, making it the perfect choice for the rider who wants a bike that will bust it out on the trail without busting the bank.

2011 Access Raptor 3.0 Mountain Bike $399 2011 Access Raptor 3.0 Mountain Bike. New for 2011, the Access Raptor series combines a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano drivetrain, disc brakes and durable Alex wheels to deliver an incredible mountain bike value. The Raptor 3.0 may be the series' entry-level model, but it's loaded with features not usually found on bikes in this price range. That includes the same strong and lightweight aluminum frame used on the Raptor 1.0 and 2.0 models, a responsive Suntour fork with 100mm travel, and also the same durable, easy-rolling wheels spec'd on the 3.0's siblings. The Raptor 3.0 is proof positive that you don't have to lay out a lot of dough for a truly trail-worthy mountain bike.

2009 GT Sanction 3.0 Trail Mountain Bike $1149 2009 GT Sanction 3.0 Trail Mountain Bike. Designed to exceed the high standards of today's most aggressive enthusiasts and freeriders, the Sanction 3.0 is engineered with a full monocoque frame, dual suspension and GT's race-proven Independent Drivetrain - everything you need to take you AND the sport of mountain biking in a whole new direction!

2010 Focus Highland Peak Mountain Bike $499 2010 Focus Highland Peak Mountain Bike. The Focus Highland Peak may be an entry-level mountain bike, but it's a highly capable first ride that can grow with you as your trail skills and bank account mature. Featuring a mix of Shimano Alivio and Deore components and SR Suntour XCT V2-MLO suspension fork with 80mm travel, the double-butted alloy frame can be upgraded easily to disc brakes thanks to the handy dandy caliper mounts that Focus has so foresightedly designed into the double-butted alloy frame.

2010 Fuji Tahoe Comp Mountain Bike $799 2010 Fuji Tahoe Comp Mountain Bike. Sooner or later, almost everyone who succumbs to the lure of hardcore mountain biking outgrows their first bike. The lure of a lighter frame, better components and a more responsive ride simply becomes too strong for most of us to resist. Thanks to the Fuji Tahoe Comp, you can make the transition from entry-level bike to a solid, high-performance mid-level bike without spending an outrageous amount of money. Equipped with a quality Shimano drivetrain, Rock Shox Tora fork with 100mm travel, hydraulic disc brakes and alloy Center Lock disc wheels, the lightweight Tahoe Comp is a tricked-out trail-worthy mountain bike with everything you need to take your riding to the next level.

2012 Diamondback Overdrive 29er Mountain Bike $499.99 2012 Diamondback Overdrive 29er Mountain Bike. The Diamondback Overdrive 29er Mountain Bike is a big-wheel hardtail that gives you even bigger value. Featuring a responsive, butted aluminum frame, suspension fork with 100mm travel, a 24-speed SRAM/Shimano drivetrain and Tektro mechanical disc brakes, it delivers the easy rolling, enhanced traction ride that has made 29ers so popular.

2011 GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc Mountain Bike $399.99 2011 GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc Mountain Bike. An entry-level hardtail mountain bike that's an avalanche of fun. The GT Avalanche 3.0 Disc packs many of the performance features of bikes far above its class, including a lightweight aluminum frame, suspension fork with lockout, efficient Shimano drivetrain, and powerful disc brakes. Whether you're going up, down, or taking in the views on the flats, the Avalanche 3.0 will sweep you away with its unstoppable combination of features, performance and value.

2012 GT Avalanche 3.0 Mountain Bike $469.99 2012 GT Avalanche 3.0 Mountain Bike. A full-featured hardtail mountain bike that's an avalanche of fun. The GT Avalanche 3.0 packs many of the performance features found on bikes costing a lot more, including a lightweight aluminum frame, suspension fork with lockout, efficient 24-speed Shimano drivetrain, and powerful disc brakes. Whether you're climbing, descending or enjoying the flow on the flats, the Avalanche 3.0 will sweep you away with its unstoppable combination of features, performance and value.

2011 Access Stealth 4.0 29er Mountain Bike $1299 2011 Access Stealth 4.0 29er Mountain Bike. The Access Stealth 4.0 29er mountain bike is a Shimano Deore-equipped hardtail based on the same lightweight monocoque carbon frame found on the XTR-equipped Stealth 1.0. With its Rock Shox Tora TK fork, hydraulic disc brakes and Stan's ZTR Arch wheelset, the 27-speed Stealth 4.0 is a high-performance XC rocket with a premium pedigree and an attractive price tag.

2011 Access Raptor 2.0 Mountain Bike $499 2011 Access Raptor 2.0 Mountain Bike. New for 2011, the Access Raptor series combines a lightweight aluminum frame, Shimano drivetrain, disc brakes and durable Alex wheels to deliver an incredible mountain bike value. The mid-range Raptor 2.0 has everything you need to fly along the trails with confidence, including a Suntour fork with 100mm travel, dependable mid-level Shimano components, lightweight alloy handlebar, stem and seatpost and durable Alex wheels.

2010 Mongoose Canaan Comp Mountain Bike $1349 2010 Mongoose Canaan Comp Mountain Bike. Solid handling. Confidence-inspiring trail manners. A winning enduro pedigree. That's what makes the Mongoose Canaan Comp an extraordinarily sublime full-suspension mountain bike. Engineered with an Xtrolite-G6 double butted, shot-peened and heat treated alloy frame and a fully dialed FreeDrive suspension platform that offers up 100mm of the most efficient suspension around, the Canaan Elite will see you through even your most grueling trail adventure.