I'm trying to decide which way to go with my bike. It currently has a 6 over front end w/ 40 degree rake, stock trees. Total length from top of fork
to axel is 34". (If this isn't a 6 over, please correct me) This is giving me just over 8" of trail, and a lot of flop in the front wheel.
After finding some calculators online, it looks like I can go with 5 degree raked trees, and go to 8 over forks, and keep about the same neck height. This is
getting to be to much rake for the telescopic forks, and I'm also concerned about possible twisting of the forks as well.
Variables are as follows: only bike, and main transportation until the snow flies. Most riding is in the city, very little highway. Money is always an
issue.
Would you get the raked trees and 8 over forks, or look for a springer/girder? If it matters, the front wheel is 19" w/ stock disk brake. That would
also have to be considered, would I need to switch to a mini drum front wheel for the springer or girder?
vand
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 vand |
Which front end would you use? |
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Posts: 4 (05/09/08 6:12 PM) |
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 ToeCutter66 |
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Posts: 791 (05/10/08 6:02 AM) |
If money is an issue, I would get a motocross bike front end. They are big, beefy, inverted, have a 21" front wheel and a cool little disc brake. They
equal about an 8" over, and if you look around some, you can pick one up for $100.
In a closed society where everybody's guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the
only final sin is stupidity.
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Red Good |
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Posts: 1556 (05/10/08 8:14 AM) Senior Member |
Springer for me cause you can correct the trail by altering the rockers . Look at a Sugar Bear frt end to see what I mean . Red
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ubique2 |
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Posts: 2685 (05/10/08 9:36 AM) G.O.T.F. Member |
Springers are the choice for me, specifically ones with offset trees. There are two basic types of trees on a springer. One is inline. This means the rear legs
and neck stem are all in line. These are great for short rakes but will not do too much to correct trail more than about four inches. For offset trees, the
rear legs are located between 1 and 2" forward of the neck so it will add that extra bit to your trail. This could get you as much as 6" of trail
correction on long bikes. Sugar Bears springers are set up specifically for individual bikes and when fit to a bike (based on rake, out/up stretch) the trail
is 0". They are rumoured to be the best handling springers ever made, but the price is fairly steep though. At the end of the day, whether you go with a
springer or raked trees, the effect will be similar....
One other thing, and this is my opinion only, a springer will give you better shock absorbtion on 40deg+ rakes due to the movement of the rockers. When you hit a bump with a telescopic, it is much more difficult to compress the forks and the result is flex in the forks. With a springer, the rockers will move generally upwards in an arc so regardless of how big the bump, your wheel will move up resulting in a smoother ride. Of course that also depends on whether your springs are in good shape and if the bushings/bearings are working well too.....
Maple Leaf Customs
I think I've lost my mind.....again My sandbox etiquette sucks but you all knew that.......and now I am off to the sandbox........ |
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warlok1469 |
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Posts: 1566 (07/05/88 11:10 AM) Senior Member |
6 over is about 37" from what I remember.
If you kill a man, you're a murderer.....kill many, and you're a conquerer..... kill them all,..... YOU'RE A GOD!!
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vand |
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Posts: 5 (05/10/08 4:28 PM) |
Thanks for the info. Since a couple people have told me know that what I have is closer to a 4 over, I'm thinking I'll stay with the forks for now, and
start looking for a raked tree. Down the road I may upgrade to a springer when I can afford a nice lookin one.
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