Mountain Bike Forks
A suspension fork is specified by travel, wheel size, steerer and axle. Three of those four have to match the frame exactly before the fork is worth considering.
The buying advice on this page is retained from the original article. Its 2018 product picks have been removed — the links were dead and the models discontinued. Current model tables live on the brand pages.
In our article, we’re going to review six of the best mountain bike forks currently available. We will also rank our choices based on popularity and usability. An overall great model has to be resistant, offer superior suspension system, and guarantee support for your favorite types of terrain. Mountain bike forks come in a broad range of types and configurations. Two of the most common types are air suspension and spring coil types. Check out the choices we recommend!
What decides the choice
| Specification | What it changes | Options in use |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | The single figure that defines the fork’s job | 100–200 mm |
| Wheel size | Must match the wheel and the frame | 27.5″ · 29″ |
| Steerer | Has to match the head tube | Tapered 1.5–1⅛″ is standard |
| Axle | Has to match the hub | 15 × 110 mm Boost · 20 × 110 mm on downhill |
| Spring | Air is adjustable and lighter; coil is more supple | Air · coil |
| Damping | What controls the fork’s speed, not its softness | Rebound · low- and high-speed compression |
| Offset | Alters steering feel at the same head angle | 44 mm · 51 mm |