Shocks or springer forks

[skyl4rk]

Front suspension is very important to riding comfort, especially at high speeds (for bicycles). What are the pros and cons of using a mountain bike fork with shocks vs. a springer fork? Do the mountain bike front forks have a technological advantage over springer forks?

Some of the considerations:

What kind of brakes will work with each?
Can you put fenders on?
What is the ride quality?
Is there an effect on handling?
Weight comparison?

Also, there are different kinds of springer forks. I have seen the Monarch style, a style with a big spring sticking out in front as if it were a headlight, and then there is another common style with two springs. Do these springer fork styles have names? Are some better than others?

Sorry, lots of questions, I need to get educated.

 

[azbill]

I can answer the mountain bike fork side of your question
a good mb fork will have adjustment for stiffness and rebound (how far it will compress, and how fast it will return )
I have used cheap ones (Mozo) and higher end (rockshox) and there is no comparison, the bike handles 100% better with the rockshox
my rockshox have bosses for rim brakes and disc, but I am using a sturmey-archer xfd drum and it stops me very nicely

hope that helps you

 

[iRide Customs]

The only advantage the springer has over MTB. suspension is the look. MTB forks are superior in every way...IMO.

Dan

 

[ironwarlock]

you will be happier with the mountain bike type suspension. but the springer looks sweet.

 

[MotorbikeMike]

Springer vs shocks

I LOVE springers. But, according to guys I know, even guys that restore old harleys, there is not a springer alive that is as good as a moderately well-made hydrolic front end. That goes from Harleys, all the way down to motorbicycles.

I will still use springers on everything, and am developing a new one even now.

Mike

 

[Lowell]

I currently run a Rock Shox Boxxer, but I've never tried a springer or any other design of front end. I have no doubt that a modern dual crown mountain bike fork offers the best performance possible though.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2007_forks/product_128205.shtml

If I had to buy another fork, I'd probably look for something with larger tubes like a Fox 40. The thin walled lowers shouldn't be an issue for on road and light trail use.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2007_forks/product_128191.shtml

Additionally, I highly recommend 20mm through axles on front wheels.

 

[JE]

I agree MB fork will give you the best ride.Alot of it depends on the theme you're going for and how much you plan on riding you're bike.On my bike I was going for a board tracker look so I used a springer but i don't ride it every day so I sacrificed some comfort.

 

[iRide Customs]

I currently run a Rock Shox Boxxer, but I've never tried a springer or any other design of front end. I have no doubt that a modern dual crown mountain bike fork offers the best performance possible though.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2007_forks/product_128205.shtml

If I had to buy another fork, I'd probably look for something with larger tubes like a Fox 40. The thin walled lowers shouldn't be an issue for on road and light trail use.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2007_forks/product_128191.shtml

Additionally, I highly recommend 20mm through axles on front wheels.

You run a Boxxer on your motorized bike?

When you say the thin walled lowers handling road and light trail use, are you referring to the Fox 40?

Dan

 

[Lowell]

I currently run a Rock Shox Boxxer, but I've never tried a springer or any other design of front end. I have no doubt that a modern dual crown mountain bike fork offers the best performance possible though.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2007_forks/product_128205.shtml

If I had to buy another fork, I'd probably look for something with larger tubes like a Fox 40. The thin walled lowers shouldn't be an issue for on road and light trail use.
http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/2007_forks/product_128191.shtml

Additionally, I highly recommend 20mm through axles on front wheels.

You run a Boxxer on your motorized bike?

When you say the thin walled lowers handling road and light trail use, are you referring to the Fox 40?

Dan

The Boxxer is on my electric mountain bike which has done 91km/h on flat ground, and 100km/h on a slight downhill.

The Fox 40 has thin walled lowers, which are prone to damage if you crash them off road. Since I doubt any motorized bikes do 'North Shore' type riding, it won't be a problem.

 

[go you good thing]

skyl4rk, another thing to consider is the size of the head stem when buying forks and if they are a threaded or non-threaded headstem.

I have a bike that takes 1 1/8" forks but the springers like the ones you mention (and the ones I want) only come in 1" forks in Australia. :???:

I am about to order some size converters from choppersus so I can fit the 1" size and I will be installing one of those front hub brakes.

I am not sure at this stage what I have to attach to the bottom of the fork to make the hub brake stop? Anyone have any ideas?