What does suspension corrected mean?

[glore2002]

I've been reading articles about changing a Mtb from suspension to rigid fork. Some of them say that it is important -if you plan to change- a Suspension Corrected Rigid Fork.

I understand that what they are trying to say is that in order to keep the bicycle geometry you should get a rigid fork with a lenght similar to the lenght of the suspension fork being replaced.

So, knowing this, how many centimeters should there be between the crown and the axle? Is really important to get a suspension corrected fork?

Now, I am using a steel fork that measures 40cm between crown and axle but I think it is just a common steel rigid fork.

Are steel and cro-moly the same?

Thanks again,

German.-

 

[dabac]

I've been reading articles about changing a Mtb from suspension to rigid fork. Some of them say that it is important -if you plan to change- a Suspension Corrected Rigid Fork.

I understand that what they are trying to say is that in order to keep the bicycle geometry you should get a rigid fork with a lenght similar to the lenght of the suspension fork being replaced.

So, knowing this, how many centimeters should there be between the crown and the axle?

If you want your bike to ride as much as possible with the rigid fork as it did with the suspension fork you should measure the distance between the axle and crown with you on the bike(and probably subtract a little). Then try to buy a rigid fork as close to this length as possible.

... Is really important to get a suspension corrected fork?

Yes, no, maybe. Depends on how big the difference is and how sensitive you are. Going from a new long travel fork to a short rigid fork is likely noticeable in several ways, some of which might decidedly unpleasant. Going from an old short travel fork to a rigid fork is in all probability a very minor matter in terms of handling characteristics.
The difference between a perfectly compensated fork and a generic compensated fork will probably be completely wiped out by the much greater difference in going to rigid.

Are steel and cro-moly the same?

Depends on how picky you are, cro-moly is one of the many alloys usually referred to as steel. you might as well as if "oak" is the same as "wood".

 

[alfeng]

I've been reading articles about changing a Mtb from suspension to rigid fork. Some of them say that it is important -if you plan to change- a Suspension Corrected Rigid Fork.

I understand that what they are trying to say is that in order to keep the bicycle geometry you should get a rigid fork with a lenght similar to the lenght of the suspension fork being replaced.

So, knowing this, how many centimeters should there be between the crown and the axle? Is really important to get a suspension corrected fork?

Now, I am using a steel fork that measures 40cm between crown and axle but I think it is just a common steel rigid fork.

Are steel and cro-moly the same?

Some steel forks are NOT "Cro-Moly" ... the difference is that a "common" carbon steel fork will generally be slightly heavier.

AFAIK, a suspension corrected fork maintains the frame angles & rider orientation when the front fork is NOT compressed ... and, will vary in length accordingly.

So, if you were to use a "shorter" solid front fork, you would have a steeper head tube angle which would be more ROAD-like -- probably about 72º (?) -- so, whether-or-not you want a suspension corrected fork probably depends on whether you are going to be using the bike on the ROAD-or-TRAIL.

BTW. When an older, early-90s vintage MTB frame is upgraded with a non-Downhill/"normal"/(80-100mm) suspension fork it will take on the same geometry as most contemporary Hardtail bikes ... hopefully, THAT fact will give you an insight into what you are looking for.