210.2 kilometres and 7147 metres in altitude. These are the key figures for the long distance of the Salzkammergut Trophy, the biggest challenge a marathon rider can face in Central Europe. If you let these two figures melt in your mouth, you will realise why amateur racers try almost doggedly to make the combination of man and material as efficient as possible. Every loss of power increases the risk of not reaching the finish in Bad Goisern. The suspension fork also plays a decisive role here. Are you faster if you save a few grams of weight on the fork? Or can you reach the valley more relaxed and therefore faster with a little more suspension travel?
The new generation of forks from DT Swiss, Fox and Rockshox puts these questions front and centre for the 2021 season. This is because the major manufacturers are now building their models with 120 millimetres of travel so light that they are also an alternative for marathon racers. The new 120 Rockshox Sid weighs just 128 grams more than its 100 millimetre counterpart at 1529 grams. At Fox, there are 152 grams between the two suspension travel options. DT Swiss dispenses with its 120 mm fork on the handlebar lockout and thus saves as much as 13 grams compared to the version with less travel. If you are prepared to accept slightly more weight or a reduced spec, you will also get a stiffer and therefore more precise fork in addition to the 20 per cent more travel - at least with Fox and Rockshox. The two top dogs among the suspension suppliers install significantly thicker stanchions with a diameter of 34 and 35 millimetres respectively in their 120 mm forks. In addition to the increased steering precision, the stanchions also slide into the casting in a more controlled manner due to less twisting during riding, which - in theory - should even reduce wear on the bushings. So much for the theory. But what effect do the individual parameters have in practice?
The complete suspension fork test (100-120 mm travel) from BIKE 4/2021 with all information, overview tables and grades can be found as a PDF in the download area below:
The test costs 1.99 euros. Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the tests in BIKE. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them, hundreds of thousands of euros every year.
- DT Swiss F232 One (100 mm)
- Fox Float 32 Factory SC (100 mm)
- Rockshox Sid Ultimate SL (100 mm)
- DT Swiss 232 One 120 (120 mm)
- Fox Float 34 Factory SC (120 mm)
- Rockshox Sid Ultimate (120 mm)
