Posted by Paul Hoyle on 30th Sep 2025
Mountain bike, Fork Travel guide
Fork travel, the distance a fork can compress, significantly influences a bike's handling and intended use. Bikes designed for demanding terrain, like downhill bikes, utilize maximum travel (around 200mm) to absorb large impacts. Conversely, bikes for smoother surfaces like gravel, XC, and touring prioritize pedaling efficiency with minimal travel.
Is More Travel Always Better?
Whilst greater travel accommodates rougher terrain, it increases pedaling effort as the bike compresses with each stroke.
- XC and touring bikes with as little travel as possible as they are still able to absorb small impact whilst keeping the pedalling efficiency high.
- Enduro bikes need as much travel as possible, to absorb rough sections of track, are seen with almost the maximum amount of travel possible.
- Trail bikes balance this as they feature the perfect amount of travel to absorb most UK trails whilst keeping it low enough to keep pedalling efficiency high.
Please note: On traditional (mechanical) bikes, the extra weight from longer travel could make climbing noticeably harder. With e-MTBs, this is far less of an issue. The motor assistance majorly reduces the challenge of carrying extra weight uphill, which is why many riders confidently choose bikes with more travel.
How much travel for each style of bike?
Below is a list of the types you will see, and how much front fork travel to be expected on them
| Riding Style | Travel | Stanchion Size | Example Forks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gravel | 0–50 mm | 32–34 mm | RockShox Rudy |
| XC / Light Trail | 100–130 mm | 32–34 mm | Fox 32, RockShox SID |
| All-Mountain / Trail | 130–160 mm | 35–36 mm | Fox 36, RockShox Pike |
| Enduro | 160–180 mm | 35–38 mm | Fox 38, RockShox ZEB |
| Downhill (DH) | 190+ mm | 40 mm | FOX 40, RockShox Boxxer, Öhlins |
Please note:
This guide by MTB Monster is designed to help you understand the technical aspects of bike components. The information is drawn from industry knowledge and the experience of our team. While we strive for accuracy and unbiased comparisons, occasional errors or updates may occur. We always recommend doing your own research before making a final purchase decision..
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