[Dh builder]

I am in debate with some people who are saying it doesn't matter if you use a 27.5" fork on a 26" bike.

Lets assume you are using a Fox 40 fork. Will there be any drawbacks of using a 27.5" version of the fork over the 26" version on a 26" downhill bike?

Or is it negligible and really doesn't matter?

Thanks

 

[6thElement]

Negligible and you'll have a fork with some resale value that can go onto your next DH bike if it's 27.5.

 

[kidwoo]

Huge offset.

It will make it be a little twitcher, or nimble steering depending on your mood that day

 

[englertracing]

Yep huge offset that was probably too much for the 27.5 it was meant for...

 

[kidwoo]

Yep huge offset that was probably too much for the 27.5 it was meant for...

........which will be exaggerated even worse with a 26" wheel

 

[englertracing]

........which will be exaggerated even worse with a 26" wheel

Yes....

 

[jstuhlman]

i ran one with a 26 wheel on my uzzi for a few years. it was fine if you're not a finicky princess-and-the-pea type.

 

[HAB]

Negligible and you'll have a fork with some resale value that can go onto your next DH bike if it's 27.5.

On the other hand, you can get a 26" 40 for super cheap because it's obviously unrideable, but then put a 27.5" wheel in it because that actually clears fine as long as you bump the crowns up a few mm.

 

[englertracing]

i ran one with a 26 wheel on my uzzi for a few years. it was shit I just didn't notice it.

Fify

I've ridden a 27.5 40 with a 26" wheel.
Sucks.
I've got a 26" 40 with a 27.5" wheel. It's good.

 

[buckoW]

I am in debate with some people who are saying it doesn't matter if you use a 27.5" fork on a 26" bike.

Lets assume you are using a Fox 40 fork. Will there be any drawbacks of using a 27.5" version of the fork over the 26" version on a 26" downhill bike?

Or is it negligible and really doesn't matter?

Thanks

What’s the head angle on the bike you want to put it on? What bike? Depending on the bike it could be fine.

 

[jstuhlman]

Fify

I've ridden a 27.5 40 with a 26" wheel.
Sucks.
I've got a 26" 40 with a 27.5" wheel. It's good.

ymmv. i ran my nomad (w/27.5 fork from the uzzi) as 26 for a year. i noticed no difference at all when i finally swapped to 27.5 wheels. but i am a talentless hack who has somehow survived with carbon bars for many years. shred on, you sensitive shredders. bikes on steep blown out deepwoods jank are the best and that's all that matters.

 

[buckoW]

ymmv. i ran my nomad (w/27.5 fork from the uzzi) as 26 for a year. i noticed no difference at all when i finally swapped to 27.5 wheels. but i am a talentless hack who has somehow survived with carbon bars for many years. shred on, you sensitive shredders. bikes on steep blown out deepwoods jank are the best and that's all that matters.

I think he’d be fine too. I do the carbon bars AND cranks! You almost need to know what to look for and have stuff to compare to to actually have an issue with offsets. The wrong offset is a pretty 1st world problem to have.

 

[kidwoo]

ymmv. i ran my nomad (w/27.5 fork from the uzzi) as 26 for a year. i noticed no difference at all when i finally swapped to 27.5 wheels. but i am a talentless hack who has somehow survived with carbon bars for many years. shred on, you sensitive shredders. bikes on steep blown out deepwoods jank are the best and that's all that matters.

That's not a 40. The offsets are bigger.

 

[jonKranked]

i'm running a 27.5 36 with a 26" wheel. i'm somehow still alive.

 

[buckoW]

The new 40 has different offset crowns too

 

[HAB]

The new 40 has different offset crowns too

Little bit. They're still a lot longer than the 36/38 for some reason though.

 

[englertracing]

So anyway op
In my experience adjusting offset

More offset has some of the feel of more rake in that the front is further out and has a tiny bit less weight on it. But for stability its got some of the feel of less rake it has a lighter feel to turn it can feel more "free" "flappy" or "loose". Near loss of traction the action is to push and feeling is an even lighter bar.



Less offset has the feel of less rake in that the wheel feels closer in and has more weight on it. Stability wise its got the feel of more rake it has a heavier feel more "heavy" "firmer" or "tighter" "direct". Near loss of traction the action is to tuck and steer in or knife.

Personally I like to run as little offset as possible while not having the bike or motorcycle knifey.

 

[mykel]

26" Avy 888 fits a 27.5 just fine, thank-you very much.