Difference between thick vs thin front suspension?












1















I visited a bicycle shop a few days ago. I noticed two different types of bikes. One with thick front suspension and the other with thin front suspension. Bike with the thick suspension was more expensive.

Does thick suspension provide benefits or just add weight?

Is thin suspension more better than thick one?



Thick Suspension:



thick suspension



Thin Suspension:



thin suspension










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Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 1





    Do note that the visible diameter is not usually the diameter of the thinnest member. Rather, what you are seeing is a casing around a thinner rod.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    OMG those 'mudguards'!

    – Argenti Apparatus
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    And the first one is "dual-crown"!

    – Grigory Rechistov
    7 hours ago











  • Do note the colour of the bare stanchions is misleading - black is slimming compared to the silver one. Also both of these bikes look like BSOs, where quantity of material is often used to make up for a lack of structural quality. The high spoke count front wheel is a prime example of "add more metal" over making it better. And those brake lever angles!!

    – Criggie
    3 hours ago
















1















I visited a bicycle shop a few days ago. I noticed two different types of bikes. One with thick front suspension and the other with thin front suspension. Bike with the thick suspension was more expensive.

Does thick suspension provide benefits or just add weight?

Is thin suspension more better than thick one?



Thick Suspension:



thick suspension



Thin Suspension:



thin suspension










share|improve this question







New contributor




Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 1





    Do note that the visible diameter is not usually the diameter of the thinnest member. Rather, what you are seeing is a casing around a thinner rod.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    OMG those 'mudguards'!

    – Argenti Apparatus
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    And the first one is "dual-crown"!

    – Grigory Rechistov
    7 hours ago











  • Do note the colour of the bare stanchions is misleading - black is slimming compared to the silver one. Also both of these bikes look like BSOs, where quantity of material is often used to make up for a lack of structural quality. The high spoke count front wheel is a prime example of "add more metal" over making it better. And those brake lever angles!!

    – Criggie
    3 hours ago














1












1








1


1






I visited a bicycle shop a few days ago. I noticed two different types of bikes. One with thick front suspension and the other with thin front suspension. Bike with the thick suspension was more expensive.

Does thick suspension provide benefits or just add weight?

Is thin suspension more better than thick one?



Thick Suspension:



thick suspension



Thin Suspension:



thin suspension










share|improve this question







New contributor




Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I visited a bicycle shop a few days ago. I noticed two different types of bikes. One with thick front suspension and the other with thin front suspension. Bike with the thick suspension was more expensive.

Does thick suspension provide benefits or just add weight?

Is thin suspension more better than thick one?



Thick Suspension:



thick suspension



Thin Suspension:



thin suspension







mountain-bike suspension full-suspension front






share|improve this question







New contributor




Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 9 hours ago









Black ThunderBlack Thunder

1063




1063




New contributor




Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Black Thunder is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.








  • 1





    Do note that the visible diameter is not usually the diameter of the thinnest member. Rather, what you are seeing is a casing around a thinner rod.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    OMG those 'mudguards'!

    – Argenti Apparatus
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    And the first one is "dual-crown"!

    – Grigory Rechistov
    7 hours ago











  • Do note the colour of the bare stanchions is misleading - black is slimming compared to the silver one. Also both of these bikes look like BSOs, where quantity of material is often used to make up for a lack of structural quality. The high spoke count front wheel is a prime example of "add more metal" over making it better. And those brake lever angles!!

    – Criggie
    3 hours ago














  • 1





    Do note that the visible diameter is not usually the diameter of the thinnest member. Rather, what you are seeing is a casing around a thinner rod.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    OMG those 'mudguards'!

    – Argenti Apparatus
    7 hours ago






  • 1





    And the first one is "dual-crown"!

    – Grigory Rechistov
    7 hours ago











  • Do note the colour of the bare stanchions is misleading - black is slimming compared to the silver one. Also both of these bikes look like BSOs, where quantity of material is often used to make up for a lack of structural quality. The high spoke count front wheel is a prime example of "add more metal" over making it better. And those brake lever angles!!

    – Criggie
    3 hours ago








1




1





Do note that the visible diameter is not usually the diameter of the thinnest member. Rather, what you are seeing is a casing around a thinner rod.

– Daniel R Hicks
7 hours ago





Do note that the visible diameter is not usually the diameter of the thinnest member. Rather, what you are seeing is a casing around a thinner rod.

– Daniel R Hicks
7 hours ago




1




1





OMG those 'mudguards'!

– Argenti Apparatus
7 hours ago





OMG those 'mudguards'!

– Argenti Apparatus
7 hours ago




1




1





And the first one is "dual-crown"!

– Grigory Rechistov
7 hours ago





And the first one is "dual-crown"!

– Grigory Rechistov
7 hours ago













Do note the colour of the bare stanchions is misleading - black is slimming compared to the silver one. Also both of these bikes look like BSOs, where quantity of material is often used to make up for a lack of structural quality. The high spoke count front wheel is a prime example of "add more metal" over making it better. And those brake lever angles!!

– Criggie
3 hours ago





Do note the colour of the bare stanchions is misleading - black is slimming compared to the silver one. Also both of these bikes look like BSOs, where quantity of material is often used to make up for a lack of structural quality. The high spoke count front wheel is a prime example of "add more metal" over making it better. And those brake lever angles!!

– Criggie
3 hours ago










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















4














Fork-leg diameter is not really how you would classify suspension forks. Or more exactly, it is a way, but not really the most relevant.



Suspension forks could be classified by how much travel they provide (different travel for different specific uses), the suspension mechanism (springs, fluid, elastomers, air, hybrid), the damping mechanism, etc.



I suspect that both those bikes were pretty cheap, both probably use spring suspension, and neither is really intended for hard off-road use. A bigger-diameter tube isn't necessarily heavier, as it can be made with thinner walls.






share|improve this answer































    1














    Well they do are a little bit sturdier. Bigger diametre is harder to bend than a thin one and should requiere less material. Other thing is that the one on the red bike is a double crown, which has the benefit of being sturdier on force loads from the front of the bike.



    But the most important aspect is the quality of the materials used. For example in my early days(circa 2000) I bought this "ZOOM 110 Inverted fork 20mm axle suspension with 40mm bars" which was a double crown and made out of aluminium. Thing was massive I felt like Josh Bender.



    After a couple drops(like 4) the thing bent forwards and was stuck, dad wanted to kill me. My old RST sigma xl on the other hand, was WAY better with 28mm steel bars, 14mm axle and was a standard fork, thing was bomb proof for the time. This one lasted a long time.



    So the most important aspect is the design and materials used. In this case both are about the same, probably the double crown is a little bit sturdier, but both are just an entry level fork and for lesiure rides you will be better of with the single crown fork. It should have the same ride quality with less weight.






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      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      4














      Fork-leg diameter is not really how you would classify suspension forks. Or more exactly, it is a way, but not really the most relevant.



      Suspension forks could be classified by how much travel they provide (different travel for different specific uses), the suspension mechanism (springs, fluid, elastomers, air, hybrid), the damping mechanism, etc.



      I suspect that both those bikes were pretty cheap, both probably use spring suspension, and neither is really intended for hard off-road use. A bigger-diameter tube isn't necessarily heavier, as it can be made with thinner walls.






      share|improve this answer




























        4














        Fork-leg diameter is not really how you would classify suspension forks. Or more exactly, it is a way, but not really the most relevant.



        Suspension forks could be classified by how much travel they provide (different travel for different specific uses), the suspension mechanism (springs, fluid, elastomers, air, hybrid), the damping mechanism, etc.



        I suspect that both those bikes were pretty cheap, both probably use spring suspension, and neither is really intended for hard off-road use. A bigger-diameter tube isn't necessarily heavier, as it can be made with thinner walls.






        share|improve this answer


























          4












          4








          4







          Fork-leg diameter is not really how you would classify suspension forks. Or more exactly, it is a way, but not really the most relevant.



          Suspension forks could be classified by how much travel they provide (different travel for different specific uses), the suspension mechanism (springs, fluid, elastomers, air, hybrid), the damping mechanism, etc.



          I suspect that both those bikes were pretty cheap, both probably use spring suspension, and neither is really intended for hard off-road use. A bigger-diameter tube isn't necessarily heavier, as it can be made with thinner walls.






          share|improve this answer













          Fork-leg diameter is not really how you would classify suspension forks. Or more exactly, it is a way, but not really the most relevant.



          Suspension forks could be classified by how much travel they provide (different travel for different specific uses), the suspension mechanism (springs, fluid, elastomers, air, hybrid), the damping mechanism, etc.



          I suspect that both those bikes were pretty cheap, both probably use spring suspension, and neither is really intended for hard off-road use. A bigger-diameter tube isn't necessarily heavier, as it can be made with thinner walls.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 8 hours ago









          Adam RiceAdam Rice

          5,7921534




          5,7921534























              1














              Well they do are a little bit sturdier. Bigger diametre is harder to bend than a thin one and should requiere less material. Other thing is that the one on the red bike is a double crown, which has the benefit of being sturdier on force loads from the front of the bike.



              But the most important aspect is the quality of the materials used. For example in my early days(circa 2000) I bought this "ZOOM 110 Inverted fork 20mm axle suspension with 40mm bars" which was a double crown and made out of aluminium. Thing was massive I felt like Josh Bender.



              After a couple drops(like 4) the thing bent forwards and was stuck, dad wanted to kill me. My old RST sigma xl on the other hand, was WAY better with 28mm steel bars, 14mm axle and was a standard fork, thing was bomb proof for the time. This one lasted a long time.



              So the most important aspect is the design and materials used. In this case both are about the same, probably the double crown is a little bit sturdier, but both are just an entry level fork and for lesiure rides you will be better of with the single crown fork. It should have the same ride quality with less weight.






              share|improve this answer




























                1














                Well they do are a little bit sturdier. Bigger diametre is harder to bend than a thin one and should requiere less material. Other thing is that the one on the red bike is a double crown, which has the benefit of being sturdier on force loads from the front of the bike.



                But the most important aspect is the quality of the materials used. For example in my early days(circa 2000) I bought this "ZOOM 110 Inverted fork 20mm axle suspension with 40mm bars" which was a double crown and made out of aluminium. Thing was massive I felt like Josh Bender.



                After a couple drops(like 4) the thing bent forwards and was stuck, dad wanted to kill me. My old RST sigma xl on the other hand, was WAY better with 28mm steel bars, 14mm axle and was a standard fork, thing was bomb proof for the time. This one lasted a long time.



                So the most important aspect is the design and materials used. In this case both are about the same, probably the double crown is a little bit sturdier, but both are just an entry level fork and for lesiure rides you will be better of with the single crown fork. It should have the same ride quality with less weight.






                share|improve this answer


























                  1












                  1








                  1







                  Well they do are a little bit sturdier. Bigger diametre is harder to bend than a thin one and should requiere less material. Other thing is that the one on the red bike is a double crown, which has the benefit of being sturdier on force loads from the front of the bike.



                  But the most important aspect is the quality of the materials used. For example in my early days(circa 2000) I bought this "ZOOM 110 Inverted fork 20mm axle suspension with 40mm bars" which was a double crown and made out of aluminium. Thing was massive I felt like Josh Bender.



                  After a couple drops(like 4) the thing bent forwards and was stuck, dad wanted to kill me. My old RST sigma xl on the other hand, was WAY better with 28mm steel bars, 14mm axle and was a standard fork, thing was bomb proof for the time. This one lasted a long time.



                  So the most important aspect is the design and materials used. In this case both are about the same, probably the double crown is a little bit sturdier, but both are just an entry level fork and for lesiure rides you will be better of with the single crown fork. It should have the same ride quality with less weight.






                  share|improve this answer













                  Well they do are a little bit sturdier. Bigger diametre is harder to bend than a thin one and should requiere less material. Other thing is that the one on the red bike is a double crown, which has the benefit of being sturdier on force loads from the front of the bike.



                  But the most important aspect is the quality of the materials used. For example in my early days(circa 2000) I bought this "ZOOM 110 Inverted fork 20mm axle suspension with 40mm bars" which was a double crown and made out of aluminium. Thing was massive I felt like Josh Bender.



                  After a couple drops(like 4) the thing bent forwards and was stuck, dad wanted to kill me. My old RST sigma xl on the other hand, was WAY better with 28mm steel bars, 14mm axle and was a standard fork, thing was bomb proof for the time. This one lasted a long time.



                  So the most important aspect is the design and materials used. In this case both are about the same, probably the double crown is a little bit sturdier, but both are just an entry level fork and for lesiure rides you will be better of with the single crown fork. It should have the same ride quality with less weight.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 8 hours ago









                  dmbdmb

                  52328




                  52328






















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