15mm vs 20mm axles

[Bryce]

Has anyone had time on both? Is there much difference in terms of stiffness or weight?

[SoulDuck]

Fork manufacturers should just publish the stiffness values for various systems so people don't have to rely on other's "feelings". Maybe someone at a bike shop could just measure it and give some real numbers to compare. I'd be curious to also compare to traditional QR forks too.

[LeeLau]

sharon has some bling bling Scott bike that is worth about 20k that she's going to ride tomorrow. You should come along so we can test its structural integrity. It has a 15mm fork.

[stuart@nsmb.com]

Originally Posted by Bryce

Has anyone had time on both? Is there much difference in terms of stiffness or weight?

I have.

Read the Gear Shots article.

Full review is coming, but the bottom line is that it depends on a lot of things, like how big you are, what kind of riding you're doing, what kind of bike you're putting it on...

I'd put them on a 5" bike, and do the kind of riding that goes along with that much rear travel. They're not built for freeride, but I have ridden the Shore with them on a hardtail. Stiffness was definitely not an issue, even with me at 225 lbs.

Weight wise, they're a fair bit lighter than a fork with a 20mm axle and not that much more than a standard QR fork - assuming you're doing an apples to apples comparison.

[norona]

Hey Bryce, I have the Fox Talus 150mm 32 with the 15 mm and definitely love it especially over my previous one with regular QR. I ride it pretty much everywhere I ride on the shore and build it up on a bike that can rip as it is light 28 pounds with 6 inch front and 4.5 rear.
However in my opinion unless your looking for ultra light the talus 36 is so much better. I have that on my 6 n 6 bike 34 pounds and the 36 is just so much better. For sure the bigger stantions make a big difference to the feel and gushyness of the fork and you feel that much better hitting everything with that fork. it spoils you. I don't mind and don't feel the added weight riding fromme so use that there but when riding bridal up baden and old buck I like a bike that is nimble and light so my xc freeride set up is the 15mm I am also not taxing it much at 138 pounds...hope your getting lots of riding in....cheers

[Wayne P]

Originally Posted by norona

Hey Bryce, I have the Fox Talus 150mm 32 with the 15 mm and definitely love it especially over my previous one with regular QR. I ride it pretty much everywhere I ride on the shore and build it up on a bike that can rip as it is light 28 pounds with 6 inch front and 4.5 rear.
However in my opinion unless your looking for ultra light the talus 36 is so much better. I have that on my 6 n 6 bike 34 pounds and the 36 is just so much better. For sure the bigger stantions make a big difference to the feel and gushyness of the fork and you feel that much better hitting everything with that fork. it spoils you. I don't mind and don't feel the added weight riding fromme so use that there but when riding bridal up baden and old buck I like a bike that is nimble and light so my xc freeride set up is the 15mm I am also not taxing it much at 138 pounds...hope your getting lots of riding in....cheers

Man you were that weight back 10 years ago. You've gotta be pushin' 180 now lard ass.

[Wayne P]

15mm...ugh. Remember the introduction of the onepointfive standard? How they went on and on about the extra strength and stiffness of larger diameter tubing? They should have used the existing 20mm standard and spacing but lighter. Another standard being forced down people's throats.

[stuart@nsmb.com]

Originally Posted by Wayne P

15mm...ugh. Remember the introduction of the onepointfive standard? How they went on and on about the extra strength and stiffness of larger diameter tubing? They should have used the existing 20mm standard and spacing but lighter. Another standard being forced down people's throats.

Yeah, and look where that went. Nobody's using that.

And while we're at it, why did they bother getting rid of six-speed cogs? Friction shifters? Rat trap pedals? Rigid forks? Cantilever brakes? All of that stuff was just fine.

[Wayne P]

Originally Posted by stuart@nsmb.com

Yeah, and look where that went. Nobody's using that.

And while we're at it, why did they bother getting rid of six-speed cogs? Friction shifters? Rat trap pedals? Rigid forks? Cantilever brakes? All of that stuff was just fine.

Good argument. Using good technological advancements to justify shitty ones.

[stuart@nsmb.com]

Originally Posted by Wayne P

Good argument. Using good technological advancements to justify shitty ones.

Thanks. I appreciate your support.

I think that too many people are mistaking "standard" for "option". You have a CHOICE to go with 15mm or 20mm for your medium travel fork. You have a CHOICE of product from Fox, Marzocchi, RockShox (and others). You have a CHOICE to buy a fork that works with your current 20mm wheelset or invest in a new front wheel /hub. You have a CHOICE when it comes to travel and fork weight when it comes to all-mountain forks. You have a CHOICE of what YOU think is the perfect fork for YOUR type of riding.

Surprise, surprise - this fork isn't for everyone. Neither is the new axle size. Retrogrouches and technophobes need not apply. But early adopters, people who are looking for something different, people who aren't RockShox fans, people who are Fox fans who want more than they can get on a fork with a 9mm axle and less than a 20mm axle MAY be interested in this fork and axle option.

20mm isn't going anywhere. IF, and I repeat - IF - there is one QR size that will be phased out (by Fox, at least), it will be 9mm.

Technology evolves, and it will continue to evolve whether you embrace it or not.

[Timer]

Originally Posted by stuart@nsmb.com

But early adopters, people who are looking for something different, people who aren't RockShox fans, people who are Fox fans who want more than they can get on a fork with a 9mm axle and less than a 20mm axle MAY be interested in this fork and axle option.

That whole concept of "less than 20mm" is just psychology. As RS maxle light forks show, there is no significant weight difference between 20 and 15mm axle systems if done right. There may be differences in fork weight, but those differences were already there on the QR versions.

Its mostly amateur XC people scared of the "big, ugly 20mm downhill axle" who desperately want the 15mm standard.

So the 15mm standard might make sense from a marketing point of view, but its pretty pointless from a technical angle.

[Wayne P]

Originally Posted by stuart@nsmb.com

Thanks. I appreciate your support.

I think that too many people are mistaking "standard" for "option". You have a CHOICE to go with 15mm or 20mm for your medium travel fork. You have a CHOICE of product from Fox, Marzocchi, RockShox (and others). You have a CHOICE to buy a fork that works with your current 20mm wheelset or invest in a new front wheel /hub. You have a CHOICE when it comes to travel and fork weight when it comes to all-mountain forks. You have a CHOICE of what YOU think is the perfect fork for YOUR type of riding.

Surprise, surprise - this fork isn't for everyone. Neither is the new axle size. Retrogrouches and technophobes need not apply. But early adopters, people who are looking for something different, people who aren't RockShox fans, people who are Fox fans who want more than they can get on a fork with a 9mm axle and less than a 20mm axle MAY be interested in this fork and axle option.

20mm isn't going anywhere. IF, and I repeat - IF - there is one QR size that will be phased out (by Fox, at least), it will be 9mm.

Technology evolves, and it will continue to evolve whether you embrace it or not.

I have some real estate to sell to you. Just give me $50,000usd for a down payment first ok?

Congrats Fox, you guys are marketing geniuses.

[walleater]

Originally Posted by stuart@nsmb.com

Yeah, and look where that went. Nobody's using that.

And while we're at it, why did they bother getting rid of six-speed cogs? Friction shifters? Rat trap pedals? Rigid forks? Cantilever brakes? All of that stuff was just fine.

A friction shifter for the front mech would be awesome. Indexed front shifters are pointless and just lead to the mech rubbing on the chain. Six speed spacing at least provides crisper shifting than nine. A decent six speed set up would be great for DH.

As for 15mm.....we've got QR, 20mm bolt through / Maxle / Maxle Lite / variations of QR20, 24mm / Maverick / Specialized / whatever / Lefty, boring old nuts and even bloody wingnuts if you want. Yes, I'm not buying another fork until I can run a 30mm bamboo thru axle with wingnuts.

[syncro]

Originally Posted by walleater

A friction shifter for the front mech would be awesome. Indexed front shifters are pointless and just lead to the mech rubbing on the chain. Six speed spacing at least provides crisper shifting than nine. A decent six speed set up would be great for DH.

totally agree.

[PUNKY]

dirty jersey people not knowing how to do up quick release properly