Gear...what's it all about?

gotham · 06-25-2006, 02:26 AM

I'm new to mountain biking and find myself reading some of these posts and asking the same questions over and over..I've finally decided to put them to paper in the hopes that I can learn a little - here goes:

(1) What is the difference between a dual crown and single crown fork? Why would I choose one over the other?

(2) What is the difference between a free ride, cross-country and downhill bicycle? All 3 types have full-suspension models.

(3) How come when people sell a frame they take out the bottom bracket? Any particular reason?

(4) Does anyone have any opinions on disc brake adapters? I have an older frame that is not disc brake compatible and was looking at picking up an adapter from www.discbrakeadapters.com

Thanks for your help!

Painless · 06-25-2006, 02:48 AM

1) dual crown forks are generally found on most Freeride/DH bikes, the term dual crown comes from the fact that the part that attaches the "tubing" to the bike are called crowns. Dual crowns have two, single crowns... well you get the picture. Dual crowns allow for better stability at high speed, and generally have more suspension travel than single crowns... think of a dirt bike, they have dual crown forks. The tubing goes right up to the handlebars on dual crowns; on single crowns the tubing (called stanchions) only goes up to the only crown that is at the bottom of the head tube of the frame.

2) Freeride - geometry and suspension built to take a lot of abuse, and intended to go where mountain bikes were made for.. the mountains. The geometry will generally have the rider back a bit further back in the saddle and not so much over the front end (short stem normally). Sometimes only single chairing at the cranks, but also available with double/triple chainrings. Bashguard on cranks normally in some form. Longer travel single crown fork, or dual crown fork. 0 - 9" rear suspension travel; though usually around 6,7,8.

Downhill - designed to only go downhill, main purpose is for racing. Geometry is normally long, and low, with gobs of suspension travel. Made to go fast, and down only; single chainring at the cranks, with a cassette in the rear with 8-9 gears. Dual crown fork only. 7 - 10" rear suspension travel.

Cross Country - designed to go up hills, stretched out cockpit, small travel fork, sometimes disc brakes, or V-brakes. Goal here is a light bike, that pedals really well. Full on 27 Gears normally. Single crown fork only. 0 - 5" suspension travel.

3) Don't know how to answer this question other than maybe they can use the BB in their new bike... I don't know.

4) No opinion.

Hope this helps

Straw · 06-25-2006, 03:53 AM

Painless: Dual Crowns have two crowns. You said it had one. Typo!

Gotham:This is a dual crown (some people call them Triple Clamp):

This a single crown fork:

funkendrenchman · 06-25-2006, 08:50 AM

1. To add to what has been said... dual crowns are more stable because the force exerted on the front wheel can be spread from the lower crown through the head tube to the top crown. Single crowns can offer the benefit of being lighter, easier to turn, and they allow you to do more tricks like x-ups and barspins.

::Liam:: · 06-25-2006, 01:06 PM

4 ) not me but a riding buddy has a disc brake adaptor, has been untouched in 2 years, reliable and not even needs thinking about..

Painless · 06-25-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Straw

Painless: Dual Crowns have two crowns. You said it had one. Typo!

Oops, my bad. Brain thinks one thing, fingers type another. Problem fixed.

06-25-2006, 02:48 AM	#2
Painless gigity gigity gigity!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kamloops Posts: 251 Rep Power: 52	1) dual crown forks are generally found on most Freeride/DH bikes, the term dual crown comes from the fact that the part that attaches the "tubing" to the bike are called crowns. Dual crowns have two, single crowns... well you get the picture. Dual crowns allow for better stability at high speed, and generally have more suspension travel than single crowns... think of a dirt bike, they have dual crown forks. The tubing goes right up to the handlebars on dual crowns; on single crowns the tubing (called stanchions) only goes up to the only crown that is at the bottom of the head tube of the frame. 2) Freeride - geometry and suspension built to take a lot of abuse, and intended to go where mountain bikes were made for.. the mountains. The geometry will generally have the rider back a bit further back in the saddle and not so much over the front end (short stem normally). Sometimes only single chairing at the cranks, but also available with double/triple chainrings. Bashguard on cranks normally in some form. Longer travel single crown fork, or dual crown fork. 0 - 9" rear suspension travel; though usually around 6,7,8. Downhill - designed to only go downhill, main purpose is for racing. Geometry is normally long, and low, with gobs of suspension travel. Made to go fast, and down only; single chainring at the cranks, with a cassette in the rear with 8-9 gears. Dual crown fork only. 7 - 10" rear suspension travel. Cross Country - designed to go up hills, stretched out cockpit, small travel fork, sometimes disc brakes, or V-brakes. Goal here is a light bike, that pedals really well. Full on 27 Gears normally. Single crown fork only. 0 - 5" suspension travel. 3) Don't know how to answer this question other than maybe they can use the BB in their new bike... I don't know. 4) No opinion. Hope this helps __________________ My mother never saw the irony in calling me a son-of-a-bitch. Last edited by Painless; 06-25-2006 at 09:14 PM.

06-25-2006, 03:53 AM	#3
Straw Jon Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: near Dollar Surprise Posts: 8,280 Rep Power: 2469338	Painless: Dual Crowns have two crowns. You said it had one. Typo! Gotham:This is a dual crown (some people call them Triple Clamp): This a single crown fork: __________________ ><> 1-1-2-3-5-8-13-21-34

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06-25-2006, 08:50 AM	#4
funkendrenchman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Aspen, CO Posts: 380 Rep Power: 2112	1. To add to what has been said... dual crowns are more stable because the force exerted on the front wheel can be spread from the lower crown through the head tube to the top crown. Single crowns can offer the benefit of being lighter, easier to turn, and they allow you to do more tricks like x-ups and barspins.

06-25-2006, 01:06 PM	#5
::Liam:: RideSiK Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: whistrailia Posts: 2,734 Rep Power: 648805	4 ) not me but a riding buddy has a disc brake adaptor, has been untouched in 2 years, reliable and not even needs thinking about..