How to Choose the Best Budget Suspension Fork: 5 Types

Anyone who has owned a mountain bike will know that the suspension fork is one of the most important components of a bike. It takes away bumps, dips, and potholes and makes your experience lighter and smoother. Thus having a good suspension is key. This is How to Choose the Best Budget Suspension Fork.

The Best Budget Suspension Fork

Type	Weight	Pros	Cons
BOLANY MTB Bicycle Suspension Fork	Weight: 1659 grams 26 / 27.5 / 29” Wheel size Travel: 100mm Spring: Air Maximum Rotor Size: 220mm	Ultralight. Both Manual and Remote lock-out. Flexible as it is in 2 types, straight or tapered. Ranks top among the best budget suspension fork.	Lacks rebound adjustment
RockShox Judy Silver TK	Weight: 2500g upwards Spring: Coil or Air Travel: 80-120mm Adjustments: Compression, Rebound, Volume, Travel Axle: QR or 15mm Sizes: 26, 27.5 or 29er	Consistent control Numerous options Very Reliable	Heavy Chassis
Rockshox Recon Silver TK	Weight: 1940g 26” Wheel size Travel: 100mm Spring: Air Maximum Rotor Size: 200mm	Lighter chassis Quick-release axle Crown damping Perfect adjustments and remote Best mountain bike forks.	Heavy Getting more difficult to find
SR Suntour Raidon 34 Boost	Weight: 2106g 29” Wheel size Travel: 100mm Spring: Air Maximum Rotor Size: 185mm	Remote Lock-out. Rebound adjust. Quick Release.	Very heavy
Manitou Mattoc Comp	Weight: 1875g 29” Wheel size Travel: 120mm Spring: Coil Rotor Size: 160mm – 180mm	High adjustable travel Faster toggle compression damping	Heavy chassis Not easily available

However, it’s not just all fun and games. If you are on a budget, buying a suspension fork can be tricky because there are so many types of forks, each with its pros and cons.

If you have narrowed your search to budget suspension forks, this article is for you! This article will cover everything you need to know about budget suspension forks.

What is a Suspension Fork?

A suspension fork is part of your bike’s front end with two main components: a steerer and the stanchions. The steerer is the tube that holds the front wheel. The stanchions are the tubes that hold the fork legs. Part of the fork holding the wheel is called the hub.

The other part of the fork is called the crown. The main job of the suspension fork is to smooth the bumps.

There are 2 types of suspension forks: the hardtail and the full suspension.

The hardtail suspension fork

It has springs and dampers that are located in the front part of the fork only. This type of fork is more common on mountain bikes. The hardtail suspension fork is for riders who are new to biking and want to start with something simple. This fork is also great for bikers who want a smoother ride but don’t want to pay for a full suspension fork, which is more expensive.

The full suspension fork

It has springs and dampers located in the fork’s front and rear parts. This makes the fork more expensive, but it gives the rider a smoother ride, especially if you are riding over many bumps.

How to Choose the Best Budget Suspension Fork?

It is essential for every biker to know their bike type and the type of riding they do before buying a suspension fork. The first thing to do is to check your bike type.

The fork has to match your bike type. It should fit in the frame and be compatible with your bike.
Secondly, check your riding type before buying a suspension fork. You do not need a heavy-duty or high-performance fork if you ride mostly on flat roads.
A standard or light-duty fork will do the job. However, if you often ride on hilly or off-road, you need a heavy-duty or high-performance fork. It will make your ride much smoother and safer.

Before you decide on a budget suspension fork, you need to know what you want out of a fork. This will help you narrow your search, and you will be able to select the best budget suspension fork for your needs.

1. Riding style

If you are an aggressive rider, you will need a stiffer suspension fork because you will put more pressure on the fork. If you are a casual rider, you will need a fork that is more flexible and easy to ride with.

2. Weight

If you are on a budget and choosing a cheaper fork, you want to ensure that it is not too heavy.

“We recommend prioritizing other factors first, but don’t completely ignore the weight.”
Guy Kesteven

3. Travel

What is the maximum amount of travel you need out of your fork? This will help you to narrow down your search. It is the most important thing to look for in a budget fork. 120mm is the minimum amount of travel that we recommend for most riders, but if you ride exclusively on smoother terrain, 100mm will suffice.

4. Rider weight

Do you weigh less than 140 pounds? Are you taller than 6’3”? You probably want a lighter fork because it will make your bike easier to ride and easier to lift when you are on the trail

5. Adjustability

Guy Kesteven, Bike Perfect and Cyclingnews’ contributing tech editor, recommends that the fork you buy has a variety of adjustments so you can get the best ride possible. Weight

6. Durability

You want a fork that will last you a long time. The materials used in the fork and the design will help you to determine how long the fork will last.

7. Axle

The axle system of a fork is used to attach the fork to your bike’s frame. So it’s important to choose a model with a quick release for road and hybrid bikes.

It also has a thru-axle for mountain bikes. Other than this, it doesn’t have much bearing on the performance of the fork.

Why Buy a Budget Suspension Fork?

If you are on a tight budget and want a mountain bike, you may opt to buy a cheaper fork. There are a few reasons why you should go for a budget suspension fork: –

1. They are less expensive – If you are on a tight budget, you will want to buy a cheaper fork. This way, you will save enough money to buy other important bike parts, like the brakes and the tires.

2. They are easier to repair – If you fall, you want to know that you can easily and quickly fix the fork. Not all forks are the same. There are different models, and some are easier to repair than others.

3. You can upgrade – You can always upgrade to a better fork once you have saved enough money. When you buy a cheaper fork, it is easier to upgrade.

The 7 Best Budget Suspension Forks for 2019

RockShox Judy Silver TK

This fork is made for riders who are new to the sport of mountain biking. It is simple and easy to set up and ride. It is only made for riders who weigh less than 140 pounds. This fork is a hardtail fork, which means that it only has suspension in the front part of the fork.

It is great for riders who want a smoother ride on rough terrain but don’t want to pay for a full suspension fork. The Judy Silver TK has an aluminum stanchion and stamin end. It has a travel of 100 mm and a fork width of 35 mm.

Check price here

Also, it comes with a rebound and a lockout. The fork has a spring that is made from a TK suspension. It is easy to adjust the fork with a push-pull knob. The fork comes with a lightweight steerer and a crown that is made from alloy.

Rockshox Recon Silver TK

It is a premium brand among mountain bikers. The fork is durable and quality, thus ranking highly among the best budget suspension forks.

Despite the budget factors, this Mtb suspension fork is customizable. It includes being light enough for cross-country racers.

It is a dependable brand, hence comfortable for new trail riders. The main undoing includes the weight issue but solves it through a classic new take.

The new iteration model of Recon TK has short legs alongside quality crown damping adjustments. Good enough, this does not affect the required control towards the less heft.

It has a light chassis compared to the past iterations above short legs. They are aluminum and magnesium built, creating an air design. This is better than the conventional coil.

It weighs 1940g, making it the heaviest. It is a sturdy build, offering plush performance. Because of the quick-release axle, that makes set-up and disassembly fast and comfy.

It has a turnkey lock-out that permits rebound blows when the fork is locked out. For instance, when you hit a rock, the fork absorbs the pressure, allowing you to proceed with the ride.

BOLANY MTB Bicycle Suspension Fork

Bolany is an ultra-budget suspension. It is the best for cross-country racers, as they have a chance to choose various options. The Bolany fork is flexible (Straight or tapered). They have a manual and remote lock, alongside lightweight air spring suspension.

The suspension fork is easy to assemble and adjust after purchase. Other elements make it worth it, such as the traveling lube that inhibits dust from getting into the fork and jamming the spring.

The main limitations include the fork not being flexible enough, especially for down-hill free riding.

Check price here

SR Suntour Raidon 34 Boost

This fork is made for riders who weigh less than 176 pounds. It is a full-suspension fork and has a travel of 100 mm. It is made with a Twinloc remote lockout and rebound. This fork is made with a one-piece CMEHL steerer.

The Fork has a 110 mm axle. The fork has a 34 mm stanchion and a 15 mm offset. This fork has a stiffer spring and a more responsive feel than the Judy Silver TK fork. It has compression and rebound adjustment knob that is easy to use.

It has an alloy crown, steerer, and axle. The fork is made with a TEG bearing, and the air spring is made with CMEHL. The fork comes with a lightweight and stiffer fork that is easy to set up and use.

Manitou Mattoc Comp

This fork is made for riders who weigh less than 176 pounds. It is only a hardtail fork. Not forgetting travel of 100 mm and a fork width of 35 mm. The fork is made with a Twinloc remote lockout and rebound.

The suspension is a one-piece CMEHL steerer. It has a 110 mm axle. It is made with TEG bearings, and the air spring is made with CMEHL. The fork has a stiffer spring and a more responsive feel than the Judy Silver TK fork. It has a compression and rebound adjustment knob that is easy to use. The fork is made with a stiffer, lighter fork that is easy to set up and use. It has a MSRP of $359.00.

FAQS

Q1:What is the best way to clean my suspension fork?

A: Most suspension forks are packed with oils and other viscosity fluids that act as seals and maintenance components. It is important to clean these out with an appropriate solvent every so often to prevent corrosion.

Q2: How do I choose the right travel length for my fork?

Travel length refers to the amount of suspension a fork has. The more travel, the more your fork will reduce the impact of the trail. If you ride on a variety of terrain, look for a fork with at least 120mm of travel. If you ride on smoother terrain, 100mm will suffice.

Bottom line

The RockShox Judy Silver TK is the best budget suspension fork you can buy. It is lightweight, easy to install, and has adjustable settings so you can get the ride you want. If you are on a tight budget, it is better to buy a cheaper fork, even if it is harder to repair and doesn’t last as long as a more expensive fork. A cheap fork is perfect and allows you to save money for other important bike parts.