Question........

[Bilks]

Dear Tech dept,


please, would anyone out there explain to me the benifits of upside down forks?

Also, reasons for a larger diameter front wheel?

I thank u,

Bilko.( Part 1 CBT soon !)

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Bilko
USD forks are larger diameter than conventional forks and therefore flex less,thus being more stable giving better handling.

 

[The Foolish Fellow]

unsprung weight

in upside down forks the normally heavy fork bottoms are now at the top and no longer directly connected to the wheel. The spring + damper mechanism can now work with more efficiency because of less weight driving the spring.

 

[CoolCarbon]

Larger Front Wheel

This can assist when off roading, it's easier to clear obstacles with a bigger wheel.

CC

 

[Animal]

Here Goes...

USD forks aren't (theoretically) any bigger diameter than RWUs... it's just that USDs are generally on big bikes, so appear bigger.
90% of their use is pose value, the rest is down to USDs being able to handle heavy forces better (don't ask me why, I'm no engineer)

A bigger front wheel has 2 advantages...

1. It's bigger, so handles bumps better

2. It's bigger (again) so has a higher gyroscopic effect, making the bike more stable.




HTH

 

[Timolgra]

Re: unsprung weight

in upside down forks the normally heavy fork bottoms are now at the top and no longer directly connected to the wheel. The spring + damper mechanism can now work with more efficiency because of less weight driving the spring.

Yep, I agree it is all down to reducing the unsprung weight.
Tim