Hey guys! Just got this 2019 specialized Fatboy recently and i have been taking it on single track trails and it does fine but i feel like i could definitely use a front suspension fork. So i was wondering if you guys have any recommendations for a good front suspension forks that will be compatible with this bike. Thanks! Here are the specs:
https://www.specialized.com/us/en/fatboy/p/154356?color=236237-154356
by rivshaw6
8 Comments
Those big tires should have lots of give. What tire pressures are you running? My (160lbs) typical settings for trails are between 6-9psi, just to give you an idea. In winter on loose snow, I’ll go down to 4psi. You’ll generally need a special gauge to get accurate readings as low as these.
All of these forks should work
https://moosebicycle.com/collections/forks-dropper-post
However, as long as you are running at a lower pressure, the tires should have enough give. Tubeless helps with this too.
There’s basically 3 suspension options these days.
– Manitou Mastodon
– Wren Inverted
– NOS/Used RockShox Bluto
I went with a Mastodon Comp. Has been great for non-winter singletrack. Plenty of stiffness and the damper feels good
I have a Manitou Mastadon and have no complaints. They will take big tires like 27.5×4.5 or 26×5.
I prefer Bluto. But those won’t fit Terrene Johnny 5. Wife’s bike has bluto and schwalbe 4.8’s. My bike has mastodon Comp, Gen 3 with Johnny 5’s. I hate the mastodon, hard to set up, only 6 months old and get’s what is called “Suckdown” during cold rides loosing suspension during a ride. New fork should work out of the box.
I think it’s worth the weight tax. Just put on a Mastodon Comp EXT, and I’m pretty happy with it. Makes summer bombing more fun, and really makes a difference on the rutty post holed trails in the winter.
I’ll be honest, I really wanted a suspension fork for my 2017 Momentum Rocker 3, but as I rode it more and more, I noticed I didn’t need it, now I really don’t want it. I like the pressure ideas already mentioned here, I also say just keep riding it around all over the place, on and off road, play with your tire pressures and maybe you won’t need one. And if you do, I keep hearing great things about the Manitou.
Lower your front tire pressure, much cheaper than a squish fork.