Hi all, here's what's going on:
I turned my 2017 Kona Explosif into a basket bike by swapping out the Fox 34 Float Performance 120mm Tapered fork to a Soma MTB Disc fork. Since I've done this, the steering has been a lot less stable. When I ride hands-free (especially with weight in the basket) it wants to wobble and it requires a ton more balance to ride straight, and on steep climbs (with hands! lol) there is a tendency for the bike to just go off line if that makes sense.
I've attached manufacturer specs for the bike (w/ the original Fox fork) and for the Soma fork. Also pics of the bike with both forks. I'm seeing that the rake has gone from 42 to 47mm which seems nominal but the axle to crown length went from 509 on the Fox to 485 mm on the Soma.
My questions are as follows:
- Am I on the right track in thinking this change in fork length is what is causing the change in handling?
- Would an angle adjust headset help fix this issue and make the bike more stable?
- If so, how do I determine what headset to get (i.e., how many degrees)?
Thanks gang!
by SprawloutBoy
1 Comment
reduction in a2c with increase in rake has resulted in less **trail** = more twitch.
Angle adjust headset would compensate and correct. Typically, baskets and racks and such on front will are intended for fork/bike combos with more trail. Not the end of the world to have a twitchier bike and if anything, just means you should keep the hands on your bars for a 0$ solution.
[https://www.fanatikbike.com/blogs/engage/who-the-heck-cares-about-fork-offset-and-what-the-heck-is-trail](https://www.fanatikbike.com/blogs/engage/who-the-heck-cares-about-fork-offset-and-what-the-heck-is-trail)