QR or TA, that is the question...

[jschwart73]

It looks like I'm going to build a 29er XC bike, I'm now debating QR vs TA for the fork... I'm not going to wait for the "new standard".

So the way I understand it, with QR, you get lighter weight but more flex. With TA, you get more weight, less flex.

The question is, assuming I'm going to build wheels with CK hubs, what kind of weight penalty would I suffer going to TA?

[Bryguy17]

personally, if I had the option i would go with a through axle. Its stiffer, more robust, not dependent on tightness of skewer etc. Its a slight weight penalty, but i think its worth it. Kind of like disk brakes being worth it despite being a bit heavier than V brakes

[Pain Freak]

Really I think it's a weight thing of the rider. I get no flex at all with my QR. I've tried a few bikes with TA and can't feel a difference. I'd say stay QR unless your pushing over 180.

[dstepper]

Build it with a Hope Pro 2 hub and have it either way. It seem like MTB are moving away from QR. There is no big weight difference.

Dean

[jschwart73]

I could build with I9 hubs and make it convertible too, but since I'm deciding fork at the same time...

What I'm having trouble figuring out is the weight penalty. If it's small enough, I'll go TA for the stiffness.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by jschwart73

What I'm having trouble figuring out is the weight penalty. If it's small enough, I'll go TA for the stiffness.

What fork are you looking at?

It has been discussed many times on MTBR, there is no weight penality. You can save weight if you use a ti QR...but that is a bad idea.

Dean

[jschwart73]

Originally Posted by dstepper

What fork are you looking at?

It has been discussed many times on MTBR, there is no weight penality. You can save weight if you use a ti QR...but that is a bad idea.

Dean

That's what I wanted to hear. If there isn't a weight penalty, then I'm going to go TA for sure.

Thanks !!

[thephat]

It's not the grams, it's the fork choices. You can't go with either of my two fav fork companies and get a TA 29er fork. It's sad. You can also do 9 mm bolt on, but you will not get the stiffness of 20mm.

[soul rider]

do they make a TA 29er fork?
I can't say I have seen one, unless it's an '08/'09 offering

[DeeZee]

drop outs with a through bolt. I use this on my bike and it works great. Unless you are going to huck a 20mm is overkill

[tkblazer]

looks like more forks are goin towards the 20mm axle dropout

prototype reba with maxle

[thephat]

Originally Posted by soul rider

do they make a TA 29er fork?
I can't say I have seen one, unless it's an '08/'09 offering

Manitou Minut 29 is available in TA

White Bros 29er forks are also available in TA

Some folks run Maverick 24 mm TA forks on 29ers.

[92se-r]

I used to think the same thing, but after riding a Pike with 20mm TA and now a Fox 36, I'm sold on 20mm. Also, I only weigh 145 and was able to feel the front end not wander around on chunk. Also, fast turns, there was a more solid feel where I wouldn't have to make minute adjustments like I would have to with a 9mmQR.

Originally Posted by DeeZee

drop outs with a through bolt. I use this on my bike and it works great. Unless you are going to huck a 20mm is overkill

[G-Ride]

First, I would like to clarify because there is a difference: through-axle is 20mm, but bolt on hubs, like you see on triple-clamp forks. 20mm QR is obviously a 20mm axle, but with quick-release skewers, which is what I think you are referring to.

I have an old (2003) Marzocchi 130mm Z1 with 20mm QR dropouts. My hub is a 20mm axle, but the hole fits old style skewers. So I removed the bottom plates that are bolted on the dropouts, and threw on an old Salsa rear QR skewer which, lengthwise, fits almost exactly. All the benefits of quick release with 20mm axle. And there is definitely a difference in stiffness and tracking, regardless of whether or not you huck. Don't know about the weight difference, but a 20mm axle doesn't have too much more material than 8mm.

[SnookDawg]

I would cast my vote for TA - I am running the White Bros F135 on my 29er, and it tracks amazingly well and is super plush. Granted, the last fork I was on was a 2002 Judy XC, but huge difference here, I am about 180lbs FWIW. I notice the difference especially on off-camber corners, and in improved tracking when taking hits, say bouncing over a rock garden.

The only downside I see with TA is a little more hassle if you are removing the front wheel to transport your bike. It's not a big hassle, but you also need to potentially get an adapter if you use fork-mounts on your racks.