Are you a bicycle enthusiast? If yes then you obviously understand the thrill of pairing up different components of a bicycle. Among these components, pairing up forks and frames holds a significant place.
If the fork and frame size mismatch, you can still pair them up. For instance, 27.5 forks on a 26-sized frame is often experimented.
So, is it possible to fit a 27.5 fork on 26 frame?
Yes, the pairing of a 27.5 fork on a 26 frame is possible! But your riding experience won’t differ much. There are many pros and cons to this pairing. For instance, You’ll get better speed and control. However, you’ll be sacrificing bicycle aesthetics and it’ll be tough to make tight turns.
There are a lot more to know before you can start your voyage in this experimental journey. I have compiled all the advantages and disadvantages in detail here to make your life simpler.
Let’s get in!
Is It Possible to Put a 27.5 Fork on 26 Frame?
Not every time you can obtain the fork you need. In some unfortunate times, it’s not always possible to match your fork with your frame size.
There is an existing dilemma about forks and frames. Some think that frames and forks have to match their sizes. On the other hand, others say that even if the sizes mismatch, that pairing can work great!
Sometime people experiment with a 26″ frame with 27.5″ wheels and a 29″ fork.
So, do not be afraid to mix-match the frame, wheels or the fork.
It’s common to get lost between the two sides of the same coin. So you might ask, can i use 27.5 fork on a 26 frame?
The answer to this question is- yes! You can pair up the desired fork in your frame! For some users, it is a good strategy. Using this pair may raise the axle crown by roughly 13mm. This might need some getting used to it as well.
The frame is the main part of a bicycle that holds the other parts in place. Changing the frame means that the whole bicycle needs to be upgraded.
Let’s say you’re only upgrading the forks! In that case, changing the frame would be an expensive decision. Whether you’re modding a regular bike or a mountain bike, it’s the same.
You might ask, can I put a 26 wheel on a 27.5 fork? This question is commonly asked since the frame and fork sizes are different.
If you have disc brakes you can easily put a 26-inch wheel on a 27.5 fork. It’ll be in the range of the calipers. However, rim brakes won’t be sufficient in this case. The calipers will be way off.
I’ve talked with my mechanic and he recommended some of the disc brakes that’ll be great for you to pick up.
| Image | Product Name | Price |
|---|---|---|
  | RUJOI Bike Disc Brake Kit | Get it Now! |
  | BlueSunshine Front and Back Disk Brake Kit | Get it Now! |
  | TOBWOLF 1 Pair MTB Front & Rear Cable Disc Brake | Get it Now! |
By using these disc brakes, you can increase safety and ensure a firm braking mechanism! That too if you use a 26 wheel on a 27.5 fork.
Now we know putting a 27.5 fork on a 26 frame is possible. For the next part, let’s learn the consequences of this pairing.
What Happens When You Pair 27.5 Fork on 26 Frame?
Just because something is possible, doesn’t mean doing it will be a reasonable decision. Similarly, a 27.5 fork on a 26 frame is possible. Yet, it’s necessary that we know the pros and cons of this.
Note that, it’s not only applicable for 27.5 forks. You might be using 29 fork on 27.5 frame, or a 29 fork on 26 frame. It’ll be the same in these cases as well!
I’ve listed some of the pros and cons of a 27.5 fork on a 26 frame. This elaborated discussion will help you decide. Check it out!
Pros
Here are some of the advantages of using a 27.5 fork on a 26 frame.
Better Control
You will have better control over the bike at high speeds.
Since the front end of the bike will be elevated, the ergonomics will help a lot. When you achieve higher speeds, you will have more space to turn.
Also, the 27.5 forks will provide extra weight on the front end of the bike. This extra weight of the fork will help with the control.
Easy Acceleration
Obtaining acceleration will be much easier. The steep angle towards the back end helps accelerate much faster.
The weight distribution of your bicycle will be shifted towards the back. For that reason, the front wheel can rotate much easier
Improved Balance
The 26 inches rim will provide improved balance.
26-inch rims are wider than usual. This can provide a good balance for you and your bike. This is the reason why people like wider bikes over regular bikes in terms of balance.
Cons
Well, nothing is 100 percent good in this world. So, this whole mix matching has its disadvantages as well. Let’s take a look!
Less Aesthetically Pleasing
Your bicycle might look a bit awkward.
Believe it or not, using a fork that is bigger than your frame will completely change its looks. It’s not the same as using a 27.5 rigid fork on 26 frame.
Look here the front part is a bit out of the line and more elevated. This can sometime give people OCD. Also many people are sensitive about their forks being too big.
Difficult to Make Tight Turns
It will be difficult to make tight turns.
Since the fork will be larger than the frame, the front wheel will be elevated. For this reason, if you need to make a sharp turn, it won’t be easy.
So, if you’re going at high speeds and there’s a sharp turn coming ahead, slow down. With less speed, you can easily make the turn without any risk!
Off Axle Crown
The axle crown difference will be off.
Putting a 27.5 fork on a 26 frame will raise the axle crown by roughly 13mm. It is noticeable and uses a different geometry sense. However, if you ride your bike long enough, you might get used to it.
You can get the measurements of your axle crown on your own! Measure the top side of the crown from the backside of the axle.
Hard Brake Issues
Using a hard brake on the bike can be fatal.
It’s quite clear that any suspension on a vehicle reacts to the brakes. The longer the suspension, the more it’ll react to it!
In this case, the 650b wheels on 26 frame will react on the fork pretty roughly. Your bike might bolt up if you hard brake.
Also, the 27.5 front wheel on 26 bike frame will increase the height as well. It’ll increase the slacking angle, which directly affects braking!
Additionally, if you’re using an MTB then there might be fork oil leaking issues because of hard brakes.
The solution to this would be to change your braking pattern. Slowly braking can be useful for this situation!
After reading the pros and cons, you should have a pretty good idea about this pairing. The segment can help you further with the decision of installing the fork.
Should You Install a 27.5 Fork on 26 Frame?
It all depends on your priorities. If you want a slack angle and more control at high speeds, go for it. This can be one of the best solutions for it.
You may not want to alter your bike aesthetics or follow the conventional bike guidelines. In that case, don’t install the fork. Try matching the frame size and the fork size.
Installing the 27.5 forks on a 26 frame will change the experience of your bike. Some may like it, some may not. If you’re liking it, that’s great! If you’re not a fan of it, you can always revert to the old setup.
You can also
Additionally, if you install the suspension fork in the correct way, you can avoid tons of problems. So it’s an essential part as well!
FAQs
Is it Worth Upgrading the MTB Fork?
Yes, upgrading MTB forks will be worth it. Any component you upgrade on your bicycle will improve performance drastically. With expense, you can reduce weight, and increase the structural integrity. Usually, XC and trail forks are lightweight. On the other hand, endure and trail forks focus on performance.
Why is 27.5 better than 29?
27.5-sized wheels are better than 29-sized wheels in terms of speed, acceleration, etc. 27.5-sized wheels are small in size and have less radius. That causes them to pick up acceleration in a small amount of time. Yet, 29ers are more efficient at longer rides; compared to the 27.5ers.
Is More Fork Travel the Better?
Yes, fork travel actually strengthens the fork. The fork gains stiffness and weight as time goes on. Also, travel actually increases fork size. These characteristics help in many situations. For instance, when you’re climbing inclined grounds. Similarly, long handlebars increase the control of the bicycle.
The Final Words
This is the finish line of this article. Hopefully, you now know everything about 27.5 fork on 26 frame.
This is a creative option for your bicycle. Feel free to pair up 26” forks with a 26-sized frame if you’re unsure about anything. You can even go for a 29” fork with your 26” frame as well.
All the best!
