100mm Fork standard to 120mm, possible?

Question

Here's the bike http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2003&sid=03Hardrock

It comes standard with a 100mm fork. My suspension is shot and dont feel like rebuilding, rather I just wanna buy a new one. Im looking at a 120mm SR Suntour XC fork. My question:Will I be able to put on another 20mm of travel with the geometry of this bike, or is that too much? I'd be using it for XC, dirt jumping, and mtb parks like Ray's Indoor.

Answer 1

Yes, you could safely go up another 20mm or 30mm in fork travel.....it's going to make the bike steer a little more slowly and turning may feel different, but it's ok to add that small amount of travel to the bike.  

The problem, however, is that neither the bike frame you have, nor the new fork you're considering, are built for the stresses of jumping.  They're ok for normal xc riding and some very small drops (like 2' or less....as long as your rims will take it).    If you start going bigger, you risk breaking parts and getting hurt.    I know you probably want to keep your bike and just fix/replace the fork, but if you're serious about doing dirt jumps you'd be smarter to save up and get a good used jump bike or a new one.  

Hope that helps some.....and rock on at Ray's!   I'd like to go there sometime!    :o)