A dirt jumper frame lives or dies by its front end, because landings arrive hard and repeated. Short travel, a stiff axle, and a short offset help the front wheel stay planted through takeoffs and berms. Match your wheel size, axle spacing, and steerer tube before anything else. You also need to confirm disc brake mount spacing, since a mismatched caliper mount blocks installation.
A Closer Look At The Lineup
BUCKLOS 27.5 MTB Suspension Fork 100mm QR 9mm Crown Lockout
RockShox Judy Silver TK Suspension Fork 27.5 120mm
BUCKLOS 26 inch MTB Fork 120mm Travel 15mm Axle
BOLANY 26/27.5/29inch Bike Suspension Fork 120mm Travel
RockShox Pike DJ Suspension Fork 26 100mm 15x100mm
Gravity Salire SJ-50 Dirt Jumper Bike 26 inch Wheels
A Deeper Look At The Lineup
Short travel and a 9mm quick release axle define this 27.5 inch option, which suits trail builds that need a simple swap. You get 100mm of travel with crown lockout, a setup that firms the fork for smooth pump track laps. A steerer tube is the tube that passes through the head tube and clamps to the stem, and the 28.6mm straight version here fits common frames.
Aluminium alloy and magnesium alloy construction keeps weight near 2598g, lighter than the RockShox Judy Silver TK at 6.9 pounds. Manual ABS adjustment changes softness for different surfaces, though tuning remains hands-on at the crown. Disc brakes use post mount 160mm spacing, so check rotor size against your frame before ordering.
Why It Works Well
- 100mm travel suits dirt jumps without feeling tall
- Crown lockout firms the fork for pumping sections
- Manual ABS adjustment adapts to trail surfaces
- Removable sticker allows a clean look
Things To Consider
- 9mm quick release axle offers less stiffness than thru axle designs
- Straight steerer tube limits compatibility with tapered head tubes
Who It Suits Best
Trail riders with a 27.5 inch frame and 9mm quick release hub spacing benefit most.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
RockShox Pike DJ Suspension Fork suits dedicated jumpers who need a 15mm thru axle and 35mm stanchions.
Entry level trail use shapes this fork, with 120mm travel and a 42mm offset for 27.5 inch wheels. It gives you external rebound adjustment, a dial that controls how quickly the fork extends after compression. That control matters on rough landings, where a slow rebound can push the front wheel upward.
Fast Black upper tubes, meaning the stanchions (the shiny inner tubes that slide into the lowers) carry a low friction coating, help the fork move smoothly. TurnKey lockout at the crown plus OneLoc remote compatibility adds flexibility for riders who lock the fork on smooth sections. Tire clearance reaches 2.8 inch Plus tires, giving you room for wider rubber than the narrower limit on the BUCKLOS 27.5 model.
Strong Points
- External rebound adjustment fine tunes landing behavior
- TurnKey lockout and OneLoc remote options add control
- Fast Black stanchions reduce sliding friction
- Plus tire clearance up to 2.8 inch
- Solo Air spring balances positive and negative air
Worth Noting
- 9 x 100mm quick release axle limits stiffness for hard jump landings
- 120mm travel raises the front end compared with 100mm dirt jump forks
- 6.9 pound weight adds mass compared with lighter air forks
Air spring suspension and a 15mm thru axle give this fork a stiffer front end than the 9mm quick release BUCKLOS model. You get 120mm travel across 26, 27.5, and 29 inch sizes, with straight or tapered steerer options. Rebound adjustment controls return speed, which helps the fork recover between bumps on a pump track.
Weight near 1808g makes this lighter than the Judy Silver TK, a difference that you feel during manual lifts and quick direction changes. Manual lockout with six levels of control firms the fork for smooth sections. Disc brake only design means rim brake frames need a different choice.
Positive Takeaways
- 15mm thru axle adds front end stiffness
- Rebound adjustment controls recovery speed
- 1808g weight keeps the front end light
Trade Offs
- Disc brake only, no rim brake compatibility
- Tapered steerer requires a matching head tube and crown race
Manual and remote lockout in one fork gives BOLANY a flexibility the crown-only BUCKLOS models lack. You can lock the fork from the handlebar for smooth jump approaches, then release it for landings. Air spring suspension with 32mm stanchions and 120mm travel supports tires up to 2.4 inch.
Teflon self-lubricating bearings inside the lowers aim to keep stanchions sliding with less friction, and sponge rings help retain oil. Magnesium alloy lowers keep weight down while handling pressure in a large air chamber. A 42.5mm offset and 9mm quick release axle match many trail frames, though you will need to look elsewhere with a thru axle hub.
The Value In It
- Manual and remote lockout options in one fork
- Air spring filters small vibrations on rough ground
- Teflon bearings support continuous lubrication
- Sponge rings help keep stanchions clean
- Black and orange color choices
- Includes star nut, lower plug, and water bottle
Minor Gripes
- 9mm quick release axle, not thru axle
- 220mm steerer length needs a head tube measurement check
Made For
Riders who switch between smooth pump track laps and rough trails benefit from remote lockout.
Consider Something Else When
BUCKLOS 26 inch MTB Fork suits riders who want a 15mm thru axle instead of quick release.
Dirt jumping shapes every detail here, from the 35mm stanchions to the 40mm offset. You get 100mm travel tuned for jump faces, with a custom Charger damper that adjusts rebound and low speed compression externally. That damper tuning helps the fork stay composed on takeoffs and settle before landings.
Solo Air combines positive and negative air springs for progressive bottom out resistance, meaning the fork firms up near the end of travel. A 15 x 100mm thru axle and 26 inch wheel size match dedicated jump frames, unlike the 27.5 inch Judy Silver TK. Tire clearance reaches 66mm, and weight sits near 1880g, which helps you lift the front end for tricks.
The Helpful Details
- 35mm stanchions add stiffness for berms and landings
- Charger damper offers external rebound and compression adjustment
- Solo Air provides progressive bottom out resistance
- 40mm offset sharpens front wheel response
Room For Improvement
- 26 inch wheel size limits use on larger wheel frames
A complete bike changes the decision, since frame, fork, and wheels arrive matched. You get a reinforced steel frame with a VAXA 100mm suspension fork, double walled 26 inch rims, and mechanical disc brakes. That package suits riders who want to ride dirt jumps without sourcing parts separately.
Small Block 8 tires at 26 x 2.35 inch, a 3 piece crank set, and a 21 speed drivetrain cover pump tracks and BMX terrain. Partial assembly and tuning remain part of setup, so clear space for a work stand or repair area helps you during the first build. Compared with the Pike DJ fork alone, this option trades tuning depth for a ready to assemble whole bike.
Useful Highlights
- Complete bike with matched frame and fork
- VAXA 100mm fork suits dirt jump landings
- Double walled rims support jump use
Points To Note
- Partial assembly and tuning required before riding
- Dual coil fork offers less tuning than air spring forks
Factors Worth Checking Before Choosing Dirt Jumper Forks
Wheel Size and Axle Spacing
Measure your wheel diameter and hub spacing before ordering any fork. A 15mm thru axle hub will not fit a 9mm quick release fork, and the reverse also fails. Check the steerer tube diameter and length against the head tube, since straight and tapered designs use different crown races.
Travel and Offset for Jump Geometry
Shorter travel keeps the front end low for tricks, while 120mm travel suits trail landings. Offset changes steering feel, with shorter offsets giving quicker response. Match offset to the frame design for balanced handling on jump faces.
Spring Type and Damping Control
Air springs allow pressure tuning for your weight, while coil springs use a fixed rate. Rebound adjustment controls how fast the fork returns after compression. Lockout options matter for smooth sections, with remote lockout offering faster switching from the handlebar.
Brake Mount and Tire Clearance
Confirm post mount spacing and rotor size, since most forks here use 160mm rotors. Tire clearance limits width, with some forks accepting 2.8 inch tires and others topping out near 2.4 inch. Measure frame clearance as well, because tire width alone does not guarantee fit.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Common Shopping Slip Ups
Ordering by travel alone causes mismatches with hub spacing and head tube size. Measure your existing fork first and compare steerer length, axle type, and brake mount. That check prevents returns and keeps a build moving.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Higher tier forks add stiffer stanchions, external damping adjustment, and progressive air springs. Those features help repeated landings feel controlled. Riders who jump weekly gain more from that tuning than riders who ride smooth trails occasionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What travel length suits dirt jumping?
100mm travel suits most dirt jump frames and keeps the front end low. Longer travel at 120mm suits trail use with rougher landings.
How do thru axle and quick release differ?
A thru axle passes through the hub and clamps with a lever or bolt for added stiffness. Quick release uses a 9mm skewer that fits older hub designs.
What does lockout do on a suspension fork?
Lockout firms the fork to reduce movement on smooth sections. Release returns the fork to full suspension for landings and rough ground.
Can a fork fit multiple wheel sizes?
Some forks offer 26, 27.5, and 29 inch versions with shared travel and axle designs. Wheel size still needs to match the frame and hub spacing.
What should be measured before ordering a fork?
Measure steerer tube diameter, steerer length, hub spacing, and brake mount spacing. Tire clearance also needs a check against frame limits.
Final Verdict
Match wheel size and axle type first, then choose travel and damping for the terrain ahead. RockShox Pike DJ Suspension Fork suits dedicated jumpers, while Gravity Salire SJ-50 suits riders who want a complete bike. That pairing covers most dirt jump builds without guesswork.