[hogcowboy]

I see a trend to these upside down forks and question, why? There's a claim that they provide better rigidity but how can that be with the biggest thickest part on conventional forks being lower where twisting starts. I guess upside down you can add more bracing, but is that what it's all about or is it just a claimed appearance improvement? I really don't get it. It looks odd to me but I'm seeing more and more of this style.

 

[hogcowboy]

The rest of the theory, as the article at the link says, is that unsprung weight is reduced, resulting in better damping and control. Looking at photos of inverted forks, I wonder if there is really that much difference in moving mass. I've read that 1 ounce of usprung weight equals 7 ounces above the springs for damping control, so a little weight loss could help, I guess.

Well I would think if anything, the heavier tops now being on the bottom would cause slightly more resistance on dampening but could you even measure it? Like a heavier weight oil. I doubt it. But that might be the only benefit I can see with reversed fork tubes. I personally think people just bought into a fashion craze.