---
title: "Choosing Your Travel: Fork Compatibility & Offset"
description: Article explaining high-level fork compatibility based on travel and offset for current Santa Cruz Bicycles models
---
[Skip to content](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/fork-compatibility#main-content)
- [Bikes](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/bikes)
- [Find a Dealer](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/dealers)
- [Owners Club](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/service/owners-club)
- [Gear](https://shop.santacruzbicycles.com/)
Open main navigation
Close main navigation
- [Bikes](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/bikes)
- [Find a Dealer](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/dealers)
- [Owners Club](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/service/owners-club)
- [Gear](https://shop.santacruzbicycles.com/)
- [Contact us](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/contact)
[Contact us](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/en-US/contact)
How can we help you?
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
1. [Santa Cruz Bicycles Rider Support](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/?hsLang=en)
2. [Suspension](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/suspension?hsLang=en)
3. [Shock/Fork Compatibility & Sizing](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/suspension?hsLang=en#shock-fork-compatibility-sizing)
March 30, 2026
# Choosing Your Travel: Fork Compatibility & Offset
Every Santa Cruz frame is engineered for a specific fork travel and offset to ensure balanced geometry and predictable handling.
> **Pro Tip:** Most models can accept **10mm of additional travel** beyond the stock setup without compromising safety (e.g., if a bike comes with a 150mm fork, a 160mm fork is generally approved).
---
### Compatibility Guide (Current Versions, see [Archive](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/pages/product-support) for older models)
| **Model (Version)** | **Recommended Travel Range** | **Recommended Offset** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **V10 (V8)** | 200mm – 203mm (Dual-Crown) | 52mm |
| **Bullit (V4)** | 170mm – 180mm | 44mm |
| **Nomad (V6)** | 170mm – 180mm | 37mm |
| **Megatower (V2)** | 170mm – 180mm | 44mm |
| **Vala (V1)** | 160mm – 170mm | 44mm |
| **Bronson (V5)** | 160mm – 170mm | 44mm |
| **Hightower (V4)** | 160mm – 170mm | 44mm |
| **Heckler SL (V1)** | 160mm – 170mm | 44mm |
| **5010 (V5)** | 140mm – 150mm | 44mm |
| **Tallboy (V5)** | 130mm – 140mm | 44mm |
| **Chameleon (V8)** | 130mm – 140mm | 44mm |
| **Blur (V4)** | 100mm – 120mm | 44mm |
| **Highball (V3)** | 100mm – 120mm | 44mm |
| **Stigmata (V4)** | Rigid or 40mm (Suspension) | 45mm |
| **Skitch (V1)** | Rigid or 40mm (Suspension) | 45mm |
---
### Safety Rules of the Trail
- **The 6mm Rule:** You **must** maintain at least 6mm of clearance between the inflated tire and the fork (crown, brace, and steerer) when the fork is fully compressed.
- **Stay Single:** Other than the V10, all mountain bike frames are designed for **single-crown forks only**.
- **Carbon Steerers:** If using a carbon fork steerer tube, there must be at least one 5mm spacer both **above and below** the stem.
- **Stigmata/Skitch Spacers:** For these specific models, the maximum stack of spacers under the stem must not exceed 50mm.
- **Dealer Check:** We highly recommend having an authorized dealer handle fork installations, as improper assembly can lead to equipment failure or serious injury.
- [General Questions](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/general-questions?hsLang=en)
- [Ebikes](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/ebikes?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Shimano](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/ebikes?hsLang=en#shimano)
- [Fazua](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/ebikes?hsLang=en#fazua)
- [Bosch](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/ebikes?hsLang=en#bosch)
- [Wheels](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/wheels?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Fillmore Valves](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/wheels?hsLang=en#fillmore-valves)
- [Driver Bodies](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/wheels?hsLang=en#driver-bodies)
- [Tires & Sealant](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/wheels?hsLang=en#tires-sealant)
- [Suspension](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/suspension?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Shock/Fork Compatibility & Sizing](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/suspension?hsLang=en#shock-fork-compatibility-sizing)
- [Basic Suspension Setup](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/suspension?hsLang=en#basic-suspension-setup)
- [Bearing & Pivot Maintenance](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/suspension?hsLang=en#bearing-pivot-maintenance)
- [Drivetrain](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/drivetrain?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) & T-type Transmission](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/drivetrain?hsLang=en#universal-derailleur-hanger-udh-t-type-transmission)
- [Chainline & Crank Offset](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/drivetrain?hsLang=en#chainline-crank-offset)
- [Setup and Maintenance](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/drivetrain?hsLang=en#setup-and-maintenance)
- [Frame Specs and Cosmetics](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/frame-specs-and-cosmetics?hsLang=en#main-content)
- [Serial Numbers](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/frame-specs-and-cosmetics?hsLang=en#serial-numbers)
- [Dropper Post Insertion](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/frame-specs-and-cosmetics?hsLang=en#dropper-post-insertion)
- [Frame Color & Touch Up Paint](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/frame-specs-and-cosmetics?hsLang=en#frame-color-touch-up-paint)
- [Decals & Headtube Badges](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/frame-specs-and-cosmetics?hsLang=en#decals-headtube-badges)
- [Creaking & Noises](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/frame-specs-and-cosmetics?hsLang=en#creaking-noises)
- [Geometry](https://ridersupport.santacruzbicycles.com/frame-specs-and-cosmetics?hsLang=en#geometry)
- Company
- [About Us](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/about-us)
- [Stewardship](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/about/values)
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/privacy-policy)
- Technology
- [Lifetime Guarantee](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/warranty/claims)
- [Carbon Expertise](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/tech/materials)
- Support
- [Bike Archive](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/product-support)
- [Shop Small Parts](https://shop.santacruzbicycles.com/pages/bike-models?_gl=1*10owj8e*_gcl_au*MTgyMjgwMzE1Ny4xNzE5NDM1NzE2*_ga*MTA4MjYyNjI5My4xNzI0MzczMDUz*_ga_768KW5336R*MTcyNDM3MzA1My4xLjEuMTcyNDM3MzYwMi4wLjAuMA..)
- Experience
- [Stories](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/stories)
- [Find a Retailer](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/dealers)
- [Demo Centers](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/demo-centers)
[](https://www.santacruzbicycles.com/)
[mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com)
Copyright © 2024, Santa Cruz Bicycles