Was asking because I can buy an 18.5 inch norco frame like yours for £65 which is roughly $90 along with 150mm travel marzocchi drop off forks, about the same price and I have just enough cash for them, I am 6ft 1 inch and not sure if the frame will be too big for me
Also im used to running small hardtail frames, never had anything over 16 inches, im using a mk1 dmr sidekick with 100mm travel rockshox recon and do trails/singletrack riding
So first put yourself in the years between 2005 and 2006. The frame (19.5" Norco Torrent 2005, Google it for geo info etc) was the perfect dh hard tail frame, but is no longer being made with those specs.
The fork is a 888 VF 170mm with flat crowns, 2006.
I am 6'3", but like to pedal out of the saddle, a more free ride personality.
This has been my favorite build by far. Look in my videos to see it in action (self filmed dh hard tail edit)
I don't know what's wrong with you in western countries... Hundreds of people from Poland, Russia, Ukraine have tested big forks on hardtails. My NS Bitch had warranty for DC forks up to 200mm.
Moreover what's the difference between DC and SC fork if we're talking about head tube? Do you think that shiver DC will break headtube of HT frame easier than 66RC 2005?
How very kind of you sir. "Whats wrong with you in western countries...." I was saying it as a warning. There is a reason bikes are built with the headtube slope they are built with. It has happened many, many times. Chances are, if you're taking hits big enough to need a fork with that much travel, you are putting too much stress on the headtube.