Author Topic: front suspension gravel?  (Read 924 times)

kwantani

front suspension gravel?
« on: October 09, 2024, 06:21:02 PM »
Any chinese makers offering front suspension gravel yet?



00Garza

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2024, 07:02:05 PM »
If you search “gravel suspension fork” you’ll get lots of hits.
Look like a lot of Rudy knockoffs. Don’t know if there’s any long term reviews on them anywhere. Buy at your own risk.

Or do you mean a frame that is specifically designed for suspension?

00Garza

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2024, 09:04:01 PM »
While on the topic of Chinese gravel suspension, I noticed state bicycle has their own branded suspension fork. I highly doubt they engineered and manufacture their own fork. Could this be a rebadged version of the Chinese gravel forks we see on Ali with a ridiculous profit margin?

coffeebreak

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #3 on: October 18, 2024, 10:54:38 PM »
With State that is very much a possibility.

00Garza

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2024, 06:30:15 AM »
The fork in question. Seems super generic. Like the kocelvo or Lutu gravel forks.
https://www.statebicycle.com/collections/frames/products/state-bicycle-co-all-road-suspension-gravel-fork-40mm


jonathanf2

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2024, 10:10:35 AM »
I know a guy who spent $$$ for a quality suspension fork on his gravel bike. He struggled on the climbs due to the added weight. Now I seem him just take the MTB out instead.

With State that is very much a possibility.

At least if there are issues with rebranded components, I'm sure State will address problems directly.

coffeebreak

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2024, 02:02:11 PM »
If you buy it with fully built bike you can get it cheap...for $350 lol. I am not sold on gravel suspension yet. Those stems with elastomers built in them sound like a better idea. Much lighter too.

00Garza

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2024, 11:46:29 AM »
I’m more partial to the Lauf style of suspension fork, though I’m never used one. Just makes more sense being maintenance free and light weight. Can’t really tune it though.

repoman

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #8 on: October 21, 2024, 08:09:29 PM »
Really wish someone made a lightweight gravel fork that had more like 60-70mm of travel. I believe the Fox TC32 goes to 50mm but that doesn't seem like it'd be enough if you wanted to get your bike in places where a sus fork would really make a difference.

Crash217

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2024, 03:12:44 PM »
Really wish someone made a lightweight gravel fork that had more like 60-70mm of travel. I believe the Fox TC32 goes to 50mm but that doesn't seem like it'd be enough if you wanted to get your bike in places where a sus fork would really make a difference.

Pop the damper apart on just about any modern cartridge fork and install a bushing on the damper rod between the piston and top out bumper inside the damper cartridge.  That will reduce fork length/travel 1:1.   Some of the old XC forks are very light and very cheap on the used market. If you stick 30mm of spacers onto the damper rod of a 100mm fork it becomes a 70mm fork.  Forks are silly easy to service with only a couple of cheap "special" tools.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2024, 07:41:30 AM by Crash217 »

s3si1u

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2024, 12:29:47 PM »
Really wish someone made a lightweight gravel fork that had more like 60-70mm of travel. I believe the Fox TC32 goes to 50mm but that doesn't seem like it'd be enough if you wanted to get your bike in places where a sus fork would really make a difference.

There are cheap gravel suspension forks on Aliexpress with 60mm of travel.
MRP Baxter is currently on sale for $495 and also has up to 60mm. I guess neigher of these options are lightweight, but the Baxter does come close to the Fox/Rockshox options in weight and is cheaper than these two at the moment.
I also find that if I hang around eBay long enough, a couple of used or B stock Lauf forks will eventually pop up at a good price. I've missed out on a couple by being indecisive.  :(
« Last Edit: October 28, 2024, 12:37:39 PM by s3si1u »
Instagram: @aerosloth

s3si1u

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2024, 12:41:36 PM »

FullCarbonAlchemist

Re: front suspension gravel?
« Reply #12 on: October 29, 2024, 12:43:03 AM »
Really wish someone made a lightweight gravel fork that had more like 60-70mm of travel. I believe the Fox TC32 goes to 50mm but that doesn't seem like it'd be enough if you wanted to get your bike in places where a sus fork would really make a difference.

The Suntour GVX V2 (matte paint, revised damper and an air spring with a proportionally huge negative chamber) isn’t as light as the Fox fork and the air spring requires pressures in PSI about your body weight in pounds, but overall it’s a good fork and is adjustable up to 60mm of travel. It’s about 150g lighter than the V1, thanks to a hollow crown.

I ran this with a Carbonda CFR707 for a while at 60mm and then 50mm, but knee issues have made the slack seat tube angle uncomfortable so I’m going back to the carbon fork. It would be fun with a frame specifically designed for that much fork travel, if you ride rough enough roads and trails, but in my case it was a bit of a failed experiment.

I have the GVX V1 and V2 with 15x100 axles (another unique feature of the GVX though they also make it in 12mm) for sale in the USA if anyone’s interested. Both low miles/gentle use and pristine condition.