Humpert Ergotec Handlebar Safety Levels

Humpert Ergotec Handlebar Safety Levels

This is not so much a review of the handle bar, after all this £5 offering from humpert is a piece of steel tube, and there is very little to say about it. The finish was OK, and it was not bent or anything.

However, the packing left me wondering what I could actually use this handle bar for, as it indcated that my handle bar for "Safety level 3" . . . what does that mean? Well don't google "humpert" google for "ergotec" as that is a brand apparently.

 

So the packaging arrived labelled Ergotec, safety level 3 in prominent location.  Which means apparently I cannot use this bar for trekking if I weigh more than 120kg. And I cannot use it on a mountain bike. So which Humpert bars can I use on a mountain bike? This is conspires is hard to fin out. 

 If you visit the ergotec website you can sort handlebars available, by there safety level. However to then find the appropriate handle bar for sale, is tricky as most of the handlebars has generic names such as "flat bar".

Things then start to get ugly as we realise that  this flat bar is available is 3 different material choices each with a different safety level.

 So in summary the only way you can find a humpert / ergotec bar of the appropriate safety level is to go on the ergotec website and cross reference you purchase with the parts number.

"Arty" / Pointless  Picture of Handle Bar Inside

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Beware of the "Friendly" Pheasant

Beware of the "Friendly" Pheasant - Intro

Around the  middle of march (early sping in the UK) you may ntoice that pheasants become "friendly" they are not becoming friendly at all. 

I had not seen this behaviour before, and naturally I tried feeding the pheasant and gave it a name. But I had misread the situation the pheasant was becoming territorial. 

I am no expert, I declare this now. But when I came near the pheasant it started making noises which you can hear in the attached video. These could be a warning signal.

Any hoo, about 2 weeks after I shot this video, the pheasant attacked by daughter, it bit here on the finger, and when I heard screams I went see what was happening. The pheasant for repeatedly jumping at her with its talons, and whether the screaming encouraged this, or whether it was because she was bit smaller than me I am not too sure. 

The pheasant was jumping around 80cm to a 100cm from the ground, this would have been easily high enough to to claw our toddler in the face, so we made a concerted effort to show the pheasant who was boss, stciks and kicking etc. and it has not been back. 

So beware the "friendly" pheasant he is not as friendly as you would think!

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Which Suntour Forks are Safe for Off-Road Use?

Which Suntour Forks are Safe for Freeride & Downhill Use?

It is not imminently clear when buying a bike with Suntour Fork whether they are rated for off-road use. Many of the lower end off road forks, come with stickers saying "not suitable for freeride or downhill" or as below

Sticker says "Do not use for free ride, down hill, dirt jumper or any hard riding" This is primarily for insurance purposes. p.s. What is hard riding? LOL

The below table shows the intended uses for each type of fork that Suntour sell. The table is a little out of date so might not include newest forks. The table can be found in the General Fork Manual Suntour.

Forks covered include:

• MOBIE
• XCM
• XCT
• NEX
• NVX
• M3010
• CR 
• AXON
• XCR
• XCT
• XCE

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Suntour Forks Maximum Tire Width (Size)

Suntour Forks Maximum Tire Width (Size)

I have taken the below table for the Suntour "General Suspension Fork Manual". If there is one thing for sure, virtually every different model of Suntour Suspension forks has a unique maximum tire width. It is quite exhausting.

In summary you can see that for most lower range forks the maximum sizes are 54mm (2.15") for most 26" and 27.5" suspension forks, and 50mm (2.0") for most 700c Suntour Suspension forks.

I have one pair of Suntour forks (CR8 26") I have fitted 2.25" (57mm) tires and they are very snug. This is slightly over the 2.15" (54mm) suggested. So you could perhap add 3mm width above the suggested maximum widths above, but TBH that is within margin of error for most tire widths as advertised.

The table is rather large so I have had to chop it in to chunks. Soz.

The table shows forks models, stanchion size, suggested tire size, maximum tire width and maximum tire outer diameter. 

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Budget Suntour Suspension Forks Summary

Budget Suntour Suspension Forks Summary

I have recently bought a pair of Suntour CR8 Suspension forks. I was wondering how much better the other forks are. In short up until you upgrade to an XCR Fork you are buying a fork with a single sping in the right hand side. As you pay more you get:

1. Stronger (Off-Road) Forks
2. Lock Out Mechanisms
3. More Travel
4. Rebound Adjustment
5. Air Springs(XCR)

I have simplified the below but, for example the "X" Range forks come with a myriad of options, even things like rebound adjustment, which mean that there are differences for each distinct sub-model.

Suntour CR8 Suspension Fork

 

This is one of Suntours cheapest Forks their manual indicated it is to be used on paved roads only. I have used this fork off-road and I am still alive. It has one spring! The rebound is fairly harsh, but I have found it to increase comfort of off-road rising considerably. It also enables me to ride faster off road, as it stops the front wheel bouncing across road / track surface.

Travel

40mm, 50mm

Right Side

HLO , N/A

Left Side

Coil with Preload adjuster

Crown

AC4C

Lower

Al Alloy

Brake

Pivot / Roller

Steerer tube

1.1/8", STKM

Weight

starting from: 2253g

Suntour NEX Suspension Fork

 

This fork is very simailr to the CR8 above, but is avaiable with disk brake mounts

Travel

50mm, 63mm

Right Side

HLO, N/A

Left Side

Coil

Crown

AC4C series Die casting

Pitch

108mm

Lower

Alloy

Brake

V-Brake or Postmount 160mm

Steerer tube

1-1/8" TS STKM, CTS Option

Axle

9mm

Suntour XCE, XCM & XCT Suspension Fork

 

There is no exploded view for these forks. They are likely very similar in construction to the above forks. However they must be made more strongly as they are rated for cross country use. Some of these forks also have rebound adjustment as an option.

Travel

63mm, 75mm 80mm, 100mm, 120mm

Right Side

N/A or Lockout

Left Side

Coil with Preload adjuster

Crown

AC4C

Lower

Al Alloy

Brake

V-Brake or Postmount

Steerer tube

1.1/8", STKM

Weight

starting from: 2600g

Axle

9mm

Suntour XCR Suspension Fork

This is the first fork I have viewed that offers more internal gubbins, namely an air spring in the left hand stanchion.

 

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