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 The table is a little out of date so might not include newest forks.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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Suntour CR-8 Suspension Fork Review

Suntour CR-8 Suspension Fork Review - Intro

Any one who has ridden ant type of suspension fork before would likely see these Suntour CR-8 Suspension Forks as inferior. They are. They are so so so cheap, how could they be any good?

I have not ridden a bike with suspension forks on it for 10 years, maybe 15. But recently I saw these on Ebay for £25 (Bankrupt Bike Parts) and thought "hey they have a long steerer tube" (300mm) , I'll give them a go.If you want a long axle to steerer tube top measurement then there is no cheaper fork.

I can safely say that these forks are an absolute game changer compared to rigid forks, and for £25 the quality is amazing. They are Heavey, they only have 50mm of travel, but they still work.

Suntour CR-8 Suspension Fork Review - In Use

I am so used to getting jarred wrists when riding on short stretches of off road that I found riding for 3 hours on single track (at a local trail centre) was really quite pleasant if you use suspension forks. Who knew?

The Suntour CR-8 Suspension Forks bottomed out twice, and they certainly don't have much dampening or anti-rebound but I was able to cycle much faster than normal over all sort of stuff that I would normal get off and walk around.

I used 2.25" Impac Trailpac Tyres. And they fitted OK, with about 5mm of clearance each side. Perhaps you could squash a 2.35" in there but not if you want any room for mud.

Suntour CR-8 Suspension Fork Review - Intended Use

I do not think these are designed of off road use. It says so on the stickers that is stuck on the forks. The fact that these forks have mudguard / fender eyelets is a bit of a give away.

Suntour CR-8 Suspension Fork Review - Features

LOL. Not many. But you can adjust the pre-load! Just flip off the cap on the left hand stanchion and you will find a slot for a coin, turn it to stiffen up the spring. 

 Looking at a spare parts manual for for these CR-8 forks, you will see they only have a spring in one side. Is this a bad thing? Well it is a design that is repeated in the XCT range which cost 2 times as much money. If you pay 3 times as much (XCM) you get 2 springs.

Suntour CR-8 Suspension Fork Review - Conclusions

If you are looking for cheap cheap, well made fork, that is springier than a rigid fork. Then you cannot go wrong with this one. It is not really aimed at mountain bikers, it is for comfort and it certainly provides that. The long steerer tube is a massive bonus and my main reason for the purchase. I am not racing anyone, and will not get a prize for getting anywhere fast, so I like to be upright, look at the view and chill.

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