Have Suntour improved?

Coopz

Likes Dirt
My wife needs a new fork for her bike. She has an old 120 Rockshox Recon set that has died. It's been reconditioned once but this time I think it's had it. Anyway entry level Rockshox are expensive so I looked at the Suntour Xcm 34 which is $180 cheaper than the RS. Bike shop guy said they have improved 'immensely' in the last 5 years (well the stuff over $150..). Just want something reliable and not too expensive as we just do trails, no heavy jumps or rock gardens.

Worth it or buy another Recon?
 

bear the bear

Is a real bear
Tom Pidcock (current Olympic MTB champ) runs a blacked-out BMC four-stroke with Suntour suspension which is all prototype.
He doesn't seem to have any issues with it.
 

silentbutdeadly

has some good things to say
My wife needs a new fork for her bike. She has an old 120 Rockshox Recon set that has died. It's been reconditioned once but this time I think it's had it. Anyway entry level Rockshox are expensive so I looked at the Suntour Xcm 34 which is $180 cheaper than the RS. Bike shop guy said they have improved 'immensely' in the last 5 years (well the stuff over $150..). Just want something reliable and not too expensive as we just do trails, no heavy jumps or rock gardens.

Worth it or buy another Recon?
The only issue with getting a Suntour fork in Australia is the parts support from the distributor (Bicycle Parts Wholesale) is hopeless...which is a shame because the more pricey forks themselves are quite ok for the coin involved. If you don't plan on ever servicing it or pushing it hard enough to wear out bushings within a couple of years then I'd say go for it.
 

yuley95

soft-arse Yuley is on the lifts again
The only issue with getting a Suntour fork in Australia is the parts support from the distributor (Bicycle Parts Wholesale) is hopeless...which is a shame because the more pricey forks themselves are quite ok for the coin involved. If you don't plan on ever servicing it or pushing it hard enough to wear out bushings within a couple of years then I'd say go for it.
I actually found the distributor pretty helpful when i had an issue with a Durolux.

To answer the OP, I think Suntour make some really good quality forks. I’m just not sure at what level they drop off and become shit.
 

silentbutdeadly

has some good things to say
I actually found the distributor pretty helpful when i had an issue with a Durolux.

To answer the OP, I think Suntour make some really good quality forks. I’m just not sure at what level they drop off and become shit.
You'd hope so with the premium forks but once you get below the Avion(?) then, even the lbs will tell you to just buy another one! My experience parts chasing with BPW has occasionally been tedious...
 

yuley95

soft-arse Yuley is on the lifts again
My wife needs a new fork for her bike. She has an old 120 Rockshox Recon set that has died. It's been reconditioned once but this time I think it's had it. Anyway entry level Rockshox are expensive so I looked at the Suntour Xcm 34 which is $180 cheaper than the RS. Bike shop guy said they have improved 'immensely' in the last 5 years (well the stuff over $150..). Just want something reliable and not too expensive as we just do trails, no heavy jumps or rock gardens.

Worth it or buy another Recon?
Not sure what your budget is but the XCR34 is on sale direct from SR Suntour and seems fully serviceable and could be ok… Sign up and get another 10% off your first order. https://www.srsuntour.us/collections/forks/products/xcr34-lo-r-air-boost-15lh
 

fjohn860

Alice in diaperland

Mr Crudley

Glock in your sock
Postage is usually pretty quick from suntour.us as well.
I bought both my TriAir rear shocks from them.

Envelo.cc I have also bought small parts from for the rear shocks.
Ohh, what is the verdict on the TriAir shock? I have pondered but that was as far as I got.
 

fjohn860

Alice in diaperland
Ohh, what is the verdict on the TriAir shock? I have pondered but that was as far as I got.
I really like it. TBF it replaced a RS Deluxe RT and was definitely an improvement.

Definitely more "tune-able" with the ability to put positive and negative chamber volume bands in. A fairly linear air shock I would say, @beeb might be able to shed some more valuable light on it being that he has ridden it a few times.

I bought the second TriAir as I was chasing a 58mm stroke and the travel reducers are slotted (come in 2.5, 5 and 7.5mm) and can be removed without a shock service (I think fox also do this now).
 

Mr Crudley

Glock in your sock
I really like it. TBF it replaced a RS Deluxe RT and was definitely an improvement.

Definitely more "tune-able" with the ability to put positive and negative chamber volume bands in. A fairly linear air shock I would say, @beeb might be able to shed some more valuable light on it being that he has ridden it a few times.

I bought the second TriAir as I was chasing a 58mm stroke and the travel reducers are slotted (come in 2.5, 5 and 7.5mm) and can be removed without a shock service (I think fox also do this now).
Thanks, it sounds like a good option and is DIY serviceable from what understand. Added tunebility is a nice touch that you can do yourself.
Might have to look at them a bit more in future.
 

kten

understands stuff moorey doesn't
Ohh, what is the verdict on the TriAir shock? I have pondered but that was as far as I got.
Simple shock that is basically a DVO Topaz but with a spring backed IFP instead of a bladder. Quite tuneable too. Definitely worth a look at that $$ (I just bought one for $360 delivered).

I’ve also have had great support from the distributors in Aus for Suntour products. Always respond quickly to emails and ime are keen to help where they can.
 

Mr Crudley

Glock in your sock
Simple shock that is basically a DVO Topaz but with a spring backed IFP instead of a bladder. Quite tuneable too. Definitely worth a look at that $$ (I just bought one for $360 delivered).

I’ve also have had great support from the distributors in Aus for Suntour products. Always respond quickly to emails and ime are keen to help where they can.
It does look a bit Topaz like. Makes more sense now. Sharp pricing too. I don't really need it now but I'm interested :)
Thanks @kten
 

beeb

Dr. Beebenson, PhD HA, ST, Offset (hons)
Definitely more "tune-able" with the ability to put positive and negative chamber volume bands in. A fairly linear air shock I would say, @beeb might be able to shed some more valuable light on it being that he has ridden it a few times.
They worked really well on your bike, but I've also not ridden it with anything else fitted to compare to. Certainly didn't feel sticky off the top like some other air shocks though, and held air well.

I'd definitely consider one if I was hunting and air shock, whereas I doubt I'd ever buy another Fox shock unless it came stock with a frame I wanted.
 

Coopz

Likes Dirt
Oh c'mon, I read this for the snobs to bag them. What's going on at this site.
Very disappointed :D

Yeah I was surprised as well. Ended up ordering one lol. Was also expecting members to chime in with the old 'my Rox Fox XXX Porn edition titanium plated, NASA edition with 440mm of variable travel is the lowest spec fork I'd ever put on my daily ride'.

I'll see myself out...
 
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safreek

*******
Yeah I was surprised as well. Ended up ordering one lol. Was also expecting members to chime in with the old 'my Rox Fox XXX Porn edition titanium plated, NASA edition with 440mm of variable travel is the lowest spec fork I'd ever put on my daily ride'.

I'll see myself out...
That's what I was expecting as well.
I must admit I have used rst and suntour before and they worked adequately.
Surely someone can come in and bag me for saying an rst worked
 

bear the bear

Is a real bear
That's what I was expecting as well.
I must admit I have used rst and suntour before and they worked adequately.
Surely someone can come in and bag me for saying an rst worked
RST was around in the '90s when I started riding....
Unfortunately, I was too poor to afford a bike with suspension back then (fully rigid baby!)
I honestly didn't know they were still around given Fox/ Rockshox/ DVO (others I can't remember)
 
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