Front suspension for my ebike

[mt247]

I've been riding a while with my rigid ebike and I think I would like to have front suspensions. Potholes etc. doesn't feel nice on the hands when you are going +20mp/h.

I've been looking for suspension at approximately 100£. Any recommendations?

https://www.bike24.com/p2375048.html

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My bike:

• HEADSET - 1-1/8" Zero Stack Threadless
• fork: WHITE AX ST (5x100)

 

[Deleted member 33385]

I've been riding a while with my rigid ebike and I think I would like to have front suspensions. Potholes etc. doesn't feel nice on the hands when you are going +20mp/h.

I've been looking for suspension at approximately 100£. Any recommendations?

SR Suntour SF9 NCX D-LO Suspension Fork 26 black | Bikester.co.uk

Buy the SR Suntour SF9 NCX D-LO Suspension Fork 26 black today at Bikester.co.uk ✓ Quick dispatch and delivery with free returns ✓ Find what you need with Bikester.co.uk

www.bikester.co.uk

SR Suntour SF13 XCM Suspension Fork 26" 100mm 1 1/8" SL black | Bikester.co.uk

The SR Suntour SF13 XCM Suspension Fork 26" 100mm 1 1/8" SL black at Bikester.co.uk ✓ Biking specialists in the UK ✓ Buy online with free returns ✓ Easy shipping ✓ Great prices with the best service ✓ Find what you need with Bikester.co.uk ✓

www.bikester.co.uk

SR Suntour SF9 NCX D-LO Suspension Fork black | Bikester.co.uk

Buy the SR Suntour SF9 NCX D-LO Suspension Fork black today at Bikester.co.uk ✓ Quick dispatch and delivery with free returns ✓ Find what you need with Bikester.co.uk

www.bikester.co.uk

My bike:

• HEADSET - 1-1/8" Zero Stack Threadless
• fork: WHITE AX ST (5x100)

View attachment 39942

Have you considered changing the saddle? I swapped mine out and it's a lot nicer to ride - big springs absorb a lot of the shocks, and they don't seem to be much heavier. For my bike, I had to change the post too, luckily it was lighter than the original one, so the overall weight of the post plus saddle is about the same.

 

[mt247]

Have you considered changing the saddle? I swapped mine out and it's a lot nicer to ride - big springs absorb a lot of the shocks, and they don't seem to be much heavier.

I don't have problem with my butt I lift it up at pot holes etc. I can just feel them in my hands when going fast speeds. Do you have some sort of suspension saddle? Can you link it?

 

[Scorpio]

I bought new suspension forks a few months ago, lots of bargains at "Bankrupt Bike Parks" (on Amazon or Ebay). I got basic Suntour suspension forks for £25 and they make the bike a lot nicer. Recommended.

Security measure

www.ebaystores.co.uk

I think their stock is all end-of-line items / bankrupt stock, so the range often changes and once it's sold out don't expect it to get restocked. If you see anything you like, best buy it quickly.
Their Amazon shop has very little listed, I guess closed for the Holidays?

 

[Benjahmin]

Putting suspension forks on a frame made for rigids will alter the geometry. It will kick the front end higher and so increase the steering rake, putting strain on the steering head and altering the handling.
As an example, look at the bike with front suspension in the background of your photo. Check out the gap between the top of the front wheel and the bottom of the steering head. Now apply the same sort of gap to your bike.
This was something I tried to do about 5 years ago, but after a few conversations with bike mechanics decided not to risk it.

 

[mt247]

Putting suspension forks on a frame made for rigids will alter the geometry. It will kick the front end higher and so increase the steering rake, putting strain on the steering head and altering the handling.
As an example, look at the bike with front suspension in the background of your photo. Check out the gap between the top of the front wheel and the bottom of the steering head. Now apply the same sort of gap to your bike.
This was something I tried to do about 5 years ago, but after a few conversations with bike mechanics decided not to risk it.

I have quite wide 740mm handlebar. My friend told me that my bike geometry is more towards mtb also. He said I should be fine with front suspension.

 

[Nealh]

I have gone the opposite way on a couple of bikes and gone back to rigid forks for a better feel with steering and ride control, opting for a wider swept back bar with ergon comfy grips. A slightly more upright position with lighter hand grip means not much road undulations are resonated through the arms.

 

[mt247]

I have gone the opposite way on a coupe of bikes and gone back to rigid forks for a better feel with steering and ride control, opting for a wider swept back bar with ergon comfy grips. A slightly more upright position with lighter hand grip means not much road undulations are resonated through the arms.

Here in Finland winter riding could be quite bumpy and I have to use Schwalbe marathon winter plus 50x622 tires and they aren't soft to ride so that is the reason I would like to go for suspension work.

 

[mt247]

I bought new suspension forks a few months ago, lots of bargains at "Bankrupt Bike Parks" (on Amazon or Ebay). I got basic Suntour suspension forks for £25 and they make the bike a lot nicer. Recommended.

Security measure

www.ebaystores.co.uk

I think their stock is all end-of-line items / bankrupt stock, so the range often changes and once it's sold out don't expect it to get restocked. If you see anything you like, best buy it quickly.
Their Amazon shop has very little listed, I guess closed for the Holidays?

Thanks for this. this looks quite nice one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29ER-ZOOM-VAXA-30-595S-1-1-8-SUSPENSION-FORK-REMOTE-LOCK-OUT-DISC-223mm-NEW/392272137328

What fork did you get? Do you remember?

 

[Scorpio]

What fork did you get? Do you remember?

Glad you found the info useful - I spent as long time looking around the web and their prices were always a bargain ( the choice is limited but you should be able to find something that will work for you).

I got a CR-8 (basic Suntour 700C with adjustable preload, about £20) and it's ideal to replace a snapped fork on my Dutch Town Bike, your needs might be different. It was the silver/grey version of this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/700c-28-SUNTOUR-CR-8-SUSPENSION-FORK-PRELOAD-1-1-8-300mm-V-BRAKE-APPLE-GREEN/202102768824?hash=item2f0e4384b8:g:cCYAAOSwJtdZ~JD6

 

[vfr400]

Air forks are always better than cheap suspension forks. You can usually find plenty of good used Fox and Rockshox air forks on Ebay, otherwise these Chinese nock-offs might be OK. Don't waste uour time with remote lockout:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Air-Suspension-Fork-For-MTB-Mountain-Bike-26-27-5-29-100mm-1-1-8/193730070893?hash=item2d1b36496d:g:pIcAAOSwa39fmSAG

 

[mt247]

Air forks are always better than cheap suspension forks. You can usually find plenty of good used Fox and Rockshox air forks on Ebay, otherwise these Chinese nock-offs might be OK. Don't waste uour time with remote lockout:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Air-Suspension-Fork-For-MTB-Mountain-Bike-26-27-5-29-100mm-1-1-8/193730070893?hash=item2d1b36496d:g:pIcAAOSwa39fmSAG

Thanks for the link! Can you trust these chinese knockoffs though? Compared to more known brand like Suntour? Price is good though.

I was thinking about coil ones just because I heard they need less maintenance compared to air and the 1kg more weight compared to air is not issue for me because ebike.


E: did some research and actually Seth's bike hacks guy bought Bolany chinese air fork:

73.61￡ 37% OFF|Bolany Mtb Suspension Fork 26 Air | 26 Mountain Bike Suspension Fork - Bicycle Air - Aliexpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

 

[Deleted member 33385]

Sorry, this isn't a very practical suggestion: Maybe wheels with built-in suspension?

https://loopwheels.com/

Review on a bike:

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/wheels/wheel-sets/loopwheels-first-ride-review/

This design also looks interesting:

https://www.softwheel.technology/technology/

https://jewishbusinessnews.com/2018/08/20/israels-softwheel-developer-next-generation-wheels-raises-25-million/

Loopwheels gave up on bikes for some reason.

This looks great, but doesn't help with the front:

https://www.designer-daily.com/zumzum-the-coolest-balance-bike-to-arrive-on-the-market-50339

Maybe one super-chunky tyre on the front?

 

[mt247]

Sorry, this isn't a very practical suggestion: Maybe wheels with built-in suspension?

https://loopwheels.com/

Review on a bike:

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/wheels/wheel-sets/loopwheels-first-ride-review/

This design also looks interesting:

https://www.softwheel.technology/technology/

https://jewishbusinessnews.com/2018/08/20/israels-softwheel-developer-next-generation-wheels-raises-25-million/

Loopwheels gave up on bikes for some reason.

This looks great, but doesn't help with the front:

https://www.designer-daily.com/zumzum-the-coolest-balance-bike-to-arrive-on-the-market-50339

Maybe one super-chunky tyre on the front?

it's winter here and I have to use Schwalbe marathon winter plus tyres I have them at 622-50 size and they are quite hard ride still.

 

[Deleted member 33385]

it's winter here and I have to use Schwalbe marathon winter plus tyres I have them at 622-50 size and they are quite hard ride still.

Potholes are really massive these days, and far more numerous than I remember. Maybe I just haven't been looking. If you've lowered the pressure and it isn't enough... I hope you find the right suspension forks.

 

[Deleted member 33385]

Do you have some sort of suspension saddle? Can you link it?

I had a Dahon Biologic but it was wildly uncomfortable, I recently replaced it with this more normal slightly wider saddle but it's probably similar to what you already have:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LASUAVY-Bicycle-Shockproof-Punching-Mountain/dp/B0734WKV7N/

Wider saddles spread force over a larger area, hurt less - at least that's the theory. It's comfier than the Biologic, but there are better ones I'm sure.

What about shock absorbing handgrips?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bicycle-Shock-Absorbing-Handlebar-Mountain-Cycling/dp/B07KQVJJK2

These look better, I don't know if they are available to buy:

https://bikerumor.com/2016/11/17/revolution-put-suspension-hands-shock-absorbing-grip-system/

 

[vfr400]

Thanks for the link! Can you trust these chinese knockoffs though? Compared to more known brand like Suntour? Price is good though.

I was thinking about coil ones just because I heard they need less maintenance compared to air and the 1kg more weight compared to air is not issue for me because ebike.


E: did some research and actually Seth's bike hacks guy bought Bolany chinese air fork:

73.61￡ 37% OFF|Bolany Mtb Suspension Fork 26 Air | 26 Mountain Bike Suspension Fork - Bicycle Air - Aliexpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Spring forks are better than rigid ones, but not much. If it's comfort you want, there's a big step difference betwen air forks and spring ones - a bit like the difference between hydraulic and able brakes. There are some hydraulic forks in the mid price range that are half-way between spring and air forks.

Decent air forks last forever. I bought all mine used on Ebay, and I've never had a problem with any of them. With used ones, you need to make sure that the steerer tube is long enough because they're normally cut down to fit the bike. Obviously, make sure that they're not bent. Honest sellers tend to give a very accurate description of the condition and background of the forks.

 

[Deleted member 33385]

Potholes etc. doesn't feel nice on the hands when you are going +20mp/h.

Turns out - you can buy the best shock absorbing handgrips available, but they would cost you almost as much as new forks:

https://www.stifmtb.com/products/revgrips-race-series-grips-half-waffle-1?variant=31209092776047&currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=google+shopping

...and there may be extra VAT or Duty to pay or something.

 

[Paul Wrighton]

...Rockshox air forks on Ebay, ...Don't waste uour time with remote lockout

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Air-Suspension-Fork-For-MTB-Mountain-Bike-26-27-5-29-100mm-1-1-8/193730070893?hash=item2d1b36496d:g:pIcAAOSwa39fmSAG

I came to this thread to recommend rockshox, which I rode with for about 1200 miles on my old KTM macina 29. Also second the opinion about remote lockout - this was fitted on the KTM but it never worked properly and I disabled it.

But do take care with the geometry considerations... Perhaps you need to change bikes, not just forks?

 

[Raboa]

Hi, other options are:
1. Carbon fork
2. Suspension stem.
Lighter options, may not be cheaper depending on model you go for.
A carbon fork is an option that ebike manufacturers may wish to starting incorporating into their builds.