Help needed

nathan86

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 11, 2024
8
1
Just bought a pure electric flux one.
It's on the cheaper end of the pedelec market, so I expected that the build wouldn't be out of this world.
However it's just for commuting to work.
My problem is that there is a fair bit of free play in the forks, everything is tightened correctly but wondering if something was missed at the factory?
Also can anyone recommend some front suspension that would compatible for a future purchase ?
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,996
3,237
Telford
For rear suspension, a Suntour NCX seat pin makes a massive difference. The normal in-line sprung seat-pins are better than nothing, but not much better.
 
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matthewslack

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2021
1,962
1,415
I finally bought an NCX seatpost a year ago and wished I had done it long before. £90 or so, but it can go from bike to bike with me.
 
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nathan86

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 11, 2024
8
1
I'm looking for front suspension tbh as the frame is a tad on the small side
I think I need 1 1/8 steerer tube but tapered,
I have been and there's a few different sizes anyone got any good advice for how to measure the dimensions for the forks ie the hub etc
As I want to keep the original wheels
Front wheel is a modus c+c bearing 36h nutted axle- whatever that means xD
Most I've seen are quick release and Im not sure if that's even compatible...
 

nathan86

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 11, 2024
8
1
Sorry for these stupid questions but haven't ridden bikes since I was a kid
And now there's so much choice it's overwhelming
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,996
3,237
Telford
Sorry for these stupid questions but haven't ridden bikes since I was a kid
And now there's so much choice it's overwhelming
First thing you should do is drop your forks to see whether the steerer is tapered. If it isn't, you can try any suspension forks with a 1 1/8 steerer, as long as the steerer is long enough to go through your head tube and have enough to clamp on your stem and any spacers you need, and they're for the wheel size you have.
 
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matthewslack

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2021
1,962
1,415
The specification in this review, and what I can see in the pictures look like a straight 1-1/8" headset, rather than a tapered one. To be completely sure, perhaps ask at a friendly bike shop, or dismantle and have a look.


If it is straight 1-1/8", then you may have a problem finding a suspension fork that fits both the frame and the wheel! Most - I'm not bold enough to say all! - straight steered suspension forks have QR axles, but the review above says your wheel is not QR.

If it is wrong, and your wheel is QR, then forks exist, but choice is limited. Better forks don't have QR wheels or straight steerers!

The cheap, heavy Suntour NEX is a common original fitment on lower end bikes, but my experience of them is you barely notice the suspension, and the stanchions need lathering with oil constantly to keep corrosion at bay.

You might find a secondhand better fork - I ended up with a Rockshox Reba.

Remember also that a suspension fork will be taller than your rigid one, so the angle and height of the front will change.
 
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Nealh

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 7, 2014
20,978
8,564
61
West Sx RH
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nathan86

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 11, 2024
8
1
The specification in this review, and what I can see in the pictures look like a straight 1-1/8" headset, rather than a tapered one. To be completely sure, perhaps ask at a friendly bike shop, or dismantle and have a look.


If it is straight 1-1/8", then you may have a problem finding a suspension fork that fits both the frame and the wheel! Most - I'm not bold enough to say all! - straight steered suspension forks have QR axles, but the review above says your wheel is not QR.

If it is wrong, and your wheel is QR, then forks exist, but choice is limited. Better forks don't have QR wheels or straight steerers!

The cheap, heavy Suntour NEX is a common original fitment on lower end bikes, but my experience of them is you barely notice the suspension, and the stanchions need lathering with oil constantly to keep corrosion at bay.

You might find a secondhand better fork - I ended up with a Rockshox Reba.

Remember also that a suspension fork will be taller than your rigid one, so the angle and height of the front will change.

Thanks for the advice, I will be investing in something good quality if I can find a pair compatible.
Maybe even air forks should be a touch lighter .
I actually would benefit from the extra height, I'm very tall and bought my bike on a impulse purchase without research
I'm a couple inches too tall for it
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,996
3,237
Telford
Thanks for the advice, I will be investing in something good quality if I can find a pair compatible.
Maybe even air forks should be a touch lighter .
I actually would benefit from the extra height, I'm very tall and bought my bike on a impulse purchase without research
I'm a couple inches too tall for it
If you buy new forks, you get a very long steerer tube, so you can use plenty of spacers to get the height you want.
 

nathan86

Finding my (electric) wheels
Dec 11, 2024
8
1
So I can confirm it's a straight tube not tapered.
And the second hand stuff is garbage .
Mostly suntour which I have been advised to avoid xD



Thoughts on these rock shox
 

saneagle

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 10, 2010
6,996
3,237
Telford
So I can confirm it's a straight tube not tapered.
And the second hand stuff is garbage .
Mostly suntour which I have been advised to avoid xD



Thoughts on these rock shox
They're probably OK, but there's no photo nor description of how long the steerer tube is. As They're new, you can probably find out that from the manufacturer's website.
 

matthewslack

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2021
1,962
1,415
They would do, just annoyingly expensive! Better than my Reba, far better than the Suntour NEX.
 

chris_n

Esteemed Pedelecer
Apr 29, 2016
751
450
63
Niedeau, Austria
Fitting a suspension fork where there wasn't one will play havoc with the geometry of the bike, the front will be anything between 100 to maybe 180 mm higher.