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Suntour Suspension Forks: Performance Parts
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Published: September 13, 2007
A typical mountain bike will usually be rated by its performance parts, that is, if these parts are able to help riders perform well on terrains of generally rugged settings. Especially since these are the areas where mountain bikers are expected to excel, or at least perform relatively well.
Of the many parts of a given mountain bike is the suspension fork.
It is easily among the most conspicuous, and perhaps the most examined, of all parts, with particular observation made on its suspension performance. Typically the suspension fork will get to carry the brunt of a rough ride as the mountain bike and its rider traverse a given terrain. Expectedly, the fork should be able to perform well to its maximum level. Otherwise, a date with danger and perhaps, even with death, is a distinct possibility.
The concept of suspension forks in mountain bikes is still relatively new. Three decades ago, such a concept would appear to be impossible, as the first originally recognized mountain bike had just been created then by Joe Breeze. The model then was generally made of similar frame as that of the ordinary road bike, except for several slight differences.
Still, it offered hope for most mountain trekkers, and eventually, manufacturers such as Suntour began seeing mountain bikes as totally different entities from their road counterparts. A special frame was consequently designed specifically intended to withstand the harsh and obstacle-filled surroundings of the mountains.
Soon after, several other changes were made in most mountain bike models and in this particular aspect, Suntour was a major player. For almost a decade, roughly covering the 70s until the middle of the 80s, the company came up with several innovative features for mountain bikes such as the thumb shifter, the sprocket teeth designed to help improve shifting, and the shift levers where a ratchet-based mechanism was used to release lever friction.
By the time the 90s came around, Suntour suspension forks had been conceptualized. The aim was to help mountain bikers achieve increased performance. The Suntour suspension forks allowed them to have more active control over the many obstacles encountered during their adventure.
Initially, the Suntour suspension forks were limited at the front end of most mountain bikes, consequently earning the nickname 'hardtails.' However, technical advances continued to grow, and eventually, the concept of full Suntour suspension forks came into being, where the front side and the rear portion of a given mountain bike set carried Suntour suspension forks.
Needless to say, mountain bikes with full Suntour suspension forks have far better suspension performance. These Suntour suspension forks eliminate the occurrence of common mountain bike phenomena like brake jack and pedal bob. These Suntour suspension forks consequently allow a rider to explore the possibility of overcoming physical limitations.
The popularity of Suntour suspension forks does not mean, though, that hardtail mountain bikes have outlived their usefulness. Actually, the Suntour suspension forks and hardtails have both have their respective audiences, each one having particular terrains to be conquered. Generally, cross-country riders prefer full Suntour suspension forks for mountain bikes, while hardtails are more suitable to less rugged terrains.
With the advent of Suntour suspension forks, mountain biking has been taken to new levels. The control and increased performance makes traversing the terrain even more of a thrill.
Sources:
Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Glossary St-Sz. Sheldon Brown. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html.
Currie, Chris. "Shocking Revelations." Dirt Rag Magazine. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=647 &category=features.
"Hardtail Mountain Bike Buying Guide." How Stuff Works, Inc. 12 Sept. 2007. http://products.howstuffworks.com/hardtail-mountai n-bike-buying-guide.htm.
Yauch, Brady. "Full Suspension Mountain Bikes: Suspension Forks, Performance, Trek And Schwinn." Strata Shock. 22 March 2007. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.stratashock.com/mountain-bikes-full-sus pension-mountain-bikes-suspension-forks-performanc
Of the many parts of a given mountain bike is the suspension fork.
Related Articles
The concept of suspension forks in mountain bikes is still relatively new. Three decades ago, such a concept would appear to be impossible, as the first originally recognized mountain bike had just been created then by Joe Breeze. The model then was generally made of similar frame as that of the ordinary road bike, except for several slight differences.
Still, it offered hope for most mountain trekkers, and eventually, manufacturers such as Suntour began seeing mountain bikes as totally different entities from their road counterparts. A special frame was consequently designed specifically intended to withstand the harsh and obstacle-filled surroundings of the mountains.
Soon after, several other changes were made in most mountain bike models and in this particular aspect, Suntour was a major player. For almost a decade, roughly covering the 70s until the middle of the 80s, the company came up with several innovative features for mountain bikes such as the thumb shifter, the sprocket teeth designed to help improve shifting, and the shift levers where a ratchet-based mechanism was used to release lever friction.
By the time the 90s came around, Suntour suspension forks had been conceptualized. The aim was to help mountain bikers achieve increased performance. The Suntour suspension forks allowed them to have more active control over the many obstacles encountered during their adventure.
Initially, the Suntour suspension forks were limited at the front end of most mountain bikes, consequently earning the nickname 'hardtails.' However, technical advances continued to grow, and eventually, the concept of full Suntour suspension forks came into being, where the front side and the rear portion of a given mountain bike set carried Suntour suspension forks.
Needless to say, mountain bikes with full Suntour suspension forks have far better suspension performance. These Suntour suspension forks eliminate the occurrence of common mountain bike phenomena like brake jack and pedal bob. These Suntour suspension forks consequently allow a rider to explore the possibility of overcoming physical limitations.
The popularity of Suntour suspension forks does not mean, though, that hardtail mountain bikes have outlived their usefulness. Actually, the Suntour suspension forks and hardtails have both have their respective audiences, each one having particular terrains to be conquered. Generally, cross-country riders prefer full Suntour suspension forks for mountain bikes, while hardtails are more suitable to less rugged terrains.
With the advent of Suntour suspension forks, mountain biking has been taken to new levels. The control and increased performance makes traversing the terrain even more of a thrill.
Sources:
Sheldon Brown's Bicycle Glossary St-Sz. Sheldon Brown. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_st-z.html.
Currie, Chris. "Shocking Revelations." Dirt Rag Magazine. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.dirtragmag.com/print/article.php?ID=647 &category=features.
"Hardtail Mountain Bike Buying Guide." How Stuff Works, Inc. 12 Sept. 2007. http://products.howstuffworks.com/hardtail-mountai n-bike-buying-guide.htm.
Yauch, Brady. "Full Suspension Mountain Bikes: Suspension Forks, Performance, Trek And Schwinn." Strata Shock. 22 March 2007. 12 Sept. 2007. http://www.stratashock.com/mountain-bikes-full-sus pension-mountain-bikes-suspension-forks-performanc
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