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Pump It Down: Why Every Rider Can Benefit From Volume Spacers, and How to Use Them

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Pump It Down: Why Every Rider Can Benefit From Volume Spacers, and How to Use Them

Before you even hit the parking lot to test ride a suspension bike, most shops will walk you through a careful sag and damping adjustment. But few of them will tell you that there is a whole other dimension of control inside your fork or shock’s air spring. By inserting or removing volume spacers, you can make your suspension more or less resistant to bottom-out. In turn, that may allow you to run more or less preload. This deceptively simple adjustment has gotten a reputation for being only for racers, or nerds, or nerdy racers. But Travis Engel believes everyone can benefit from volume tuning. So, he has this quick explainer on what it can do for you, and how you can try it for yourself.

By Hand is the Way: Cane Creek Components Factory Visit

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By Hand is the Way: Cane Creek Components Factory Visit

Just south of Asheville, NC, in the town of Fletcher, is the Cane Creek Cycling Components headquarters. Backed up to the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s here that they assemble all of their suspension forks, shocks, and brakes by hand and continue to carry the torch of design innovation lit by their predecessor, Dia-Compe USA. Photographer Steve West is back from a factory tour and shares about the Cane Creek process below.

Lonewolf Suspension: A 15 Year Adventure in the Making

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Lonewolf Suspension: A 15 Year Adventure in the Making

I walked into the shop and was greeted by an animated guy covered in tattoos. While talking to him, I noticed he was locked onto what I was saying. Paying attention to every detail or timid question I asked, he was ready to help me. Understanding that I was new to mountain bikes, he took the time to deconstruct explanations of the mechanics of a mountain bike. No matter how silly I felt asking a question or calling something by the wrong name, he was quick to politely correct me to ensure I was informed. As we walked through my bike’s features, I could tell he was extremely knowledgeable. Without any hesitation, he was able to explain things, while simultaneously working away. He was in a flow state of mind at this point and there wasn’t much that was going to take him out of it. This ability only comes with an expertise that is unmatched.

The Norco Search XR A Suspension Uses the 50mm SR Suntour GVX Gravel Fork

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The Norco Search XR A Suspension Uses the 50mm SR Suntour GVX Gravel Fork

The Norco Search got some updates for 2021, including an optional build that features the 50mm SR Suntour GVX gravel fork which offers 50mm of travel. This X6 butted aluminum frame, when paired with this fork softens the ride quality while injecting a bit of fun to your normal rides. The bike comes with the standard bells and whistles of a modern gravel bike with a GRX kit, thru-axles, tubeless wheels, and best of all, the retail on the Search XR A Suspension is a mere 1,899.00. See more at Norco.

More Suspension on Gravel Bikes: Suntour GVX Fork Offers 40, 50, 60mm Travel

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More Suspension on Gravel Bikes: Suntour GVX Fork Offers 40, 50, 60mm Travel

I hope you’re not experiencing shock fade after yesterday’s post but we’re back today with more gravel bike suspension offerings, this time from Suntour. The GVX fork is their gravel travel fork, offering 40, 50, or 60mm travel options, remote lockout, 700x45c or 650x50c wheel options, magnesium construction, and 32mm stanchions.

GVX Specs:
-Magnesium lowers with a unique aesthetic specifically designed for the gravel market.
-Vertically aligned and tapered dropouts.
-100x15mm or 100x12mm dropouts with a lightweight, hollow-caped, and tool-type axle.
-32mm stanchions from A7000 series alloy, anodized black.
-A6000 forged crown.
-Crown mounted lockout, and rebound adjust. Remote lockout in development.
-Flat Mount brake to match with road and gravel type brake calipers.
-Air spring with 40mm, 50mm, or 60mm travel.
-Corresponding axle to crown by travel 436mm, 446mm, 456mm
-Corresponding offset by travel 45mm, 46mm, 47mm
-Fork offset is built into the crown.
-Max tire 700x45c or 650x50c.
-Mini fender included, stanchion mounts built in for larger fenders.
-Rated for Class 1 / E25 e-Bikes to match the growing e-Gravel trends
-Weight: 1725g
-MSRP: $499 USD
-Availability: August 2020

See more at Suntour.