Bike, front suspension question?

Question

which front fork is better and why please - Suntour XCM 100mm travel suspension fork with rebound adjustment or Suntour XCR 100mm travel fork with hydraulic rebound damping and on the fly lock-out

Thanks

Answer 1

I do not like suntour at all.

I have 120 MM Rock Shox Recons and love them (I think they have them in 100 MM).  

They have the pop-loc option, they can be locked out from 120-80MM, rebound adjustment and air adjustment.  They are a good fork and I am very happy with the investment (although not as expensive as the Reba's and such).  Check eBay, you can find them for a decent price.

Answer 2

I am sometimes puzzled by people that say they don't like one particular brand. There is good and bad stuff from almost every manufacturer. By the way, most of the Rock Shox Recon is built in a Suntour factory, as are the Darts. I have personally seen it.

Anyway, the XCM and XCR are both OK for cross country- definitely NOT for jumps or drops or extreme trail riding. The XCR is slightly more plush and the lockout is very trick if you ride on trails and roads at the same time.

The XCM used to be an OEM-only fork (just like the Rock Shox Dart) and is fine for cobblestone and rain rutted trails and stuff like that but is kind of a waste if you are riding on the road for any extended period of time.