Top best bike forks 2022 by price and quality

The purpose of a mountain bike is to allow you to go where it is not possible to get through on a regular, urban model. Therefore, for comfortable operation in such conditions, high-quality depreciation is necessary, which is provided by a solid fork.

However, choosing a really good shock absorber is not an easy task. Some models do not provide proper comfort, others often fail, wear out quickly.

To make this choice easier, below is a list of the most popular bicycle suspension forks.

The best bike forks in 2022

SR Suntour XCM

Price: 3000 rubles

The rating opens with the simplest modification of a suspension fork for mountain bikes.

The design is designed for simple bicycle models. A minimum travel of 100mm ensures optimal performance during everyday outings and moderate riding. The spring-elastomeric shock absorber guarantees sufficient softening on potholes, bumps.

The interior is based on plastic bushings, which negatively affects durability, but reduces the cost of service.

The piece takes on a modern look thanks to magnesium pants and an aluminum crown.

Many users praise the simplicity of design, the minimum cost, which was the reason for the huge prevalence of the product on the market.

• minimum price tag;
• simplicity of design;
• stiffness adjustment;
• cheap spare parts;
• cute design.

• big weight;
• low efficiency;
• short service life.

RST GILA ML

Price: 3500 rubles

Next in line is a similar device from a competing brand. The fork is presented to the public in a simple design, the main purpose is off-road bikes of the budget segment.

The basis of the design is magnesium pants, linked with steel legs. The interior is equipped with a closed type oil damper that has additional rebound adjustment.

The other part rests on a steel spring with adjustable preload.

It also uses plastic guide technology, which allows for easy repairs, but is a negative factor for the reliability of the installation.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the forced locking technology, which allows you to turn off the shock absorber for more efficient climbing.

The pants are designed for a standard 9 mm axle, and disc brakes. There are no V-br mounts.

• minimum price tag;
• elementary construction;
• ease of maintenance.

• low efficiency;
• unreliable design;
• not suitable for aggressive use.

RST Blaze ML

Price: 4700 rubles

Higher modification of the previous model. The 130mm travel fork is designed for beginners in extreme disciplines. The dry shock absorber is designed for a rider weight up to 85kg.

The inside of the product is based on a mechanical spring with adjustable preload. The second side of the product is based on a positive lock oil chamber.

However, the thickness of the legs of 30 mm indicates the impossibility of extreme loads. Otherwise, the effect of the spring sitting or cartridge deformation is possible, which will lead to irreversible consequences, up to a complete failure.

The ergonomics of the product is designed for the user. There are complete sets with fastening of disk, rim brakes.

Compatible with 9mm axle.

The curb weight is 2.5 kilograms.

• minimum price tag;
• suitable for beginners;
• easy to find parts.

• insufficient efficiency in difficult areas;
• low strength;
• impossibility of modernization.

RST Dirt T

Price: 5700 rubles

The next contender for the title of the best model is designed for beginners in dirt jumping.

The unit has a reinforced structure and shortened pants, which allows you to endure shocks and heavy loads.

The spring/oil hybrid damper is preload adjustable. The rebound speed depends on the viscosity of the oil poured into the damper and additional adjustment made to the top cap.

In general, the system is extremely popular due to its minimal cost and good durability. However, the effectiveness of depreciation leaves much to be desired - there is not a complete damping of the impact. As a result, the load on the frame and the hands of the rider increases.

• adequate price tag;
• the fork is able to withstand shock loads;
• durability with proper use.

• big weight;
• you can break the crown.

SR Suntour XCR LOR

Price: 6500 rubles

Representative of the manufacturer's best-selling fork modification.

The fork is designed for cross country and everyday riding. The assembly is based on aluminum pants, complemented by chrome-molybdenum legs on a magnesium crown.

The inner part consists of a closed type oil damper and a steel spring. Fresh version of 2018, equipped with rebound calibration, preload. There is also a shock absorber lock.

Often the model can be found on mid-budget bikes or inexpensive builds. Simple installation has sufficient durability when used for its intended purpose, which attracts many buyers.

Mounting of disc brakes with rotors with a diameter of 160 mm is allowed.

Produced by the factory in configurations for 100/120 mm travel.

• optimal performance;
• good strength;
• decent price tag.

• the impossibility of repair, due to the lack of consumables;
• not suitable for high loads.

Rock Shox XC 30 TK

Price: 10,000 rubles

Representative of a company known throughout the world.The budget version assumes operation in an aggressive cross-country or intensive riding mode.

The high quality of the oil chamber, the use of ceramic bushings allows you to maximize the life of the product.

The soft, smooth operation of the shock absorber attracts a huge number of buyers. The damper is designed to block and the Turn Key technology guarantees vibration dampening even when the valve is closed.

The only drawback of the version is the use of a steel spring, which significantly increases the weight of the structure and reduces the smoothness of the ride.

Often the model is used by amateurs due to its strength and durability. Experts praise maintainability and a large selection of parts. The only drawback of the model is the high price.

• good strength;
• moderate weight;
• maintainability.

• high price tag;
• not suitable for extreme use.

SR Suntour Raidon LOR 15mm

Price: 11000 rubles

Representative of the middle segment of a popular manufacturer. The device offers 120 mm of travel, sufficient to effectively dampen the shock loads of cross-country or active driving on rough terrain.

The first fork on the list with an air spring and an oil damper.

The presence of swapping allows you to accurately calibrate the stiffness based on the weight of the rider and the complexity of the landscape.

The oil cartridge is collapsible, it is possible to rebuild and adjust the rebound.

Worthy of special mention is the modification designed for a 15mm axle, which significantly increases the strength of the dropouts, and minimizes the impact of impacts on the fork legs.

However, users are wary of this model - the fragility of seals and the difficulty of finding repair parts affect.

• mount 15 mm axis;
• air pumping;
• light weight;
• moderate cost.

• difficulties in finding spare parts;
• seals wear out quickly.

SR Suntour Epixon LOR

Price: 13000 rubles

The next modification, designed for cross-country racing or aggressive driving on forest trails, primers.

Lightweight design accommodates a standard 9mm axle.

Magnesium pants and steel seatstays are complemented by ceramic bushings that allow you to endure hard riding without the effect of wobble. The design allows minimizing the appearance of backlash, which guarantees the extension of the life of oil seals and seals.

The right side is equipped with a lockable air spring. The camera allows you to set the required stiffness for each rider, type of road surface.

The left leg contains a serviceable type oil chamber. An engineering improvement allowed the use of less oil, which reduced the overall weight of the structure to 1.7 kg.

The disadvantages of users include the difficulty in finding consumables, difficulty in maintenance.

• solid foundation;
• light weight;
• sufficient damper efficiency;
• knot durability.

• difficult repair;
• small selection of consumables.

Rock Shox XC 32 TK Solo Air

Price: 14000 rubles

Country model, designed for active use by fans of cross-country competitions. The lightweight fork is equipped with an air spring and an oil damper, which in total allows you to effectively dampen significant shocks.Robust legs 32 mm in diameter, guarantee resistance to strong impacts.

Several versions of the fork are available. There are modifications with a remote or stationary lockout, dropouts for 9 or 15 mm.

Experts praise the reliability of the airbox. The seals are selected to provide maximum efficiency and durability. The oil chamber, in turn, also remains operational even after 1 - 1.5 seasons without maintenance.

However, playing with delaying service repairs is not worth it. The design is designed to minimize the overall weight, which involves pouring a small amount of lubricant - without bulkhead and cleaning. Abrasive can destroy the foot covering or cause air to bleed from the main chamber, resulting in the need for a major overhaul.

The cost of a complete set of seals ranges from $ 30.

• excellent efficiency;
• moderate cost;
• ease of repair;
• minimum weight.

• not designed for critical loads;
• requires careful care.

Marzocchi DJ 3

Price: 15000 rubles

The first representative of the Italian brand in the list, whose products are famous for their indestructibility and durability. Also, all fork options are distinguished by an individual and unique design.

The fork is designed using open oil bath technology, which guarantees abundant lubrication of internal surfaces. There is also air pumping on board, which affects the smoothness of the ride and the ability to accurately calibrate for each type of surface and the weight of the rider.

The all-aluminum construction allowed for a reduction in weight compared to older modifications, as well as increased reliability.

A short travel of 100 - 120 mm gives the necessary torsional stiffness, which is extremely useful for aggressive rides.

The part is used by extreme sportsmen all over the world.

• excellent torsional rigidity;
• duration of operation;
• resistance to severe overloads;
• phenomenal strength.

• significant weight.

Manitou Circus Expert 26

Price: 20,000 rubles

Next on the list is the popular dirt fork, which has a full bouquet of settings and calibrations.

The stroke of the device is limited to 100 mm, but this is more than enough for the main direction of driving. Excellent torsional rigidity provides precise cornering, stable steering in technical areas.

Excellent resistance to mechanical stress, the ability to withstand critical blows due to the presence of a forged crown. Legs with a section of 32 mm, complemented by pants for the standard 20 mm axle, which further increases reliability.

The oil damper has been modified relative to older modifications, which made it possible to reduce the weight of the fork to 1946 grams.

There is also a full set of adjustments and presets that guarantee maximum grip on the track and working out all the drops.

Experts call the inverted gorilla technology the only design flaw - this limits versatility, due to the need to select a frame.

• excellent strength;
• accurate operation;
• good maintainability;
• attractive design.

• difficulty in finding repair kits;
• you can tear off the gorilla with the lower beam of the frame.

Rock Shox SID XX WC

Price: 50,000 rubles.

Representative of the professional enduro branch of the famous manufacturer.The model is designed for competitive modes in a wide variety of weather conditions.

The main feature of the device is the minimum weight of about 1350 grams, which is unattainable for most of the competitors.

This situation is due to the use of a carbon stem and crown, which is very unusual.

There is a sufficient number of adjustments, calibrations to set the most comfortable positions individually for each rider.

Available in 9 and 15 mm wheel mounting options.

• minimum weight;
• superior performance;
• excellent reliability.

• high price.

DNM USD-8 Air

Price: 55,000 rubles.

Opens the rating of downhill equipment, a model famous for its unpretentiousness.

A rather impressive weight of about 3.3 kg is the norm among similar designs.

Two versions are available - air or steel spring. The only difference is in the application. For the most rigid ride, it is recommended to choose a spring / oil, and light lovers can safely look after the air.

Simple settings (air inflation and rebound) fully satisfy the needs of beginners in the sport. Legs with a diameter of 35 mm, give good indicators of torsional rigidity and resistance to shock.

The disadvantages include the capriciousness of the seals and the complexity of the bulkhead.

• attractive design;
• excellent rigidity;
• compatible with 24 – 27.5” wheels;
• handles small things well.

• difficult service.

Manitou Dorado PRO

Price: 75,000 rubles.

Top shifter of the company. Fork has repeatedly won the world championships in the disciplines of Down Hill and Free Ride.

The total weight is a little less than 3 kilograms, and the stroke reaches 203 mm.

The main feature of the model is an enlarged air chamber, which allows you to achieve the linearity of a standard spring. Also, thanks to this feature, the fork can be made quite plush.

Complementing the installation is a complete set of necessary settings and adjustments that provide excellent grip and optimal working out of bumps, from small "sausage" to huge spans and drops.

• excellent reliability;
• excellent design;
• soft work.

• expensive parts.

Rock Shox Boxxer World Cup 2018

Price: 130,000 rubles

Boxer flagship. Excellent reliability, complemented by minimal weight. The fork is considered one of the best in the world for downhill or freeride, as evidenced by championship medals from all competitions.

The long-stroke design gives out 200 mm, sufficient for effective damping of the largest jumps. The special design of the oil damper allows you to successfully work out small things and huge jumps. These features are very pleasing to professionals. Precise calibrations allow you to adjust the jumpers so that the wheel literally sticks to the track, guaranteeing maximum grip.

However, the model is hardly suitable for beginners - 35 mm legs do not forgive technical errors. Inept driving can simply ruin the fork.

• excellent reliability;
• excellent quality of work;
• attractive design.

• requires skillful handling.

FOX 40 RC2 Float

Price: 150,000 rubles.

The ultimate dream of every extreme.The professional plug according to users is the best option for the most aggressive operating conditions. This model is a leader in everything that concerns quality, durability and precision.

The unique design of dampers and communicating negative and positive air chambers guarantee high-quality handling of any obstacles. 40mm legs provide excellent torsional rigidity and resistance to mechanical stress.

The combination of positive qualities makes the model the choice of world-class professionals.

• excellent in everything.

• bites the price tag.

Model	move	shock absorber	purpose
SR Suntour XCM	100 mm	spring / elastomer	leisure
RST GILA ML	100 mm	spring/oil	leisure
RST Biaze ML	130 mm	spring/oil	leisure
RST Dirt T	100 mm	spring/oil	Dirt Jump
SR Suntour XCR LOR	120 mm	spring/oil	Cross Country
Rock Shox XC 30 TK	100 mm	spring/oil	Cross Country
SR Suntour Raidon LOR 15mm	120 mm	spring/oil	Cross Country
SR Suntour Epixon LOR	120 mm	spring/oil	Cross Country
Rock Shox XC 32 TK Solo Air	120 mm	air/oil	Cross Country
Marzocchi DJ 3	120 mm	air/oil	Cross Country
Manitou Circus Expert 26	100 mm	air/oil	Dirt Jump
Rock Shox SID XX WC	120 mm	air/oil	enduro
DNM USD-8 Air	203 mm	air/oil	downhill
Manitou Dorado PRO	203 mm	air/oil	downhill
Rock Shox Boxxer World Cup 2018	203 mm	air/oil	downhill
FOX 40 RC2 Float	203 mm	air/oil	down hill

Outcome

Unfortunately, not all worthy models got into the rating. The list is based on the popularity of surebets.Some modifications are worthy of recognition, but their cost or inaccessibility plays a decisive role in shaping the top.