Whistler-based tuning company, Vorsprung Suspension, has a range of new fork upgrades to offer.
Secus for 2023 Rockshox forksFirst up is a version of the Secus for RockShox 2023 forks. We were been impressed by the Secus when we
tested it with a 2021 RockShox Zeb. The Secus adds to the fork's negative air spring volume, making the spring softer at the start of the travel, while Vorsprung's Midstroke Support Valve boosts the spring rate in the middle of the travel without making it too much ramp-up towards the end.
The new version includes an adaptor for the new Buttercup air spring shafts in 2023 RockShox forks. The Buttercups - RockShox's vibration-deadening elastomers between the air spring shaft and the fork lower - are removed to fit the Secus.
The Secus for 2023 Rockshox forks costs $460 CAD plus tax and is available immediately.
Smashpot for Öhlins RXF38 and RockShox DomainThe only way to get a more coil-like feel than you get with a Secus is with an actual coil spring. Vorsprung's Smashpot coil conversion kit is now available for the
Ohlins RXF 38 and
RockShox Domain.
The Smashpot offers 130mm-180mm of travel, which is set internally during installation. The Smashpot's USPs are its hydraulic bottom control and an impressive array of spring rate options, ranging 30-80 lbs/inch in 5 lbs/inch increments (that makes 11 options by my count). Only the top-caps & foot-studs are specific to the fork, so you don't need to buy a whole new kit to swap between forks. The RXF's self-contained air spring means it should be possible to convert it back to air, which isn't always possible with forks that use the stanchion wall as the air spring.
Smashpot for RXF38 and Domain each cost $490 CAD. Available Dec 15.
Luftkappe for RockShox DomainFinally, there is a version of the
Luftkappe, one of Vorsprung's classic products, to fit the 2022+ RockShox Domain. The Luftkappe increases negative chamber volume (and slightly reduces the positive chamber volume) to reduce the initial harshness associated with air springs, while increasing the mid and end-stroke spring rate.
$170 CAD, available now.
vorsprungsuspension.com
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Secondly, if there wasn't room for improvement, we wouldn't see updates to the suspension products from the OEMs themselves all the time. Granted, not every change is an improvement, but clearly nothing has quite achieved perfection yet.
seems on brand with western culture at the moment actually....
It's like saying why make a custom coil over for an M3? Their engineers are supposed to be the best what is there to improve on? Well they're not focused on the extreme side of things and have to take tons of other factors into consideration that a coil over company doesn't. Of course you can make the car better with a proper coil over.
There will always be a place for products like this. That doesn't mean that out of the box for 98% of users the SRAM products aren't killer. Same goes for FOX or Ohlins.
Can I ask why you think there are so few coil fork options on the market still? I know it'd be a ballache to get the right spring in OEM forks, but surely RS could make a mint selling aftermarket coil Lyriks & Zebs?
Beyond that, I think the demand is way smaller than you think - the people you see commenting on PB aren't necessarily representative of the average MTBer. I don't think Fox or RS are particularly interested in the effort required if it isn't actually selling them more forks - and the relatively low popularity of the Z1 coil indicates that it isn't much of a sales pitch to most people.
Again, the big guys do an incredibly good job, all things considered, at nailing the performance-per-dollar ratio.
have you ever considered that people like using things that are intuitive and just work....all the time? Not everyone knows how to code, and in fact, even people that do sometimes just like things simple and seamless.
I have a number of people around me that work in tech, are very smart and could build their own phone and program it if they wanted.....most, if not all, have apple products. why? well, it's the same reason a Master auto mechanic drives a brand new, automatic transmission, auto-everthing car, for his personal vehicle. It. Just. Works.
But you´re right. My samsung phone is probably made by kids.
Edit: @jdejace I think you are right on with that assessment of the Runt. If you are looking for midstroke support it definitely has it.
I enjoyed his written material, and the in-depth stuff he did. Tried to watch a couple of his videos, and couldn’t make it past the first couple minutes
Hint, go with the latter, it's worth it!
Mountain biking is a cheap sport. If you want to get cheaper, take up running.
If you really want to cry, I spend $250 every 6 weeks for horse shoes. Just his shoes.
@foggnm: "the fastest people in the world can ride a well maintained OE fork"
None of them are riding OEM forks. All of them are going to be at least custom tuned.
The cost in engineering/testing and producing your own CSU's, your own lowers, etc. It's massive. Molds. Dynos. Engineers. Paint/powder testing. Decal testing. It's a MASSIVE expenditure of money and resources that would be very difficult to do at all let alone at a level that people would expect when attached to Vorsprung.
It's a lot easier to focus on doing one thing very well.
I think now they are on their own lowers (far east manufacture anyway, i guess)
It’s one of those products that works as advertised.
As Steve mentioned below, it doesn’t work. I’ve learned this from installing roughly two dozen luftkappes over the past few years. Thanks for your educated input, though.
Any chance of this ever being a thing?I know the Secus is an option, but I like the simplicity and cost/performance ratio of the luftkappe.
Wonder if it's been abandoned?
How do you miss THAT edit????
Thanks!