SR Suntour Auron - First Ride
SR Suntour is currently the world's largest suspension fork manufacturer, producing over 11 million forks last year alone. However, despite those massive numbers, the company hasn't had as strong of a presence in the realm of higher end aftermarket forks. They're looking to change that, and the 2014 Auron is their 27.5" wheel-specific entry into the all-mountain fork market. We were able to take the fork for a first ride on Moab's Whole Enchilada trail, a 7000 vertical foot descent full of countless square edged bumps and harsh landings, the perfect location to get acquainted with the Auron.
SR Suntour Auron Specs
• Intended use: all-mountain/enduro
• Wheel size: 27.5"
• Travel: 150 or 160mm (ships in 160mm setting)
• Air sprung, cartridge damping
• Adjustments: high and low speed compression, rebound, air pressure
• 34mm stanchion tubes
• Hollow aluminum crown, magnesium lowers
• Tapered steerer tube only
• 15mm Q LOC 2 thru axle
• Weight (RC2): 1940 grams (claimed)
• Available: early November
• MSRP: $700 USD (RC2)
Details
The Auron's construction falls in line with what would be expected from a fork meant for all-mountain riding. The fork's 34mm stanchions are intended to provide enough stiffness and strength for the hard charger, but without adding too much extra weight. Weight saving is also accomplished through the use of magnesium lowers and a hollow aluminum crown. There will be several different configurations of the Auron available, including the RC2 we rode, a travel adjust version that can externally be lowered to 140mm of travel, and an RC version that has rebound and low speed compression damping adjustments, but forgoes the high speed damping found on the RC2.
Adjustments
SR Suntour has been producing cartridge style dampers for the last 12 years, and the new fork draws from these years of accumulated knowledge. The Auron's damper has externally adjustable rebound along with low and high speed compression. Compression settings are controlled with two individual dials found atop the right leg, with a positive click at each position. 14 clicks of high speed and 10 clicks of low speed compression damping ensure that there is a wide range of adjustment. The fork's rebound is adjusted via a knob at the bottom of the right leg. The air spring is in the left leg, and uses an elastomer volume reducer that can be trimmed to change how progressive the fork feels.
Q LOC 2 Thru Axle
The Auron uses SR Suntour's patented thru axle quick release system called the Q LOC 2. Instead of threading into one side of the drop outs, the axle has a portion that expands once it's through the dropout, and then the quick release lever is closed to secure the wheel. Wheel removal is as simple as opening the QR lever, pushing in and turning the nut on the thru axle, and then sliding the axle out. Reading these words likely takes longer than removing the axles does - it's that fast. Suntour's instructional video makes it a little easier to see how the Q LOC 2 actually works, and can be seen here.
Riding SR Suntour's
Auron Fork
Auron Fork
After setting up the Auron's air pressure to our liking (around 50psi for a 160 pound rider) along with adjusting the compression and rebound, we headed out to see how it handled Moab's unforgiving desert terrain. The trail provided plenty of opportunities to see how the fork handled long rock gardens full of serrated sandstone outcroppings and not-so smooth landings, terrain features that left the Auron unfazed. The fork absorbed repeated hard impacts in a row without any packing up or loss of performance, allowing us to keep on track without being jarred off line. Larger drops were sucked up without issue - the fork's ramp up at the end of the stroke worked well to prevent any harsh bottom outs. Small bump absorption was adequate, although perhaps not quite as supple as other forks on the market, but we'd need further trail time to definitively make that call. We did notice that the fork is louder when rebounding than what we've come to expect, a noise likely caused by the oil passing through an orifice in the cartridge on the return stroke, although it didn't seem to affect the performance or handling. Besides these small details, the fork performed as hoped, without any odd quirks or mannerisms that would have affected our enjoyment of the ride.
Pinkbike's Take:
 | We have an Auron on the way for a long term test, but our initial impressions are favorable. At no point during the ride did we wish we were on a different fork, which is saying something, since the Auron comes in at a few hundred dollars less than the top tier offerings we're lucky enough to regularly ride. For riders searching for an upgrade from the stock, bare bones fork that many mid-level bikes come with, the Auron could be worth a look. - Mike Kazimer |
www.srsuntour-cycling.com
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Suntour is no different than any of the other giant Asian bicycle manufacturers. They build whatever the consumer wants at the pricepoint they want it at, quality varies with the price. If Suntour can convince people to buy despite the "low-rent" name, they're going to be a real threat to the current suspension manufacturers.
@Deeeight, you have no idea how much I wanted one of those Ti Huffy frames back in the day. So rad compared to the steel Huffy I was riding at the time.
Cheers!
And yes, I understand there is more than one Suntour factory. So, let's say there are THIRTY Suntour factories around the world making Suntour and Suntour-manufactured/re-branded forks. I'd say that is a lot of factories, probably more than actually exist. Every one of these 30 factories would have to produce 1,000 forks per day. Still seems like an incredible number to me, for one manufacturing plant to make a thousand forks in one single day, every day, even with 24 hours/day production.
But, whatever. Maybe it's true. But if it IS true, then it just makes me wonder even more why Giant (the "Suntour" of bicycle frame manufacturing) always seems to have such a hard time manufacturing enough bikes for their customers every single model year.
I am by no means a fanboy but have to say credit where credit is due, Suntour are picking up their game in the retail end of the market, I accept they have made and still make a lot of shoddy low end oem stuff but that it obviously is their bread and butter (if they did not make them someone else would). They also need to get things sorted with more servicing information and more availability of spare parts,
Soooo what im saying is don't write them off for past experiences, if you are on a budget give them a go you might be surprised, I was.
Forks owned in past, Reba's, Pike 454 Dual Air, Marz 55 RC3
I've seen X Fusion's Trace/Slant RL2 for $500 shipped from Wiggle. IMO, that's the value option to beat.
I've heard from a Suntour rep that the lower of this fork contains no lubrication, instead using self lubricating bushings instead of the oil or grease solutions used by other brands. I'm not sure I believe this, so can you answer it for me, do the lowers on your long term set contain any lubrication or not?
I work with SR Suntour so I'll chime in to answer you.
All the forks come with grease for lubrication. SR Suntour's take is that it's quicker to service with grease and this falls in line with the company's motto of QSP which stands for Quick Service Product....which really means Ride More, Wrench Less. Also you don't have to worry about oil leaking out or a messy service interval.
That said....some riders choose to also add 20-30 cc of lubrication oil in the lower case of each leg for a splash lubrication on the bushings. Some feel this makes the fork a little smoother.
i only own fox stuff (just an fyi), i go to ace/osh and get new o rings for the air piston/damper shafts and replace those every time the lowers get dropped.. ive re-used the o rings on my 32 fork before: second time using them was okay, third time i got an oily mess.. i re-use the crush washers twice.. speaking of that, i need to go find some damn crush washers for my 32 fork before next service time!
i actually just dropped the lowers on my 40 yesterday (since i was told it there was a good chance the factory didnt put enough oil in it.. sure as hell, it was dry.), used new o rings and re used crush washers. no leaks. It probably wont help, but i was recommended to use mobile1 full syn 10w-30 (NOT the high mileage stuff, it will make your bushings swell up). i was a skeptical at first, then i just went ahead and did it. so far, its a lot better, as the fork is now properly lubed up, and not as dry as a 90 year old lady.. going on a ride tomorrow to see how it fairs on the trail.. im sure someone will chime in and tell me imma tard tho. (oh well)
i completely agree with mullen119.. just doesnt make sense to put grease in place of a job that is really meant for oil..
I am a fan because the North American guys work hard to put out stuff that they can proudly ride. I really want them to win big because I know they care and work hard on it.
Depends on your age. I remember Suntour being at the top level with their XC Pro and Superbe Pro groups. I had a track bike with Superbe Pro hubs and those things spun for 15 minutes in your hand. XC Pro brakes were also among the best in MTB. It all began to change with indexed shifting, and then rapid-fire and Shimano finally getting where they were aiming to be. The Suntour x-press system was not as good but I think by then something was going on where they were having some issues staying up.
But, if you're a man, you don't cry about it. You take life, the ups and downs, if you're a real man you never go down, you just stay up. that's why they are the world champions.
All of the new dampers will also fit into the older Epicons so you could up grade to a LO-RC or RL-RC damper and have low speed compression in addition to the lock out and rebound functions.
Imho it's a cartridge design fault but suntour told me it's all fine.
I've owned 2 duros (9mm and QLC 1 gen) and despite the fact that they're not the most refined forks on the market they get the job done with good price and incredibly easy service.
The $1000-$1200 price tag for the usual suspects is suspect when looking at this bang for buck fork!
My Epicons (sold them to friends) are great fork for its price level. Most have used it EVERYDAY for bike commute in our seemingly "off-road" Roads. And take them to trails EVERY weekend (century ride/pedal all the way). Still, some use it beyond its intended use.And most users never serviced them in years. Used 203mm rotors on it, used it despite the rains and floods here. but i never heard anyone complain.. they just love the fork, serving them right without ripping their wallet. Well, not everyone here affords a Fox..
And my new TA RC2 durolux? what should i say.... better none.. just love it.
www.srsuntour-cycling.com/index.php?sid=1
If you are smart you make a new brand name for your higher end stuff. Marketing 101. Prefer Maxxis or Cheng Shin? Same company.