RST Suspension: Three Long-Travel Forks - Sea Otter 2014
RST has a long history in the sport, but for a period of time, the Taiwan based suspension maker lost momentum and languished in value-priced OEM end of the marketplace, where the bottom line, not innovation and cutting edge performance drives product development. Three forks from RST, however, indicate that it is back in the game: the dual-crown Killah DH, which has been in the lineup for a little while; and two single-crown models - the Rogue trailbike and the Stitch AM/enduro forks. As with most suspension brands these days, the buzz at RST is 27.5-inch wheels, but as you will discover, they have not completely forgotten where the roots of our sport came from.
RST's new 200-millimeter-travel Killah DH fork accepts the same direct-mount handlebar mount as the RockShox Boxxer. The 200Killah fork is coil-sprung and its damping is an internal cartridge OCR-CT type with a special dual-speed compression shim stack. The 20-millimeter through axle has a unique left-hand threaded nut that prevents the axle from rotating in torsion. External adjustments are low-speed rebound and compression and the chassis highlights are: 36mm 7050 alloy stanchion tubes, Magnesium lowers, post mount caliper bosses, and the Killah is offered in either 26 or 27.5 wheel diameters.Weights are stated at 7.08 pounds in 27.5 and 7.04 pounds in the 26-inch configuration. MSRP is $950 USD.
Stitch is a single-crown air-sprung fork, intended for hard-driving AM or enduro riders. The Stitch shares the OCR-CT DH damping cartridge and sports 36-millimeter-diameter stanchions and a he-man-size, 20-millimeter through-axle. Travel is internally adjustable at 160, 170 or 180 millimeters, and like the DH fork, RST designed the Stitch crown with a full width, 138-millimeter stanchion pitch, so that any tire width short of a fat bike will easily fit. Stitch forks wisely use a coil negative-spring to smooth the small stuff, and the external damping adjustments include low-speed compression and rebound. Sliders are magnesium and sport the RST's new, rectangular looking arch design. RST Offers the Stitch for 27.5 or 26-inch wheels and pegs the weight at 4.98 pounds, with a full-length steerer tube. The MSRP is $645 USD.
Rogue hits the long-travel trailbike market right in the center, with stiff, 34-millimeter stanchion tubes, RST's premium OCR-C damping cartridge and internally adjustable travel options of 130, 140 and 170 millimeters. The air sprung fork also uses an air-type negative spring. The lowers are magnesium, with a 15-millimeter through axle and post-type caliper mounts. Weight is pegged at a very respectable 4.0 pounds even and sadly, the only wheel size available is 27.5 inches, but RST says that will change soon. MSRP is $550 USD.
RST's 15-millimeter through axle is a thread-in type which mirrors the strategt of the RockShox Maxle. When released, the QR lever locks into a groove, which allows the user to unthread or tighten the axle. When installed, the lever secures the axle like a conventional quick release skewer. A set-screw on the right dropout allows the user to determine the angle where the lever rests.
RST Suspension
I used to have one RST fork, it was not bad to be honest, but it was like 15 years ago...
5" of buttery smooth elastomer triple clamp
I'll pay a little more for the big brands as i feel they have earned thier reputations (and higher pricing) because they produce good, reliable products.
I wont buy a cheap $500-$750 fork from someone like RST or SR Suntour ... I'd rather pay big for something (ie my Float 100 RLC that I've raced, flogged, and put away wet, for the past 3 years now.) that I'm confident won't let me down (and therefore only have to buy once, not two or three times).
I'm happy to pay more for something with a good name that doesn't have those little issues that, while minor, always seem to come up and detract from a cheaper product, but which we ignore because that cheaper product has "such great value".
My experience with fox has been nothing short of exceptional. I agree that you can get lemons... but I haven't had any issues with their service either. The majority of customers whom I've sold and installed Fox or high end Rock Shox for have been trouble free and in the few cases where there have been issues the support from both companies has been quick and effective.
If RST and Suntour can match those experiences over a sustained period of time then I'm sure they will be fine for many riders, but I'll stick with what I like.
And there is still the fact that many of these 'value' forks have issues that consumers and reviewers are willing to overlook because they are 'value' priced. I'm not willing to settle for sub par if I have the option to get something better, even if it costs more.
Sir, you were obviously not riding a bike with suspension between the years of 1992 an 1995 when Giles and Mozo Pros were regarded amongst the best forks you could buy. The difference between maintaining that high-end price tag or not, is closing to make OEM forks where the price is prioritised over weight and a small amount of ultimate performance. RST are not new in the high-end game... They're just new to you.
For now it's way to early to tell if Storm will be good but it's dampnig is promising antd the chasis itself is hellastiff. Maintenance is unbelievable EASY and polish distributor (velo.pl) has all the parts you might ever need.
You can laugh at RST all you want but I'm sure that they can change their suspension for much better products just like SR Suntour or CST and Vee Rubber in tire department.
-a santa cruz V10 but it had to have an RST fork on it
-Or race a TR250 with a Fox 36 180mm fork on it?
bad name..killah? what's that??
LOL