SR SUNTOUR PRODUCE over 10 million forks a year and support some top riders. The new Auron is loaded with features at a bargain price but our test sample lacked consistent control.
The 34mm chassis isn’t light and the paint flakes off very easily, but the Auron is competitively stiff no matter how hard you ride it. The ambidextrous Q-LOC 15mm push-through cam axle needs a hub with a constant internal diameter to work smoothly though, and accurate tension setting is vital to stop it loosening on really ragged descents.
Sensitivity is reasonable after a few bedding-in
rides, with a distinctly progressive air spring that takes a lot to push it to
full travel, so you can run it softer than initial car park bouncing would
suggest without excessive dive. Low- and high-speed compression are adjustable
from the fork top, which is great for the price, but neither dial has a dramatic
effect. Rebound adjustment is much more obvious but the lack of clicks makes
tuning awkward.
While our sample was OK coping with low-speed damper
loads when ridden gently, the mid stroke became more inconsistent and prone to
choking and cavitation when pushed hard through successive high-speed hits.
Previous Suntour fork reliability hasn’t been great either, but the price is
good.
Travel 160mm
Weight 1,975g
Length 550mm
Wheel sizes 650b
PRICE: 625$
