Skip to main content

DVO Diamond fork


DVO’S SINGLE-CROWN trail fork can deliver fantastically smooth, fine-tuned control but only if you’re a skilled and patient fettler who isn’t watching weight or running high-volume tyres.

The way the loose axle retainer can fall out when the axle is removed/inserted is an irritation, but the fact that some 2.4in tyres rub on the detachable fender is potentially more serious. It’s heavy too, but then it’s an accurate-feeling fork that proved impressively stiff on our twist rig.

Start and end stroke feel is balanced by winding on negative spring effect via the ‘Off the Top’ adjuster. Increasing negative spring force creates an impressively sensitive fork with a progressive end stroke but compresses the ride height noticeably, while a firmer start means a more linear overall character.The compression feel can also be changed through the top-cap adjuster, with an additional short-throw lever to add extra damping for climbing or cornering. If you can’t get the feel you want via the default valving, the cartridge is easily removable for shim stack alteration.

Once you’ve settled on your sweet spot it’s a superbly sensitive and very consistent fork all the way down the longest descents and through the most mental moments. Reliability of third-party forks that we’ve been tracking has been impressive too.


WEIGHT: 2,140g
TRAVEL: 130-160mm (adjusted via internal spacers)

Price 1200$






Labels

Popular posts from this blog

KONA SHRED

With a reputation for no-nonsense ruggedness and a background in the always progressive and punishing riding of Canada, Kona have been building hardcore hardtails for longer than almost anyone else. The Shred is the most expensive bike on test but it’s a proper trail tank.

READ MORE >>

ENVE M50 29" Wheels

Utah based company ENVE have been making drool-worthy carbon components for some years now. Despite the fact that carbon rims are becoming more and more common on mountain bikes these days, you can guarantee that ENVE wheels will be a talking point when someone is eyeing off a steed. Instantly, the big bold logos on each rim scream "fast", "light" and to some extent, "expensive" The kids call this 'bling'.

READ MORE >>

Cannondale Trail SL 29 SS

The fat aluminium tubes are a constrast to the skinny items seen elsewhere in the test, but this rigid Cannondale uses them to create one of the most old-school - and lightest - rides here.

READ MORE >>

NS Bikes Metropolis bike

There aren’t many companies like NS Bikes, whose entire product range is designed around getting rad, ripping corners and boosting jumps. The Polish brand are passionate about freeride and have gained a reputation for building heavy-hitting,wellspecced and reasonably-priced bikes. This latest incarnation of their Metropolis dirt jump rig follows in this vein, with a doublebutted 4130 chromoly frame and an array of reliable kit. The frame mixes MTB and BMXtechnology, using a threaded bottom bracket and Race Face AEfect two-piece crankset in combination with horizontal dropouts and an integrated headset and seat clamp. A Manitou Circus Elite fork gives 100mm of air-sprung travel, with a 20mm front axle to maintain stifness. The Metropolis rolls on 26in NS Fundamental rims, fitted with Kenda Small Block 8 tyres. We reckon the combo of chrome frame and tan-wall rubber looks pretty rad too! The full build weighs a fairly robust 12.13kg , but it should have no problem shrugging of s...

READ MORE >>

CANYON NERVE AL 8.0

  S ince their entry into the UK market a few years ago, Canyon have made a name for themselves as purveyors of well-made bikes that exhibit often extraordinary value. The secret (or catch, depending on your point of view) is that the brand don’t have dealers – they ship bikes directly to your door.

READ MORE >>