When I reviewed the SR Suntour Durolux, it got very high marks all around – it’s highly adjustable, ultra smooth and extremely capable. What it lacked was options to fit more (and modern) bikes, but all that’s about to change. The 2018 Durolux, and virtually the entire rest of their lineup, will get 29er and Boost options. But there’s a lot more going on under the hood…they didn’t just lengthen and widen, the 29er models get larger stanchion diameters, and most forks get upgraded cartridges, too!
The Durolux was revamped in 2015, so it’s not getting quite the same upgrade treatment as the others, but that’s OK. It’s already packing all of their best tech – R2C2, PCS, etc. And it already had 36mm stanchions, so the new Boost and 29er Boost versions will stick with that. I’m not gonna lie, I’m pretty excited to get this 29er version on my bike.
Where their PCS (Piston Compensator System) was only offered on the high end R2C2 model, word at their booth was all Durolux models will get it. So will all models of the Auron, Durolux and RUX. The integrated fender on the Durolux gets a facelift and looks much smoother and offers more coverage off the front. It’s still easily removable.
Not shown, the XC race oriented Axon 29 Boost will go to 34mm stanchions, bigger than the current 32mm stanchion versions currently offered.
For their longer travel Zeron, Aion and Auron forks, they gain 29er boost options that bump stanchion diameters up to 35mm (from 34mm). The Zeron is a mostly OEM coil spring fork using same casting and 35mm stanchions as Aion and Auron.
The Aion will get RC PCS, and Auron gets RC2 PCS. SR Suntour’s nomenclature is simple, RC means external rebound and compression, RC2 means low-speed rebound and high-and-low speed compression adjustments, and the top-level R2C2 cartridge gives you external control of high and low speed adjustments for both. That’s largely was separates the mid-tier models, but jump up to the Durolux and you get a stronger, lighter hollow crown, the integrated fender and a few more bells and whistles.
Another new option is the remote lockout features for the DuAir rear shock.
It will debut with the option of a dual control lockout switch that’s one of the cleanest we’ve seen. The thumb lever depresses easily to lock things out, and a side release lever can be quickly bumped to open things back up.
Pricing, weights and full tech specs on all of this are expected later in the year.
