Steel is real and so are the benefits of suspension. The new Paragon fork from RockShox isn’t intended to woo riders sold on disc brake road bikes into becoming drop bar mountain bikers, but it will take make riding gravel roads alot more comfortable for people who ride trekking bikes. The 4.07 lb (1,846g) fork is said to offer the best of mountain biking suspension, while being purpose built for road and commuting applications.
The fork houses a Solo Air spring and Turn Key damping, but had specific features like routing for lighting and wiring systems from a dynamo hub that will appeal to commuters. There is also an integrated mounting option for headlights and cast bosses for fenders. Without fenders, the purpose built 700c fork will accommodate up to 45C tires, and will offers 50/65mm of travel in disc or rim brake specific iterations.
The original Judy Road
The idea is not without precedent in RockShox’s history. Before Specialized almost appropriated the word (we’re just kidding), the suspension company introduced the Paris-Roubaix SL Fork and later the Judy Road. The then 37 year old French pro Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle won the cobblestone race twice on that original 2.6 lb P.R. fork!
The new Paragon fork will set you back $253 (€225). Read more at Rockshox
