SR Suntour updated their Durolux fork for 2020 to feature a revised damper and air spring to give less feedback at the handlebars.
Pete has been putting the SR Suntour Durolux36 EQ forks through their paces over the last few months to see if they’re worthy of your attention if you’re in the market for a new enduro fork.
Key features:
- 36mm stanchions
- A6000 Hollow crown (R2C2 and RC2, forged crown for RC version)
- Magnesium lowers
- 27.5 or 29″
- 150mm, 160mm and 170mm travel options, 44mm or 51mm offset (29″)
- 160mm, 170mm and 180mm travel options, offset 44mm (27.5″)
- R2C2 PCS damper
- EQ air spring
- 2120g
- Fender included
- 15QLocTi Axle
- £629.00 RRP (RC2 damper)
- SRSuntour.com
Having had nothing but Rockshox and Fox forks fitted to test bikes over the last few years, I was keen to see what SR Suntour’s Durolux 36 EQ forks could do. I’d seen these first at the Bike Connection event in Italy in February, then old COVID got in the way. So, the SR Suntour Durolux 36 EQ is the updated version of Suntour’s enduro/freeride fork that comes with a revised air spring (Equalizer, positive and negative air chambers that self-balance) and damper, all aimed at working better for the rider and reducing feedback at the handlebars.
It’s important to note that while the Durolux may sport similar specs as a Rockshox Lyrik or a Fox 36, the guys at Suntour are keen to point out that they’re not going down that road of trying to make it a three horse race. Whether that happens in reality or not is yet to be seen. Their Refined Simplicity policy means that the Durolux needs no specialist tools to service, and the new internals further reduce the amount of servicing required.
What you do get is indicative that Suntour have been learning plenty since the latest Durolux fork (Durolux has been around since the days of 26” wheels) was released in 2017. You get the RC2 PCS damper in this middle of the range fork, offering high and low speed compression, and rebound damping. The R2C2 damper at the top of the range adds full rebound adjustment for a mere £20 more at £649.00 RRP, while the RC option comes in at £549.99.
In line the with ease of servicing, the PCS damper (Piston Compensator System) is an internal floating piston design that reduces the chance of bubbles forming, leading to cavitation, and reduces the need for bleeding. This is also one of Suntour’s Quick Service Products.
I took delivery of a 160mm travel, 29″ wheel Durolux 26 EQ RC2 PCS forks and decided to bolt them onto the front of my Specialized Enduro, set the sag and rebound to see how they came out of the box. First impressions were very good indeed. Even fitting the supplied mudguard was a piece of cake.
Unsurprisingly, the compression felt a little too firm with the correct sag, but that’s mostly as I am 58kg. With both high and low speed compression easily accessible atop the right-hand leg, even through gloves, it took no time at all to get these a little more supple.
From then on, it was simply a case of becoming more comfortable with how the Suntours worked the ground. Small bump sensitivity is excellent, something my local trails need in spades with speeds generally low along with the traction. Even with both ends of the compression as open as they would go through, the mid-stroke felt supportive with a predictable ramp up towards full travel.
Out of the woods and onto the bigger hills and the Durolux went about the task at hand with the same composure it had shown at lower speeds. Excellent tracking and small bump control, but excellent on the harsh hits at high speed too.
Normally this far into a test, I’d be complaining about the lack of low and high speed rebound adjustment, as that’s usually where forks tend to come up short in my experience. As the speed increases, high speed rebound needs a little moderation on other forks but it seems Suntour have got the settings dialled and as much as I try to find somewhere they’ll feel harsh or unruly, I can’t. Unless you’re a serious suspension fettler, you might not need to fork out (sorry) for the more expensive R2C2 options.
It’s also worth pointing out that the Durolux comes with grease and pressure release ports, neither of which I have felt the need to use, but handy if you’re travelling a lot. Many will grumble about Suntour’s axle design, but it takes less than 30 seconds to get your head around it, and it means you’re never going to strip any threads off your lowers.
What do we think?
Suntour have really hit the nail on the head with the Durolux, and even more so with the impressive mid-range RC2 option. If you’re on the look out for an aftermarket upgrade, you’d be hard-pushed to go much better, especially as you can service them yourself.
We love:
- Excellent damping
- Good value
- Mudguard is spot on
Could do better:
- Not an awful lot
