First 'inverted' front suspension?

oldpotatoe · #1 10-10-2014, 05:58 AM

Motorcycles, dirt machines have had this for years but is the first for MTBs?

Note-I'm not a MTB kinda guy..so for you hard core dirt guys..

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/...on-fork_348941

kokies · #2 10-10-2014, 06:04 AM

Not by a long shot. Google Halson fork. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1412939028.595495.jpg

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oldpotatoe · #3 10-10-2014, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokies

Not by a long shot. Google Halson fork. Attachment 1697887989

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OK, but does that exist? Ever made? and a big MTB shock company..Never seen anything like this from Fox, as an example.

kokies · #4 10-10-2014, 06:08 AM

Yes they exist. A friend of mine had one back in the day and I have almost bought some off flebay.

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kokies · #5 10-10-2014, 06:09 AM

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...d=171458292039

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bewheels · #6 10-10-2014, 06:10 AM

Well ... they are not exactly the first.

Cannondales Lefty is inverted - works well and has been successful.
Maverick - Started by Paul Turner (who started Rock Shox), it was a good fork but did not really catch on as the industry was built around the 'standard' fork (wheels, headsets, etc).
Hanebrink before that.

While the RS-1 seems great. I would likely look at a Lefty before the RS-1 because of available support, price, weight, wheel options, etc.

ColnagoFan · #7 10-10-2014, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kokies

Yes they exist. A friend of mine had one back in the day and I have almost bought some off flebay.

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Not to mention that they had the patent on the "elastomers on skewers" design, so Manitou had to license it to use it. RS changed their design, started using those keyed plastic spacers to hold the stack. Man I can't believe that info is still in my brain.

Marz had their attempt too, ahead of the curve in carbon fiber even!

Tons and tons of dual-crown DH forks, but fewer single crowns.

oldpotatoe · #8 10-10-2014, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bewheels

Well ... they are not exactly the first.

Cannondales Lefty is inverted - works well and has been successful.
Maverick - Started by Paul Turner (who started Rock Shox), it was a good fork but did not really catch on as the industry was built around the 'standard' fork (wheels, headsets, etc).
Hanebrink before that.

While the RS-1 seems great. I would likely look at a Lefty before the RS-1 because of available support, price, weight, wheel options, etc.

There ya go..shows my lack on knowledge about MTB stuff..

avalonracing · #9 10-10-2014, 07:44 AM

It won't be pushed by manufacturers unless it make something else obsolete. Oh wait... it requires a special front hub. It stands a chance.

ergott · #10 10-10-2014, 09:25 AM

That's all I got.

redir · #11 10-10-2014, 09:32 AM

I'll stick to my Lefty... Which is an inverted design

CunegoFan · #12 10-10-2014, 09:58 AM

Didn't inverted forks die out before in MTB because the stanchions moved independently due to the small diameter axle and wheel attachment by quick release? In short, they handled like crap.

old fat man · #13 10-10-2014, 10:08 AM

Maverick forks (right in Old Potato's back yard!) were/are very highly regarded. The through axle hub was proprietary though and the cost was a barrier for most.

Rock Shox (SRAM) will get tons of attention with this product because they'll throw tons of cash into marketing it.

Kirk Pacenti · #14 10-10-2014, 10:33 AM

I could be wrong, but I thought Mountain Cycles did the first production inverted fork.

Mark McM · #15 10-10-2014, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CunegoFan

Didn't inverted forks die out before in MTB because the stanchions moved independently due to the small diameter axle and wheel attachment by quick release? In short, they handled like crap.

Yes, there was this issue with inverted forks when used with lightweight cross-country bikes. But they didn't disappear, they were simply relegated to downhill racing bikes (with a few exceptions like the Lefty).

Not that it matters for most off-road riders, but in cross-country racing a quick release axle system is important. Unlike in shorter events (downhill, duel slalom, etc.), a flat tire won't end your race. The races are long enough that being able to fix a flat in just a few minutes (and with as few tools as possible) can save your race.