Gravel bike suspension for only £90!
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Published 2024-03-11
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
srko.co/tracevelo
Putting a suspension fork onto your gravel bike can be a VERY expensive upgrade. Fox offer their 32TC for £500 to around £750 ($960), RockShox offer their Rudy Ultimate for around the same price, and even one of the cheapest options from SR Suntour will set you back about £400 ($510). I set out to find a cheaper option and once again AliExpress came to the rescue.
I bought a gravel suspension fork direct from China, from a brand called Kocevlo for just £92. With taxes and shipping, the total was £112.50 ($140), but it is still MUCH cheaper than anything the big brands offer.
It seems well built, with chunky 32mm stanchions, lightweight magnesium fork body, and aluminium steerer tube and crown. It weighs just over 1.5kg, offers 40mm of travel, and you can adjust the sag, the compression damping, and also lock out the struts.
Installation was a breeze, and I was honestly impressed with how much it has transformed my gravel bike. 40mm doesn't seem like a lot of travel, but it makes rougher terrain SO MUCH more comfortable, and lets you carry much more speed over challenging sections.
With the additional weight, the bike is slightly more sluggish on the flats compared to the solid fork, but it is well worth the sacrifice for the types of gravel riding I tend to do.
Kocevlo fork affiliate link:
s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEnOeTn
Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:34 – Intro, cost, weight
01:55 – Installation
03:06 – Star nut vs compression plug
05:23 – Star nut install
08:47 – Post install bike weigh in
09:25 – Siroko sponsor
10:46 – Ride test
14:03 – Conclusion & my opinion
15:22 – Price vs other manufacturers
17:11 – EGR update
18:37 – Bonus wetland time
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - www.go2dev.co.uk/
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/tracevelo/
Email:
[email protected]
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
All Comments (21)
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The transition slowly begins as you lean more and more into MTB
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I can’t tell if I’m impressed with the continued dedication to cheap parts, or if you’re a mountain biker now. Either way: 🥖
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What a nice 90s Drop Bar Mountainbike. John Tomac would be proud 😉 🥖🥖🥖
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Looking forward to the next carbon hardtail flatbar xc bike build! And the following full suspension 😅
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That little blue ring helps you gauge the suspension pressure - push it right down and go for a ride, when you get home you'll be able to tell how much of the range you're using. Add or remove pressure accordingly.
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A little late now but you can definitely use the compression style plugs in an aluminium/steel steerer tube, just you can't use a star nut in a carbon steerer.
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A little note as you begin to talk about suspension, damping makes you fast (controls your suspension) dampENing makes you wet. Very common mistake but you’ll be silently made fun of by snobby suspension nerds (no comment on how I know ;))
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I’ve been fitting star nuts with a hammer for over 25years, never considered using a socket as a guide, that blooming brilliant🎉
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Hi Luke, top tip for the future - instead of cutting down the brake pipe, you can carefully cut a slot in the olive and then twist with a flat blade screwdriver to crack and spread the olive. You then just use a new olive and keep all the hose length. 🥖
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Was waiting for someone to review this 👌
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Yet another thoroughly entertaining and informative video Luke. Thanks, keep 'em coming.
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Many thanks for the bonus clip jingle!!!!!!!
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Great video idea, I love seeing fun builds like this! Keep it up!
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I was beginning to forget why I moved to Mallorca years ago.......but now I mind after watching your bonus!!
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Another very interesting adaptation/experiment...as entertaining as ever. Nicely done.
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19:27 - I grew up watching the inbetweeners and hearing "knee deep" put a smile on my face.
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Liking the stash Luke, as a roadie and mountain biker I love the idea of gravel suspension and it's good to see more budget options reviewed. 🥖🥖🥖
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Great as always mate ! I have to admit I quite like Kocevlo bits and pieces !
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Thanks Luke, are you reading my mind? Every winter, to my wife's regret, I do a build/rebuild of a bike. Next winters project (2024-2025) is rebuilding urban commuter into a gravel bike...with suspension gravel forks. You have definitely convinced me to go ahead.
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Thanks for the review, I actually got other parts from that brand, like their carbon handlebars and carbon seat, and they are low cost and very good quality.
