SR Suntour Raidon - 2 Year Update

[@cpachon9]

Best suspension ever i had, thanks for the video!

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks!

[@jansvasta2146]

Thanks for this! One of the videos that helped me decide to get one. Oh man and I love it! Extended mine to 140mm (just could not resist) and it is a game changer compared to the XCM I had before. Once I got it set up it functions amazingly. Butter smooth and takes Both big and small bumps well. Also looks rad on my good old trek 4300 :D Thanks again man!

[@downtoridemtb]

Glad I could help and glad you got it set up how you like it! Cheers!

[@rickc2222]

thanks man! Just bought a new/takeoff Raidon found on pinkbike rediculously cheap, but the red rebound knob was spinning like that right away. did the superglue trick and presto! job done. thanks!

[@downtoridemtb]

Glad that helped! I can’t believe SR Suntour hasn’t revised their design to fix this. It’s been over 2 years since I got mine.

[@rickc2222]

@@downtoridemtb my fork is off a 2018 model bike, and fork made in 2017...

[@downtoridemtb]

Ah that makes sense

[@juku118]

I just bought bike with suntour raidon 34 and it's very useful video. Obviously I had a problem with the rebound screw. Thanks a lot👍

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks. Yeah it’s apparent a pretty common problem.

[@dougc6045]

Thanks!

[@downtoridemtb]

Doug, you’re the best! First super thanks I’ve gotten! Appreciate you!

[@ThaBreit]

Have the same fork up until now been decent. Always felt a little flexy but for the price can’t complain. After last ride became super sticky, and really creaking bad. Time for a rebuild or upgrade. FYI suntour has top wrench’s for 3 bucks, but I’m sure this bike isn’t getting much use with your newer rift zone.

[@downtoridemtb]

Hopefully the rebuild kit will fix it. Or like you said upgrade it altogether. Thanks for the tip on the wrench. That bike is gone, part of what funded the Rift Zone, but good to know for any future service on any bike.

[@longviewkelsolines644]

I just put this same fork on my bike less then a year ago and love them

[@downtoridemtb]

Nice! Keep up with the maintenance to keep them running well. Cheers!

[@longviewkelsolines644]

@@downtoridemtb thankyou will do

[@calvacoca]

Forks on off road motorbikes are always well protected from dust. I don't understand why stanchions on mtb forks are not protected at all. Vintage forks had rubber boots to protect stanchions... but it seems that vintage look doesn't fit the forks anymore. Everyone prefer to have seals problems and striped stanchions instead of protecting correctly their fork from dust and rock impacts.

[@downtoridemtb]

I’ve wondered about that too.

[@blekfut5763]

Usually this rubber was getting dirt inside and tended to scratch the stanchions. That was not a good idea.

[@Smegma_pirate]

So we buy more forks… the rock shox Quadra polymer fork on my 90’s bike has dust boots….

[@mickchaganis6607]

Good video, thanks for the Info. I'm looking for a fork for my 2007 Rocky Mountain with all modern running gear but restricted on the fork because of the straight steerer tube and my 27.5 wheel conversion, so looking at the 2 Sun tours mentioned. Good to have long term review. I think I'll do the superglue on the rebound as soon as I get it.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks. Good luck with whichever one you get. You may not even need to do the super glue thing. Check out Manitou also, I know they have some options for bikes with straight steerers.

[@mickchaganis6607]

@@downtoridemtb thanks, I've got 3 forks on my list, the 2 Suntours and the Manitou. Still hard to get a hold of in the UK with straight steerer. I know there is a bottom cup to do a taper fork on a straight head tube but I want to fit a 2 degree offset headset so need to stick with straight steerer unless you have any suggestions?

[@Palios33]

@@mickchaganis6607 what did you get eventually?

[@anftrew3775]

I had a Raidon for a grand total of a, week. I hit one bump that was slightly harder than expected, but nowhere near enough to throw me off or cause any other damage, and there was a horrible metallic clang sound. After that I noticed the fork no longer had any damping. I replaced it with a much cheaper XCM which is horrible, but after my experience with the Raidon I'm reluctant to spend money on something that may not last.

[@downtoridemtb]

There are a lot of suspect Suntour forks on sites like eBay and other overseas sites. They sell them for less that SR Suntour does. I wouldn’t trust any of those. Not sure if that was the case for yours.

[@anftrew3775]

@@downtoridemtb mine was from a well established online bike shop, but when I researched them afterwards I found lots of people had complained of defective goods so it is possible I simply had a bad example. In fact that seems likely considering the Raidon fork gets a lot of praise in general.

[@jonathanthornton3894]

How big are your tires? The Raidon says max tire size 58 mm but my tires are 29x2.35.

[@downtoridemtb]

Mine were 2.25 but I’m pretty sure a 2.4 would have fit just fine. My rims were too narrow it run 2.4s though so I never tried.

[@Paulklampeeps]

I sold my epixon because it have the same issues to your 2 yrs review. It also gets sticky after a wet ride

[@downtoridemtb]

Did you do any maintenance on it?

[@kyko756]

so i can adjust stroke on 140mm?

[@downtoridemtb]

Yes

[@simasivanovas8853]

who has these forks can you please confirm, if you hold front brake and try to move back and forth do you feel on right side something like plastic moving and making a bit of a knocking noise?

[@bambangcyrus1777]

OMG THATS TRUE.., my hex pin stuck on the tube, i dont know how i can removed, any comment, or suggest?

[@downtoridemtb]

Needle nose pliers worked for me. If not that, then maybe a really strong magnet? Or maybe carefully hot gluing something onto the exposed end of it to pull it out?

[@bambangcyrus1777]

@@downtoridemtb thanks for the feedback, i will try..

[@Andrea-qg5yk]

which kind of oil did you use in the air chamber?

[@downtoridemtb]

It was Mobil-1 automotive gear oil. It wasn’t the recommended weight from SR Suntour... it was leftover from a diff oil change in my 4runner. SR Suntour has info I think even in a video of the correct weight.

[@adrianszabelski8105]

I might get the newer raidon 34 which is boost and has bigger stanchion and better damping

[@realist915able]

What happened with the chainstay on that bike? Any problems?

[@downtoridemtb]

Never had any problems from it. Sold it about a month ago and the new owner didn’t seem concerned at all.

[@Unknownuser123-e6z]

Can u put these forks On a bike with quick release

[@downtoridemtb]

Just have to get the quick release version of the fork

[@Unknownuser123-e6z]

@@downtoridemtb thanks

[@downtoridemtb]

No prob. Mine was quick release but that was like 2 years ago so I’m not sure how they make them now.

[@dougc6045]

That was great thank you.

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks!

[@daily_dose_of_nothingness]

Please replay me as fast you can i have cube aim 2020 and my fork is Suntour XCE i want to upgrade to Raidon will it fit is the same straight tube like XCE? 1-1/8 ? Because XCE is really bad fork.

[@downtoridemtb]

My Raidon was straight steerer. You may have the option now for taper so just get the straight one. Also look at axle type and spacing to be sure it matches.

[@daily_dose_of_nothingness]

@@downtoridemtb i got the straight steerer but i hear squeaking and it's wobbly when i use my break is that normal?

[@downtoridemtb]

Probably just need to align your brake caliper

[@stevebennett3587]

👌great video, i have the xcr32 air, and had similar issues with this one, but i suppose it is lower end🤔will probably buy a rebuild kit and top up the oil levels, I'm 90kg but i run it at 120-130psi, i don't know what the maximum psi is????

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks! Yeah the rebuild should help. I don’t know the max pressure but I’m guessing probably 150 or so. Good luck!

[@richardaitkenhead]

I had an xcr32, used it for about 3 months then swapped it for rokshok gold rl, was like a bought a new bike they cost more than some new bikes thou. Suntour isn't very big over here in the UK.

[@itzalex2369]

How it is holding right now? If you still have it

[@downtoridemtb]

Sold the bike but it was good up until then

[@disposallutz7647]

Hello. Is the fork still alive? Did you replace the bushings? How much mileage the fork has?

[@downtoridemtb]

I actually sold the bike not long after making this video

[@jacksonwaters893]

Hey I got the same fork this summer right when I put weight on the fork for the first time after couple hours it makes a creak sound does yours do that

[@downtoridemtb]

I have never noticed that happening on mine. If it’s only on the first time it compresses I don’t think I’d work about it too much. Keeping the seals and stanchions clean might help.

[@Andrea-qg5yk]

i read something similar about fox forks. they say it was basically that the stanchions are glued to the crown, and with time dirt gets in there, air bubbles form... they basically suggested to put some loctite in there, unfortunately i don't remember wich kind of loctite

[@hilmanmutaqin890]

I have same fork and stanchion high is 125mm, is my fork travel 120mm or 100mm ? Thanks before

[@joshvazquez9611]

I have the same for and I'm having problems with it not compressing all the way or it's just not as bouncy with the correct amount of air in it I read it might be a damper issue do you have any ideas what I could be??

[@downtoridemtb]

I would have to agree, probably the damper. From what I understand you just replace the entire damper unit. You’ll probably want to replace seals and wipers while you’re in there and clean and re grease things.

[@baltic8558]

sometimes the weather can alter the pressure inside the fork, especially hot climates and cold climates

[@scrutch666]

You aware that you need to replace seals regularly? Thats a common maintenance on every shock

[@downtoridemtb]

Yep they came with the service kit.

[@AvinaashKuppusamy]

Hey! Can I ask what type of oil did you use in the air chamber? I have an Epixon that needs some oil too

[@downtoridemtb]

I can’t recall but SR Suntour has videos on KZbin showing it. It’s a gear oil but I can’t remember the weight and what I used wasn’t exactly their recommended weight but I went for it anyway.

[@AvinaashKuppusamy]

@@downtoridemtb Alrights, ill give it a try!

[@jeffersontan9214]

They have their own oil specifically for that which u can buy

[@AvinaashKuppusamy]

@@jeffersontan9214 I cant seem to get them in bike stores so i just used what oil I had which was engine oil HAHAHA

[@jeffersontan9214]

Avinaash Kuppusamy haha hope it works well

[@lukeevan3126]

How is your friends Epixon after 2 years?

[@downtoridemtb]

It’s still doing well but he doesn’t ride nearly as much as me so it gets less use in general.

[@eserr4441]

The fork looks identical to the xcr 32 that comes with my 2021 Vitus 27VR

[@T800-p7p]

its different and raidon is better than xcr 32 air.

[@claudiorivadeneira6655]

hi i got the same fork for 4 moths and noted that the travel has a kind of limit 40 milimeters behind of the end of the travel, so i only have 60 milimeters of travel. Do you know whats about? thanks, great video

[@downtoridemtb]

What air pressure do you have in it?

[@claudiorivadeneira6655]

@@downtoridemtb 85 psi

[@downtoridemtb]

Have you tried less pressure? Does it still limit the travel with no pressure at all?

[@claudiorivadeneira6655]

@@downtoridemtb good question, tomorrow i will do it and i will comment :)

[@downtoridemtb]

Sounds good. For what it’s worth I’m running about 66-68psi and I’m about 175 lbs. Of course more plays into it than that like riding style, trail style, etc.

[@uonadtehrrocks]

I know your buddy has the EPIXON, I think you should upgrade to a lower end Rockshox and then give impressions.

[@downtoridemtb]

As luck would have it, I have a Recon on my current bike. Has more stiction at the top end of the movement. However the rebound dampening has more adjustment range and actually clicks in place. No weird quirks to report on it.

[@uonadtehrrocks]

Down to Ride MTB How is the dampening performance for trail riding?

[@downtoridemtb]

They both seem pretty similar. But keep in mind, different bikes, one hardtail and one full suspension so it’s hard to make a real comparison. If you’re considering the Epixon, only thing I’d mention is be suspicious of any “gray market” versions. If SR Suntour sells it for $389 ($289 with upgrade program) then something isn’t right with those ones being sold for considerably less on eBay, etc.

[@notkray8468]

Would you recommend Raidon than Epixon?

[@downtoridemtb]

Depends how much you want to spend and your future plans with the bike. If you love the bike and plan on keeping it a long time, then maybe go for the Epixon. Main advantage is that it is lighter.

[@jasonralph1511]

Hello. Is your Sr suntour raidon same with my Giant Talon 1 2019 fork. My Giant talon 1 2019 come With Sr Suntour Raidon air spring Also. Im not sure if It is the same with the one With you. Thanks

[@downtoridemtb]

Should be identical down to the axle size and spacing.

[@markhagopian3257]

Black Stantion version has larger Stantions i believe. New black version has 34mm. Old version 32. Pretty sure...

[@jjmamix]

Hello, friend, if it is not too much trouble, could you give me a small summary of what you say in this video but here I write since I am very interested in this information but because I do not speak English I do not understand anything and I would like to know what your questions are Senciones or your opinions about this suspension raidon to copy what you write and be able to pass it on to a translator and thus be able to read and understand it? First of all Thank you very much .. !!

[@downtoridemtb]

I’ll try to summarize. Good fork for the money. Keep up with the maintenance on it. After some time mine was losing some air but I added some oil to the air chamber and it fixed it. This is a maintenance item. Little bit of excess play between the lowers and uppers. Rebound dampening knob and kru that the knob turns needed to be glued together otherwise the key part would separate from the knob and therefore make adjustment impossible. Hope that helps.

[@rossg9363]

@@downtoridemtb what a kind guy you are doing that! Nice one mate👍

[@downtoridemtb]

@@rossg9363 thanks!

[@forestghost4400]

This vid help a lot

[@lostpianist]

How much this fork cost?

[@richardaitkenhead]

Less an $100

[@mcduffrobert]

Thinking about getting these, want to ride a larger tire, what size is your tire? Want to go with a 2.8 tire

[@downtoridemtb]

Mine are only 2.25” I don’t think you could fit a 2.8” in there. However I do know that they make a Boost version of the fork so I’d imagine you can fit a bigger tire in that one. Guess that depends if your hubs are Boost though.

[@jackdaniels2127]

I am looking at the Epixon

[@Digital_Gangster]

Their instructions say you should put some Teflon lube in the stanchions every 25 hours

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks. I should probably doing that then. Any specific brand they recommend?

[@Digital_Gangster]

It actually says their lower grease or Teflon lube. I like Tri-Flow

[@downtoridemtb]

Thanks!

[@truantray]

There are specific fork stanchion lubes.

[@jonasbuenodemate4289]

Finish Line Max Suspension is a excelent stanchion lube

[@Manwichman]

Crescent 🔧

[@tomasstraka5244]

So you use the fork for 2 years without any major service? Well, lucky you ;)

[@downtoridemtb]

Ha yeah pretty much!

[@Shurup33]

never buy suntoured bike if u can get rockshox one... live teached me this many many times...