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Time to Invest in Precious Metal with New Budget Friendly RockShox 30 Gold

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Time to Invest in Precious Metal, with RockShox New Budget Friendly 30 GoldMost of the time when we catch wind of new, exciting suspension products that usually means something that will break the bank – much to the chagrin of some commenters. So maybe RockShox new 30 Gold will bring things into balance – especially with a price tag starting at $330.

The 30 Gold is based on a 30mm straight wall, anodized aluminum stanchion platform, with a magnesium lower leg assembly that is disc only. Compared to its Recon Silver predecessor, the 30 Gold is nearly half a pound lighter. Even better is the fact that the 30 Gold is available in all wheel sizes, 26, 27.5, and 29″. Travel is limited to 80/100 for the 26″ model, while the 27.5 and 29″ forks get 100/120 – but also weigh almost 200 grams more. Weights for the three forks come in at 26” – 1660g (3.66 lb); 27.5” – 1842g (4.06 lb); and 29” – 1828g (4.03 lb).

To keep adjustment and set up as simple as possible, the new fork is equipped with a Solo Air spring – simply fill the chamber to the desired pressure and you’re done. The 30 Gold will also feature external rebound adjustment and a TurnKey lockout with the option of a Poploc remote. It’ll  be available aftermarket in both 1 1/8″ straight, or 1.5 to 1 1/8″ tapered aluminum steerers, and will only come in a 9mm QR axle.

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Rich
Rich
11 years ago

“Boing!”

That’s the sound of 30mm stanchions on a 29er fork bending like over-cooked vermicelli…*

*I’m guessing…

Ck
Ck
11 years ago

Seems unnecessary. The Recon/Reba are Solo Air with 32mm stanchions. I’d rather pay the weight penalty and still get a Recon cheaper and stiffer than one of these.

Brian
Brian
11 years ago

I learned a long time ago – Your fork is a very bad place to look for savings. It’s hard to find a fork at the $500-$600 level that’s so bad it has a big impact on your riding, but at the $300 price point you can go very wrong. Inexpensive doesn’t mean bad, but be careful.

mike
mike
11 years ago

Seems like a step backwards to me. Especially for the 27.5 and 29er sizes.

Fredrick
Fredrick
11 years ago

for the cost it is a great idea for and entry level bike hard tail of short travel full suspension bikes.
This is clearly not an upgrade to a reba or a sid by any stretch, but it is great for the guy who has tora or dart, or some other cheap heavy fork, that comes on entry levels bikes.

At 300 im sure this fork is plenty strong for the average joe’s that it is meant for that cannot afford a full new bike or for a beater bike.

Will
Will
11 years ago

I’d take one. I’ve never paid any attention to flexy forks or whatever. You adapt and get on with it. And I’m a big dude.

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

So, because it is not 32mm anymore, you can not later upgrade compression assembly to Motion Control.

Lame.

dan
dan
11 years ago

Yeah those 2mm are really going to matter while you shred the gnar on your way to the bike path, in your master plan to finally drop below 250lbs. Curb drops to flat call for at 36mm sanctions, but you should really go with 38 or 40 for max stiffness and safety.

But really this is awesome.

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

It is not a question of stiffness – we used 28mm SID or 30mm Manitous just fine.

It is that they have branched a low cost line for not good reason. Different seals, no upgrade path. Why?

Phil
Phil
11 years ago

Nice idea for the OEM market, as the fork is often the weakest part of a entry level bike. This should be noticeably better than most spring/coil forks. Not so much for the aftermarket, especially if you buy used or sales…

satisFACTORYrider
satisFACTORYrider
11 years ago

It makes sense. Those who think it’s weak and would even consider to shred the gnar with it probably Fred the gnar instead.

WannaBeSTi
WannaBeSTi
11 years ago

I love the two comments about “shreding gnar”.

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