Home > Bike Types > Commuter

New RockShox Paragon Fork Brings MTB Performance to Urban & Trekking Bikes

8 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

RS_ParagonGold_Black_webresSteel is real and so are the benefits of suspension. The new Paragon fork from RockShox isn’t intended to woo riders sold on disc brake road bikes into becoming drop bar mountain bikers, but it will take make riding gravel roads alot more comfortable for people who ride trekking bikes. The 4.07 lb (1,846g) fork is said to offer the best of mountain biking suspension, while being purpose built for road and commuting applications.

The fork houses a Solo Air spring and Turn Key damping, but had specific features like routing for lighting and wiring systems from a dynamo hub that will appeal to commuters. There is also an integrated mounting option for headlights and cast bosses for fenders. Without fenders, the purpose built 700c fork will accommodate up to 45C tires, and will offers 50/65mm of travel in disc or rim brake specific iterations.

rockshox-visit-prototype-1997-ruby-road-suspension-fork01The original Judy Road

The idea is not without precedent in RockShox’s history. Before Specialized almost appropriated the word (we’re just kidding), the suspension company introduced the Paris-Roubaix SL Fork and later the Judy Road. The then 37 year old French pro Gilbert Duclos-Lassalle won the cobblestone race twice on that original 2.6 lb P.R. fork!

The new Paragon fork will set you back $253 (€225). Read more at Rockshox

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Runtle Monkey
Runtle Monkey
10 years ago

I wonder what Mark Norstad will have to say about this…

pornitswhatlwouldratherbmaking
pornitswhatlwouldratherbmaking
10 years ago

l think its a great idea. l wish it was more streamlined however. Frankly, l miss the Headshock! Get a new version of that and we’re in business!

gringo
gringo
10 years ago

250 bucks is a lot of cash for a fork which will be rained on every day and locked to a pole every night.

i
i
10 years ago

TK damper is definitely not “the best of mountain biking suspension” Not that I’d pay for motion control on a fork like that… Which is the heart of my problem with suspension on commuter bikes: a “good” fork, with a damper that actually works, costs more than I’d be willing to spend on a bike that’s going to get treated like crap, put away wet, and isn’t really going to see the kinds of bumps a suspension fork can really help with. One of the things I need from my commuter bike is for it to not look expensive; that means rigid fork.

For a race like PR, sure it makes sense. For a race like that I’d think lighter and better damping would be in order. For the bikes this fork is going to end up on, it’s just decoration.

Brooklyn Steve
Brooklyn Steve
10 years ago

The old is new again. Remember Rock Shox’s Paris-Roubaix fork? Next: Down tube shifters!

Ad
Ad
10 years ago

Haha, beat me to it Brooklyn Steve! Not as good looking as the Ruby SL but hopefully it works!

WannaBeSTi
WannaBeSTi
10 years ago

BTW, I have 2 Rubys…one is uncut!

sean
sean
10 years ago

If they had used a XX or Blackbox damper I would love to have gotten one for my cross bike and just might still do that if you can lock it out completely.

Pimpernel
Pimpernel
10 years ago

Great idea ! Here in eastern Europe we’ll love it. Also needs to be in 26″ size, would be great for recumbents. Although could get either a little cheaper or lighter.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.