Just got done with one of the shakeout rides for Big Sugar….probably less than 100 riders, but a good sized bunch overall.
I saw at least 3 bikes with front suspension. One was a Lauf, but one of the others was the new Rock Shox XPLR and I think thhe other was the Fox (but coulda been another RS).
I didn’t check everyone’s bike, but at least +3% of the riders on that ride were using some form of front suspension. Now, was it because of the reputation of Big Sugar for having chunky gravel, we’re they sponsored or did they just appreciate some added comfort…who knows.
It’s an interesting bike for those who want it. That’s probably not me because I try too keep my bikes simple because I tend to wear things out and break things, but if I didn’t take care of my bikes it sounds like it would be fun. I wonder if it works really well if it would actually encourage people to steer in a seated position. What does everyone think?
It feels like they missed an opportunity to just make the new STR the new Diverge.
Why make it so complicated with all the models. Replace all carbon models with the STR, keep the aluminium version of the Diverge with just FutureShock.
That way they would’ve allowed the STR to just be the new do-it-all gravel and exploration machine.
Now they crammed in the STR with everything else and everyone is going:
It’s definitely an interesting design, watching the videos on their site made it make more sense.
I do wonder what the maintenance is like for such shock? Also it seems to have the seat post sway from front to back and not up and down, I’m curious if it causes any additional hip discomfort on long rides? Moving backwards and forwards like that.
Either way I already said it’s not for me, I ride in Florida where I can use my cx/ gravel bike on 75% of the singletrack around me. I could see a front suspension being a better alternative, at least at the price point.
There’s definitely some legit mtb trails in Florida don’t get me wrong, I like the challenge of under biking lately. I’m waiting for the economy to slow down and hopefully bike prices go down with it. Might be waiting a while…
This rearward and downward path is actually quite common for seatpost type suspension. The oldest I know of is the Cane Creek that has long and short travel versions. Redshift Sports has a similar path in short travel. And even consider the Trek IsoSpeed and Canyon/Ergon Suspension seat post that flex in a similar functional path. Kinetic offers a linkage model with a more vertical but still slightly rearward arc.
The STR is different in that is it far more rearward biased than the drop, but it still has elements of both directions. All that to say that generally speaking, riders have been living with this type of motion for years. It’s possible the more rearward direction for the STR may be different enough to cause issues for some riders, but it’s also not totally new territory.
Anecdotal of course, but I’ve had good experiences and no issues with my Trek IsoSpeed bikes (Boone and Procaliber) as well as a Redshift post on my Warbird.
The motion is a bit noticeable at first, but quickly fades and just becomes part of the ride after a short time.
The Quick-Step & Bora boys were there to show-off the new Diverge…but the Specilized riders that were there to perform didn’t use it.
As chunky as that course was, the extra weight of the Diverge would have been sub-optimal, IMO. Constant up and down course w/ very little sustained flat. My Karoo 2 had 20 climbs listed, and that didn’t include all of them…only the ones that met their criteria to be rated as a climb (at least 3% for 500m).
Well… the Tarmac SL7 is already against the weight limit and just as aero as the Venge… lightweight suspension might be the “next thing”. Charge $18k and get rid of the Roubaix?
Sure, but the fact that this has never existed in their lineup until now is a major reason
I do suspect that there will be a tilt towards the Epic over time, but comparing against zeros via lack of presence until this very moment is not ideal.
