In
2002 Supercross added a cromoly heat treated race fork to their product
range, they were an instant success. In a world full of after market forks
it would be difficult to stand out as a cromoly fork amongst hi-tech designs
using materials such as aluminium and carbon fibre. I have personally
used both aluminium and carbon and found the weight benefit a huge advantage
while racing, but when you buy forks like that you know they are race
use only. You basically need a second bike to go to the trails or hit
up the big jumps. By heat treating the forks the same way Supercross do
their handlebars and top of the line racing frame, the UL, they are able
to produce a cromoly fork that is comparable in weight, but still give
you all the confidence of chromoly.
We tested the regular Pro forks, but SX have quite a range;
Pro Forks - 28 oz
Pro LT - 24 oz
Mini/Junior - 17 oz
Pro 24" - 32 oz
Pro LT 24" - 28 oz
When we asked Bill Ryan, Head Honcho at Supercross, about the difference between the Pro and Pro LT forks this is what he had to say. "The Pro LT forks, have a tapered and butted leg and have a hole in the dropout, they are good for riders up to 175lbs, the Pros have no weight limit."
The forks are available in Black or Bling Bling Bling Triple Show Chrome.
How did they feel?
When
I first stepped off cromoly SE Landing Gear forks for the lighter after
market Answer Mags the weight difference was so big I had to adjust the
way I jumped and manualled. Going back to cromoly with the SX fork from
carbon fibre Answer Battleaxe required no adjustment at all. The weight
difference is negligible, and these suckers are as stiff as they come.
Gating, manualling or jumping these forks are well balanced. I found that the Answer Headlock worked perfectly to lock the stem to the bars.
I weigh over 105kgs, when I'm cranking up to a big double I'm always wondering if the forks will hold up to a heavy fall or a bad case, we have all seen it happen and it's not pretty, but the SX cromoly forks have renewed my confidence in my bike and my jumping.
Rating 20/20:
Value for money: | 5/5 |
Weight: | 5/5 |
Functionality: | 5/5 |
Looks/Finish: | 5/5 |
Comments:
For more information check out www.supercrossbmx.com.