Best Suspension Forks Under $200 – Introduction
Without suspension forks, riding bikes would be treacherous and painful; but thanks to the invention of suspension forks, you can enjoy riding your bike on potholed roads and rocky tracks. A suspension fork enables you to tackle difficult terrain with safety and confidence by improving control and traction.
The quality of suspension is linked to its price. However, that does not mean you have to break the bank to find the best suspension. In this post, we have rounded up and reviewed some of the best suspension forks under $200.
What Are Suspension Forks, And Who Should Use Them?
Suspension forks are hydraulic shock absorbers that are mounted on the front wheel to the frame. They help absorb the impact of rough terrain and provide the rider with a comfortable ride.
Suspension forks are fitted to mountain bikes and should be used by mountain bikers who ride all-mountain, downhill, cross country, and enduro trails.
Best Suspension Forks Under $200 – Reviews
1. CDHPOWER Bike Suspension Fork
CDHPOWER is widely regarded as a solid suspension fork. CDHPOWER has gained a positive reputation as a firm that specializes in making high performance bike parts.
This suspension fork is easy to install and is compatible with CDHPOWER gas tank frames. Its best feature is its extremely sturdy construction, which makes it able to withstand huge impacts without breaking.
The model is suitable for enduro, downhill, and trail bikes. The double shoulder 26″ front shock fork is compatible with a 26″ x 2.325-inch tire. It comes with an 11/8″ headset too.
One downside is its sticker comes out too easily, which may make it look less appealing for those who love displaying the brand.
Pros:
• Strong and sturdy
• Able to absorb high impact
• Great for gas bike frame
Cons:
• Sticker comes out easily
• The headset is unbranded
2. ZTZ Magnesium Alloy Mountain Front Fork
The magnesium alloy mountain front fork is well-built and lightweight. It has a great look which makes it appealing to both adults and kids. The coatings on the forks have unique colors, which makes them stand out from the crowd.
The most important highlight of this front fork is that it has rebound adjustment, which allows you to customize the damping effect.
We like this model because it is easy to install and fits well in all 26″ MTB bikes. The sizes are available in 26, 27.5, and 29 inches, which fits the sizes of most standard bikes.
Moreover, this suspension fork has wire control that is a gold tube damping version of vertebral pipeline control. It comes with excellent safety features and functional remote lockout.
Pros:
• Lightweight
• Durable material of magnesium alloy
• The fork also has a damper adjustment on the right leg
Cons:
• It does not support 120mm of travel
• The lock out switch may not reach your left-hand side because the cable is short
3. BOLANY Magnesium Alloy Suspension Fork
Bolany Suspension Fork is a high-quality and exquisitely-designed fork that comes with perfect finish and cool colors. It has a polished surface with hard fat oxidation that prevents wear and tear.
This mountain bike suspension fork features a stable and strong outer tube, which prevents circulation of traveling tube from being polluted by dust. The strength of this model is the low resistance and smooth rebound it offers. This smooth rebound will help you navigate rough terrain and downhill segments with ease.The fork is made of high-quality aluminum and magnesium alloy, which make it tough and durable. You can be assured of a stable control in rocky and mountainous terrain. The main downside of this model is that it does not come with a warranty.
Pros:
• Easy to install
• Quality paint finish and look
• Great compression and rebound
Cons:
• It comes with no manual or warranty information
• There are no extra accessories in the packaging
4. ZTZ Kashima Mountain Bike Front Fork
ZTZ Kashima has an anti-scratch lubrication coating, which is great because it enables your lubrication to last long.
This suspension fork is designed for trail riding. It is incredibly easy to adjust, a feature that enhances your riding experience. At 1,700 grams (3.75 pounds), this makes it one of lightest forks. Bikers looking for lightweight options for mountain and trail riding should consider this.
Similar to the previous model, the ZTZ Kashima’s front fork is made of sturdy aluminum and magnesium alloy material. You can choose from a variety of colors, including matte black and gold inner tube, or matte black and silver inner tube.
The fork comes in 26 or 27.5-inch sizes. It has an upper tube of 28.6mm (1 1/18 inch) straight tube and inner width of 100mm (3.9 inches). This fork also features a shoulder control and optional remote control. Its limitation is that it lacks rebound damping and clunks when it stretches out after compression.
Pros:
• It looks good and is lightweight
• The stanchions are made of alloys, hence rust resistant
• The lockout adjustment seems to work well and has several positions to help tune compression.
Cons:
• Has no rebound damping
• It clunks with a hard-loud sound
Verdict
A good suspension fork can transform your riding experience. Our verdict is that the CDHPOWER Bike Suspension Fork is the best all-round suspension fork under $200, due to its sturdiness and ability to withstand impact.
However, if you are on a budget, we recommend the BOLANY Magnesium Alloy Suspension Fork because it has decent compression and rebound capabilities. Besides, it has a cool design to rival high-end expensive suspension forks.