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Suss fork on Nomad Mk2 for extending touring (South America) - experiences?

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cycling4chapatis:
Hi there,

I've seen endless opinion on this topic, but can't find much actual experiences, so anyone out there who has used a suss fork (e.g. the Magura Menja option) on a Nomad on a longer& loaded trip?

For background, partner and myself cycled Kenya-South Africa last year on solid frame tourers with 42mm/~1.7'' Mondials. We tried about 150k's of off-tarmac and it was tough going (getting knocked around+vibration) and we hence stuck to tarmac after that. Now we're planning South America (6months+) and want bikes that we can take off-tarmac a lot more (with luggage, not for fast mountain-biking sans luggage).

I've seen plenty of comments of "deflate tyres and then actively get out of saddle and use arms, shoulders and legs as suspension". While that makes sense and as a strong guy might be ok for a while, a 50ish kg chick with 40kg+ of bike&luggage for days of off-road - that just sounds rough (she's a sturdy lady, but still!). Hence thinking of suspension fork, obviously with lock-out.

I understand that with suss-forks the luggage has to sit on the back, that's fine.

Want to go with V-brakes, so Magura Menja option it would be.

There's also plenty of opinion of "if suss-fork for touring go for one with a coil spring". Both offered options are the now more common air-only variant though.
Although the nomad brochure is hesitant (?) as far as suss forks go, ALL - ALL the photos of Andi&Fi touring are with suss forks (I understand their trips are a bit shorter), talking about mixed messages! Obviously stuff can break, but how hard is it to repair a blown fork (assuming it's just spares and not crash-victim of course).

So getting down to it:
- anyone toured for months on a suss-fork nomad?
- watched Magura maintenance videos, doesn't seem to be too bad. How often do you have to re-grease/ pump up/ etc? Only the "small" service with re-greasing or the full disassembly? With care just requires wiping down from dust and a little air from time to time or full-re-grease, etc. every 1000k??
- what extras would I have to carry vs. steel fork? (Pump, grease, oil, special tools, spares...?).


Many thanks already!!

Danneaux:
Hi and welcome to the Forum!

I'm afraid I have no firsthand sus-fork touring experience to offer you (someone will be along shortly, I'm sure. NZPeterG, perhaps?), but something you wrote did catch my eye...
--- Quote ---I understand that with suss-forks the luggage has to sit on the back, that's fine.
--- End quote ---
Actually, you can carry front panniers with a sus fork if you use a compatible rack. One option to do so is the Tubus Swing, here: http://www.tubus.com/product.php?xn=65 Another option might be to use a trailer. The Extrawheel maximizes ground clearance compared to sled-type/platform single-wheel trailers and might be a way to avoid putting the bulk of the load on the bicycle's rear rack.

Either of these approaches could open up some possibilities for a more balanced touring load, depending on your needs.

I notice you did mention trying the rough stuff on some 42mm Schwalbe Mondials. One possibility is to fit some wider (50mm/2in+) tires and run them at lower pressures for a mild suspension effect. This would prove most helpful for taking the edge off high-frequency, low-amplitude bumps, but wouldn't help as much for the really rough stuff, of course. For reference, I have taken my 26x2.0 Schwalbe Duremes on extremely rough logging roads with touring loads on both Sherpa and Nomad and found the 2.0 tires did help greatly compared to 700x32C or 70x38C tires on my other bikes, though I had to go slower than I would have with a sus fork.

A suspension seatpost or sprung saddle might be something to consider, even with a suspension fork.

You can search the Forum archives for more posts specifically on sus fork use and maintenance like this one: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=79.0

I have written a little tutorial on how to search most effectively and posted it here: http://www.thorncycles.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=4390.0 Try the terms "sus fork" and "suspension fork" (no quotes).

I hope this helps. It sounds as if you've already had some wonderful adventures, and I wish you well on your next one!

Best,

Dan.

NZPeterG:
Hi
Well as Dan this said I'm running with Suspension Forks, V-Brakes, and sprung saddle!

Here it is  :)


I would have like to run with a pair of Magura Menja V-Brake forks but have not did any luck finding them? (have you?)
I'm running a pair of "Rock Shox Recon Silver TK 2012" forks 100mm, Coil Spring, V-Brake, I had to order them from the U.K.
Right how is it to ride a Thorn Mk2 with Suspension Forks?
Great, I have set it up for Mountain Biking cycle touring (and World Cycle Touring with STD forks) I have only find one down side with running Suspension Forks on my Nomad  8) and that is on sharp Switchback turns in Singletracks when Mountain Biking it's a little slow and hard work! with STD forks its great around the same switchbacks.
But with Suspension Forks on its Great (that great!)  ;D  on fast open down hills. Climbing hill is all good too. So all round My Thorn Nomad MK2 with Suspension Forks on is all good  :)

I'm also running Mavic 819 UST rims, So that I can run them Tubeless with UST tyre! Why so I can run low tyre pressures (around 20psi) But for tours overseas (I'm in New Zealand) I think I would just run with tubes  ???

If I was doing the same Cycle Tour as you I would try a Tubus Swing on front too, But I will not use a trailer again offroad or on Rock/dirt roads  :o

Go for it, I love my "Tom" (name of my Nomad) it ride's like Mountain Bikes did back in the 1980's/90's Fun Fun Fun, I ride my one at speed on rocky open fast down hill's

Pete
 :-*

E-wan:
sorry if this is off topic but what is the front mudguard you have on your forks? & what are those caps on the mouth pice of your bottles?

Thanks

Ewan

NZPeterG:

--- Quote from: E-wan on April 08, 2013, 10:32:18 am ---sorry if this is off topic but what is the front mudguard you have on your forks? & what are those caps on the mouth pice of your bottles?

Thanks

Ewan

--- End quote ---

Hi Ewan,

Good spotting about the bottle caps  :o My Bottles are Camlbak PODIUMŪ BOTTLE 24OZ and I have an ACCESSORIES of Camlbak on the bottles call PODIUMŪ MUD CAP here is the link http://shop.camelbak.com/podiummudcap/d/1044_c_322 it will only fit onto Camlbak Podium Bottles.

The front (and rear) mudguard are Topeck! and here is a link to the front one http://www.topeak.com/products/Fenders/defender_xc1

Pete
 8)

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