Trace Velo - Gravel bike suspension for only £90!

Fitting a suspension fork to your gravel bike can cost a fortune, so how does this budget fork from AliExpress shape up?

SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
https://srko.co/tracevelo

Putting a suspension fork onto your gravel bike can be a VERY expensive upgrade. Fox offer their 32TC for £500 to around £750 ($960), RockShox offer their Rudy Ultimate for around the same price, and even one of the cheapest options from SR Suntour will set you back about £400 ($510). I set out to find a cheaper option and once again AliExpress came to the rescue.

I bought a gravel suspension fork direct from China, from a brand called Kocevlo for just £92. With taxes and shipping, the total was £112.50 ($140), but it is still MUCH cheaper than anything the big brands offer.

It seems well built, with chunky 32mm stanchions, lightweight magnesium fork body, and aluminium steerer tube and crown. It weighs just over 1.5kg, offers 40mm of travel, and you can adjust the sag, the compression damping, and also lock out the struts.

Installation was a breeze, and I was honestly impressed with how much it has transformed my gravel bike. 40mm doesn't seem like a lot of travel, but it makes rougher terrain SO MUCH more comfortable, and lets you carry much more speed over challenging sections.

With the additional weight, the bike is slightly more sluggish on the flats compared to the solid fork, but it is well worth the sacrifice for the types of gravel riding I tend to do.

Kocevlo fork affiliate link:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEnOeTn

Timestamps:
00:00 – Start
00:34 – Intro, cost, weight
01:55 – Installation
03:06 – Star nut vs compression plug
05:23 – Star nut install
08:47 – Post install bike weigh in
09:25 – Siroko sponsor
10:46 – Ride test
14:03 – Conclusion & my opinion
15:22 – Price vs other manufacturers
17:11 – EGR update
18:37 – Bonus wetland time

Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi - http://www.go2dev.co.uk

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/

Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com

Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.

In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!

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