Got a really good deal on the Pathlite 7 about a year ago (maybe slightly more than a year) to replace a Roadlite AL 7.. the bike was amazing for the price ($999 with free shipping) but I just didn’t like the Suntour suspension fork (very heavy and terrible handling). Replaced it with a carbon gravel fork which transformed the bike handling but also almost got me killed (important FYI for those who are also thinking about it – Pathlite has low BB height and 175mm crankset, the common axle to crown length of a 700c road or gravel rigid fork will make pedal strikes so easy that you will not be able to accelerate / pedal when turning). Anyway, saw Fox 32 Step Cast 100mm forks on crazy sale at Jenson and decided to give a try, the 27.5 factory ($399) has very similar axel to crown length with the Suntour (and almost 2lbs lighter!!!) so the bike geometry won’t change, and I don’t think another 25mm of travel will damage the frame, good news is that tire clearance is no problem with the 27.5 fork and the G One Bite 45mm tire, you should be able to go up to 50mm with no issue. Now the bike handles and feels amazing! Sub $1500 (bike, fork, a crown race and a 1.5 inch PVC pipe from Home Depot to install the crown race) for a new Canyon bike with XT 1×12 group set (except the cassette which is Deore) and a Fox 32 SC Factory is a dream come true 🙂
by Guesshsu