I have seen a lot of suspension related post. Whether that be stems, forks or something else. I thought I would chime in and give my review and a DIY solution I came up with. I have spent at least 20 hours on each system and I thought I would give my thoughts. Here is what I have tried
**Tire inserts**
1. DIY solution (not pool noodle version)
2. cushcore
3. vittoria air liner
**Suspension stems**
1. cane creek esilk
2. redshift
3. vecnum frequence
**Forks**
1. lauf grit fork
2. Rudy fork
This is kind of like my top line conclusion: If you are considering a suspension, first thing I would say is before dropping $200+ on a suspension system, try a $10 DIY tire insert… and no, not the packer rod/pool noodle version.
My DIY solution looks like this [https://imgur.com/HzRumIE](https://imgur.com/HzRumIE). It involves weatherstrips rather than pool rod version/packer rod like this solution [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G30pC\_fSgaY](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G30pC_fSgaY). The packer rod/pool noodle version doesn’t do a ton for me. I can’t figure out the air pressure. If I run a low tire pressure I easily hit my rim on pretty minimal bumps. If I add a bit of air pressure, then I don’t even notice the insert is in there… it just doesn’t do a lot
The weatherstrip are denser than the packer rod (and yes a bit heavier). These are products I bought are
1. [https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-30-ft-Gray-Foam-Tape-Camper-Seal-for-Camper-Shells-02352/202066511](https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-30-ft-Gray-Foam-Tape-Camper-Seal-for-Camper-Shells-02352/202066511)
2. and one of two products either this [https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-3-8-in-x-1-2-in-x-10-ft-Gray-Foam-Window-Seal-for-Large-Gaps-02295/202837932](https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-3-8-in-x-1-2-in-x-10-ft-Gray-Foam-Window-Seal-for-Large-Gaps-02295/202837932) or for a slightly lighter version get this [https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-3-8-in-x-1-2-in-x-17-ft-Gray-Economy-Foam-Window-Seal-for-Large-Gaps-02097/202066510](https://www.homedepot.com/p/M-D-Building-Products-3-8-in-x-1-2-in-x-17-ft-Gray-Economy-Foam-Window-Seal-for-Large-Gaps-02097/202066510)
The skinny weatherstrip part fits into the well of the whee and keeps things in line. The wider weatherstrip part sits above the rim. I doubled up for extra cushion but one layer is plenty. With two layers the weight came out to 125 grams. With one layer the weight was around 80 grams.
The above solution is dirt cheap and like all other tire inserts allows you to drop your pressure. With reduced-ish pressure and these inserts the ride is a lot smoother and takes the edge off a lot of big bumps and calms down the chatter. Super plush. I recommend trying this solution because it is a small investment and the solution may address your needs for a smoother ride etc…
This DIY solution is not as plush as the Cush core. The cush core takes the the cake there. It is 150 grams per insert and cost $150, but it is wonderful. I think it is little too much/unnecessary for a gravel bike (the xC version that is). I do have it on a mountain bike and it does wonders for my confidence on MTB. People don’t like the Cush core because it is hard to seat/set and if you get a flat it may be hard to fix in the middle of the ride. I have never had an issue with it. It is a bit tricky but easily doable.
The vittoria is relatively cheap \~$60 and super light (I think around 70 grams). It isn’t nearly as comfortable as the Cush core or DIY solution. I do love this tire insert b/c you can ride on it even if you have a flat…. can’t do 30 miles but can do a couple miles at least. Super easy to set. I’m able to drop by pressure by a bit and get a squishy ride. I currently have these insert in my tire because it is a nice balance between comfy and flat protection.
Heard good things about rimpact inserts. never tried them. They inspired my DIY solution.
Important note about tire inserts. If you like to run a real high pressure, tire inserts aren’t going to do much for you period. You need to be able to compress the tire a bit to realize the benefit.
Regarding suspension stems, my favorite is the vecnum frequence. I like to dial in the spring. The 10 mm upward travel makes world of difference too. There isn’t any bottom out feeling nor is there any rolling over the handle bar feeling when you hit bumps that you get with other stems. The movement is up and down.
I felt like the cane creek e-silk was perhaps a little better at dealing with the bumps and chatter than the redshift. Hard to honestly tell thou. Being able to turn off and on the suspension with the e-silk was nice but not necessary by any means. I typically had it open while riding on pavement. it would help out with cracks in pavement etc.. However, between the e-silk and redshift, I would take the redshift simply because the e-silk only comes in a -6 degree stem and that just doesn’t work with my geometry. That is a me thing and it may not be a you thing. For a little bit more than the redshift, I would try to order the Vecnum from Europe. it is definitely worth it.
I have the vecnum on my road, road bike. I only use this road bike on pavement and a bit of soft gravel. I don’t have a use for these stems on my gravel bike. I like the flexibility of taking my gravel bike on occasional single track and bits of trails that are best suited for a mountain bike. My biggest need/want is for a suspension stem that helps me maintain control when I take an aggressive line or (more likely the case) accidentally hit a big rock, log etc.. or just take a really bad line. These suspension stems don’t really help painting control. The tire inserts help with this quite bit, but above all the suspension forks work the best.
Suspension forks on my gravel bike are overkill 90-95% of time for sure. On the other 5-10%, I find them to be absolutely wonderful. When it comes to comparing the lauf and the Rudy, I’m taking the Rudy each and every day period. It is 2-300 grams heavier, but the ability to adjust the air pressure for your weight and adjust rebound etc makes all the world of difference. I’m a taller and larger rider than most (95Kg) and the lauf suspension leafs don’t seem to be tuned for my weight. This issue is more prevalent when your bike is packed with bags, tents etc… I’ll take the weight penalty for the ability to adjust the fork any day of the week. The Rudy is also just way more plush, comfortable than the lauf and the ability to lock out the Rudy (or make it firmer) on a steep climb is real nice… thou to be honest there isn’t too much bob on a lauf, but then again I’m a seated climber typically.
The major drawback people cite for the Rudy (or telescoping suspension forks) is the need to service it every 50 hours per recommendation or that it complicates the bike and more things can go wrong it. I think this line of criticism is overblown. Seems like people looking for a flaw in something they don’t like
In reality I maybe service it three times a year. I easily go over the recommended 50 hours (I view this recommendation like the max tire pressure recommendation. you can find fault with that line of thinking and that is fine). For servicing it, each year I do two oil changes and then one full service. I know plenty of people that haven’t serviced their fork in five years. It isn’t the best fork I have ever tried, but it still works and is rideable. Even if a seal bust, you can still ride it down a trail push come to shove. Much more concerned about mechanical or wheel issues than this.
The time commitment to service a fork isn’t much either. In any given day you probably spend way more time looking up stupid things on the internet (likely about bikes) than the time it takes to service a fork. Plus, I find learning new things and working on bikes to be fun. It is an activity for me. I’ll play a show or watch a game while I’m working on my bikes. Not worried about time commitment at all.
Hopefully those are a few cogent stream of conscious thoughts that are helpful to someone. Thought I’d share with you all my experience and what I learned.
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by No_Tomatillo_406