RST SUSPENSION - CAN THE NEW FORK BREAK THE MOLD AND EARN RESPECT?
One of the biggest challenges in any industry is to change your reputation and expand your market share. RST Suspension is looking to do just that, and we caught up with Mike Dunn at the 2012 Sea Otter Classic to learn more about the new feather in their cap. RST has long been recognized in the market as primarily an Original Equipment product and in some peoples opinions, one of lesser quality and performance. We all know the adage that you get what you pay for, so no one should be truly surprised that being regularly spec'd on entry level bikes gives them a certain reputation .
For most riders the natural progression means a bigger better bike or upgrades at some point. When that time comes most of us are looking for the most respected names and lighter weights which are in general contradiction with affordability. RST brought the new 2013 CHAMP Prototype out to Sea Otter to show off and get some feedback, and we have to say it looks promising. We were unable to get any real riding impressions but the first handoff had us raising our collective eyebrow. The CHAMP is offered as a 26 or 29 Inch option and when Mike placed the 26inch 120mm version in the hand of one DirtyWheel staffer, he was not prepared at all.
You ever have someone hand you something you expect to be heavy, and then it is so light that your hand floats up ... yeah that happened. The weight for said fork was a paltry 3.3 lbs which puts it in range of some of the world class option from icons like RockShox and FOX. The kicker is that while a 2013 RockShox 120mm SID can set you back $800+ bones, the CHAMP hopes to come in around $600-650(TBD) and still features all metal internals, the expected compression/rebound/adjustability options that you would expect from a top of the line aftermarket option. The CHAMP can be had with 1 1/8th or Tapered steerer tubes, 9mm QR or 15mm TA options, and works with the optional RST handlebar mount remote for compression adjust-ability on the fly. RST will offer a multitude of travel options with its initial release seeing an 80mm, 100mm, and 120mm option with plans for a possible 140mm travel version to follow in the future.
For most riders the natural progression means a bigger better bike or upgrades at some point. When that time comes most of us are looking for the most respected names and lighter weights which are in general contradiction with affordability. RST brought the new 2013 CHAMP Prototype out to Sea Otter to show off and get some feedback, and we have to say it looks promising. We were unable to get any real riding impressions but the first handoff had us raising our collective eyebrow. The CHAMP is offered as a 26 or 29 Inch option and when Mike placed the 26inch 120mm version in the hand of one DirtyWheel staffer, he was not prepared at all.
You ever have someone hand you something you expect to be heavy, and then it is so light that your hand floats up ... yeah that happened. The weight for said fork was a paltry 3.3 lbs which puts it in range of some of the world class option from icons like RockShox and FOX. The kicker is that while a 2013 RockShox 120mm SID can set you back $800+ bones, the CHAMP hopes to come in around $600-650(TBD) and still features all metal internals, the expected compression/rebound/adjustability options that you would expect from a top of the line aftermarket option. The CHAMP can be had with 1 1/8th or Tapered steerer tubes, 9mm QR or 15mm TA options, and works with the optional RST handlebar mount remote for compression adjust-ability on the fly. RST will offer a multitude of travel options with its initial release seeing an 80mm, 100mm, and 120mm option with plans for a possible 140mm travel version to follow in the future.
 RST Suspensions new CHAMP fork next to its counterpart FIRST offerings |  The CHAMP just could bring RST into the aftermarket war for your dollars |  A compatible RST compression adjustment lever can be swiveled a full 360 to ease handlebar integration |
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