Need a SOFTER WEAKER main spring for my 2022 Gazelle Ultimate C380+ HMB fork - any International sources, or custom?

[John E Davies]

FRAME FORK DETAILS:​

SR Suntour MOBI 45 Spring Suspension, 80mm Travel, Compression Lockout Adjust, Preload Adjust, Rebound Adjust 34mm Black Anodized Stanchions, 100mm Hub Spacing, 15mm Thru-Axle with Quick Release

https://www.srsuntour.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Downloads/Consumer/Bike/Exploded%20views/2018/Suspension%20Fork/SF18-MOBIE/SF18-MOBIE45-DS-Coil-LOR-15QLC32-700-100%2C80%2C60.PDF

I need a SOFTER Main Spring replacement for Item 11, Part Number FEP787-01. Suntour USA says I am SOL and on my own, actually they were polite enough but completely unhelpful. I weigh 160 pounds, and I am only getting about 50 mm of travel even with the preload adjustment all the way out. Can I order this part from another International supplier?

If not, can I please have the standard spring specifications - length, overall diameter, wire gauge, and number of coils - so I can attempt to get a custom spring made? I guess I can remove my spring and measure it, but I hope I am not the only owner who has tried to fix this too-stiff fork. And measuring an old spring is problematic because it has probably collapsed a little.

And what would be a good source for that in the USA, that would be willing to make just ONE spring at a reasonable cost? I am so mad about this stupid issue. It shouldn’t be hard to correct. Thanks

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[John E Davies]

As an example, here is a spring supplier who lets you choose the parameters:
MW Components Springs Metric

Or after failing to find it, they will build you one:
Spring Calculator

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[SlowCyclist]

Hi John,

I can't help you with the spring, as my 2023 Ultimate C380 appears to have a different fork than your bike. But I have to admit, I took a double-take at your post, because I was momentarily confuse as to which forum I was on. We've conversed a fair bit on the LC200 and Ollie forums, so it was a surprise to see your name here. Funny enough, the attached photo includes toys from all three forums that we both belong to.

I hope all is well with you. What a wonderful location you have to ride. Here in northern Ohio, the vast majority of roads are flat, straight, and perpetually into the wind.
Steve

 

[m@Robertson]

Usually you can only pick springs on high end rear bike suspension shocks. I have a Rockshox that I put a 560 lb spring on back when I was a bit tubbier than I am now, to be able to get the right at-rest sag value.

Springs on front forks tend to only be used on the cheap ones. And spring forks, being bottom-of-the-line, tend to provide the least desirable function, which is what you have now.

Usually the solution to this is an air fork, which is a step up the food chain from a spring. As you go up the line in product features (and price) you get adjustable compression and rebound rates. Even at the low end though, you will have a range of travel that is adjustable via air pressure level. Typically there's a chart right on the fork blade geared to rider weight, but you can also adjust by measuring the amount of travel you get (thats what the little o ring on one of the fork blades is for) and then pumping in enough air to keep the fork from EVER bottoming out, and using that as a minimum value, increase the air pressure until you are comfortable with it.