Front fork and tire modification on 2018 Rad Rover- Feasible mod for other ebikes with heavy front spring suspension fork

[CodyDog]

I changed out the Rad OEM suspension fork to a Surly Ice Cream Truck rigid fork and the Kendra Juggernauts to Origin8 Supercell tires.

• Smoother ride.
• Shaved off 5 lbs on the front end. The Surly rigid fork is 5 lbs lighter than the OEM suspension fork.
• Much easier steering at both low and high speeds.
• Tires allow faster acceleration.

Unfortunately Rad comes with a straight front steering tube instead of a taper which limits the options for conversion to a rigid fork.

 

[Asher]

I put a Salsa CroMoto on my Juiced CCS and had similar results. Vastly lighter front end, more agile turning . Also made it much easier to navigate through doorways and such.

 

[Kermit4161]

Codydog - I saw this yesterday and it looks great. I was thinking about converting over to a rigid fork over the last couple of weeks. I just got my RadRover in - but have not had the chance to get it put together yet. I was thinking of going to the rigid fork and Origin8 Supercell tires before I even put it all together to save some time.

Is there anything else I would need to order with the Surly fork to make the install smoother?? Spacers, etc...?
I am also going to install a Jones Hoop bar and upgrade the front brake to a TSP/HYRD hydraulic brake too. I'll get the rear brake upgraded in the near future. I tend not to use the rear brake as much - so I didn't think it would be that urgent to get it upgraded.

Thanks for posting this... I really have been searching the net trying to find the right combo of fork/tire and this looks like the winner!

 

[TForan]

I did those same things a few months ago on my Biktrix Ultra. Greatly improved handling and stability. I also install the Tektro e725 hydraulic brake for far superior braking.

 

[Asher]

I hope these companies are paying attention and testing their bikes with rigid forks. Good supple tires are way better than low end suspensions.

 

[CodyDog]

Codydog - I saw this yesterday and it looks great. I was thinking about converting over to a rigid fork over the last couple of weeks. I just got my RadRover in - but have not had the chance to get it put together yet. I was thinking of going to the rigid fork and Origin8 Supercell tires before I even put it all together to save some time.

Is there anything else I would need to order with the Surly fork to make the install smoother?? Spacers, etc...?
I am also going to install a Jones Hoop bar and upgrade the front brake to a TSP/HYRD hydraulic brake too. I'll get the rear brake upgraded in the near future. I tend not to use the rear brake as much - so I didn't think it would be that urgent to get it upgraded.

Thanks for posting this... I really have been searching the net trying to find the right combo of fork/tire and this looks like the winner!

Kermit: I had the local bike shop install the Rigid fork. You will need the brake adapter (inexpensive part) for the disc brake mount on the Surly fork. I'll check my receipt when I get back home tommorow and see if the part number was listed.

The conversion (fork/tires)has made an unbelievable difference.

 

[CodyDog]

I hope these companies are paying attention and testing their bikes with rigid forks. Good supple tires are way better than low end suspensions.

IMO, slapping a heavy low end suspension fork on a fat bike makes very little sense to me. One of the attributes of the fat bike is it rides over bumps like they were butter. Perhaps the manufactures feel if they provide a front suspension on a fat bike it will generate interest from the MTB crowd. I have seen many comments where people believe a Fat bike is going to be sutible for mountain bike type trails which it is not.

As I stated earlier, the ride so much better with the rigid fork and better tires.

 

[TForan]

The combination of Kenda tires and entry Mozo forks is a bad one. Hard braking on a steep paved downhill was not good. With the rigid fork and good tires , it's 100% better.

 

[Asher]

IMO, slapping a heavy low end suspension fork on a fat bike makes very little sense to me. One of the attributes of the fat bike is it rides over bumps like they were butter. Perhaps the manufactures feel if they provide a front suspension on a fat bike it will generate interest from the MTB crowd. I have seen many comments where people believe a Fat bike is going to be sutible for mountain bike type trails which it is not.

As I stated earlier, the ride so much better with the rigid fork and better tires.

Yeah and even plus size tires (2.35*700 in my case) are big enough.

What's funny is the major tire maker Schwalbe is a big believer in plus/balloon tires for city riding, yet it's hard to find bikes that will take them besides beach cruisers.

But after riding their fast balloon tires, I can't think of a reason not to use them. Good luck finding a city pedal- or e-bike that can take them.

 

[fj2u]

I changed out the Rad OEM suspension fork to a Surly Ice Cream Truck rigid fork and the Kendra Juggernauts to Origin8 Supercell tires.

• Smoother ride.
• Shaved off 5 lbs on the front end. The Surly rigid fork is 5 lbs lighter than the OEM suspension fork.
• Much easier steering at both low and high speeds.
• Tires allow faster acceleration.

Unfortunately Rad comes with a straight front steering tube instead of a taper which limits the options for conversion to a rigid fork.

CodyDog - thanks for the fork info! I would like to do the same on my 2018 RR.

Curious; what made you choose the Surly Ice Cream Truck over the Surly Pugsley?

 

[CodyDog]

CodyDog - thanks for the fork info! I would like to do the same on my 2018 RR.

Curious; what made you choose the Surly Ice Cream Truck over the Surly Pugsley?

I believe the Ice cream accepted a wider tire than the Pugsley and the Pugsley required an off set rim.

 

[johnz]

Reviving this thread as I am considering some modifications to my Radrover 5.

• I've read - but don't know enough to be able to visually verify - that the RR5's front steering tube is now tapered. Can anyone verify?
• Assuming the front steering tube is tapered, does anyone have suggestions for the front fork? I want to strip and put on a rigid fork and not looking to blow the bank
• It might be Covid or the fact that it's been a while but the Origin8 tires are hard to find online. I want 26x4 tires, not smaller like the Maaxis Hookworms...
• Has anyone played around with the concept of keeping the rear wheel at 24x4 and going to something like 27.5x2.5 on the front? This is very common with motorcycles to improve the handling. I think if I went this route though, I'd be smart to install a suspension fork due to the smaller front tire for bumps but open to input on that too...

Pic for inspiration, obviously the RR5's styling is different:

Cheers,

John