Suspension Forks for Verve+?

[Nozmo]

Purchased a Trek Verve+ last month. I have ~150 miles on it and I love the bike except for the fact that there is no front suspension to absorb shock while riding.

While all of my riding is on paved bike paths, streets, Limestone Trails, Etc, there are still enough bumps and tree root humps in the way to darn near knock my teeth out of my head, or rattle my joints to cause pain from the jarring experienced when hitting things. And I mean, darn near anything, from simple little asphalt seems to difference between the edges of concrete Flags on the road or mountable curbs. It is shockingly jarring. I also have a rather inexpensive crossover bike with front suspension that takes the same paths and trails with zero problems.

Does anyone know of aftermarket, or third-party replacement suspension forks for The Verve+ ?

I've looked online quite a bit and have found nothing so far.

 

[keithb]

Not as effective as a full suspension fork, but have you considered a ShockStop Suspension Stem? I put one on my SC8 and it noticeably lowered the shock forces and vibration transmitted to my hands.

https://amzn.to/2XvQp5Z

http://bit.ly/2XyZye5

 

[Nozmo]

Heck, I didn't even know such a thing even existed. Thank you very much. I will check it out for sure

 

[Marci jo]

Maybe consider a suspension seat post. It would help smooth the ride.

 

[John from Connecticut]

Purchased a Trek Verve+ last month. I have ~150 miles on it and I love the bike except for the fact that there is no front suspension to absorb shock while riding.

While all of my riding is on paved bike paths, streets, Limestone Trails, Etc, there are still enough bumps and tree root humps in the way to darn near knock my teeth out of my head, or rattle my joints to cause pain from the jarring experienced when hitting things. And I mean, darn near anything, from simple little asphalt seems to difference between the edges of concrete Flags on the road or mountable curbs. It is shockingly jarring. I also have a rather inexpensive crossover bike with front suspension that takes the same paths and trails with zero problems.

Does anyone know of aftermarket, or third-party replacement suspension forks for The Verve+ ?

I've looked online quite a bit and have found nothing so far.

Hello,
I had my LBS install a Rock Shox ( Paragon Gold RL ) on my Trek XM700+ and love what it did for the ride and handling of my bike.
Copy and paste this link into your browser and you'll see my post and pictures of my XM700+ with the Rock Shox

https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/installed-a-rock-shox-on-my-trek-xm700.25252/

I also installed a Cirrus Body Float Suspension Seat post which I also love.

https://cirruscycles.com/

 

[e-boy]

I replaced the stock tires on my Verve 3 for ones more supple , Schwalbe Almotion ; made a big improvement in ride and comfort .

 

[Nova Haibike]

The Verve+ was not designed for a suspension fork. While you can install one, doing so will change the geometry and handling of the bike somewhat, and the standover height will be higher. The Verve+ also has an "old fashioned" threaded steerer tube, so you could only install a ShockStop stem by adding a quill to threadless stem adapter. If you decide to install a suspension fork, change the headset to threadless; don't try looking for a threaded suspension fork because you won't find one.

 

[Nozmo]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I've learned more from you folks regarding options to solve this problem in a few hours than I did in several hours of searching the web myself!

 

[Dewey]

Baramind handlebar from France flexes down one way https://www.baramind-bike.com/en/ and works with quill stems

 

[Nozmo]

Hello,
I had my LBS install a Rock Shox ( Paragon Gold RL ) on my Trek XM700+ and love what it did for the ride and handling of my bike.
Copy and paste this link into your browser and you'll see my post and pictures of my XM700+ with the Rock Shox

https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/installed-a-rock-shox-on-my-trek-xm700.25252/

I also installed a Cirrus Body Float Suspension Seat post which I also love.

https://cirruscycles.com/

FWIW, I called RockShox to find out what version/size/model (if any) would be compatible with the Verve+ and apparently I'm the 1st person in the history of mankind to ever ask that question. The rep I spoke with was literally dumbfounded by the question and couldn't even begin to understand how to determine their product's compatibility with a specific bike.

I'm new to the world of aftermarket bike upgrades, and maybe I'm asking the wrong question, but I would think, that (to use an analogy) if I wanted to upgrade the wheels on my 2018 Ford Mustang, there would be known, or at least determinable aftermarket options based on the model of the car, tire size, etc. In the case RockShox, no such knowledge-base exists.

 

[Nova Haibike]

FWIW, I called RockShox to find out what version/size/model (if any) would be compatible with the Verve+ and apparently I'm the 1st person in the history of mankind to ever ask that question.

The Paragon series is made for 700C wheel hybrid/trekking bikes. While they list both Silver and Gold Paragons, I believe the Silver is OEM only. You would want the Paragon Gold with a 1-⅛" steerer tube, 9mm quick release axle dropouts, and disc brake mount. It is available in 50mm or 65mm of travel; go for the 65mm.

 

[John from Connecticut]

The Paragon series is made for 700C wheel hybrid/trekking bikes. While they list both Silver and Gold Paragons, I believe the Silver is OEM only. You would want the Paragon Gold with a 1-⅛" steerer tube, 9mm quick release axle dropouts, and disc brake mount. It is available in 50mm or 65mm of travel; go for the 65mm.

Nova Haibike...What you wrote is exactly why I went to LBS where I bought my Trek XM700. At the time I knew nothing about the correct setup of an
aftermarket shock. Being such a major component that directly impacts my safety, I didn't want risk experimenting.

Was it worth the money ?? The shock was $260 plus I think $30 ish labor. To me it absolutely was, to someone else.... ??

 

[Nozmo]

Nova Haibike...What you wrote is exactly why I went to LBS where I bought my Trek XM700. At the time I knew nothing about the correct setup of an
aftermarket shock. Being such a major component that directly impacts my safety, I didn't want risk experimenting.

Was it worth the money ?? The shock was $260 plus I think $30 ish labor. To me it absolutely was, to someone else.... ??

FWIW, I just got off the phone with my LBS and the tech basically told me none of the RockShocx were directly compatible with my Verve+ and while we could get one to fit, he strongly advised against it. Also, with the ShockStop suspension stem, because (as noted by Nova Haibike) the Verve+ would require an adapter, it was also not recommended as it would creation too many places for something to break/go wrong.

So. . . . it looks like it's lower pressure in the tires, different tires, possibly a seat post shock buffer is the only options I really have.

It stinks that no one creates compatible parts to address this. It's my understanding (again according to my LBS) that the Verve+ is popular which means there's likely a lot of potential customers out there looking for this type of solution.

 

[John from Connecticut]

FWIW, I just got off the phone with my LBS and the tech basically told me none of the RockShocx were directly compatible with my Verve+ and while we could get one to fit, he strongly advised against it. Also, with the ShockStop suspension stem, because (as noted by Nova Haibike) the Verve+ would require an adapter, it was also not recommended as it would creation too many places for something to break/go wrong.

So. . . . it looks like it's lower pressure in the tires, different tires, possibly a seat post shock buffer is the only options I really have.

It stinks that no one creates compatible parts to address this. It's my understanding (again according to my LBS) that the Verve+ is popular which means there's likely a lot of potential customers out there looking for this type of solution.

It appears that you're serious about modifying your Verve to meet your needs and I don't blame you one bit. Regardless of whether you make any mods
to the 'frontend' to your bike, I strongly recommend the Kinekt Body Float suspension seat post https://cirruscycles.com/ . As mentioned I have Body Float
seat posts on my two bike and I love them. They have saved my back.

I also strongly recommend checking Schwalbe Tires. https://www.schwalbetires.com/catalogs They have a very wide range. Schwalbe is one of many
fine high quality tire makers.

While you're at it check out these grips. Ergon 1, https://ergonbike.myshopify.com/collections/grips/products/gp1 I have them
on my bikes and really like them, they are very comfortable. They won't solve your problem, but every bit helps.

Lastly Nova Haibike seems like he really knows his stuff. I'd contact him directly sharing what your LBS recommended.

 

[highcapper]

Baramind handlebar from France flexes down one way https://www.baramind-bike.com/en/ and works with quill stems

Hi - so, if I understand correctly, the Verve+ has a quill stem, (I don't really know what that means, yet) and the Baramind BAM Trek will work.
https://www.baramind-bike.com/en/cockpit/18-bam-trek.html

The BAM Trek has a 12 degree sweep. What I am wondering is how much different is the shape of the BAM Trek compared to the stock Verve+. I have a new Verve+ and it fits me perfectly, very comfortable with the Kinect seat post and a different Bontrager seat. I will be doing a lot of riding on sidewalks with that bump bump bump. These BAM Trek handlebars are interesting but I really like the shape of what I have now. Sometimes when trying to make things better, one actually makes them worse

 

[Dewey]

What I am wondering is how much different is the shape of the BAM Trek compared to the stock Verve+.

Can you measure the angle of the Bontrager Comfort Sweep handlebar on your Verve+? The Bontrager is 630mm long vs 660mm for the Baramind which adds only 15mm on either end. They both look very similar.

 

[highcapper]

Hi Dewey - I don't really know how to measure the sweep. I never found the length of my bars, but you did, somewhere I don't think 30 mm total would be a noticeable difference, do you?

I did find a pretty good review which I will paste here:

"I bought a BAM Trek handlebar last summer when they first began shipping. I put it on my Stromer ST2 which has nothing but a carbon fiber fork and Schwalbe Big Ben tires to absorb shock. I tried two shock stems (on two other bikes, so I don’t have a direct comparison) and the BAM Trek seemed to be the best solution. Unless I really pay close attention I don’t notice them flex. But I began noticing immediately after installing them that my hands don’t go numb any more and my neck and shoulders don’t hurt after long rides any more. I’m not a shill for the company. I don’t stand to agin from talking them up, but these things absolutely work as advertised. I wish they made a Trek style handlebar with the same kind of variable inserts they have on the MTB version. I’d love to see what an even softer version would feel like. BTW- they do ship directly from France to the U.S. It took mine 2 weeks to get to Vermont and shipping was ~$20. If you’re considering a suspension stem, definitely check these out. "

 

[highcapper]

Well, we'll find out. I just ordered it with their Ergo grips as a package. It came to a total of $129 USD, all in.

 

[Dewey]

Well, we'll find out. I just ordered it with their Ergo grips as a package. It came to a total of $129 USD, all in.

Please post a review here when you’ve had the chance to ride with them for a bit, I’d be interested to read your opinion.

 

[highcapper]

So, my BAMTrek handlebar arrived yesterday. It is very close in shape to the stock handlebar. I installed it without any difficulty and took it for a 10 minute test on a paved road with several cracks and potholes. I think there is an improvement, but it is miner. Not a big difference, just a slight difference. I think one of the reasons the improvement is small is that the fairly upright comfort position of the Verve+ puts less weight on the arms to begin with.

I will try to upload a photo of them, naked, side by side, the Trek stock bar is on the right. The shape is so similar that I didn't notice a change in riding position between the two. Unfortunately I won't be riding again for quite awhile as I had a TURP prostate operation on June 5th and it has not gone well at all. It's now almost 2 months later and I spent last night at the hospital and now will have a catheter in for several weeks.