SR Suntour reduces friction with new precision alignment processes

SR Suntour has recently redesigned several of its manufacturing processes to enhance the precision of its suspension forks. "Our goal is to reduce friction, improve sensitivity, lower maintenance needs, extend service life, and offer a more refined suspension experience on the trail," says Fabio Sturaro, general manager at SR Suntour. Here's a closer look at what the company has been working on.

On the trail, precision is key. Even minor changes in the terrain require an immediate response from the suspension. “The way your fork reacts to the surface directly affects your control, comfort, and confidence,” says Sturaro from SR Suntour. “By refining our tooling, machining, and assembly processes, we improve the alignment of critical components, ensuring everything moves together seamlessly. This results in better performance and less wear and tear.”

Sturaro: 'By refining our tooling, machining, and assembly processes, we improve the alignment of critical components.'

Upper alignment

“The steerer tube, crown, and stanchions work together as the backbone of your suspension,” says Sturaro. “If they’re not perfectly aligned, it can create friction, reduce small and large bump sensitivity, and even shorten the fork’s lifespan. Our new ‘upper alignment’ process uses an automated one-step assembly with high-precision tooling to keep everything aligned. This results in smoother fork travel, improved response to small bumps, and a more predictable feel on larger hits as the fork progresses through its travel.”

Lower alignment

Both bushings and dropout alignment play a significant role in a fork’s performance. Sturaro: “The ‘lower alignment’ process ensures that bushing seats are machined and aligned with precision, allowing lowers to slide freely with minimal friction along the length of the stanchions. This means your suspension reacts instantly to both small vibrations and big hits, reducing resistance, heat build-up, excess wear and tear, and improving overall responsiveness.”

Sturaro: 'Without friction interfering, the fork, spring, and damper move exactly as they are designed to.'

Dropout alignment

“Dropout alignment is also an often-overlooked part of suspension performance, but can be just as critical,” continues Sturaro. “When the front wheel is installed and the axle tightened, even the smallest misalignment can introduce significant, unwanted twisting forces on the lowers, increasing friction and wear on both the bushings and stanchions. By using single-chuck machining for the bushing seats and axle dropouts, we maintain optimal alignment of the lowers, eliminating excess torsional forces and ensuring long-term fork performance and reliability.”

Less heat buildup and reduced wear

All of these refinements add up to a ride that’s more controlled, refined, and consistent. “Without friction interfering, the fork, spring, and damper move exactly as they are designed to. This results in less heat buildup and reduced wear, keeping your fork in peak condition for a longer time,” Sturaro concludes.

This article is sponsored by SR Suntour.