Bikes & Gear

Bikes & Gear Reviews

Features

Gear Browser

RockShox Tora 302 Solo | £170
Change Currency What's this?

RockShox Tora 302 Solo

BikeRadar verdict

5 out of 5 stars

"Stiff, smooth, super reliable - incredible for the price"

By BikeRadar

SRAM have really turned RockShox around since acquiring the brand, and their forks are now outstanding at all price points, few more so than the super cheap but still burly Toras. The 302 uses chunky magnesium lower legs sliding on big 32mm chromoly stanchions for impressive stiffness and strength. The downside is increased weight, but that's normal for a fork this cheap, and it more than makes up for it in performance.

The actual suspension is very simple with just a single air valve to set the spring rate, but even this most basic model has rebound damping that really works most of the time. Long descents will get it pogoing but there's none of the banging top or bottom out that you normally get from budget forks (Tora 318 forks include full Motion Control Damping circuits and start at £169.99).

The steering stiffness keeps the 302 feeling composed even when things are getting hairy anyway, and the whole Tora experience is just astonishing considering the price. The maintenance-free reliability has also been flawless over the eight months we've thrashed this fork. The only downside is tight tyre clearance on anything over 2.3in, but that's big enough for most bikes needing 100mm of travel. There's an adjustable 85-130mm U-Turn version available too, for £139.99.

User Reviews

Post your review

  • User review of RockShox Tora 302 Solo

    Are they easy to fit yourself ?

    0.3
  • User review of RockShox Tora 302 Solo

    The whole Tora family are just revolutionary, but because of the fact that you get damped air suspension so cheap, the Tora 302 SA is the highlight.

    The Tora 289 is exceptionally priced, with rebound adjust and very stiff and responsive lowers. A U-Turn verison is available while still being unbelievablu well-priced, and these are the ultimate cheap forks.

    The 302 is stiffer still, offers better internal componentry and again a U-Turn coil version is offered. The Air varaint, despite lacking U-Turn is every bit as special; it performs like a god over rough and smooth terrain alike and is available with Poploc which, despite incompatibility with many handlebar mounted gear and brake levers is handy for short hops between rough and smooth or mountain and road.

    The 318 again offers better internal componentry, but this range-topping model has motion control damping and lockout. Though still found below £200, it feels and responds like a £400 fork. Simlar to the 302, the 318 is available with either U-Turn adjustable spring or a set travel solo-air. The motion control really keeps the spring variant under control, and makes the silky air variant even smoother.

    Not only is the Tora range cheap on paper, it works great. It has unrivalled lateral stiffness and resistance to flex from rake, while showing up some Suntours and RSTs that are far more costly. It is also unrivalled in reliability too, with oil seals almost never rupturing providing that they are used correctly (as in no downhill on cross country forks) and constant maintenance a thing of the past. They don't lose plushness ever, and only get stiff if a service is requried. The disc mounts are tough and suit up to 210mm rotors, giving a wide range of compatibility.

    All of these factors make the Tora range some of the best forks going.

    0.3

You need to login or register to post comments.

Specification

Name:
Tora 302 Solo
Built by:
RockShox
Price:
£170.00
Available Colours:
Black, Chrome
Weight (kg):
2.06 kg
Wheel Size:
26 Inches
Crown to Axle Length:
505.00 mm
Steerer Size:
1 1/8 Inches
Material:
Aluminium, Magnesium, Steel
Stanchion Diameter:
32.00 mm
Spring Type:
Air
Max. Fork Travel:
100mm

Related links

BikeRadar is not responsible for the content of external websites

Also on BikeRadar