Rider Review: RockShox Recon Silver RL Fork 29" (Affordability and Performance)

The Rockshox Recon combines trail performance and affordability giving riders a bombproof fork that is reliable and strong. Offering 100mm of travel, the Recon Silver RL is perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their stock suspension. In this review, two of our customers did just that. Check out their thoughts!

Overview

I have now had a good two months of solid riding on the RockShox Recon RL Silver 29er 100mm Solo Air front suspension fork. The product arrived very quickly from Worldwide Cyclery and the initial unveiling was great. This was my first Rockshox product and my first air fork. The only comparisons I have are other brands (Marzocchi, RST, and Fox).

Performance and Set Up

First off, the fork looks great. It definitely looks and feels solid. I don’t use scales but the RockShox Recon Silver feels about average to other forks I have owned in the past. The one big thing I love is that it came with an extra set of seals, which is awesome in my book. Anyhow, I slapped it all together and right away I liked the look and how it felt. Side note, the fork will not fit a disc greater than 160mm unless you buy another adapter (luckily I had an extra 160mm rotor.) All went well with the install and it was a little softer than I typically like, but there is an easy to follow guide on the fork itself that gives you a PSI air amount for your body weight. It was a good reference. I myself went near max amount because I like a stiffer fork with fast recoil. If you have a shock pump, use that. If you do not, get one. Shock pumps will help you dial it in and you will like it a lot more.

Another tool that comes with the fork is a rebound key which easily allows you to adjust how you want the fork to respond. I like my forks stiff with rabbit rebound. One of the features this fork has that I particularly like is the lockout function - an easy twist and the fork is locked out almost like a rigid fork. It is great for hill climbs and flats, but if you are locked and take a hit, it has a blow past valve that will help you take a hit or if you forget you have it locked and take a jump it will allow it to blow off and not rattle your hands.

Final Thoughts

I have had hydraulic (oil filled forks). I have used coil spring forks, and I have had hydraulic with coil spring forks. By far, this fork to me is one of the easiest to set up. It seemed to respond just as good if not better than previous forks. I have paid a lot of money for forks in the past only to have seals leak, and coils springs wear out. So far this fork has been great and easy to install, setup, and adjust. I look forward to many good rides and I hope it will last a long time and many miles. Great for the price and can run with the over-priced forks.

Zak Ferguson is another customer who just upgraded to a Recon Silver fork on his Kona. Check out what he had to say.

Overview

I was in the market to upgrade my stock/worn out fork with something that would fit my style of biking. I heard about Worldwide Cyclery so I got on to check what they had and I found it: "Pure Gold" - my 29" RockShox Recon Silver RL fork!!! 

Performance and Set Up

This beauty was priced so well I couldn’t pass it up!! So needless to say this thing can handle anything I throw at it, from downhill to trials. It has a beautiful reaction time with a superb lockout! I can set the rebound to slow or fast and the solo air system is flawless!!! 

Comparatively, it rides a whole lot smoother than my Suntour 32XC. The air chamber allows for more room to experiment with compression, whereas my Suntour only had springs. My old fork was a very rough ride, little to no comfort, but the Recon solved that with amazing shock absorption and great response whether it be slow or fast rebound!! 

Final Thoughts

This fork is a beast for the price!! I bought the 29er and it is very solid. Especially through an area (we here in Fayetteville, AR) called Rock City!!! One of the greatest rides ever!! I loved it so much I also purchased a 27.5 as well to replace my other fork !!! 

This fork is totally worth the price I paid!! The staff was very attentive (and it was over e-mail) and willing to work with me and just downright awesome!!!

Overall I'd give them an A+ for service, prices, and quality items!!!!! 

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