With regards to gravel suspension forks, you’d assume there’s not quite a lot of alternative to make 40mm of journey that completely different from the subsequent model.
Seems, you possibly can, and the MRP Baxter makes probably the most of it whereas additionally packaging it in a extra versatile, adjustable, and useful chassis than the rest on the market.
Right here’s every thing you’ll want to know, together with specs, precise weights, and my experience assessment…
MRP Baxter specs & options
There’s so much that units this fork aside. For starters, it is available in 40mm and 60mm journey choices, the latter being extra journey than most opponents. That makes it one of many solely choices for aggressive “monster gravel” builds.
I examined the 40mm journey possibility as a result of I’m no monster, and I needed to keep up a racier really feel. It nonetheless added about 20mm of axle-to-crown top in comparison with the inventory fork, which did make the entrance finish really feel a bit taller, however not a lot it bothered me. The truth is, I’ve come to understand a taller stack top and extra upright using place anyway, so it was nice. And…
…because of their flip-chip dropout system, you possibly can modify the efficient fork offset (and, thus, path) to keep up the dealing with you’re accustomed to. There are two axle insert choices per fork journey:
- 40mm Journey
- 44mm mounted
- 40.5mm / 47.5mm
- 60mm Journey
- 45mm mounted
- 41.4mm / 48.4mm
It’s additionally one of many solely gravel suspension forks with a 12×110 Increase possibility. Each mounted offset dropouts are available in commonplace 100mm entrance axle spacing, however you may get the offset dropouts in both 12x100mm or 12x110mm Increase axle spacing.
The one draw back to those dropouts is that they don’t have any hooked grooves on the high, so the wheel can slide proper previous them throughout installs. It’s not a giant deal when cruising round, however when you’re frantically altering a flat throughout a race, it may be a bit irritating making an attempt to line it up beneath stress.
For the 40mm journey possibility, in addition they supply a spacer for operating bigger tires. Claimed clearance is 700x45mm tires, however add an optionally available 5mm spacer (which can improve axle-to-crown top 5mm) and it matches 700×50 (29×2.0) tires. 60mm journey forks will clear bigger tires with out the adapter.
That stated, whereas I’ve these spacers sitting right here in a drawer, I used to be capable of run 700×50 Panaracer Gravelking SK+ tires while not having so as to add them. So, at the least on this Niner RLT RDO, I felt positive operating it because it got here out of the field. I think about operating much less offset (pushing the tire backward) and with some downtube designs, you could wish to use them, although.
There’s loads of tire clearance contained in the arch for 700x50mm tires (extra on that beneath), and the arch itself is powerful. It’s additionally shapely, with quite a lot of little shaping particulars flowing all through the remainder of the fork, too. Look carefully and also you’ll see small indents, bulges, curves, and bumps all through.
These particulars make the fork look concurrently muscular and svelte, powerful and easy. Which is strictly the way it feels using…stiff and structured, however soaks up the bumps like I needed.
Three different issues that set this fork aside:
Twin Air Springs
Fill the constructive chamber first, then the damaging. Whereas most forks have gone to a single air chuck system, counting on a verify valve to fill each chambers and maintain their pressures equalized at sag, MRP’s design allows you to positive tune the start stroke really feel by dialing within the damaging air stress individually. Add rather less air for a firmer really feel, or a bit extra for a softer really feel. You may also modify constructive air quantity with spacers.
Accent Mounts
Bikepacking? it has mounts for a light-weight rack or bottle cages. The latter is just for commonplace two-bolt cages, making it a good way to hold a bit additional water or smaller stuff (jacket, first help package, and many others.,,.3lb max per facet). They’re not meant to be loaded with heavy stuff or bigger “something cages”, but it surely’s nonetheless additional storage.
Rear Covers
Not likely a efficiency characteristic, however these rear cowl plates cover the trussed decrease sections from accumulating crud. However in addition they cover the rebound knob, so I’d suggest getting it the place you prefer it on just a few rides, then reinstalling them. Or not.
The fork comes commonplace in black, however you may get their customized SHREDkote (Cerakote) end for a small upcharge. Select separate colours for the crown (+$50) and lowers (+$100), with 16 shade choices for every. Then select from one among six decal colours.
Whereas the colour choices might need modified since I acquired mine a few years in the past (this was a looooooong time period take a look at), I used to be capable of match mine virtually completely to the Niner. Even the emblem matched as much as the inexperienced on the bike fairly properly!
The one factor that bothered me concerning the fork was the brake set up. The brake line runs behind the arch, alongside the within edge. This appears to be like very clear, very aesthetically pleasing, but it surely requires you to disconnect your brake caliper from the hose. Neither the caliper or the lever will match between the fork’s arch and crown.
Which implies bleeding your brakes. If you happen to’re not outfitted to do this, get it on the bike, and permit time to take it to your native bike store to get the entrance brake put in.
MRP Baxter Precise Weights
My 40mm journey fork, with axle put in, got here in at 1,420g, matching their claimed weight precisely. The 60mm journey forks weigh 52g extra.
For comparability, the inventory carbon fork (with steerer tube already trimmed) weighed 660g.
I trimmed 9g of steerer tube off the fork, and it can save you 12g by eradicating the rear cowl plates.
Relying in your axle width, MRP ships the fork with brake mounts for both 100mm (160mm rotor default) or 110mm (180mm rotor default) axle spacing. You should use spacers or different adapters to go greater (or smaller), simply make certain to decide on the suitable components on your construct…after which add or take away the requisite spacers to match the dropout’s offset.
MRP Baxter Trip Evaluate
I’ve ridden the Baxter in every single place from soaked-clay Jeep trails in Uwharrie to dry desert roads in Arizona. And I’ve ridden 42mm to 50mm tires on it. And it’s carried out very properly on and with all of that. Positive, 50mm tires will add extra consolation, however even then it’s apparent the fork is doing its job.
Desert roads are sometimes hardpacked and easy, however endure from the occasional shock pothole that may jar you. Or sections of washboard that’ll rattle your enamel. I hit each, many occasions, typically on objective simply to see what the fork would do.
In comparison with different gravel forks I’ve ridden, and I’ve ridden most of them, the MRP Baxter sits someplace within the center by way of help. It rides very properly within the higher center of its journey, and reacts fast sufficient to absorb the stuff it ought to and preserve traction in rutted corners.
It’s most likely the heaviest gravel suspension fork on the market, but it surely justifies these additional grams with additional options. This isn’t a weight-weenie race fork. It’s an journey fork and makes no apologies for it.
If you happen to’re searching for issues like bottle cage mounts, adjustable offset, fine-tunable unbiased air springs, customized colours, and longer journey, then it’s the one recreation on the town. Thanks for making it this far, however you possibly can cease studying now and simply go purchase it.
If you happen to’re nonetheless on the fence, I’ll add this to your inside debate: It doesn’t actually really feel heavy on the bike, but it surely’s burly sufficient to deal with mountain bike trails. If you happen to experience the chunk as a rule, it’s a great possibility for that, too.
Lastly, it has quite a lot of tire clearance. Doubtless as a result of it’s designed to suit wider 110mm hubs, the legs sit a bit wider, making a number of room for days like this:
Which is nice when you experience in quite a lot of crud, too. Or wish to scale back the variety of occasions you may have to unpack that tire in a nasty 12 months at Unbound.
General, I’ve actually loved my time on the Baxter. It’s the fork I tackle the massive rides once I’m not fairly certain what we’ll be entering into, and it’s by no means let me down. If you need a gravel suspension fork that’s up for something, the MRP Baxter is it.