For everyone who reads any of the MTB magazines, it’s hard not to be swung by the Bike Porn ads placed by the “big” suspension manufacturers, indeed often these publications are swayed in their decisions by advertising (we know we have ridden some of the forks that got dodgy top ratings). RST has a history of budget forks, most commonly seen on cheap entry-level bikes of recent but look back a few years ago and they were a common sight on the start line of races in all disciplines. A new fork line has been developed and we tested this, the new flagship XC fork. Available in 80mm or 100mm with a carbon lock out dial and anodised rebound and air valve covers the F1RST certainly looks and weighs the part.

This is no cheap fork made over, on the trail it is the real thing. The F1RST is very easy to set up, with no NASA space programme experience necessary. The rebound control is on the bottom of the fork, away from the lock out so there is no risk of turning your fork into a pogo stick after every climb. Once the sag and rebound were balanced right, the fork behaved as well as many forks twice its price. The 80mm travel version we tested has supermodel weight characteristics, it’s definitely an XC weight watchers fork, but it didn’t bottom out and the suspension was progressive.
In summary, don’t be fooled by an absence of adverts, or by RST’s entry level forks, the F1RST is a great XC fork, particularly so if you are weight conscious or on a budget. But if you want to go big, or if freeride is your thing you’ll need something else.