DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. WE DID THIS SO YOU WON'T HAVE TO! At Priority, we get a lot of what-if questions from riders. In this edition of Questions Answered we tackled one that sounds simple but has big consequences: what happens if you install a suspension fork on a bike that was designed for a rigid fork? For the test we used the Priority Current Plus, an efficient, low-maintenance e-bike engineered around a rigid fork. For the experiment we installed a long-travel suspension fork (a Fox 36) — a fork that's much longer, heavier, and built for a different kind of bike — and documented the fitting, modifications required, and how the bike handled afterward. Making It Fit (Sort Of) Right away the installation revealed a chain of compromises. The suspension fork we chose had wider hub spacing and a larger axle-to-crown length than the Current Plus's original fork. To physically mount the fork we used spacer kits and adapters — solutions that get things to fit, but they introduce mechanical and safety tradeoffs. Fit issues encountered: Fork hub spacing was 10mm wider than the Current Plus’s standard — required spacing adapters. Brake routing and hose length were insufficient for the new fork; the front brake could not be used without a longer hose and possibly a different caliper/wheel. Axle and wheel compatibility would likely require a new front wheel and hub to match the fork standards. How Geometry Changes — and Why It Matters When you lengthen the front end of a bike (as a longer suspension fork does), you change the head tube angle, raise the front end, and alter the bike's trail. These aren't small cosmetic changes — they affect handling, steering responsiveness, and rider position. On the Priority Current Plus, which is tuned for quick urban handling and efficient power transfer, adding a long suspension fork slackened the head angle and made the steering feel less precise. That shift works against the bike’s original design goals instead of improving comfort or control. Ride Test: The Real-World Result With the fork installed we took the bike out. The differences were immediate. Steering felt heavier and less predictable; the bike’s balance and stability suffered. Far from a comfort upgrade, the suspension fork made the Current Plus feel less composed around corners and during acceleration. The bottom line: while you can force a suspension fork onto a rigid-fork bike, the result is often worse ride quality and compromised safety unless the entire frame, wheelset, brakes, and geometry are designed to work that way. Why Bike Design as a Whole System Matters Bikes are engineered holistically. Priority designs bikes like the Current Plus for durability, low maintenance, efficient power transfer, and urban performance. A component swap that looks appealing in isolation—like swapping in a hugely capable suspension fork—can undo careful design tradeoffs in geometry, weight distribution, and braking. If you want the benefits of suspension (for rough roads or off-road riding), the safest and most effective path is to choose a bike built around suspension from the start — the frame, fork, wheel, and brakes all matched to the same intent. Key Takeaway The Priority Current Plus performs best when used the way it was engineered: with a rigid fork that optimizes handling, simplicity, and maintenance. Modifying it with a suspension fork introduces fitment challenges, changes to geometry, and degraded handling. In short: you can do it, but you probably shouldn’t. If you’re considering modifications to your bike, especially structural or fit-related changes like fork swaps, consult a qualified mechanic and verify compatibility for axle spacing, headset type, brake routing, and geometry. When in doubt, choosing a bike intended for the type of riding you want is the safest, most rewarding option.