Vendetta with suspension front end!!

[devonian]

After seeing the Silvetta, I've been wondering what it would be like to swap my Silvio and Vendetta front ends, for a suspension-ed Vendetta rather than just a lighter Silvio. I live in an area with pretty shoddy roads, and so having the combination of a full suspension Silvio and a suspension headrest has helped a ton over just a base Vendetta. However, it feels like the Silvio is... decidedly not as fast, which is slightly annoying. I've gotten used to an easy 30 MPH on the Vendetta, which just doesn't happen anymore on the Silvio (with full fenders, at least).
With all that said, has anyone ever tried swapping a Silvio front end onto a Vendetta? It would obviously be heavier and at least slightly less aerodynamic, but with the benefit of not having to worry so much about cracks in the road, I would think those could still balance out favorably. The added height of the suspension fork would also decrease the Vendetta's seat angle even more, which could be... interesting, at least! And it might give enough space on the front wheel to add a fender, which would be heaven in the rainy season. I think it'd be worth a try, at least, but I'd be curious if anyone else has done it before and what their thoughts on it are. My Vendetta and Silvio are both from the same generation (both from around 2015), so compatibility shouldn't be an issue if the Silvetta is any example.

 

[devonian]

Tada! It was much easier than I expected. Vendio?? complete!


All she needs is a pair of pretty, color-matching fenders now
The suspension fork doesn't help a ton with the big scary bumps, but it does smooth out the ride over most everything else. Most noticeable is the seatback angle, though - it's massively more reclined now (or at least it feels that way). Feels like an absolute blast going downhill!

 

[Jim Parker]

That's pretty cool! Nice job. This can work on the V20, but not the V20c due to the tapered head tube on the V20c. Another way to get some relief from rough roads is putting on a larger tire, especially a tubeless tire with a larger width (e.g. 38mm) mounted to a rim with internal diameter of 24 or 25 mm. Then run the tire at low pressure (e.g. 50 psi). Then you don't need the extra weight and complexity of the front suspension.

 

[CruzRider]

Then run the tire at low pressure (e.g. 50 psi). Then you don't need the extra weight and complexity of the front suspension.

Add some Berd spokes for further smoothness.

But kudos on having a one of a kind front suspension V.

 

[melaci288]

After seeing the Silvetta, I've been wondering what it would be like to swap my Silvio and Vendetta front ends, for a suspension-ed Vendetta rather than just a lighter Silvio. I live in an area with pretty shoddy roads, and so having the combination of a full suspension Silvio and a suspension headrest has helped a ton over just a base Vendetta. However, it feels like the Silvio is... decidedly not as fast, which is slightly annoying. I've gotten used to an easy 30 MPH on the Vendetta, which just doesn't happen anymore on the Silvio (with full fenders, at least).
With all that said, has anyone ever tried swapping a Silvio front end onto a Vendetta? It would obviously be heavier and at least slightly less aerodynamic, but with the benefit of not having to worry so much about cracks in the road, I would think those could still balance out favorably. The added height of the suspension fork would also decrease the Vendetta's seat angle even more, which could be... interesting, at least! And it might give enough space on the front wheel to add a fender, which would be heaven in the rainy season. I think it'd be worth a try, at least, but I'd be curious if anyone else has done it before and what their thoughts on it are. My Vendetta and Silvio are both from the same generation (both from around 2015), so compatibility shouldn't be an issue if the Silvetta is any example.

Swapping the front end sounds like a solid way to handle those rough roads. The extra clearance for fenders is a huge plus if you’re riding in the rain often. I'd be interested to see how that seat angle change affects your power output on the climbs.