suntour axon travel adjustment

Review: SR Suntour Axon34 WERX and Elite

It may come as a surprise to hear that SR Suntour is the largest bicycle suspension fork manufacturer in the world. Even though this recognition is primarily due to targeting the OEM of entry-level and budget mountain bikes, SR Suntour has been quietly refining the company’s high-end suspension forks for the past decade.

SR Suntour may not be the loudest player in the room, but kudos to the company for remaining committed to delivering innovative suspension that’s easy to service wrapped up into an affordable package. Times are changing, and SR Suntour is fully capable of going toe-to-toe with powerhouses.

THE FORKS We have the cross-country oriented SR Suntour Axon34 WERX Boost in 100 millimeters of travel, which retails for $1,100. Then, we have the Axon34 Elite Boost in 120 millimeters of travel, which retails for $700. Both forks offer travel adjustment between 100 and 120 millimeters in 10-millimeter increments and have 34-millimeter diameter stanchions.

The primary difference between the two forks is the WERX is considered the crème de la crème and sports a carbon crown and steerer as opposed to the aluminum found on the Elite. Additionally, the WERX utilizes a slightly lighter 7000 series aluminum in the stanchions versus the Elite’s 6000 series aluminum. Both offer the same magnesium lowers and closed cartridge damper with remote lock-out.

We won’t focus on the e-bike side of the equation throughout the review, but it should be noted that the Elite is e-bike ready, whereas the WERX is not.

CONSTRUCTION New for MY2020, the Axon34s receive the Equalizer (EQ) air spring on the left side of the fork. The EQ system replaces the fixed coil spring with a negative air spring providing a more personalized tune and allowing the whole system to be lighter. With an air spring, the system will automatically balance the negative spring as the positive spring is pressurized, similar to how most dual air forks work. The primary downside to the new system is that it’s no longer as simple as adding or removing a spacer to adjust the amount of fork travel. Now, to adjust the fork travel, a travel-specific negative air shaft is required.

Beneath the air spring cap, three rubber volume spacers are added or removed to alter the end-stroke ramp-up.

On the right side of the fork is SR Suntour’s Piston Compensator System (PCS) damper platform with an RLRC-PCS cartridge. The Remote Lock-out Rebound Compression (RLRC) is the remote lock-out version and includes 10 clicks of low-speed compression tuning and 10 clicks of rebound adjustment. Unlike forks from RockShox and Fox that use an open bath system, the PCS platform is a closed-cartridge system that relies on an integrated piston separating the air and oil, resulting in more consistent and predictable damping performance. Not only is the system simple, but it also meets the company’s mantra of refined simplicity by providing a platform that’s easily serviced without the use of proprietary tools.

A carryover item is SR Suntour’s unique Q-LOC2 quick-release thru-axle system. Diving straight in and ignoring the instruction tag, it took me a few moments to figure out how this little bugger works, but after that, this thing is the dirty dangles. Both the Elite and WERX models come stock with the Ti Q-LOC2 quick-release that weighs 71 grams.

THE RIDE To properly test the forks, I sought a few different quick loops that offered a good mix of features like punchy-ups, tight “S” corners and roots. By doing this, I could complete a few hot laps, return to the vehicle, and swap forks on the Salsa Timberjack hardtail.

Setting up a suspension fork for the first time is a bit of a process, and the Axon34 is no different. Tinker around with the volume reducers and air pressure, fine-tune the damping and rebound settings and sometimes repeat until the preferred setup is found. Be sure not to go ham-fisting on the rebound and damping controls. I found that a single “click” is a noticeable change with both SR Suntour forks.

For my 165-pound weight, I settled on 75 psi inside the air chamber giving me 25% sag. With all three volume reducers installed, and since the fork had a remote lock-out, I opted to run the low-speed damping on the lighter side for standard cross-country trails.

As I bolted through a series of roots running parallel across the singletrack, the first thing I noticed was how buttery smooth the Axon34 was off the top. It felt like the fork floated over the natural speed bumps. Quickly after the roots, the trail starts making its way upwards in the punchy city-park fashion. Standing up out of the saddle to stay on top of the singlespeed gearing, I was greeted with a reasonably supportive midstroke considering the LSC setting. Making my way towards the freeride-oriented trail, I added two clicks of LSC damping and hit the 3-foot-ish wooden drop. Buttery smooth. On to the second drop, it’s a bit higher and longer, the Elite at 120 millimeters handled it just fine going through its full travel, absent of any harsh bottom out. The WERX at 100 millimeters of travel handled the drop a bit more harshly, to no surprise. I could tweak the volume reducers and firm the fork up but at the cost of sacrificing its small bump sensitivity. I suspect this drop is on the outskirts of its current configuration.

One surprise I found with both SR Suntour forks was how much stiffer the chassis felt compared to the Fox 34 Step-Cast. Looking at the two brands side-by-side, I don’t see anything overly noticeable in the crown construction, and both are utilizing 34-millimeter stanchions, but the added stiffness gave the Axon34 a more solid feel in tight corners.

The remote lock-out is a nice touch that I didn’t experience any overly ill feelings towards even with the more cluttered cockpit. The simple thumb lever to engage and lateral finger lever to disengage is a clean setup that works well. Depending on the setup and component choices (lock-on grips, brakes, etc.), there is potential for things to get complicated in finding the optimal placement. Unfortunately, doing away with the remote lock-out is not as simple as other brands and would require an entirely new damper cartridge.

Bonus features include a fender with proper mounting. Forget about needing cheap plastic (though resourceful) zip-ties; SR Suntour includes an injected molded fender that attaches via four screws for a simple and durable solution.

FINAL THOUGHTS Based on my time aboard the Axon34s, SR Suntour is putting some serious innovation and performance into the company’s high-end suspension. Sometimes I tend to extend the hours between fork maintenance, but with the SR Suntour, it’s as simple as taking five minutes to remove the lowers, clean and re-lube. It’s hard not to keep up basic maintenance when it’s that easy.

The Axon34 WERX is a reliable lightweight option that’s comparable in weight to the Step-Cast 34. However, my vote is going to the Elite. For $340-$400 less than the WERX and Factory Step-Cast with remote lock-out, the Axon34 Elite allows you to keep more cash in your pocket. The fork offers a similar level of performance to both the WERX and Step-Cast, includes a remote lock-out and comes with a minimal weight penalty.

If you’re still stuck in your little bubble of it not being a Fox or RockShox, remember that Tracey Hannah secured the overall Women’s Elite DH UCI World Cup title on her preferred suspension platform, an SR Suntour.

Words & Photos by Scott Williams

Posted in News

SR Suntour Axon-Werx 34 suspension fork review

• James Bracey
• January 7, 2022

As ridden by XCO Olympic champion, Tom Pidcock, SR Suntour's flagship cross-country fork is a viable alternative to RockShox and Fox

SR Suntour Axon Werx fork

Product Overview

Overall rating:, sr suntour axon-werx 34 .

• Excellent small bump sensitivity
• Speedy QR axle
• Mini mudguard is effective
• Plastic remote lockout lever feels cheap
• RockShox SID is cheaper, lighter and rides at least as well

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

SR Suntour has been striving hard to dispense with the image of a brand mostly found on entry-level hardtails. Employing a considerable roster of high profile riders, including Olympic gold medallist Tom Pidcock, is definitely helping. Add in a new range of forks and shocks, and the brand is starting to transform into a legit alternative to the big two. If you’re looking for the best suspension forks for XC, trail or enduro , be sure to check out our buyer’s guide.

The Axon-Werx34 sits as SR Suntour’s flagship fork in the ‘hard’ XC/down-country category; think the top-rated RockShox SID and Fox 34 Step Cast as its rivals. Suntour has been busy fettling with the design, and there have been a swathe of improvements over the last version of the fork. All intended to get it to compete with the key players.

Carbon crown is a glossy affair, while even with the remote lockout fitted you can still adjust the low-speed compression damping

As the name implies, Suntour has endowed the Axon-Werx with 34mm stanchions – an improvement over the older model’s 32mm diameter. The crown and steerer is a one-piece, hollow carbon affair that reduces weight and adds a little high-end glitz to the package. It’s not as light as its rivals from RockShox and Fox, but it still weighs in at a respectable 1,625g in stripped-down guise (1,717g with lockout lever and other accessories).

The RL RC Piston Compensator System (PCS) is Suntour’s top-level damping circuit and controls rebound and compression rates. As the initials indicate, low-speed rebound and compression adjustment are present; both are externally adjustable on the fly. This system aims to prevent air and oil mixing (cavitation) and thus improve the consistency of performance. A new Equalizer system employs a negative air spring rather than the coil version of old. Breaking down the technical description, the Equalizer automatically balances the positive and negative springs, keeping the initial small-bump response as Suntour intended, regardless of rider weight.

Machined alloy caps are to be expected on a fork costing over £1,000…

I opted to test the 120mm version of the Axon-Werx34 and, during the testing period, went from the extremes of XC racing to riding some pretty lairy South Wales trails sprinkled with hits and drops.

Setting up the fork with the suggested 25% sag, it was noticeable from the first ride the sensitive and buttery smooth beginning stroke. This small bump sensitivity is as good as anything exhibited by its rivals, and for the first few rides had me checking that I wasn’t losing air, such is the fork’s willingness to get moving. Unlike some forks, where the pay-off for small bump sensitivity is a propensity to blow through its travel, the Axon-Werx34 isn’t lacking in mid-stroke support. A subtle but noticeable ramp up in progression kicks in around mid-travel, keeping you from diving too deep, too quickly. The good news is that this typical progression doesn’t come at the expense of the last 10/20mm; I could still get the fork to use full travel on more significant drops or when encountering hidden rock gardens. The ability to adjust low-speed compression gives you the ability to dial in more support if you require it. I ran it fully open for proper trail riding (and used the lockout on climbs), but dialled in at least three clicks when racing XC and on fast training rides.

Suntour has also increased the positive air chamber size, so it’s now possible to fit up to seven volume spacers to dial in the end stroke behaviour. Suntour supplies five, and after a bit of messing, I settled on using all five to give me the best performance for my weight (75kg) and riding style.

Steering precision is also pretty impressive for a slightly overbuilt XC fork. Whilst it isn’t quite as precise as the RockShox SID with Torque Caps fitted, it is capable of tracking a line on a chattery trail without any noodly vagueness or twang.

… But the same can’t be said of the cheap-feeling remote lockout lever

Whether you like them or not, Suntour supplies the Axon-Werx34 with a remote lockout lever. Curiously this looks like the same lever as found on much lower spec forks, and it feels a little plasticky. However, it is incredibly intuitive, with an action that only requires a slight nudge with your index finger to release – it also performed flawlessly throughout the test period.

Q-Loc axle takes a bit of getting used to but is fast and flexible, as you can run it either side

Suntour’s unique QLC axle is, in equal measures, ingenious and infuriating. It works using a self-expanding, wedged collet end piece combined with a quick-release lever. You simply push the axle through and flip the lever in place for the fastest wheel removal/install I’ve ever used. The downside is that the collet does get gritty, and sometimes it can take a couple of goes to get the technique right when pushing it through. The design also allows you to set it on either side of the fork.

Suntour also includes an effective ‘mini’ mudguard that fits seamlessly around the arch. It’s longer than many and extends forward, so it has been well used over the last few months.

If you only know Suntour as a ‘budget’ brand, you will be shocked at the price. Costing £1,019, it sits between RockShox’s SID Ultimate (£991) and Fox’s 34 Float Factory SC (£1,119), so it is definitely a considered purchase. Whilst it doesn’t stand head and shoulders above these two in terms of performance, it represents a genuinely viable third option with a ride quality that, in my opinion, is equal to both. However, the lighter, cheaper RockShox SID still remains the obvious choice in this category. 

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Axon LO RC DS 15QLC

• Regular price $ 449.95

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We will notify you when this product becomes available.

A multiple World Champion platform,  the Axon is an XC racer's dream come true. The Axon was designed with the simple philosophy of being light, fast and reliable to endure an intense race season. 

• 80-100-120mm travel settings 
• Ships 120mm
• LO RC Cartridge
• Adjustable air volume spacer w/preload adjust
• Forged crown
• Aluminum steering column
• Tapered steering tube available
• 1-1/8" steering tube available
• 32mm A7050 gold anodized stanchion
• 15mm Q-LOC2 through axle / Disc only design
• 15x100mm axle
• 58mm tire clearance 
• Lower legs - magnesium monocoque through axle design
• Note: 15mm QLOC2 included 
• Weight 1624g

Customer Reviews

E-Bike Highlights

Suspension Forks

• SR Suntour AXON-WERX34 2019

Reviews / Forks

At a Glance

XC has become more demanding both technically and physically and races are no longer won solely on the climbs and technical descending is becoming more prevalent. Suntour has risen to this challenge of creating the ultimate XC fork with the Axon Werx 34. Offering 34mm stanchions in a super lightweight package, and with it, the Axon aims to not compromise on weight, stiffness or performance.

The Axon range has been Suntours XC fork for some time and the Axon Werx 34 sees this fork bumped up to larger stanchions in response to more demanding tracks. The Werx model is their top-end fork and is available in 100/110/120mm options in both wheel sizes. Most notably it features a Carbon hollow crown and steerer, which keeps the weight down and is a real statement that this is a high-end fork.

Internally the Axon Werx uses their EQ (Equalizer) system to make sure positive and negative air are perfectly matched. In the damper leg, Suntour uses their PCS (Piston Compensator System) and on this Werx model, it gets the RL RC-PCS version which features low-speed compression adjust, rebound adjust and a remote lockout.

The Axon Werx 34

As with all Suntour forks, they have a Quick Service Product (QSP) which means the fork can be stripped and rebuilt without the need for proprietary tools. The axle is boost and uses their Q-loc 2 system as a quick release to make wheel swaps as quick as possible and there is an integrated detachable fender.

On the scales, the fork weighs 1.650kg with an uncut steerer but then requires an expander plug rather than a star nut which adds 35g and if the remote is used it's another 55g. It's a highly competitive weight and sneaks under Fox 34 StepCasts by about 85g (uncut steerers).

Pricing is €1199,00 which is a premium price but a cheaper version is to follow in the form of the AXON34 ELITE with an alloy crown and steerer for €739,00.

Carbon steerer and crown for maximum weight saving

On the trail.

Installation is simple aside from needing to cut the carbon steerer, which requires a special saw blade to cut. After this, an expander plug is used to tightened things up but the one that came with the fork failed to reliably tighten the fork. I prefer a two-stage plug, which tightens in the tube first then is screwed into the steerer and then tightened to pull it all together. With the new plug installed there were no issues at all.

The QSP system allows for very easy servicing and when I needed to take the damper out for inspection it was exceptionally easy to do with just a couple of standard tools.

As a unit it looks and feels high quality, the matt finished lowers and black stanchions are a strong look and all the dials and adjustments are solid and feel robust. The carbon crown and steerer obviously keep the weight down and it looks like this has allowed the lowers to remain chunky and confidence-inspiring. The cable guide is a zip tie which seems at odds with the bling factor of the carbon, but you can't fault a zip tie for being light and strong.

Suntour's own quick release axle

Once installed, getting the fork dialled in was simple enough although there are no pressures printed on the fork. Simply setting the sag gave a good result and with a bar mount lockout, I went for a plush set up knowing I could lockout whenever needed. The lockout switch is a lovely piece of kit, which is left-hand specific and nestled neatly within my XTR brake and Fox transfer dropper. It's low profile and has two buttons, one for the lock, which uses a thumb and then a light-action side button activated by the side of one's index finger.

The lockout is firm but not wrist breakingly so, meaning there is still movement in the system when you are stomping out of the saddle. The Axon didn't show much eagerness to use it's initial travel, especially when climbing so the lockout was used to good effect. Once rider inputs get bigger or the trail turns rougher it livened up and moved into its mid-travel. It's certainly not very soft off the top but once the initial travel was overcome, the fork was smooth and active and responded well once trail speeds increased.

The general theme for the Axon was that once up to speed it delivered a smooth and composed ride and even under big hits it would never blow through the last of its travel. This meant that the Axon responded best when pushed hard which worked well with its 34mm stanchions and well built lowers. The first 25 percent of travel may not be super supple but the rest of the travel is exactly what you need from a fork like this. Happy to absorb the hits while remembering that there is only 120mm and not to use up too much too soon. Linking fast corners and compressions the Axon kept a good bar height and remained stable throughout whilst tracking straight and true.

160mm rotor as standard

Under hard braking, the Axon had some flex but no vibrations or juddering and further affirmed that the Axon is a strong and stiff chassis. At high speeds, the Axon gave plenty of confidence with it's tracking and allowed trails to be attacked with speed but again that initial stroke wasn't supple enough to iron out the small scale high-speed chatter on the trail.

The stiffness of the Axon and the confidence it gives is what won me over. The stiff and precise fork tracked exceptionally well through rough terrain and they held their line with admirable perseverance. Even though they are in essence a carbon XC fork there is no doubt that they can be pushed hard on a race track or further afield.

It seems strange to describe an XC fork as something that needs to be pushed hard, but the 'point and shoot' nature of the Axon does need a dose of hard riding. Merely grinding fire roads or slowly navigating technical terrain will not bring out the best in the fork. When things get chunky and you need to hold a rough, off-camber line and not lose any speed, the Axon is there to keep the front end tracking.

Remote lockout

Whether the Axon opens up the potential for more aggressive XC riding or is simply used to level-up the potential of an XC bike for trail riding it's clear that the compromise of weight and strength has become less of an issue. A shout out has to go to the fender, which helped in the more moist aspects of testing and fits cleanly onto the fork arch and is clearly the best way to attach any mudguard to a fork.

With a hefty price tag, the Axon Werx 34 is a premium piece of kit but that is the compromise when combining something as hard-hitting as this with such a low weight. Comparisons have to be drawn to the Fox 34 Step Cast, and it's safe to say these are a worthy alternative and well worth investigating.

A lightweight and stiff package, which can push through some impressively gnarly terrain, the Axon Werx 34 is certainly punching above its weight. The travel is supple once pushed hard but lacks a little sensitivity in its initial stroke, despite this the Axon is a seriously high calibre addition to the new wave of hard-hitting short travel forks.

Good tyre clearance and a sweet mudguard

Ready for action, the axon is a hard hitter, smooth lines on the lowers, close up of the quick release lever, lockout lever fits snuggly on the bars.

This review was in Issue 60 of IMB.

SR Suntour Durolux36 R2C2 PCS Boost EQ

Mrp ribbon sl, fox racing shox step cast 34 factory, x-fusion trace 36 hlr, motion ride e-18 linkage forks, rockshox lyrik rc2, sr suntour durolux, sr suntour durolux tad 180mm, rockshox sid ultimate, fox racing shox 36 factory grip2, marzocchi bomber z1, formula selva.

By Ewen Turner Ewen Turner is a self-confessed bike geek from Kendal in the Lake District of England. He runs a coaching and guiding business up there and has a plethora of knowledge about bikes with an analytical approach to testing. His passion for bicycles is infectious, and he’s a ripper on the trails who prefers to fit his working life around his time on the bike.

Tried this? What did you think?

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SR Suntour Epixon 2018

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Hello everybody! My first post here, nice to meet you all. I want to upgrade my Suntour forks with something better (and lighter), without having a lot of budget for that. So, the sensible decision seems to be the SR Suntour Epixon. I did a lot of research online, there's not much info about this fork - that's why I'm addressing my questions here. First, a bit of context: My bike has a Suntour XCM fork, 120mm travel, 27,5 wheel, 9mm QR, straight 1-1/8 steerer. My son's bike has a SuntourXCR fork, 80mm travel, 27,5 wheel, 9 mmQR, straight 1-1/8 steerer. For both of them I want to use the Epixon 9 LO R (2018 model) - which has all the compatible parameters. I intend to buy it from Aliexpress (and have it delivered to Romania, where I'm from). Now, questions: - the NorthAmerica website has the fork in 100 and 120 mm travel - but you cannot chose one of the two when buying. - the Aliexpress seller has the fork in 100, 120 and 140 and you can chose the travel value when buying. Question 1. Am I correct in inferring that it is in fact a single fork, which can be adjusted to any of the three values, and maybe even more than three? Remember, my son's fork is set to 80mm and I don't want to alter the bike's geometry for the moment - it fits him very well - can I set it to 80 mm? And as he grows, maybe move it to 90 or 100? Question2. How is the travel adjustment done on the Epixon 2018 model? On the one hand, in older videos of Epixon and Epicon, on youtube, the length of the travel is set via a pin that is moved in different holes. On the other hand, on the USA Suntour site there are some air fork travel spacers (Part #FEG244 compatible with 2015 and current Epixon, Axon, Auron, Aion, - see here: https://www.srsuntour.com/products/air-fork-travel-spacer?variant=27528570883 ) which would suggest that a new method is used for adjusting travel - with plastic spacers (a method that seems more common with RockShox and Fox forks). So, how is the adjusment of the travel done in the Epixon 2018 fork? Also, what are the values between which I can choose? 3. I want to buy some spares and maintenance stuff for these forks. Besides the special pump and the grease, do I need to buy any hydraulic liquid - lubricant - oil or smth else for the Epixon 2018? What else would you suggest to have as a spare (caps, compression dials, bushings etc...) The point is that the Romanian Suntour dealer is doing a lousy job, I couldn't hope to find spares in Romania, but somebody can bring them to me from USA, on a special occasion, and the SR Suntour North America site seems pretty good. Thank you for the patience to have red through this point. Any piece of info / advice, even maybe indirectly related to my questions will be appreciated.  

Also, a 4th question: What do I risk if I buy from Aliexpress, rather than from the US site? Link Aliexpress (guy seems very knowledgeable, good English, 1 year warranty and CD comming with the fork. The authenticity of the fork can be verified with the QR code). https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201...9.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.265.Dext01 Link US SrSuntour: https://www.srsuntour.com/collections/xc-marathon-forks/products/epixon-9-lo-r?variant=29038021251 I'm interested in the manual lock, not the remove version.  

For travel adjustment, more than likely there are spacers inside that allow for the travel change, however there may be specific models that go up to 140.. I have never personally seen that the Epixon goes to 140 though as it is a more XC oriented fork and not a trail fork. Secondly, talk with SRSuntour as they have a trade-in program where you can get their forks for cheap especially when upgrading from one of their previous forks to their newer ones. Aliexpress i known for selling knockoffs and "2nds" (ones that have blemishes or didnt pass some sort of inspection) as true items so be very careful purchasing there. Lastly, SR North America (and I think worldwide) has a demo program where you can demo one of their forks and then money for the demo goes towards your purchase. The LO R version stands for LOCKOUT and Rebound only, so it is a VERY BASIC bottom level fork. At minimum I would say go for the LO RC version for yourself so you have some compression dampening adjustment in there (usually only High Speed Compression). For spare parts I would assume you wont need much, look at the videos that they have on their website and you should see everything needed, if you are absolutely looking to purchase something parts-wise then I would go with a rebuild kit that will have all the necessary seals and orings so that you can rebuild when needed.  

gregnash said: Secondly, talk with SRSuntour as they have a trade-in program where you can get their forks for cheap especially when upgrading from one of their previous forks to their newer ones. Aliexpress i known for selling knockoffs and "2nds" (ones that have blemishes or didnt pass some sort of inspection) as true items so be very careful purchasing there. Click to expand...

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The trains and stations of the Moscow Metro

2 Comments · Posted by Alex Smirnov in Cities , Travel , Video

The Moscow Metro is the third most intensive subway system in the world after Tokyo and Seoul subways. The first line was opened on May 15, 1935. Since 1955, the metro has the name of V.I. Lenin.

The system consists of 12 lines with a total length of 305.7 km. Forty four stations are recognized cultural heritage. The largest passenger traffic is in rush hours from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00.

Cellular communication is available on most of the stations of the Moscow Metro. In March 2012, a free Wi-Fi appeared in the Circle Line train. The Moscow Metro is open to passengers from 5:20 to 01:00. The average interval between trains is 2.5 minutes.

The fare is paid by using contactless tickets and contactless smart cards, the passes to the stations are controlled by automatic turnstiles. Ticket offices and ticket vending machines can be found in station vestibules.

Tags:  Moscow city

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Tomás · August 27, 2012 at 11:34 pm

The Moscow metro stations are the best That I know, cars do not.

Alberto Calvo · September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Great videos! Moscow Metro is just spectacular. I actually visited Moscow myself quite recently and wrote a post about my top 7 stations, please check it out and let me know what you think! :)

http://www.arwtravels.com/blog/moscow-metro-top-7-stations-you-cant-miss

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

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Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission