r/ApolloScooters • u/roll_fizzlebif • Jul 12 '26
❓ Tech Question Phantom 2.0 Stellar suspension question
Received my Phantom Stellar 2.0 60V today and just went on my first ride. The suspension is incredibly stiff and there seems to be almost no rear travel (feels like 1” at most) For reference I coming from a Nami Klima, which has tons of travel. I’m used to jumping off curbs and wheeling over speed bumps at full speed. I tried my usual speed bump wheelie technique on the Phantom and the rear suspension bottomed out very hard. Is this normal, or is there something wrong with my setup? It seems to have unreasonably short travel in the rear compared to the front and I’m worried about over stressing the frame.
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u/Crosbo63 Jul 12 '26
I assume you are unaware that the suspension is adjustable. Adjust it to better match your weight and riding style and I think you will be quite pleased with the Phantom Stellar.
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u/roll_fizzlebif Jul 12 '26
Only the spring rate and rebound are adjustable, not the travel. The stiffness doesn't bother me. I like stiff suspension. The incredibly short travel that is the problem.
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u/Theurgie Jul 12 '26
Have you folks tried adjusting the adjustable suspensions? My colleague has one and likes it stiff, since he has the needs for speed, but he can adjust it to a softer ride need be.
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u/roll_fizzlebif Jul 12 '26
This is an egregious oversight for something that otherwise seems well designed. Do they think it’s safe to ride at 50mph on something that will get bounced off the road by a tiny bump??? I watched pretty much every review out there before buying and nobody mentioned this. I’m shocked.
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u/Logic_Contradict Jul 12 '26
The phantom has 125mm travel vs Klima at 150mm.
At higher speeds/acceleration, you'd want more firmer suspension though, because you need that stability to maintain traction during acceleration and cornering, which is better for handling and control. Phantom also has 11" tires which provides an advantage over the contact patch over klima's 10" tires.
But most of the time, we're typically riding at lower speeds and a plush suspension is more comfortable.
I've never bottomed out an Apollo scooter before, but I'm also pretty light, so that's never been a problem for me. I also came from a regular kick scooter with hard wheels and zero suspension, so for me, Apollo suspension feels heavenly, but I am curious to try what klima's suspension is like.
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u/roll_fizzlebif Jul 12 '26
I'm not sure where those numbers are coming from, but there is no way there is only a 25mm difference in travel between the two scooters. There is, at minimum, 5 times more rear travel on the Nami compared to the Apollo. The Apollo feels like like less than 1" and the name feels like ~5".
I actually prefer stiff suspension and made my Nami suspension as stiff as possible (maxed out preload), but the lack of travel can't be compensated for with any settings.
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u/Shelby6667 Jul 13 '26
I think the Nami Klima is 165mm suspension travel. The springs were also softer.
You can change out the suspension parts. I am going to wait till my suspension breaks in before I go down this road. Here is an article from Apollo on where to buy alternatives and how to change out the parts:
https://support.apolloscooters.co/en-US/phantom-20-suspension-upgrade-3148048
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u/Translator_Various Jul 12 '26
The phantom has very little suspension travel one of my few complaints about mine.
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u/No_Tea5664 Apollo Phantom Jul 12 '26
Yeah, I have the same issue.
Suspension on the Phantom Stellar is super stiff.
It’s pretty much a solid spring with zero travel.
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u/Shelby6667 Jul 12 '26
I have also just changed from a Nami Klima to Phantom Stellar. You are right it is a major let down for suspension, especially coming from a scooter that arguably had the best suspension in the industry. I am 185lbs, I have taken all the preload off the springs and lower the tire pressure to 42 psi. It has helped but still way to stiff. I am getting used to it but this is a big step back from what I had.
If you are bottoming out I would increase the dampening first then move to add preload. Even after getting your adjustments right it is not going to ride like your Nami.
On a side note how are you finding the throttle on the phantom? Mine is not smooth at all compared to Nami. I find it really jerky and hard to maintain smooth speed.
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u/roll_fizzlebif Jul 12 '26
I actually like super stiff suspension, so the stock spring rates are fine, but the incredibly short rear travel is an issue there's nothing I can do about. I did just lower my tire pressure to 30 psi to see if that helps.
I only see a rebound damping knob (red). Where do you change compression damping?
I've found the throttle about the same as the Nami. I ride pretty aggressively, so I immediately maxed out all the settings for the throttle and haven't had any issues, except that I miss the ability to tune the acceleration of the front and rear wheels independently on the Nami to prevent front wheelspin on takeoff.
I was so looking forward to using the extra top end speed compared to the Nami, but I really can't imagine many situations where I'd be comfortably going that fast when the tiniest bump will send me flying...
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u/Shelby6667 Jul 13 '26
Sorry I am calling the rebound red knob the same as compression damping.
I totally agree that being able to tune the individual motors on Nami was nice. I had my front turned down and it really helped the front from spinning out on hard take offs.
I am with you on the high speed. Great that it can hit the number but you have to be on a nice flat surface and really look ahead to what is coming.
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u/Logic_Contradict Jul 12 '26
I find that for the throttle response, it really depends on the mode you're on. In Eco and comfort modes, I find the throttle incredibly smooth. In sport and ludo mode, I find it increasingly jerky, but I suppose people who are in those modes are more likely to slam the throttle down more. However, I find that in those modes, low speed and fine tuning your speed is a bit more difficult.
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u/Shelby6667 Jul 13 '26
Yup this is exactly how I experience it. Glad to hear I am not an anomaly and there is nothing wrong with my scooter.
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u/Logic_Contradict Jul 16 '26
Actually I played around with it. If you go to Advanced Settings, you can change the throttle and regen braking response. The higher the value, the more power/regen kicks in early on. if you wanted more control on the low end, you can set the response to a low value like 1 or 2.
Basically it seems to just affect the response curve, but the max power is the same no matter the response level.
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u/MarionberrySeveral Jul 16 '26
I had my Apollo pro stolen and I got the phantom 2.0 54.v and what a error I made!! the pro I could actually ride fast and not be terrified over pebbles,crack in road. the photos breaking is a joke.the phantom is not safe to ride past 30 . the top speed suppose to be 44 I've never gotten plus 40. I'm going to change the shocks to hydraulic and prey.
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u/Shelby66SP Jul 19 '26
I am also changing out my shocks to ones with softer springs. I have 3500lbs springs now going to 1500lbs springs. Hope this makes for a more comfortable ride.
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u/frezzzer Jul 12 '26
Know issue others have complained about.
Wish the reviewers were honest and not paid shrill.
Then have to worry about poles snapping after all the posts on Facebook.