the LUTU air fork is actually pretty decent. I bought one about 4yrs ago and used it for a good 2 1/2 yrs before switching it out with a RS Recon RL which recently got switched out to a RS Domain RS. One thing that did give me a problem on Lutu fork was the brake caliber post mounts. On the first fork I got one of the post mounts was not cut flush (it was a bit rounded) so no matter what i did I couldn't get my brake caliper to sit right. I ended up returning the fork to Amazon and getting a replacement. On the second fork both post mount threads ended up getting stripped out towards the top of the hole, no matter how tight I went with the bolts it would just spin. This is most likely my fault for over tightening the bolts but then again it seems like the aluminum used for the lowers is too soft. I haven't had that problem on my RS Recon or my RS Domain. One other issue I had is it seemed like the lower legs of the fork overtime have bent in, it is really hard to get a wheel onto the fork even with the QR axle removed. I stopped using the LUTU fork a while ago and was only using it for my beater winter bike but now that i got the RS Domain fork I think I'll be using the RS Recon on my winter bike and getting rid of the LUTU fork.
sorry to comment multiple times but one thing I noticed when you installed the new stem and bars is you need to cut your steerer tube shorter or add a 3mm spacer underneath the stem. The preload/steerer bolt isn't pulling on anything, it's supposed be to resting on either the top of your stem or the top of a spacer and as you tighten the bolt it should pull everything together in front.
I did the same for my 2021 Giant Talon 3. I got the bike brand new at 500 dollars pandemic price then upgraded pretty much 95% of the components to costing me 1,200 dollars. Looking at Polygon full suspension now at 1,299 man I wish I could turn back time instead of spending 1,700 dollars on a hard tail but this is my dream bike and I love every inch of it.
