Revel HLR Details• Intended use: all-mountain/enduro
• Travel: 140 - 160mm (650B), 120 - 140mm (29'')
• X-Fusion's HLR damper
• Adjustments: high/low speed, independently adjustable compression and rebound
• Spring: 'Dual-Spring Air System'
• 34mm stanchion tubes
• Tapered steerer tube
• 20mm 'LockX' thru-axle
• Carbon stanchion guards
• Lifetime service program
• 200 Revels to be produced
• Weight: 4.5LB (
claimed)
• MSRP: $1,776 USD
X-Fusion shook up the establishment, as well as reader's expectations, when they released information and photos of their new inverted Revel HLR fork
here on Pinkbike last week, and now we were able to see, hold, and tinker with the ultra-exclusive fork at Interbike. Why would we refer to the Revel as being ultra-exclusive? Because X-Fusion plans to offer just two hundred of them - all assembled by hand in their Santa Cruz facility - and because they will retail for a staggering $1,776 USD. Yes, you read that correctly - the Revel will carry an MSRP that might have you wondering if its gold anodizing is actually real gold. While the fork's price will surely put many off, it should be pointed out that there are many high-end downhill forks that retail for similar prices, and that the Revel's
extremely limited numbers play a big factor in its asking price. X-Fusion could, of course, lower the fork's cost by assembling it in Taiwan like nearly every other option on the market, thereby allowing them to manufacture much high quantities and lower the fork's price. That strategy isn't in the cards, though, with X-Fusion aiming to produce a no-holds-barred fork that has no peers and isn't stymied by trying to hit an OE price point. Those limited production numbers also let them offer Revel owners free lifetime labour service on the fork, with only replacement parts being billed.
Carbon fiber guards (a rapid prototype plastic version is pictured here) will protect the Revel's stanchion tubes, and a clean hose guide will come stock from X-Fusion.
Torsional Rigidity via KeywaysThere have been quite a few inverted downhill forks throughout the years, but just a few single crown variations during that same time. The problem boils down to torsional rigidity, or rather the lack of it, that can be sourced to the absence of a fork arch that would connect the two sides. So, how did X-Fusion get around this? ''
The secret to the whole USD system comes down to our patented Gold-E-Lock system,'' X-Fusion's John Hauer explains. ''
Trilateral keyways located along each side of the stanchion and upper tubes restricts any twisting and gives you the most stout and consistent stroke over every impact.'' This is in line with our speculation when we
first spotted an early prototype version of the fork at last year's Eurobike tradeshow, but Hauer has now been able to spill the beans on how the system functions.
| The Revel, with its 34mm stanchion tubes, is far more stout than any 35mm or 36mm chassis on the market. - John Hauer, marketing manager |
The patented Gold-E-Lock design consists of three keyways machined into the inner wall of the fork's upper tubes, as well as into the fork's stanchion tubes. Riding in each of those keyways is a single stainless steel barrel that is free to travel up and down within their slots, with three barrels employed in each fork leg. The keyways machined into the stanchion tubes are also slightly oversized to allow the barrels to "float" and prevent binding, but there is zero free play in the legs when both sides are tied together with a hub between them. The layout is similar to what is employed within some telescoping seatposts, although it sounds much more robust and uses stainless steel as opposed to the softer brass keys found in the posts. How does it feel? We slid the fork's 20mm 'LockX' thru-axle out and compressed each leg separately - it was incredibly supple and smooth, although proper trail time is the only thing that can provide real testing feedback, something we'll be able to do within the next few months once we receive our Revel HLR review fork.
The main air spring is adjusted at the top of the right leg, while a secondary valve at the bottom of the same leg controls ramp-up during the last 30% of the fork's stroke.
Separate Bottom Out Spring ControlThere is more to the Revel HLR than just its clever keyway layout, with X-Fusion's 'Dual-Spring Air System' allowing for some serious spring tuning potential. An air valve atop the right fork leg allows owners to adjust the Revel's air spring rate, but a secondary valve at the bottom of the same leg also gives them better control over the last 30% of the fork's travel. Want more bottom out resistance? Simply add more pressure, and vice versa. Internally, the air spring chamber features an IFP (
internal floating piston) that divides the chamber into two sections, with the upper acting as the main air spring and the lower controlling the last 30%.
Their great HLR damper has been dropped inside.
HLR Damper InsideAs you might expect, X-Fusion's twin-tube HLR damper is tucked in the left fork leg. We've said it before and we'll say it again: we've been very impressed with the HLR damper anytime that we've put time on it, with a level of control over the compression stroke that, until very recently, wasn't common to see from most of X-Fusion's competition. It's for this reason that we're happy to hear that the damper is exactly the same, with no changes from their proven design.
X-Fusion has gone with a 20mm axle for the Revel, a move that will likely make a lot of riders happy.
20mm Thru-AxleWhile 15mm fork axles are here to stay, at least for the foreseeable future, there is still an uproar from consumers every time a new mid-travel trail or all-mountain fork is released, with it being quite clear that 20mm is still the preference by and large for most people out there. Many will be happy to see that X-Fusion made the call to go with the larger axle on their new 160mm travel fork, a move that allows true downhill hubs to be used. Their reasoning boils down to rigidity, and the new LockX thru-axle features four small wedges that expand out into the fork's axle clamp as the lever is shut. The opposite leg is home to the Revel's bolt-on brake adapter, with X-Fusion planning to offer mounts for 180mm and 200mm rotors, both in matching anodized gold.
www.xfusionshox.com
With that solved, I dare to say, this fork is perfect.
Lyrik, 36....20mm already....where have you been?
It's nice to see a suspension company actually listening to what the riders want. None of that qr15 bullshit.
so this fork is manufactured in the same exact place as the pike that you are talking about. on the same machines. by the same people. then all the parts are flown to the US and assembled by factory workers in california.
Not a big fan of having to get all my SRAM stuff warrantied on a regular basis.
Higher tolerances result in higher quality, lower stiction, less maintanance, ligher parts (plus a massive price increase).
cheers mate
I was seriously thinking of buying this fork, I would pay a bit more if it was US made, but for that price they can shove it up their ass, I'll buy a German made Magura for less than half the price.
Your idea of "no support": I've contacted them through several bike shops, as well as messaging reps here on Pinkbike. I have received timely responses each time and their advice has helped me every time.
Your idea of "Inflated pricing": Right, because we've all seen competing Fox and RockShox products get a lower MSRP.
Your idea of "Service Centers have no clue": Each shop I've been to that's been a certified center for Fox, Rockshox or Marzocchi has agreed that XF products are generally easier to service.
Suntour made shock or fork: Have you tried any of Suntour's higher end products? Make that comment when you legitimately have trail tested their stuff.
X-Fusion has established themselves as a competitive name in suspension components, and your whining isn't going to make them go away.
DVO is engineered in the US and made by Suntour. (seen several refferences on here about waiting for DVO's product.)
Little known fact: Suntour is the largest manufacturer of bicycle forks in the world. It just so happens that they make everything from the $25 fork on your dept store bike to the $2000 DVO Emerald.
Just built up a Knolly Podium team bike for a friend, it has the Suntour RUX dh fork on it...have been able to compare it side by side with a Boxxer, dorado and 888 (all newer forks) and it feels incredible, would gladly run a RUX any day.
I know this post is old...but anyway
Haha... I was trolling trying to find info on the fork in this article and came across this thread...I try to resist posting anything, but sometimes I just have to say something.....
Would rather a black or white Revel, but knowing the performance over the rest and having an inverted fork sign me up. I"ll pre order for lifetime services and support and no doubt exceptional performance, 20mm axle, the HLR damper is awesome and easy to tune.
cmon for 1776, you should atleast give the people some nice 3m, or atleast laser etch it on there.
Otherwise great, it looks like a sick fork. I love the gold. It looks factory moto all the way.
- John Hauer, Bullshit Connoisseur
I thought not....
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Carbon Enve's or Revel? Screw it I will just buy me and my son new KTM's.
I am really skeptical on the use of non bushed keyways within the fork, if they are using the thickness of the aluminum stanchions sliding on a stainless steel keyway I would expect that to wear quickly. It would be nice to see that, really this article doesn't cover much more than the last one on this fork.
The Super Monster T is extremely rare and niche and fetches prices upwards of $3000.00 for ones still in the box.
If it came out today for $800.00, people would think Marzocchi is insane and that they wouldn't sell a single one.
But much like this X-fusion fork, it is different, it is cool, it is awesome looking and people will probabaly be lining up to buy it.
If you want to make a bunch of money, start manufacturing Super Monster T copies. I would but nobody will give me the venture capital.
That's like asking: what is Ferrari thinking !? putting a price like that on car.. 95% of drivers can't afford it.
Or why Volkswagen, the producer of some of the most reasonable cars also makes 7 f*cking million $ Bugatti Veyron and still doesn't even make a profit of it, in fact loosing huge amount of money with this project.
hints: Future technology, Innovation, Showcase, Advertisement, Wall papers, fans - future customers...
If you want to know what tech. is gonna available be in your family hatchback in 10 years check out current S-class Mercedes. Now apply this to MTB or any industry
Kudos to x-fusion for having the guts to break the stream of sheeps all going the same way and bringing this jewel out. Yeah is golden, yeah is expensive. But if you have what it takes to wear pink and not look gay and the money ( not my case, unfortunately, pun intended) and invest it here, you are welcome in my opinion and I'm sure other's opinions will be irrelevant to this fork owners, this is a great job in the right direction!
1. I want to see a video of Brian Lopes testing this at Whistler, Northstar, etc...
2. As weird as this sounds , I think the fork will actually sell for more than its msrp. Due to its extremely low volume production, built in the USA and its extra special service agreement. Demand will exceed supply.
That would barely pay for a couple engineer years of development at most, for a cheap engineer. And then you need to manufacture it. And sell it.
Why are they doing this at a loss?
Even reusing bits and pieces - at 300k you can not design and develop much. Pretty sure they are doing this at a loss.
Unless they plan to use the first 200 of units assembled in US as a test run, debug issues with first sucke... err.. customers, and then move to a full scale production (in non-bling limited edition colors) at their Taiwanese contractor.
At least it will go with my iphone. teamcoco.com/video/conan-highlight-gold-iphone
news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57602555-71/gold-iphone-5s-was-designed-in-miami-says-conan-obrien
(HLR- H.igh speed compression, L.ow speed compression, R.ebound adjust)
bit.ly/18vuc6F
It's in gold or.... ?
X Fusion Revel HLR: coming soon to a factory sponsored rider near you!
American made or not. $1800 is stupid for a SC AM fork. Its all CNC anyways. Not like its hand made.
@b45, not sure where you buy from, but go somewhere else. ive never herd of a 34 being that high. maybe the new air 40. but good god.
here you go
www.tweekscycles.com/components/suspension-forks/fox-racing-shox-34-float-26-160-ctd-adj-fit-suspension-forks-black-1-5-tapered-15qr
convert that back to US$
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