Video: Testing Fox's Prototype Electronic Suspension with Jesse Melamed

Aug 7, 2022
by Mike Levy  


Back in July, we spotted what appeared to be a prototype electronically controlled Fox shock on the back of Ed Masters' Pivot Firebird, as well as what looked like a wireless sensor bolted to his bike's rear brake mount. Fox didn't say much at the time beyond admitting that it's part of their RAD (Racing Application Development) program, but they did reach out a few weeks later to let us know that EWS winner Jesse Melamed would be doing some preliminary testing of this very set-up in Squamish. Not only that, but myself and Matt Beer could tag along to watch Jesse try the electronic air-sprung shock for the first time.

While Fox let us film the test session and ask too many questions, they stressed that the new suspension is still in the development phase and that they wouldn't be able to tell us everything we wanted to know. In fact, it doesn't even have a name yet.


Fox suspension. Photo by Stefan Licko
Jesse had been racing on a coil-sprung shock all season, and this was his first time testing the new electronic suspension.


So, what'd we learn?

Rear-suspension only: The first thing to point out is that, unlike Live Valve, this new system is entirely focused on shock performance alone and doesn't incorporate the front suspension at all. That means that riders will be able to pair the shock with any fork they like, including those from other brands. I'd argue that makes a lot of sense for enduro racers who essentially never want their fork firmed up, but also from a consumer and sales point of view; purchasing a new shock is much less daunting than having to buy and install a fork, shock, and a whole bunch of wires that may or may not play nice with whatever bike you own.

Wireless sensors: Speaking of wires, that's another dissimilarity between this system and Live Valve. The two sensors that tell the shock's brain what the wheels are doing, each bolted to the front and rear brake mounts, are wireless and powered by common CR2032 batteries, while the shock itself runs on a removable and rechargeable proprietary battery.


Fox suspension. Photo by Stefan Licko
Wireless sensors bolt to the front and rear brake mounts.
Fox suspension. Photo by Stefan Licko


Manual remote control: More interesting than batteries, however, is the handlebar-mounted remote that Jesse was using to control the shock. This let him manually cycle between shock modes without taking a hand off his grip, something that was never possible with Live Valve and also a feature that might give some riders piece of mind.

After filming this video, Jesse used the new shock at this weekend's Whistler EWS (he won the Pro Stage) where it was spotted by a photographer and posted on the homepage yesterday. Not a bad debut, especially considering Jesse had been racing exclusively on a coil-sprung shock prior to the testing that we joined him for.

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Member since Oct 18, 2005
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176 Comments
  • 77 7
 Rock Shox has Flight Attendant and Fox introduces the Suspension Nanny! I can tell we’re a few months away from a $20K mountain bike. We already have $5K carbon frames!
  • 19 2
 It's quite easy to build a racebike for over €25.000. So with all the suspension stuff it must be very easy to build a mtb for over €25.000. Just pick the right parts. THM Clavicula cranks, Tune parts, Extralight parts, Schmolke parts, Some handmade frame or an Unno and you'll be there before you know it.
  • 9 2
 @RidleyRijder: indeed, this has already been possible for quite some time. What's new, is that it becomes ever more likely that stock bikes will reach these price levels.
  • 5 3
 @Mac1987: You're right, and it's a bit sickening.
  • 98 22
 I’m not worried about how much money someone else could theoretically spend on a bike. I am more focused on the performance I get out of bikes in my own budget.
  • 16 2
 @RidleyRijder: why? You don’t have to buy it and pretty much any hobby can be done as cheaply or expensive as you’d like
  • 5 2
 Just saw the new s works levo 20k Canadian
  • 14 6
 @brianpark: this is a solid comment and makes sense
  • 20 4
 @brianpark: get ready to eat those words dude
  • 3 8
flag jrocksdh (Aug 7, 2022 at 18:32) (Below Threshold)
 Until everything comes crashing down during upcoming reset.
  • 26 6
 @mknott9: and @brianpark: You're right, I don't have to buy it, but when 10 years ago the top model was 5-8k, that same model with the same parts is now 15-20k. If I wanted to buy a bike that was around the 2-3k mark 10 years ago, I would have gotten a good bike with full XT, fox suspension and decent wheels, or a fancy carbon frame with good basic parts. If I was to buy a bike with the same budget today, I would get deore at best with very basic suspension, basic wheels and a basic frame. This creates a performance drop for the money one can spend. Only the corporations benefit from this kind of prices. No one else.
  • 24 2
 @brianpark: says the dude rocking trickstuff and eewings
  • 27 2
 @RidleyRijder: Except a $4k USD bike in 2022 performs better in every aspect than a $8k USD bike in 2010, that's without adjusting for inflation or COVID-price impacts. Quite literally a Polygon Sisku T8 would perform better than say an S-Works Stumpjumper/Enduro from 2012.

You don't need the top model aka the bikes the EWS pros are racing on. The higher price of top end models isn't indicative of all bikes being "overpriced". It's indicative that the appetite for superbikes has increased.
  • 3 1
 @jrocksdh: the bike industry has been shooting rats in a barrel for the past 2.5 years. Time to get back to the good old days. The owner of my LBS has been knocking me 10-15% off a lot of the time even when they didn't need to and he was stacked out with work. I will still be handing him my money if the economy goes south further. Remember, a recession lasts between 12-18 months and by the time they call it, we are already 6 months in, so potentially half way their.
  • 1 0
 @RidleyRijder: We've theoreticaly built one for almost $23k in 2016, don't even want to know how much that would cost now... Linko to vital's forum
  • 6 2
 @lennskii: not for long when it comes with f.ex. RS 35 with glued in bushings vs the solid Pike RC of ~2014

or SRAM NX or SX which stop working within minutes to days of proper riding.

Or these new cheap droppers with cartridges without valves and without spare parts available.
  • 8 0
 @brianpark: the problem is not the existance of 25k mtbs. "the problem" is that, until 2-3 years ago, you could have brought for yourself a porsche gt3 of mtbs with no more than 6-7k. Now, for the same money, you get middle range at the most or entry lvl, if we talk Santa Cruz.

For some, including myself, it was nice to know that, even though I cannot afford a porsche, I can have its equivalent in mtb-ing. Now, I can't have that as well.

(and it is not a matter of needing it or not, no... it is a matter of just having/enjoying nice things in your life)
  • 14 3
 @JohSch: that's a bit cheeky, picking the known worse performers for their price point. At the same $, swap out the R35 with a Bomber Z2 and a Deore 12sp for NX/SX and I'd take both over the Pike RC and XX1 1x11 from 2012 (which was revolutionary at the time).

Most top end bikes in 2012 were still coming with 2x10 XTR and woeful Fox Factory CTD forks. Again, Bomber Z2 + Deore 12sp wipes the floor with them.

And droppers? There were no reliable droppers in 2012 (excpet the Gravity Dropper, but it was a pogostick-accodrian hybrid no one wanted to look at). To even own a KS Lev or a Reverb you'd pay 400-500 WITH known reliability issues. You can literally get a OneUp dropper for half that price with more drop and loads more reliability and full parts availability.

Also my comparison with a Sisku T8 vs. A Spesh, which comes with a Fox 34 + DPS + 12sp Shimano SLX + 4 pot brakes. Also a geometry that actually good. A bike that literally costs half of a top end bike in 2012.

People who paint broad complains about bike prices (excpet for Specialized, their bikes are priced ridiculiously) either A) haven't been riding for very long B) forgot how crap stuff used to be or C) have short term memories.
  • 9 1
 @lennskii: I knew this would come. Geometry has nothing to do with cost. This is only marketing. Yes they ride better, but a different geo should cost nothing. Let me put it different, I have a 2018 Cannondale Scalpel I could get trough work that cost €6300 when new. There was a model that was €7300 and one that was €8500; Those were the best 3 bikes cannondale made in 2018. Those same models are now €8800, €10250 and €13000. This is almost €1000 extra per year. For nothing different except for a different head tube angle and some colour. I have tested the new model this year and it does not ride €2500 better than mine.
Shit is going crazy and nobody complains.
  • 2 1
 @RidleyRijder: actually, I think everyone complains but the bike companies make so much money they simply don't care. The mercedes /ferrari sales strategy at work for all of us(increase the price, create artificial shortage to funnel up demand)
  • 3 2
 @lennskii: geometry? Yes. Drive train on 5k bikes with SX/NX crap? I'd disagree. Suspension? With much stiffer forks but rebound and sometimes basic compression adjustment only, it's a bit of a mixed bag.
  • 3 1
 @brianpark: don't believe for one second that, when top end bikes double in prices, the lower end bike prices won't go up as well. Companies always want to persuade you into buying the higher end models. Make the gap too big and the sales of high end models with the biggest profit margins will get hurt. Mid range will follow high end range prices, and low end will follow mid end prices.
  • 2 0
 @mknott9: Not true at all, you now have to move up to a Fox 38 pending certain airpsrings you would you like to run, 36 was cheaper and worked just fine for 95% of the riders out there. Small example but the nickle and diming like this adds up
  • 2 0
 @jrocksdh: agreed, I think there are a number of cycles effecting the price of any good, it just so happens that in the bike industry all those peaks are coexisting at the same time right now. As to whether prices crash or simply fail to continue appreciating at the same rate is debatable IMO.
  • 7 1
 @lennskii: I'm gonna have to disagree. I finally decided it was time to replace my 2009 Intense SS back in 2019. Bought the entry model DeVinci Spartan 29. The Intense had high end parts (Hope brakes, top tier Fox suspension, etc) and it was about a $5000 build new. I love my Spartan, don't get me wrong. But, with the budget spec, I have to admit. the 2009 bike was a better performing machine. And more reliable. Cheap seatposts, brakes, suspension, etc. suck.... So far, the biggest advantage I have found of the Spartan is the 29" wheels just roll over the chunk much better. But, honestly.... If both bikes were brand new, at the same price, I'd take the 2009 Intense.
  • 3 1
 im going to invent the ass pucker sensor it measures anal response and brakes accordingly
  • 2 0
 @lennskii: Agreed. Everything is way better now. Also, "standards" are starting normalize and brands are providing information to figure out if components are compatible with each other.

@Mac1987 Go on PB Buy/Sell, buy a good condition used model year old frame and spec it with decent new parts. Ex: One up Dropper, DT Wheels, Z2 fork and you will have the bike you want for an ok price. It takes work to figure out it out...but for those that love mtb, it's worth it. No need to upgrade or complain about specs. It's your own dang decision. For those that don't care enough, well, they won't notice a few subpar components when they buy a stock bike.
  • 2 2
 @tmwjr777: Any 2009 Intense SS owners our there? This bloke is ready to pay you $4,200 USD (price of a 2022 Deore 12sp Alloy Spartan with a Zeb, RS Coil, 4-Piston Shimano brakes, dropper post) minus few hundy for a service.

First case of COVID tax that's been self-imposed.
  • 1 0
 @RidleyRijder:

Firstly, Part of that is COVID has pushed prices up (amongst other factors like wage increases in Taiwan). You've benefited from cheap labor from the east for so long that holy shit, things are starting to actually cost close to what they're supposed to. So again, you're cheekily comparing prices from years you're cherry picking. Go ahead and compare the prices of bikes from say 2015 and 2019...

And lets give your logic a test ride: I rode a Canyon Neuron in 2018 that was about half the RRP of your €6300 Scalpel (which I've also tested). The Scalpel does not ride 2x a fast or better or descend any trails faster. In fact that bike has more world cup victories than that Scalpel has.

There are people out there riding €6300 Cannondales are crazy and nobody complains?
  • 2 0
 @brianpark: /thread.

This comment ^^^^ wins the internet on 8/7by my reckoning.
  • 3 1
 @lennskii: Look, I can only say what I see. I've been in the industry since 2012(selling and fixing bikes) and prices have only gone up in ridiculous steps. Quality hasn't. Covid has something to do with it, yes, but prices shouldn't stay as high if it were only covid. My pay check hasn't gone up 25% like everything else in the last 2-3 years.

People who are defending these prices are crazy.

And about my C'dale, as I said, I got that bike for free from work and was using it as an example that bikes have gone up stupidly. Try finding the same Crapyon now with the same quality finishing kit. I guarantee it has gained €2000. By the way, I would never buy a €2000 plus bike myself. All my other bikes are below 2K And have great finishing kit. (Ultegra, XT, Some carbon some not). And yes I have 7 bikes but use my bikes daily. All of them. This year I got a €4000+ e-bike from my work, you're gonna complain about that too?

Actually, I shouldn't be explaining this. If you do not believe prices are going batshit crazy, than you have sand in your eyes.
  • 50 1
 The real question is, how necessary is this? This seems like there might be potential but more of a marketing tool for dummies with money. The best customer around.
  • 36 10
 shit's for people who use their bike once every two years but want a nice ornament for their 9 car garage in the vacation home they use once a year. It's not about how it rides, it's about asset value.
  • 10 0
 Nearly as necessary as wireless brakes
  • 30 5
 jesse does not sound convinced that it does anything at all, and he is doing his best to spin that as a positive
  • 13 3
 It will help all you guys that push your 36 pound mountain bike up hill for sure
  • 15 0
 The real question is - if it works so well, why do you need the manual remote control? And if you still need the manual remote control - then you're right - what's the point of the electronic component; just skip that and market the manual remote control feature (probably a heck of a LOT cheaper)?
  • 10 2
 @2wls4ever: says the guy with 2 e-bikes in his buy/sell history,
Let me guess their not yours, you’re just selling them for a friend who doesn’t post here often
  • 3 1
 Necessary? Not at all. If it’s as good as the adjustable suspension on cars and motorcycle: amazing to have if you can afford it.
  • 29 7
 @IF-OBA-WILLS-IT: Whistler is an incredibly important race to Jesse and he wouldn't gamble on suspension here, so if he's running it, he thinks it'll help him win. That said, we've heard all the superlatives before when it comes to electronic suspension, so we'll be curious to get our own hands on it.
  • 8 0
 I would say that arguing about what’s necessary is a silly thing to do when discussing a hobby, which by nature is unnecessary. That being said, this is how sport progresses. Ideas funnel through racing and if they provide a benefit they usually make it one form another to market.
  • 5 2
 @brianpark: I also don’t think he would antagonize his sponsors by saying “this electronic shit is for the birds.”
  • 10 1
 @Cantle406: I cant imagine Fox, not being his title sponsor, has the position to tell him what he’s racing on.

There’s no way Jesse, who’s racing at the very sharp end of the EWS, athis home race, which is at Whistler, during Crankworx, which is also the home of his title sponsor (admittedly, not Whistler, but Vancouver, but close enough) would risk anything at all if he wasn’t 100% sure it was an advantage….

He wants this win
  • 2 0
 For racing, it could be the difference between winning and losing. In the same way that you want a spike tire in one place and a fast roller in another (and DH fans know that tire choice is a huge thing!) you want your damping to be set one way in the rocks and another on the rollers. Pulling back 500 ms in just a few key sections adds up to well more than the fine margin that separated first and second at the last WC DH.

At your local trail? I mean yeah. What are you doing with your money at that point. I run a compromise tune like everyone else.
  • 2 0
 Once I'm done with my steel sub-40 pound ebike, I'm circling back to a remote lockout. All it does is listen to ANT+ and have a horizon sensor. Then you use an app to configure how it works- at preset power meter threshold and a preset gradient it locks out; otherwise it's open. That simple. I can probably get the per unit cost down under $100
  • 3 0
 I think it is an advantage mainly for racing. Racers will get fractional gains in stages and an entire race that will show slightly faster times. In racing, that competitive edge could be the difference in winning or getting on the podium. However, if everyone is racing on something similar, the competitive edge is gone.
  • 1 0
 @luckynugget: or shit for people who go fast
  • 1 0
 yup is it really needed unless you're after those gains for competition. I'd like to see comparison on the trail. The cost would still put me off....
  • 3 3
 Its not NECESSARY, but its cool and its pushing bike technology. There are tons of different changes to bike technology in the last decade that probably aren't NECESSARY....think chain guides or 50 tooth cassettes or 205mm rotors or Kashima etc etc. Will this one take off? Maybe not but they are pushing the boundaries of stuff and that will benefit people in the long run.
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: classic.
  • 28 2
 The O-Rings to hold the brake pads down is absolutely genius.
  • 9 1
 I was about to ask what those were. Seems like a good solution to the dreaded shimano pad rattle. Anyone else tried this? Wondering what size o-rings to get.
  • 6 15
flag baca262 (Aug 7, 2022 at 11:48) (Below Threshold)
 wut? that's gonna melt.
  • 13 0
 @baca262: I mean, you can easily get o-rings that are used in high heat applications.

And based on his speed, there’s lots of opportunity for them to get cooled off
  • 12 1
 @baca262:
You know there are o-rings in engines, right?
  • 4 0
 @aaron-415: if you don't want to hunt for o-rings, try bending the arms of the retaining spring outwards. has always worked for me
  • 6 0
 That's the most innovative, and actually useful, thing in this whole article!
I hate the damn finned pad rattle....

Thanks Fox (or @JesseMelamed )!
  • 3 0
 What will also work to quiet these down is to cut a 5 mm ring out of an old tube and put it over the brake pad just below the fins and I will stop all the rattle. Super easy fix. I’ve done it to multiple Shimano brakes and it doesn’t melt and stops the rattle completely.
  • 1 0
 I saw that and immediately had to try it
  • 2 10
flag baca262 (Aug 7, 2022 at 13:48) (Below Threshold)
 @nickfranko: are you serious? do you think piston rings, or gaskets are made of any kind of rubber?

do you even get that engines are for the most part watercooled, parts that have orings don't get far above coolant temperature?

brake rotors get hot enough for the steel to blue, that's 300+ celsius
  • 5 0
 Jesse said in the comments in the other post that his father did that.
  • 8 0
 @baca262: what do you think seals the pistons in the caliper, I’ll let you have a quick think about that.
There’s tones of applications of high heat resistant o-rings, give yer head a shake.

You’re original comment is incorrect, it’s all right, it happens to the best of us
  • 2 2
 @jonemyers: you really won’t be able to afford bine parts if they have kalrez prongs in em in fact even pharmaceutical customers tend to go how much!!!!
  • 1 4
 @onawalk: if you haven't noticed, the pistons are made to either have mininal contact surface with the pads, or a phenolic (heat insulating) standoff AND are bathed in oil.

pads, otoh, are where the action's at.

@jonemyers: silicone, top temperature, 200 celsius. try dragging your brake down a steep hill and see how orings fare.
  • 1 4
 @onawalk: pistons, BY DESIGN, aren't allowed to get anywhere near rotor/pads temps because that's the boiling point of brake fluid.
  • 1 6
flag baca262 (Aug 8, 2022 at 5:30) (Below Threshold)
 i've thought of one thing that could save the orings - organic pads. that junk starts to crumble at very high temperatures and they don't transfer heat all that much.

i don't use them, they have good low speed behaviour but "mistreating" them they don't take. and you can't burn off oil from them if you get them greasy
  • 4 7
 I have an even better fix than o-rings. Bin the shitty Shimano brakes and get something good.
  • 8 1
 I'm enjoying how much everyone is fighting over o-ring temps and compounds etc though. It's clear that Jesse, a professional rider, trusts it to work, otherwise you wouldn't see it on his bike. Unless any one of us thinks we could ever push our bikes harder than Jesse does?
  • 1 15
flag baca262 (Aug 8, 2022 at 7:29) (Below Threshold)
 @alex-bowen: yeah you keep your everyday sadism to yourself, prick
  • 4 0
 @baca262: it’s ok to be incorrect, shrug your shoulders and move on. No use in name calling, etc.

The phenolic pistons get screaming hot, as do the pads, etc.
The seals aren’t bathed in oil, as they have to seal against the piston, I think there’s only one side of the seal that’s in contact with the brake fluid.

For all your posturing, it’s fairly clear that it works, you get that right, like the guy who won most of the stages, and the event runs them, and likely has for quite some time…..
  • 1 15
flag baca262 (Aug 8, 2022 at 10:48) (Below Threshold)
 @onawalk: you think i'll take your trolling seriously? this entire board is overrun with sociopaths who try to manufacture consensus by systematically downvoting legit comments and upvoting their mentally ill crap.

this shit might fly on an internet board but actual, tangible reality will disagree soon enough.

you f*cking retards think you're bigger than god.
  • 8 0
 @baca262: Mate, straight up, that kind of language is unacceptable regardless of the difference in opinions. A difference in opinions or ideas is fine, but insinuating that someone is mentally ill, or calling people f*cking r*tards is beyond unacceptable.
  • 1 13
flag baca262 (Aug 8, 2022 at 11:53) (Below Threshold)
 @alex-bowen: i'm not your mate, mate.

pathological trolling is what's unacceptable. you do it just to trigger people to swear and you do it just to point finger at them and say "look, he bad!" that's crazymaking 101 and the tool of sociopaths, narcissists and psychopaths.
  • 3 0
 @baca262: i mean, you clearly took it pretty seriously.
Not that I’m “trolling” not sure why you believe that,

Again, Jessie Melamed, has clearly been running these o-rings to help better retain his brake pads on his race and practice runs, that part I think we can agree on?
So your initial concern that they would melt, might have been unwarranted.

Real quick google search turns up high heat o-rings readily available from even Princess auto as 450F, given any sort of engineering allowance you can bet those have been tested to 750F.
Looks like boiling point for mineral oil and Dot fluid is around 450-500, so this is a non-issue.

Appreciate your reluctance to even entertain the possibility that you were incorrect, as i learned a tonne doing some quick research. Namely the cooling fins on Shimano pads do seem to be quite effective in dissapating the heat energy, I though them more a bit gimmicky, but for some people they could be a huge benefit
  • 4 0
 @baca262: Fortunately for you my use of the term "mate" was not in an endearing manor, more of an interjection. You crossed a line that should not have been crossed, end of story.
  • 2 12
flag baca262 (Aug 8, 2022 at 12:06) (Below Threshold)
 @onawalk: anyone reading yours and others comments can see you evade the matter of the issue and are only trying to discredit me with ad hominems and nothing factual.

and i'm taking it seriously because you pricks are teamworking to ruin everything for everyone not of your, how would i call it, "religious conviction". you're a blight on society, and that other prick, what i wrote is the truth and if truth is "unacceptable" to him, well, he ain't working in humanity's interests. look it up.
  • 6 0
 @baca262: "you pricks are teamworking to ruin everything for everyone" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
  • 7 1
 @baca262: Spectacular, this has gone fairly pear shaped, and I think we’ve all lost the plot here.

Keep on keeping on my man,
  • 1 1
 @alex-bowen: oh please every bmxengineer on the planet knows
  • 3 0
 @onawalk: some facts as i have a hobby collecting orings ,an industrial nitrile O-ring compound can be recommended to only 120°C (250°F), yet it is known to seal satisfactorily at 149°C (300°F) for 3000 hours and for five minutes at 538°C (1000°F).
  • 3 0
 @baca262: cmon man no one comes here with the internt to be or take anything seriously , we have entire workshops for doing that shit in, this is playground time
  • 3 0
 @Compositepro: That's great and all but you're just skirting around heart of the issue! How long can an industrial nitrile o-ring compound prevent Shimano XTR brake pads from rattling at 538C? @baca262 needs hard data! None of this anectotal crap! And if you don't bring a satisfactory argument he will flame your ass until he is king of the most fragilest egos!
  • 2 0
 @Compositepro: cool hobby,
  • 2 1
 @nickfranko: at the end of the day if your O ring did get hot and broke would you even notice? Hardly a critical component. Still poor engineering on Shimano’s part and the fact their sponsored athletes are having to do this in public isn’t a good look. Pretty much every other manufacturer has learnt if you make your pads a wedge shape it doesn’t need an expansion gap and will fit snuggly inside the calliper without rattling.
  • 2 1
 @thenotoriousmic: I love how we all jump to how the manufacturers have done some poor engineering, blah, blah, blah.
None of us are involved with the initial design, or understand the compromises that are made to bring something like this to market.
It rattles partly due to the big jeezlus cooling fins attached, which is pretty unique to their design. Seems to work quite well, based on some of the info I’ve read. Shimano likely made a compromise use between a perceived performance benefit, and a little rattle, they chose performance, and I’m not sure they can be faulted for that. Especially when it can be sorted with a little Velcro tape or an o-ring.
  • 1 1
 @onawalk: false the non finned pads are just as bad, again a simple fix would have been to make the pads wedge shaped so the have space to expand outwards and still fit snuggly inside the calliper and then their sponsored riders would have their bikes pictured on the biggest mtb page in the world with rubber bands strapped around their brake pads. Standard shimano at this point, don’t give a F.
  • 2 0
 @thenotoriousmic: It’s all a compromise my man, that’s the compromise.
We have so little to winge about, that the noise of mechanical contrivances have become an issue to some.
And mtb prolly makes up such a small portion of Shimano sales, that you might be right, they don’t are about the rattle
  • 1 0
 @baca262: I’ve seen some mental cases (Or pricks, as you so eloquently put it.) in these comment sections over the years, but my god, you really are a prick.
  • 23 1
 pay your subscription fee or it locks out. Add some ABS brakes on too and they will outsource your braking needs from india
  • 23 3
 This sport really didn’t need to cost any more
  • 11 5
 True. Good thing there are plenty of 26" / rigid singlespeed / 20 year old FS bikes out there for folks who don't need fancy stuff.
#RunWhatYaBrung
  • 7 0
 @Chonky13: yeah. A ten year old (2012) bike might have the ‘wrong’ wheel size, axles etc. and might be a bit short, but it basically still works as a mountain bike.
In 2012, could you have said the same about a 2002 bike?
  • 4 1
 @Chonky13: the only drawback is that good quality replacement parts become rarer every day. Sure, you can still get 26" tires, but it won't be the newest rubbers compounds. Sure, you can get new 9 speed shifters, but they'll be Deore or X5 level at best.
You can get 26" forks, but a lower midrange Manitou fork is the best that's still available.
  • 2 0
 rigid singlespeed 29er it is then
  • 20 3
 The modern mountain bike - The new version of the motorcycle, only more expensive and less capable!
  • 5 1
 It would be really interesting to see Graham Jarvis trying to hunt down Jesse Melamed down on whistler trails. Or Mani Lettenbichler trying to follow Greg Minnar down a world cup track. Even that animal of Pol Tarres versus Thibaut Daprela or Amaury Pierron.
  • 14 0
 I'll be clear - I don't want/need any electronics on my bike other than my basic old cheap Garmin, that if the battery dies, won't affect my ride (unless it was stopping me getting lost). But I'd be really interested to see a bike fully optimised for reactive suspension - you could have minimal anti-squat (and hence kickback), which would be lovely going down hill, but still pedal nicely going up, without high pivot idlers, long chains and more drag (plus odd handling in compression). Ignoring the inevitably obscene cost, it could be a great solution
  • 3 10
flag thechunderdownunder (Aug 7, 2022 at 17:53) (Below Threshold)
 Lazy ass people too tired to turn a knob. Cheaters.
  • 1 0
 id like a beta max video player in the hole
  • 15 0
 Everybody flips out over technology on bikes and yet half of you ride an ebike.
  • 11 0
 Based on a DPX2/float X platform and not an X2…guess they wanted it to hold air and be consistent Smile
  • 8 0
 Just for once couldn’t these companies have given some consideration to their customers and done a deal so that Fox could use the SRAM battery too. It’s bad enough having batteries all over the bike, but different batteries too. Yuck.
  • 17 1
 Just leave the electronic shit at home and keep your bike free from batteries
  • 10 3
 Looking forward to SRAM revenge suing over whatever wireless tech they’re using here in retaliation for the nonsense fork air bleed lawsuit. Dunno what fox thought they had to gain with that
  • 15 7
 Exactly they’re crying about bleed valves while simultaneously ripping of flight attendant and yep still orange. Joke of company that should really be concentrating on making their shocks last more than a couple of weeks before needing a rebuild and manufacturing a CSU that doesn’t need replacing once a month.
  • 5 0
 @thenotoriousmic: I mean,
Doesn’t really look like much of a rip off of flight attendant.
Based on your post I’m making the assumption you’ve been affected recently by both a creaky CSU, and a blown X2.
  • 2 0
 Except they work completely differently. Flight attendant is essentially an on off switch.
  • 3 0
 @onemanarmy: and FA hasn’t got any EWS wins like this RAD does.
  • 2 2
 @onemanarmy: Rode Flight Attendant on a YT Jeffsey for the first time yesterday. It drove me crazy. I kept hearing the zip-zip of what I assume is the servo/actuator. Very annoying. No thanks.
The bike also had AXS shifting and seatpost control. The only thing I'd keep is the electronic dropper. The rest was a waste.
  • 2 0
 @rrolly: From my understanding it's literally just open and closing. I haven't ridden the newest LV from Fox but I road the old version and flight attendant and the old fox is better than the new sram product. So I'd imagine that the new fox is still better than the new sram.

I'm good with my normal dropper that doesn't require batteries. Don't like electronic shifting yet either. And that's coming from a guy that puts a lot of miles on e-bikes. LOL!
  • 7 0
 Good thing Mike Levy wears a helmet to an interview. You never know when someone's going to take offence at a question and hit him with a wrench.
  • 3 0
 We'd never know a video on bike related website is bike related unless the presenter is wearing a helmet. It's the only way to tell.

Although the Pinkbike Health & Safety department might be having a word with Mike, seeing as he didn't do the buckle up in this video.
  • 5 0
 Well, Jesse basically smoked everyone with this on the day it goes public. Pretty epic debut... must be coincidence Big Grin . I will admit, the possibility of running this on my 36lb enduro bike is exciting.

I hope Fox will actually let you buy it relatively soon with an aftermarket option. Might force Rockshox to start offering Flight Attendant after-market too instead of the current BS cash grab on $12k bikes.
  • 1 4
 I mean, i wins anyway and his in front of a home crowd. I would assume the shock made zero difference in the outcome.
  • 1 0
 I'd imagine it'll be a lot easier for the general public than the old version because it doesn't require frame integration. I mean technically you could buy the last kit too.
  • 2 0
 I really don't understand this sensor ? what are they measuring ? the elevation of the front wheel compare to the back wheel ?
if the front sensor is higher it means uphill
and if it's lower, that means downhill ?

What will happens on flat section ? sometimes we want locked on flat and sometime open. I reckon a shifter will be way better than those sensor
  • 1 0
 The one mounted on the caliper is probably a regular accelerometer like one of Garmins speed-sensors. The lockout will be controlled by the switch on the handlebar or as a reaction to the forces that the accelerometer experiences. I bet there will be different modes like an automatic gearbox:
- Self adjusting
- Manually open
- Manually locked out
Something like that?
  • 4 0
 Sounds like the Tantrum missing link suspension, but with batteries, electronics everywhere, solenoids, and 3k more expensive. Interesting?
  • 3 0
 and remotes :p
  • 4 0
 Looks interesting, definitely interested in how this turns out and whether or not it will just be pro/oem
  • 3 4
 Looks like it's working out great for Jesse in the Whistler EWS. He's able to gain a few seconds on Ritchie almost every stage (except one where something must have happened). Usually they are neck and neck. It almost might be considered cheating.
For the average person though, it's overkill. But there's always a sucker that wants to pay for the best of the best.
  • 7 0
 @Fill-Freakin: Richie is on the shock as well. Jesse is always the man to beat at Whistler so great physical test for proto suspension.
  • 1 0
 I will wait 10 years then buy the newest ultra spectacular bike that has hovering wheels with laser guided precision gps, heart monitoring handle bars a urine sampling saddle with a internal hydration pack plus I think I get the bonus package too of see in the dark paint . . . - My point is just bike, it’s fun the way it is - (not necessary to tell fox and sram that the sport isn’t broken )
  • 1 0
 I still have ALL of my bikes (never sold any).
Sure geometry moved on, and some components.
But if you're into having fun, even entering in some races, I wouldn't spend a nickle more.

Bikes, and everything about 2 wheels, is +80% on the rider.

Sure, it will be hard to win if you're not at high level, BUT... only one can win, and it won because of:
Training / fitness
Not drinking beer / have wife & kids
Their work (if they work...) let him/her/wtf have an edge through practice
Drugs & dopping (yes... because it gives you an edge, and because if you're not inocent, you'll know that riders will take all the advantage they can. Not been caught, doesn't mean you're clean).


PS: my bikes will stay electronic free, and recently bought a Nokia, just to carry on rides, and don't even bother using Strava.
Racers wannabes, are welcome to downvote.
  • 1 0
 So this is new? Huh...back in 2000 I had my K2 4000 with a Girvin front link fork shock that used a 9v battery to adjust the valving via a peizo crystal called the Electro Shoc. My 2012 Ghost AMR Lector 2995 has the Lapierre/RockShox e.i. shock system, Pinkbike article here (www.pinkbike.com/news/ei-and-RockShox-Show-Electronic-Shock-2012.html) and it has a remote! It isn't new, it maybe better than the versions already done. Do you need it? Probably not, will it make the sport and enjoyment of mountain biking better-most likely.
  • 6 1
 I really hope this works like flight attendant so sram can sue
  • 1 0
 I'm sure it will work well BUT ... have we gone too far with the prices and have we been making our sport too elitist? ...Sure I can afford the stuff but in reality I wlii never be like Steve Peat or Cedric Gracia on our trails or tracks ... Sure its nice to dream
  • 1 0
 So basically, it does what Live Valve is supposed to do, but only on the rear shock and if it doesn't automatically firm up enough, then instead of reaching down to flick a lever, you can push a lever on your bars. 2 steps forward, 1 step back. BUT its still progression. Just scared of the price!!!
  • 3 1
 This electronic and wireless stuff looks pretty cool, but I'm going to hold out on upgrading to any of it until they include automatic steering.
  • 1 3
 Steering is for low speeds. Fun trail riding is all about body position and proper lean.
  • 4 0
 Electronics so advanced, they give riders a piece of their mind.
  • 1 2
 Really? If you had true peace of mind - don't think you would need the manual remote control feature. Just sayin.
  • 5 0
 @trillot: You missed the subtle twist of words that made it a joke...
  • 1 0
 if they don't tell you "yolo", a failed product.
  • 3 0
 Watched this video in hopes of another Jesse-POV segment, only to find all-talk. Bummah...
  • 2 1
 Cars have had electronic suspensions for years, it it hasn’t become the standard, probably be the same for bikes.

No need to go all “chicken little”, what we have now works and it’s cheap.
  • 1 0
 Define cheap, because unless you shop at Walmart, full suspension bikes don't seem cheap to me.
  • 3 2
 @Fill-Freakin: nor does buying a computer, TV, automobile, or any other high tech gadget.

If you wanna play, you gotta pay.

If you can’t afford a ful suspension bike, then ride a hardtail, can’t even afford that, then ride BMX, can’t afford that, then get a better job!
  • 1 1
 Guys, i have a lot of 26'' old good bikes and my new 29'' (which I only use from the time I bouhgt it) although it's better everywhere, needs more money for tyres and sealants, for maintenance etc.
So we have progression for sure in the kind we use our bikes, but at the same time manufacturers get more money from us for spare parts and maintenance parts
  • 3 0
 Congrats Jesse! Huge result on a home course!!
  • 1 0
 Are those custom made clips, wrapping over the brake pad fins, to keep pads from rattling, or is this an available accessory that I'm not aware of?
  • 1 0
 Quite the opposite of a fully rigid single speed. They both celebrate the joy of pedaling a bike . If that's your goal . It's all good.
  • 1 1
 Idk why they would make this for enduro bikes. Most enduro riders HATE suspension lockouts. I cannot forsee many people buying this.
  • 5 0
 We hate them for descending and love them for climbing. Jesse said the same in the video. Leaving the fork alone is a great idea as well. Excited to be riding used versions of this in 10 to 15 years!
  • 3 3
 Too many gadgets, batteries and clutter! No grip could be preferred or that good if it needs wires to keep it locked on; that control set up hurts to look at!!
  • 2 0
 Nice Senna reference there
  • 1 1
 Wonder how long stuff like that is going to remain race legal. Most racing series banned active components (e.g. no active suspension or shifting in F1)
  • 3 1
 yoh matt has good posture
  • 3 4
 Wow... RockShox really left Fox in the dust og this one. Complete front/rear Flight Attendant has been commercially available for ~1 year now, while Fox is still fumbling around with a prototype rear shock.
  • 6 1
 Rode Flight Attendant yesterday for the first time. No thanks.
  • 1 0
 @rrolly: what was it like?
  • 1 0
 @thenotoriousmic: It kept making an annoying "zip" sound as it made adjustments. I like a quiet bike. Tbf, I demoed a Canyon Strive with zero electronics and it rode significantly better than the YT Jeffsey the Flight Attendant was on. So that probably added to my less than impressed view.
  • 1 0
 electric suspension for electric mopeds?
waiting for wireless electric brakes
  • 3 1
 Suggested headline - "Melamed wins EWS despite prototype suspension"
  • 1 0
 I like "Melamed switches to air, wins EWS"
  • 1 0
 Im going to need a separate room in my house just to charge all the batteries on my bike pretty soon..
  • 1 0
 proprietary battery‘s to something that will be outdated in a month or two. Am I the only one that gets this?
  • 1 0
 Lost my interest at the word electronic
  • 1 0
 Loving the subtle Marzocchi promotion...
  • 2 0
 Considering they are at the Fox van and Fox owns Marz, not so subtle Wink
  • 1 0
 anyone know what bars are on jesse's bike? they dont look like next Rs
  • 4 6
 If any component on my bike needs a battery to function, there damn well better be a tiny generator somewhere on the bike that keeps them fully charged at all times. Anything less is ridiculous.
  • 3 0
 That’s a fair statement, however lots of people seem to be stressed about the 1-2% efficiency loss of idlers on HP bikes.
Let’s work on a robust hub integrated generator to charge some of these low usage batteries. Maybe they can be slimmed down as they won’t need to hold a charge for as long, thus offsetting the additional weight of the generator.
I don’t think you’ll ever be able to generate enough power to charge an e-bike, but these smaller batteries could be doable
  • 1 0
 You could totally add an alternator, but then you have the weight of it and drag. Whereas batteries are light and easy to change, and they don’t create any drag.
But, there’s nothing stopping bike companies from adding a charging system, physically-speaking.
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: I'm thinking on just that, a specially wound light weight coil that folds over part of the disc rotor. A ring of small flat rare earth magnets on the rotor to drive just enough current for slow charging derailleurs and seat post batteries. It wouldn't take much for those small batteries and you could always have a fresh battery forever just by riding.

silly pipe dream...
  • 2 0
 @andrewfrauenglass: ah yeah,
Might as well toss in some some regen from braking, no sense in wasting all that lost energy to heat. Potentially reduce the weight/size of the brakes as well, in the interest of offsetting the weight penalty of the generator
  • 1 2
 @onawalk: “probably can’t generate enough power to charge an ebike”.

You really didn’t think that one through did ya Wink
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: they already exist, Son dynamo hubs. Had one on a road bike, they’re amazing.

Granted they’re not setup to charge those little batteries yet, but the tech is there and has been refined.
  • 1 0
 @nurseben: I’m not sure what you mean,
Could you clarify?
  • 1 0
 @dirtyburger:had dynamo hubs before, real interesting to take apart.
Not sure they’d have the current capacity to charge all these little batteries, or the regen braking, thats likely a large source of wasted energy that could be harvested.

I’ve got the idea, just not the drive to develop such a thing, but I think its rad.

Maybe if it could be integrated with that Classified 2-speed hub, that would be really cool
  • 2 1
 This suspension is the future imo.
  • 1 0
 He won on a not-coil?! Gasppppp
  • 1 0
 I don't want anything on my bike that needs a battery or charging. At all.
  • 1 0
 ...looks Rad







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