It looks like Fox has something new and electronic in the works - Ed Master's Pivot Firebird is sporting a prototype 'RAD' (Racing Application Development) air shock that has a battery and an extra dial on it that's not found on any of Fox's current offerings. This could be the next generation of
Live Valve, which automatically adjusts the suspension depending on the terrain, or it could be a different system entirely. Either way, moving the battery onto the shock rather than having it mounted somewhere else on the frame would make a lot of sense - that's the way RockShox's Flight Attendant electronic suspension system is configured.
Just below the blue low-speed compression dial is another lever with the word 'Firm' just barely visible underneath the dust. It wouldn't be surprising if this could be used to adjust the feel of the shock in the locked-out setting - it'd be useful to be able to make the default setting extra-firm for smoother tracks, or softer for more traction in rougher conditions.
This system also looks different from what we spotted
Myriam Nicole and others experimenting with last year on the World Cup DH circuit - that seemed more like a manual, remote lockout, although a production version of that still hasn't emerged.
It also looks like there's a sensor mounted on the rear brake caliper, likely to supply information to the shock that's used to determine the compression mode. Overall, the entire system looks pared down compared to the latest iteration of Live Valve, something that could potentially help it gain wider adoption.
Fox wasn't ready to provide any specific details on the suspension. When asked for comment, they responded:
"In an effort to continually develop highly advanced suspension products, FOX constantly tests prototype components in the field under the world’s best racers. Some of these components – or parts of them – eventually make it into production, many of them do not. Testing in real-world environments is a critical part of how we determine what works best – not only for our professional athletes but ultimately for every rider who puts their trust in FOX products. This field testing protocol is part of our proven and longstanding RAD (Racing Application Development) program."
Did i missed something?
- " So get ready for the future of Mountain Biking,
It get a hell of a ride "
Agreed, Float X2 is hot garbage. I serviced mine three times within the 125 hour first service interval. Sold it, hopefully my Super Deluxe should show up soon....
On the Flip side the new Float X is holding up well for me so far on a different bike.
Not as good of a shock, but I don't race so I'm not dropping $50 in parts and an hour or two of labor to rebuild the X2 every 3-4 months.
Why do I say this? Because I've caught at least two people on the trails who just thought the noise was a characteristic of the X2 and didn't even realize what it was supposed to sound like.
Yeah-what we need is more electronic stuff on our bicycles.
Then again, if you’re on a Broped, you already have a motor, battery and a bunch of electronics to make it all work. Let the broped operators have even more unreliable stuff integrated into their not-bicycles.
i have one on my scout, its awesome
Same thing directly from Topeak. Good luck finding it in stock though!
#fakespyshot
- anything that listens for voice activation
- self-driving cars
- soon: self-damping-adjust shocks
for brevity, a list of shit I do trust:
- tinfoil hats
- shotguns
- @mikelevy
If its either of those things is probably something I will look at buying. I have no interest in changing fork settings but a wireless lockout or active lockout on the shock only makes a ton of sense to me.
you guys all comptrollers or what? Mechatronix Bakugan Ultra wtf
Soon a mtb has like 6+ batteries attached to something..