Formula’s New Nero DH fork: 'Where the Mountains Meet the Light' - Video

Feb 25, 2018 at 12:36
by Formula  
Views: 5,361    Faves: 41    Comments: 2


Pila, a small village in the north of Italy, is an incredible place that has played a huge role in mountain bike history in the western Alps and is nestled up in the mountains next to the French border. If you’ve already been there, then you probably first stopped in Aosta, the small town down in the valley below Pila. From there you probably took one of the most popular gondolas among Europeans downhillers, that takes you from Aosta to Pila. Straight from the city of Aosta you climb up to more than 1800 meters and enjoy an incredible landscape, surrounded by the highest peaks of the Alps such as Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. The scenery up there is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful alpine landscapes a man can experience.

All photos by Alex Luise


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Despite the relative young age of mountain biking, Pila is a place packed with history. A World Cup downhill race was held in 2005 that was won by Sam Hill and Anne-Caroline Chausson. According to the bike park managers, it is hopeful that Pila will host another World Cup Downhill in the future. The terrain in Pila is fantastic, it’s never muddy in the rain, and the loamy surface makes you think you’re somewhere in British Columbia. In the summer, under the magnificent sun, the slopes become dusty beyond belief, but without ever losing their grip.
Views: 4,616    Faves: 49    Comments: 13



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Some of the world's fastest downhillers travel to Pila to train during the summer in Europe. On the trails of the bike park, including the famous World Cup course, you will fall into an ecstasy of flow. The pick of the bunch is a trail called Rientro, something like “Go Back” in English, which is a connection between Pila and Aosta. Most of the local riders here live in Aosta, so hey go straight out the door with the bike and then up to Pila with the gondola. They spend the whole day riding in Pila and then they “come back” home after a gorgeous day of riding using the Rientro trail. On this trail there’s a very special section called the “Sam Hill’s Slope”, a must-ride for those who want to improve their downhill skills. Sam Hill’s Slope is pretty much the gnarliest, steepest and most enjoyable bit of trail that you can ever imagine. Sam Hill shot here a video back in the days of the Iron Horse team, which is why this place is connected to Sam.






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The list of videos that were shot in Pila is really long which proves this is a magical place, a spot that every gravity loving rider should visit. Last summer Formula were here, along with the AB Devinci Team, to test our first downhill fork, the Nero. The idea was to collect only black and white images in order to capture the contrast of light and shadow that you can experience in this wonderful place.




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Pila is an incredible place and it's worth checking when you're free next summer to book a week in Pila. Among incredible landscapes, phenomenal trails and glasses of excellent wine, we are sure that you will not regret the choice.



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Author Info:
rideformula avatar

Member since Jan 16, 2013
41 articles

27 Comments
  • 65 4
 Can we get like maybe just one good, perhaps color, photo of, oh i don't know, the fork?
  • 12 1
 Watched the video, scrolled through the nice images,and literally hit the back button because I was certain I had clicked on the wrong article when I had intended to read about the new fork.
  • 2 4
 There wasn't a fork in the video dude what are you talking about? Just black and white
  • 16 2
 Banger shots! Formula is certainly making some moves again. I keep hearing great things about the forks and the Cura I got to try a couple times were without a doubt some of the best brakes I've used. (Bonus points for the switch over to mineral oil too!)
  • 5 0
 Came to see new DH fork. Stayed for the history reminder. But now I want to ride the SH slope and wonder what would it be like if Anne-Caroline were the same age as Rachel. That would be sick, I think Anne would take her.
  • 5 0
 Only the videos shot in Aosta feature the rider cleaning the track before riding it, because the ones responsible for doing it just aren't.
  • 5 0
 I rode formula brakes for like 3 years and I still think those were the best brakes I ever had. Would love to try out that fork actually.
  • 2 1
 I have inexpensive Formula brakes on one bike and I love them. I imagine their higher end stuff is amazing.
  • 2 0
 @ridesona: R0 Oval on my old rig had the stopping power of a truck's brakes. Solid too!
  • 7 0
 Nice article looks sick
  • 2 0
 Great images.... The Formula Tech 39mm forks on my Sherco trials are butter. Easy to rebuild, simple and robust internals. Formula The One brakes on my old dh where drop dead sexy, and worked just as good. Kind of like the Marzocchi ti forks that used to just soak it all up. Got me a Beta 2-stroke now, Sidi boots, etc.... Yep, I looking at my gear area, and the Italian stuff is some of the best looking, and best engineered stuff I have. Compared to the Sram stuff (other than the drive components) and it's just in another league. Be nice if the big boys would drop their blanket contracts with Sram for everything, and spec some of this stuff on some builds..
  • 5 0
 nice fork.... but that song is heavy, dayum! \m/
  • 3 0
 Love this song! If you like stuff like this, go on FB and search SMOD nation Wink
  • 5 0
 It's almost as if there were mountain biking in the 1950s.
  • 3 0
 My father grew up with three brothers, dirt roads, and old as the hills trails. There has always been mountain biking. His best story was riding double off the mountain, the rear hub smoking, and then shattering when they hit a cold creek crossing.
  • 5 0
 No EDM music, two words: THANK YOU
  • 1 0
 I have the Selva and it is an amazing fork. Very playful, light and stiff. Top feels like a coil (because it is actually controlled by a coil). It can be dialed anyhow I want. Formula will provide custom parts to suit your needs. And it is very easy to service and change travel. I liked it much more than various Pikes, 34/36, Dvo.

The BAD: I had a question and called the us distributor. I was transferred to the tech department voicemail and they never returned my calls. I emailed them and never heard from them. Same issue when I sent an email from the formula site.

The GOOD: I wrote them on FB and they replied within minutes.

I also have the Cura brakes. Lighter, cheaper and stronger than Xtr. However I personally prefer the shimano xtr / saints lever feel. They are similar to xt (just the lever feel). The quick release brake lines are a nice bonus. Just set and forget.
  • 2 0
 A load of us stayed there last year for a week, great place. The freeride is hands down the best trail i've ever ridden. Will be going back for sure.
  • 1 0
 How strange that among all latin languages, pila is only synonymous with male sexual organ in European Portuguese. Do remember, you can still enjoy Pila even without a Formula fork!
  • 4 0
 daje GGGianlucaaaaaaaa
  • 1 0
 Lovin it! Makes me wanna chug a beer and punch someone in the face, like a drunkin college douche....around 3:40 the rough straight to berm explosion...riot!
  • 2 0
 Only bit I watched was the Sam Hill video because I'm colourblindblind.
  • 1 0
 That roost shot definitely next years POY winner
  • 1 0
 illegal
  • 1 2
 Looks like a Boxxer Wink
  • 1 0
 yeah you got right







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