DVO shook up the suspension world with the announcement earlier this year of their inverted Emerald DH fork and its Carbon Torsion Arch that is said to drastically improve torsional rigidity, but the fledgling suspension brand certainly isn't planning on stopping at having just one fork in their lineup, with plans for two different mid-travel forks targeted at the all-mountain/enduro world. The first of those to be released is the Diamond, pictured here in prototype form, that will offer either 140 or 160mm of internally adjustable travel. The right side up fork (the second model will be an inverted single crown) utilizes 35mm stanchion tubes and stout looking magnesium lowers that give it a brawny appearance, and all signs point to the Diamond being far from a spindly trail fork. Despite its solid appearance, DVO's Bryson Martin told us that they have a target weight of 4.18LB for the production version, which is a very competitive figure.
DVO Diamond Details
• Intended use: all-mountain/enduro
• Travel: 140 or 160mm (internally adjustable)
• Air sprung
• 'Quick Range' low-speed compression adjuster
• Separate high-speed compression adjuster
• Low-speed rebound adjuster
• 35mm stanchion tubes
• 26'' and 650B models
• 15mm thru-axle
• Target weight: 1900g/4.18LB
• Available: April, 2014
• MSRP: TBA
Internally, the Diamond will employ the same technology used within DVO's Emerald DH fork, and Martin explained that damper is basically a shrunk down version of the 8''
travel fork's twin-tube open bath design. And much like what took place during the Emerald's development, the Diamond's damper was put through some real world testing by retrofitting it into an existing fork chassis, a strategy that allowed DVO to test the damper without attracting any attention. Adjustments include the fork's 'Quick Range' climbing aid, which is basically a low-speed compression dial that goes through its entire range with only a 180° turn, thereby making it easy for the rider to operate on the fly. Underneath the Quick Range knob is a more traditional high-speed compression dial, although all the dials on the prototype fork shown here were rapid prototypes, not the finished aluminum versions, that let DVO test tolerances and tactile feel. Much like the Emerald, the Diamond's compression assembly can be removed from the fork without losing any damping oil or requiring a complete rebuild, a layout that should let tuners tinker until the cows come home. Rebound duties are adjusted via a single adjuster at the bottom of the same leg. Further tuning is possible thanks to the fork's 'Off The Top' adjuster that changes the volume of the negative air spring in order to tweak how active it is at the top of its travel. This should be a useful feature for larger riders who require higher air pressure by allowing them to increase sensitivity despite the high pressure, or even for improving pedalling performance on smooth trails.
While the fork is still very clearly in prototype form, it was fitted with a trick looking carbon fiber fender that bolts to the back face of its arch. This is far from being just a novelty item, with it doing double duty by covering off the hollow area in the rear of the arch that might otherwise fill with mud, as well as obviously acting as a fender. Expect the production unit to look far more dialled and attach to the arch in a cleaner fashion.
www.dvosuspension.com
FOX could not survive the success of RockShox's Maxxle and then Maxxle 360 and Maxxle Light. Since FOX is worshiped by many people they called Shimano with proposal to force a new "standard" that no one wanted or needed. And so we have an invasion of 15mm axles.
I think that other manufacturers did horrible thing: they followed FOX with 15mm axle instead uniting and shout in chourus "Srew you! We're sticking to 20mm axle!"
Based on my experience, I believe that designers actually DON'T know something thay we, the riding folks, don't.
@Willie1 "No one will continue developing 26" products with the declining sales, and they drop yearly" As far as I'm concerned the 26" wheels are fully developed - they roll lovely We've got everything we need, moreover I bet U that rims, spokes and tires will be easy availabe for next ten years.
If producers want to make bigger wheels that's ok, but I won't let them to force me into unwanted change.
What is it with these 15 mm forks? Is 20 mm gone for us enduro class riders? I swear, the last hope is Rock Shox if they decide to put a Charger damper in the Lyrik and up it to 27" (and up the travel to finaly bump out the Totem). The Pike has gone the way of the dodo axle wise, but i doubt an updated Lyrik would get the same treatment. Well at least i hope.
Not really impressive.
Can't wait to see the USD fork though!
@Primoz the Totem is gone anyway. The Lyrik now is their daddy single crown fork... I can't see them canning it or 20mm because it uses the same lowers as the Boxxer... unless that's going to 15mm as well (which wouldn't be a total surprise!)
best purchase i made since a long time in the mountain bike industry !
cdn1.coresites.mpora.com/dirt_new/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/EDH_2920.jpg
Didn't know about Totem going the way of the dodo. It was inevitable, ofcourse, the market segment is dead.
Call it what you want, I plan to run my King hubs for a looooooooong time. They work as if new and show no signs of wear whatsoever. I haven't thrown away my house either, even though it is over 5 years old. I suppose that makes my house retro.
With that said, I don't mind 15mm now that I've mostly switched over. More important to me is axle design. For example, Manitou's hex-lock system does way more for rigidity than 20mm does over 15mm.
I am not a weight weenie or I would just loose some weight. I am sure the same could be said for a portly 20mm axle. Do we not have at our disposal numerous handlebars of the same standard diameter that are vastly different weights/strengths? Cannot the same be done with a simple axle?
Bigger men and burly riding just may require a larger axle.
SO PLEASE STOP BITCHING OVER EVERY 15mm AXEL if you get a new bike with it, it'll come with a 15mm hub if you can drop a grand on a fork you can drop a few more on the conversion.
And having done this years UK gravity enduro series that integrated fender looks like a freaking brilliant idea, ive been thinking of trying to bodge a similar one into the webbing in the back of my bombers!
There have been many new forks on the market that have been absolutely terrible. An experienced rider would never buy anything for at least a year after release. ZZyzzx, Hanebrink, first generation Fox, RS Psylo, Trixxys, major changes to Manitou and Marzocchi, CTD... the list goes on.
DVO, PLEASE, make at least two options of lowers/axles- 20 and optional 15 for weight winners...
Inverted, 160-180mm(internal adjustment), 20mm axle, 1-1/8 steerer - I'm ready to pay.
Skeptical on the 15mm I felt so much flex with same the one time I rode em, 20mm please DVO.
I'm so disappointed with DVO fork I think that there is big market for new producer which listens to customers. We want 20mm axle so give us 20mm axle not 15mm crap. Is this really that hard to understand?!
I could be wrong but I also remember some stuff from shimano saying their rear 29er hub ratchet (slx) had to be made stronger due to increased torque?
All these 'tweener' sizes have come about as an attempt to create a middle ground to satisfy the new enduro craze but are now taking over the market and replacing more sensible ideas in some instances [such as the 20mm axle], the downhill craze in the 90's created 20mm axles, 83mm bb shells and 150x12mm rear axles and now we are facing a new in between size. All in all it creates more options for riders to get the exact setup they want for how they prefer to ride. 26" wheels are never going to die and the majority of people ride with way more travel and far stronger parts than they actually need - all these new standards mean is that people will be less likely to buy new parts or bikes in future due to the higher costs and lack of available replacement parts and so sales will go down and people will stick with what they've got.
Companies are only shooting themselves in the foot really.
I hope the other fork comes with 20mm axle and is adjustable between 160mm and 180mm. And both 26" and 27.5" models.
ohlins works with cane creek, gives them twin tube.
next thing, DB is god of shocks.
then we see a prototype specialized shock, with what looks to be a twin tube tune system. (and an ohlins yellow spring to boot).
then the fox DH proto that was on PB just now.
looks like X fusion are set to ride the wave.
The graphics need some work like Emerald did in the beginning.
Little green diamonds on the lowers?
Really?
All the spec looks awesome.
The high and low speed compression is needed but then,
The ability to adjust the negative springs curve sounds like this baby is a big contender.
However, I too agree a 20mm is necessary.
Allowing the fork to go up to 180mm is also very wise I must say!
Unless DVO has a bigger badder fork in a single crown in the works?
Rather go MRP :/
About the axle thing to all 20mm junkies ;-)
It looks like the Diamond has similar to Manitou´s Hexlock System, not a round shape but some teeth, at least at some photographs. Thus it should offer more torsional stiffness, than round axle ends. I know from an Enduro racer, that the Mattoc is at the same level of stiffness at the pike is, although it´s 1 mm thinner stanchions. Thus the Diamond SHOULD be realtively stiff, too. Moreover it´s a matter of material and construction not only the size ;-) Let´s just see how it will develope. I don´t think bothof these forks will be noodly.