DT Swiss Launch Lockout & Dropper Remote With Three Under-Bar Levers

Jan 19, 2022
by Seb Stott  
photo

Despite the rise of electronic suspension controllers, remote lockouts are still popular in XC racing. But many options are awkward to use - those with levers above the handlebar are tricky to operate especially on bumpy terrain, while others don't play nicely with dropper post remotes. Today DT Swiss launch two new remotes for their suspension products, which allow the fork and shock to be simultaneously changed between their three compression modes - "Open", "Drive" and "Lock". Crucially, the two levers required to adjust the suspension are located under the bar, within ergonomic reach of the rider's left thumb. The L3 adds a dropper post remote which sits underneath the suspension levers, putting all the controls within thumb's reach.

L2 & L3 Remote Details
• Remote lockout (L2) or lockout and dropper (L3)
• L2 remote can be upgraded to L3
• Matchmaker X mount with bar clamp
• (Officially) compatible Forks: F 232 ONE / F 535 ONE, Shocks: R 232 ONE / R 535 ONE
• Compatible with most cable-operated droppers
• Claimed weight: 35g (L2), 68g (L3)
• Price: 59.90 € / 65.90 USD (L2), 99.90 € / 109.90 USD (L3)
• More info: dtswiss.com

Lukas Fl ckiger DT Swiss
The L3 remote in action.
photo
The L2 remote for suspension only.

The L2 remote can be upgraded with the dropper post lever to make it into an L3, so if you're still running a fixed seatpost it's possible to change your mind in future. The remote is officially only designed to work with DT Swiss suspension products, specifically the 232 ONE fork and shock for XC and the 535 ONE platform for All Mountain riding.

However, when I quizzed DT Swiss about compatibility with other brands, they say the remote has been used with Fox's cable-operated suspension products and the amount of cable pull is the same as Fox use. Apparently, the cable pretension needs to be higher though. The dropper post lever on the L3 remote should work with most cable-operated droppers as they are less fussy about cable movement due to their on-off operation.



Lukas Fl ckiger Canyon Shimano DT Swiss SUI


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216 Comments
  • 344 2
 This one shoots a net out, and this one drops tacks behind you, and this one is the eject button!
  • 28 3
 There's only one bike this is appropriate for: the Pivot Mach 5.
  • 47 0
 Which one calls the semi so you can pull inside and upgrade weapons systems?
  • 6 0
 Smoke screen would be pretty useful
  • 20 0
 the bottom one drops the water skis so you can jump the shark ahead!
  • 18 0
 @ReformedRoadie: I swear I had to look twice. I thought this was for Scott.
  • 14 0
 Which one fires off the blue shell?
  • 17 0
 Ejecto seato cuz!
  • 6 0
 This is not the way.
  • 6 0
 @fly4130: I always preferred the oil slick system myself.
  • 3 0
 @ReformedRoadie: Speedracer reference: +1 ; )
  • 2 0
 And be carful with this one… seismic charge bomb
  • 275 3
 Looks like an April Fools prank.
  • 31 2
 It really needs to be made possible to reverse an accidental negprop
  • 2 0
 Was thinking the same
  • 2 0
 sorry had to test if it was possible.
  • 5 0
 Exactly my thoughts. To me, I see lockouts as a crutch for shitty suspension platforms.
  • 7 0
 Agreed, it's almost comical. No way this survives a month of riding without connecting with your knee and snapping part of this off.
  • 2 0
 That's what I was thinking :-)
  • 125 0
 Will it fit with my front derailleur?
  • 54 0
 You'll need to get the soon to be release 4 lever model.
  • 5 0
 @ReformedRoadie: the FD edition comes with a lockout, so you can lockout your lockouts and still use the FD
  • 6 0
 @ReformedRoadie: They will have to sell thumb extenders with that beast
  • 7 0
 @sargey2003: I have 5. Do I hear 6?
  • 1 0
 Comment winner right here.
  • 6 0
 you use grip shift DUHHH Smile
orrr or orrrrrr XTR Dual Control STI 'brifters'
Does anyone remember those things??? What a time. What a world. What a terrible idea.
  • 1 0
 You can add a reversed Grip Shift near the stem. And one oldschool shifter on the frame. Then adapt it for slopestyle, bus driver, tail whip, etc....
  • 4 0
 @noapathy: I feel like we are are the same trajectory as razor blades.
  • 2 0
 @blcpdx: I think I was the only person who liked them.
  • 94 0
 "PULL THE LEVER KRONK!"

"WRONG LEVER!"
  • 3 0
 classic!!!
  • 1 0
 Put it in a box and when it arrives...
  • 78 0
 Yo dawg, I heard you liked levers
  • 7 0
 There should be a lockout to lockout the lockouts, 4lever + FD edition! 5lever dawwg
  • 6 0
 @lehott: Xzibit approves
  • 11 0
 @lehott: Mounted on some FlexxBars with those rotating grips, and a Girvin FlexStem for good measure. Hell. Throw a Trust fork on there too.
  • 3 0
 @sngltrkmnd: PB better be combing the comments! Haha this is gold
  • 1 0
 @sngltrkmnd: trust forks, RIP bro
  • 1 0
 @lehott: Is the podcast dead? Nothing yet this month.
  • 43 3
 I don’t understand. If you need 3 levers, sure- but why are they all stacked on top of each other like a pile of individual levers? The stack is like 2” tall. Design and ergonomic fail.
  • 14 3
 To be fair, if they made them closer together you'd be more likely to push the wrong lever. I agree it's cumbersome but I still think it's a better solution than having the lockout remote above the bar, where you need to take your thumb off the grip to use it.
  • 35 6
 if people can differentiate 16+ buttons on a video game console controller I think they can handle 3 on one side of the handlebars. I'm not sure how it's an ergonomic fail when the only other option for locking out without a remote is to somehow reach down during riding... an actual ergonomic fail.
  • 27 0
 This will hurt some knees. But only the left knee, though Wink
  • 11 0
 @ream720: Please don't make assumptions about my videogaming prowess.
  • 7 0
 The Scott/Syncros model is still the cleanest most ergonomic option I've seen for multiple-lockout and dropper, followed by the RS twist lockout and a normal ass dropper lever. This seems like they looked at the Syncros model and went "man, imagine we made that way worse."
  • 3 2
 @ream720: No, the other options are to put the seatpost remote on the right side, like back when droppers first came out and most people had front derailleurs
  • 1 0
 yeah I agree, why they don't do some kind of trigger for any of those actuations? it could be dropper or the most used lockout... I mean, even the idea that SRAM had with the twistloc was good but with bad execution, make it smaller and then you have a way to actuate something.
  • 1 1
 Their is an old saying dating back to 1960’s Chevys…..Three on the tree! I guess the solution to eliminate this condition is Flight Attendant or Stewardess! Or maybe 3ontheTree was a solution to the Flight Attendant!
  • 5 0
 @seb-stott: the answer is RS TwistLoc, it isn't perfect (weak bar clamp, awkward cable exits) but having the lockout on a 'gripshift' separates the dropper and lockout in your brain a bit better. And you can have a normal dropper lever, in a normal position. Plus the bonus is when you come out of a corner and want to lock out, it's like doing a moto brap brap. On the wrong side. Full gas. Works though.
  • 2 0
 @seb-stott: *cries in 2018 Scott*
  • 3 0
 seriously. just a few mins of consideration, and I'm like:

Move the lockout buttons up to the bar, with small linkages get the force down to the cable spools.

put the lockout buttons in line with the dropper lever, in board of it, with short throw so they're just a quick tap.

This smacks of an engineer being told how to engineer by a sales manager.
  • 2 0
 @James-at-Pedals: this os the way, and what I have on my XC bike
  • 3 0
 one lever, push in 2mm and dropper and both suspension lock outs release, push further and both ends suspension lock. As well, have fork and shock springs coil in opposite directions so that the forces cancel out each other and it is easier to push lever. Or have two levers like a shimano shifter, push with index finger and everything releases, and push with thumb and suspension locks out
  • 1 0
 @ream720: Gripshift, or put the one lever on top like scott.
  • 43 2
 I am not the target audience for this product, but let me offer my opinion on why it’s bad…
  • 19 0
 I am the target audience for this. It’s still bad.

(I ride a Scott Spark RC)
  • 1 0
 I ride a Merida 96 RC and have a Twitloc for suspension lockout. I would not swap that for this.
  • 31 0
 next bar strike should be interesting...my knee cap already hurts looking at that
[can they make it more compact?]
  • 10 0
 TBF it’s so big it might actually dig in and stop you going OTB
  • 2 0
 @mashrv1: I've had a reverb lever do that. Would not recommend it.
  • 23 1
 Is it April already?
  • 28 0
 I checked my Swiss calendar, but no
  • 3 0
 For a sec I thought I slept over Feb and March ...
  • 19 0
 Did Scott acquire DT Swiss? Seriously what is it with the Swiss and trying to squeeze the maximum amount of sh!t possible onto a handlebar?
  • 64 0
 They all just try to copy Victorinox.
  • 13 0
 @squarewheel: Swiss Army Lever
  • 9 0
 @PtotheK: But does it come with a toothpick and tweezers?
  • 14 0
 Where's the lockout to lockout the lockouts so you don't accidently hit the lockout?
  • 10 0
 Well, it's Swiss design! What did you expect? To be simple?

Since the very first Swiss watch everyone here are obsessed with finding new ways of doing things. If we are not able to do it better then everyone else, we'll do it equally well but more complicated. And you'll stand in line to pay for it.

If you want some simple, flowy and nice design.. call those Italians
  • 1 0
 Being a Swiss/Italian I could not agree more!
  • 10 2
 My steel, singlespeed, rigid hardtail just got even sexier. Simplicity ftw.

Seriously, though, this is absurd. It's 2022. Can't we just skip straight to voice commands?
  • 10 0
 Yeah! With those douchy bluetooth ear things the businessmen yell into at the airport!
  • 1 0
 @furiousstyles:

Bonus: we can then have $600 POC helmets with built-in voice functionality!
  • 14 0
 Voice commands? Like shout “Fork Off”?
  • 4 0
 @Rubber-Buccaneer: I already do that!
  • 7 1
 Bike Industry Evil Villain: Okay, they seem to be taking to wireless stuff even though its not really better and costs more....now lets relaunch wired stuff, except this time it will be more complicated and fragile.
*rubs hands together, cackles like villain, checks bank account*
  • 10 0
 I remember when external cable routing went away, then came back as a "feature" on some bikes. I am waiting for the 2x drivetrain be the newest innovation in mtb.
  • 4 0
 @Rexuis-Twin: 1000%> range. Who wouldn't want it?
  • 6 0
 @Rexuis-Twin: " new, dual front chainrings! The smaller chainring has more antisquat, giving you greater pedaling effiency on climbs, while the larger ring has less pedal kickback, giving you better performance on the descents! It's the next greatest thing in mountain biking! "
  • 1 0
 With most new components either unavailable or massively overpriced, I'm looking at my collection of old parts and thinking, "Hmm, maybe it'll be fun to go back and try a 2x setup."
  • 2 0
 @hamncheez: please stop. Someone, somewhere is writing this stuff down for next year’s sales release.
  • 7 1
 Too many levers. Easy to snap if you take a digger, guaranteed to be confusing when riding.

This is what happens when engineers who don’t ride design stuff.
  • 5 3
 guaranteed to be confusing when riding

If only the human brain was adaptable and muscle memory was a thing eh?
  • 4 0
 @boozed: If only 3 levers stacked right next to each other weren't an ergonomic nightmare.


You running Shimano Dual Control brake levers? Why not?

Because you can "adapt" to them but the design is ergonomic crap. Same with these stacked levers.
  • 1 0
 If you think this is a "nightmare" wait until you see the Scott Twinloc lever from a few years ago!
  • 2 0
 @boozed: Hate that too. Another example of engineering without regard for ergonomics. A lot of the models with the Twinloc were great-when that abomination was pulled off the bars.
  • 5 1
 "those with levers above the handlebar are tricky to operate especially on bumpy terrain"

Why are you messing with lockout in bumpy terrain? Even, if you forgot to unlock it shouldn't be that hard to smack the release lever, but how often is someone trying to get into a firmer mode in "bumpy terrain"?
  • 5 0
 While I am somewhat on the fence about electronic shifting/ component actuation, if there was ever a case for it, this would be it.
  • 5 0
 It always strikes me as odd the DT makes some benchmark products in their hubs, spokes, some of their rims... then they make... other things.
  • 3 0
 My Canyon Strive had 3 levers on the left- One each for the climb and descend suspension modes and then the dropper below.
I did get used to it, however I would regularly knee-cap myself on the low hanging dropper and it took me a long process of trial and error to finally find a non-Canyon branded remote for the dropper that not only had to bolt onto the underside of the shape shifter but also have the lever-throw angle be roughly the same as the levers above. Never again! However I am curious if this product could have taken the place of all that mess?
  • 4 0
 Poor thumb carries a heavy load. What about all the other fingers? Most people only brake with one. What the heck are all the other slacker fingers doing? Why can't the pinky be in charge of the lockout?
  • 4 0
 Have to post this Onion classic: "F*ck Everything, We're Doing Five Blades!" (replace * with u in link to read this gem!)

www.theonion.com/f*ck-everything-were-doing-five-blades-1819584036
  • 5 0
 Their new ebike also has the motor controls on the left side in addition to this. More options to press than a piano player!
  • 3 0
 "putting all the controls within thumb's reach."

Debatable. That dropper lever is pretty far away, gonna need a monster of a thumb to reach that without unwrapping the rest of the hand a bit.
  • 2 0
 I certainly have answered more than a hundred e-mails asking for a solution for dropper+ fork + shock on one clamp. The only option I know of so far so far were the Fox/Scott Twinlock remotes.
This takes it a step further with great build quality and tactile precision. I like it and I've tested it.
Not a product for me personally, because I do not have not a single bike with remote suspension, but there are more than enough customers who have been looking for eaxctly this. And there is currently not a nicer option.
  • 1 0
 Also looks like you made some great OE business with them. ;-) Nice!
  • 2 0
 @GRMTBR: The droplock is a good product. It does however only do an on/off lockout. The new DT and twinlock do a three step (open, firm, closed) lockout. That's hard to achieve with just one lever.
  • 2 0
 @nolimit: Good catch on the dropper remote. ;-)
Still the L2/L3 is a great design and it's good to finally see it coming to market. It's an honor to be a part of the project, even if it's just a small one
  • 3 0
 I live close to the border with Switzerland. Next time I see one of them, I need to check how many thumbs they have in their left hand, because Scott is also into this left lever thing. I'll keep you posted.
  • 2 0
 So the scars on number 68's left knee: Are they from prototype testing?

Ridiculous. Why did they not arrange at least two of the levers like the two paddles on regular gear shifters? USP?
  • 2 0
 XC Racers: I need my bike to be as light as possible. Sub 20lbs would be best
Also XC Racers: Except I'll need 8lbs of lockout levers, dropper levers, and hell, just extra levers because they look fast.
  • 1 0
 @dtswiss this has hurt my eyes so bad I will no longer see the same way. Have I missed a reverse trend? Aren't we currently looking to reduce all the wiggle and cables from our bikes, was I traped in a paralell universe?

Three levers! Why??? I barely use any switch or suspension lock out at all, I have never missed it, not even when I raced XC. Dropper - check, Shock and Fork - what the heck?

My mechsanic is cutting my bike in half, when trying to fiddle all these through the frame (internal cable routing & more cables = death wish)
  • 1 0
 I've got a 2018 Scott Spark with the twinlok setup including a dropper lever. It's a pain to use the dropper lever as it's above the bar, so I'm wondering about swapping in the new 2022 version (similar to this). Wonder though if you'd get mixed up with the dropper/lockout levers, and whether you'd maybe smack your knee into it as it's hanging pretty low...
  • 2 0
 You know "Wingo" in Pixar's Cars, the tuner with the ridiculous number of spoilers on the back? That's the first thing that came to mind when I saw this. pixarcars.fandom.com/wiki/Wingo
  • 3 0
 As someone who's dropper lever has previously interested itself into their abdomen this scares me!
  • 6 1
 Kill it with fire!
  • 5 1
 Why .... don't need mission control station on my bars
  • 4 0
 Do the Swiss have extra long thumbs or something? Serious question…
  • 5 1
 Dirt roadie shit right there.
  • 3 0
 This seems like a good place to consider some sort of grip shift mechanism.
  • 4 0
 Go home DT Swiss, you're drunk.
  • 4 0
 Can't wait to see how they'll integrate all these cables in the stem
  • 3 0
 Whos the new guy? Oh he has that triple lever and his smart phone mounted to his bike, no need to invite him on the ride.
  • 3 0
 Seriously?! Enduro riders get flight attendant and XC riders get this sh1t?
  • 1 0
 I laughed when I saw the article and thumbnail image and clicked through thinking it would be some tongue and cheek article by Henry. Then I realized it was a real product....
  • 1 0
 I know lockouts are an easy target, especially for the super gnarly contingent, but I love the twinloc on my bike. I use it all the damn time and it works really well. Just the dropper is a bit of a pain.
  • 1 0
 So you have manufacturers like Scott and others hide the cables, hoses and even shocks but they are OK with a conflagration of levers for lockouts which in my experience don’t really do much.
  • 3 1
 BMC Trailsync enters chat… proceeds to drop choice words, then slams the door on the way out.
  • 1 0
 if this were on my bike, it would last about as long as a middle school relationship! I see the idea, but my thumbs are fat and would end up hitting all the levers at once.
  • 2 0
 You'll have to have pretty big hands/long thumbs to use those!
My thumb hurts from just looking at it lol
  • 2 1
 That looks like it will survive a crash............................................ Just like a Ponzi scheme...............................
  • 2 0
 Remember the "looks like a Session"
This is the "looks like a Scott" upgrade.
  • 3 0
 I skipped the article and went straight for the comments: gold!
  • 2 0
 Also, I looked at the first picture and thought 'nope, that's enough beer for one day...'
  • 2 0
 Up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, A, B, Start allows for increased speeds
  • 2 0
 Surely they could fit the shifter under there. Make it a 5 paddle lever. Would have a really tidy right side at least
  • 1 0
 Are you effen kidding me, I though this was a April Fools joke until I looked at the calendar. The need to automate this contraption.
  • 1 0
 The remote has been used with Fox's cable-operated suspension products and the amount of cable pull is the same as Fox use. Super, much love!
  • 2 0
 Baby, you make me wish I had three hands
  • 2 0
 Oof, imagine getting jousted by that thing.
  • 1 1
 "But many options are awkward to use..." so we'll just stack all the awkward options in this awkward lever ladder...for max awkwardness...nailed it...
  • 2 0
 We heard you like levers, so we put a lever on your lever on your lever.
  • 1 0
 A bad crash means that entire levers setup is sheared right off of the clamp.
  • 2 0
 This screams to be broken into millions of pieces when you crash.
  • 1 0
 Looks better and more ergonomic than the new Scott Twinlock. Need to be double jointed to operate that accursed thing
  • 2 0
 I-spec compatible or just Su-spec?
  • 2 0
 This looks like April fool's photoshop, but it's real.
  • 1 0
 Is the 3rd lever for controlling the suspension on ur friends bike while on a ride?
  • 2 0
 my left knee says hell no!
  • 1 0
 Looks like a story in "6 things that didn't happen in the bike industry" got posted early.
  • 1 0
 A quick look at the calendar tells me it is not 1. of April yet, what makes this announcement even more strange....
  • 1 0
 I guess we see what DT thinks about the "Do I really need a lockout" debate.
  • 1 0
 Good thing they didn't design it to work with the suspension brands most people use.
  • 1 0
 So we lost front gears to unclutter the bars and now we have this triclops mess in return?
  • 1 0
 Can it not be made into a low profile twist grip style thingy onyour handle bar, with just a small tab sticking out?
  • 1 0
 The FD shifter died and went to MTB heaven and is looking down on this abomination with disgust
  • 2 0
 "Are you good with your hands?"
"I use an L3 lockout system"
  • 1 0
 Surely with Flight Attendant, this will be available on a wireless AXS shifter soon too?
  • 1 0
 I get confused turning on the TV .. trying to work that lot out is a one way ticket to smashing into a tree
  • 1 0
 I really like the orbea squidlock remote. Looks better in my opinion and the throw on the lever is very short.
  • 1 0
 this post just seems like bait for Pinkbike commenters
  • 1 0
 This is like Fast & Furious 18 speed gated shifter!
  • 1 0
 Keep the lockout levers on the bar ends where they belong
  • 1 0
 DT Swiss and Scott are from Swiss... what are their problems there?
  • 1 0
 Does Bob Dorough work for them now?
  • 2 1
 slam you knee into that thing.
  • 2 1
 No chance of them getting ripped out in a crash.
  • 3 1
 A Lever Too Far.
  • 1 1
 Steep rocky section and you lock the rear shock instead of dropping the post...testi's will love you & this
  • 1 0
 …why not asking Rock Shox to sell Twist Lock rights?
  • 1 0
 Thats like Bontrager Droplock in really ugly!!!
  • 1 0
 Looks like my maxed out COD rifle.
  • 1 0
 Watching that gave me the urge to ride a rigid singlespeed.
  • 1 0
 Seems perfect for my Scott Genius, the twinloc is not enough
  • 1 1
 Will be adding this to my gravel bike in the spring.

Nice addition that I expect will turn some heads no doubt…
  • 1 0
 It's razor blade wars all over again Frown
  • 1 0
 I'll wait for the Shadow Plus version with increased ground clearance.
  • 1 0
 I want wireless brakes already.
  • 2 0
 That's some LEVY news.
  • 1 0
 Too soon for April fools eh?
  • 2 0
 Is it April 1st already?
  • 2 0
 what the actual fuck
  • 1 0
 Three stars. Needs more levers.
  • 1 0
 This is the visual equivalent of fingernails on a chalk board.
  • 1 0
 i need @bicyclepubes to mate this to a 2x drivetrain
  • 1 0
 This press release is a joke, right?
  • 1 1
 Only for bass guitar players. And freaks. Ok, they're pretty much the same thing.
  • 1 0
 Pick a lever and be a dick about it
  • 1 0
 I really wanted this to be a joke
  • 1 0
 I just threw up a little. That'll be a no.
  • 1 0
 Everyone surprised by this mustn't even know Scott exists?
  • 1 0
 I almost thought it was April 1st
  • 1 0
 "How many more remotes do you want?"
"Yes"
  • 1 0
 To quote RJ. That’s going to be a no from me Dawg!
  • 1 0
 If James Bond rode a bike.
  • 1 0
 hard gear! oups seatpost goes up butt
  • 1 0
 Looks like an experiment with mating Ispec/matchmaker adaptors gone wrong.
  • 1 0
 There's one lever missing....
  • 1 0
 That road grader cockpit is coming along
  • 1 0
 Ew.
  • 1 0
 EJECTO SEAT'O CUZZ
  • 1 0
 Lol room for 1 more???
  • 1 0
 it's enough slices!
  • 3 2
 nonsense
  • 1 1
 Those exposed cables with some nice mud on them are gonna work so good!
  • 2 1
 noooooooope
  • 1 1
 My OCD is trembling with anxiety.
  • 1 0
 is today April 1st?
  • 1 0
 Bye bye kneecap!
  • 1 0
 So Scott
  • 1 2
 You'd think by now we could just tell Google or Alexa to lockout the suspension...
  • 24 0
 rider - "Unlock my suspension"
Alexa -"I'm sorry I didn't get that"
rider - "Unlock my suspension"
Alexa - " you want to order spagetti? Sure what type?"
rider - "NO ...Unlock my suspension"
Alexa- " The northern serengeti is on the content of Africa ..."
rider - "Alexa shut up and unlock my suspension!"
Alexa- "there is no need to be rude, how can I help"
rider - "sigh" "never mind .... I'll just go home"
Alexa - "sure do you need directions? I also can show you deals on suspension lockouts for the home..."
  • 3 0
 @ExShopRat: beautiful as i read this aloud the house starts talking to me.
  • 1 0
 Just no!
  • 1 0
 What a UNIT
  • 1 0
 Oh my lord
  • 1 0
 Is it April?
  • 1 0
 :'D
  • 1 0
 Friggen gross..







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