Spotted: Wireless Electronic Suspension from RockShox

Sep 21, 2021
by Alicia Leggett  
photo

New tech is, unsurprisingly, often tested at the top level by EWS and World Cup riders, so it's no surprise when a race bike has some new and mysterious parts on it. In this case, Charlie Murray's Specialized Enduro is outfitted with what appears to be prototype electronic suspension from RockShox.

The fork and shock are both labeled with the RockShox prototype BlackBox branding and seem to be RockShox's foray into a wireless electronic lockout system. The fork is marked with open, pedal, and lock settings and has two buttons marked + and - where the compression dial is usually found. Those buttons may be what moves the green indicator between the open, pedal, and lock modes, but it's possible that they're linked to something else entirely.

As for the shock, it would make sense for the shock to have matching adjustments, though we can't say for sure. There is a thin strip of black tape that seems to be obscuring what looks like an AXS battery, although that could have been a last minute addition for some extra security during the race.

photo
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We'll keep our eyes peeled at the next and final EWS race for a few more glimpses of this setup and will keep you updated as we learn more.

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Spotted RockShox


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291 Comments
  • 581 7
 My suspension is wireless… works fine
  • 36 94
flag racecase (Sep 20, 2021 at 18:33) (Below Threshold)
 So are my headphones Smile
  • 42 2
 @racecase: *whoosh
  • 16 62
flag racecase (Sep 21, 2021 at 7:44) (Below Threshold)
 @redrook: The joke was about not accepting new tec. Enjoy your 26 wheels.
  • 43 1
 @racecase: I see you can neither understand nor take a joke.
  • 26 0
 @racecase: Whoa now. Leave 26 inch wheels out of this
  • 29 0
 @racecase: my bike only has two wheels... am I doing something wrong?
  • 275 3
 I forgot the WiFi password to my forks again.
  • 87 1
 Your temporary password is Jordie
  • 32 0
 Password:password
  • 8 1
 That's mad funny , my password is not 1234 or is it?????
  • 44 8
 @ReeferSouthrland: That's the stupidest combination I've ever heard in my life! That's the kinda thing an idiot would have on his luggage...
  • 2 2
 @veero: how do you know?
  • 28 0
 @RussellTinka: Has no-one seen Spaceballs?!!
  • 29 0
 @veero: I knew it! I'm surrounded by A$$holes!!!
  • 13 0
 @veero: Soon you will learn that Evil will always triumph because Good is Dumb!
  • 2 0
 @veero: m.youtube.com/watch?v=IjVatNQr-GM

Comedy gold that movie!
  • 9 0
 @veero: That’s amazing! I have the same combination on my luggage!
  • 1 0
 @veero: that was the first thing I wanted to post... Nice one!
  • 3 0
 @veero: Best movie ever!
  • 3 0
 No problem just do a factory reset on them and it will be the default, and so will your settings.... wait error code ID:10t is showing now my forks are bricked, oops.
  • 2 0
 @MLeslie7: Error 404 Fork not found
  • 191 2
 Props for taking spy shots on something other than a potato
  • 55 487
flag flow-state (Sep 20, 2021 at 16:22) (Below Threshold)
 Comment gold! ; )
  • 60 2
 @eric505rider: ya, since you are Outside
  • 224 9
 @eric505rider: The badge of dishonor
  • 54 1
 @eric505rider: shame! shame!
  • 24 0
 Outside insider
  • 38 1
 If only I could upvote the downvotes
  • 28 1
 @chriskneeland: she's a witch! Burn her!
  • 5 0
 But was the potato cut fried and places in a red box
  • 2 0
 @chriskneeland:
  • 3 0
 It's like the death star of tags.
  • 9 8
 @boycottoutsideplus: Why do you have Outside+ when you say you want to boycott it?
  • 16 1
 @KK11 @Jules15: Someone else answered to this already. They were a member of pb plus and automatically got the outside plus tag on their name now. They don't work for outside and are not trying to promote it.. PB/Outside is just pushing it onto people.
  • 8 0
 @stumphumper92: Notably, pb employees who used to have pb plus and mod tags only have mod tags now...
  • 5 0
 Outside tag is the 1st sign of rebranding...
  • 10 0
 @chriskneeland: So basically the out badge is just going to be annihilated into oblivion immediately? I find this funny.
  • 128 3
 Maybe next they will put batteries on our bikes to make it easier to pedal.... Then our lives will be complete.
  • 115 8
 I still jerk off manually.
  • 17 1
 To pinkbike?
  • 32 0
 @extratalldirtrider: sometimes...
  • 5 0
 Far out
  • 5 0
 UCI ban coming.
  • 3 0
 Ha ha, of course you do. Where's Bunny Dude?
  • 10 0
 @roscoe76: If you didn't spend $12k on a bicycle you wouldn't have to jerk off manually...
  • 2 0
 @extratalldirtrider: he does it to DCA
  • 90 2
 We Finally need Remote controlled bicycle...so you can sit on your ass home and remote send it
  • 7 0
 Remi should start a business, live virtual reality mtbing. Then people can sit on their ass and experience pov what it looks like to be the best... picture someone sitting on a couch with handle bars in hand weezing from heavy breathing, sweating, and probably drooling a bit... hahaha
  • 7 0
 Lets start with the self-steering, self-braking e-bike. Just sit on it and (let it) go "mountainbiking".

It obviously needs a montly subscription service to keep the trailmaps up to date.
  • 4 0
 @Beaconbike: You are onto something. Only fans for the bikes, maybe: OnlyBikes.com , 9.99USD for private personal video streaming right from chest mounted gopro.

Extra 3.99USD for Friday fails, Saturday sends or Sunday sends.
  • 91 3
 Scott is still gonna use all the cables though
  • 49 1
 Did anyone else say “Charlie Murray” to themselves like it was Charlie Murphy… in Dave Chappelle’s voice?
  • 26 0
 F@#k your couch charlie murray
  • 5 0
 @ninesix SLAP!!!
  • 3 0
 Nice place
  • 13 0
 @Kurtsee: you can buy some new shox, ya rich mother f@cker!!!!!
  • 10 0
 What I'mma do about my legs, Charlie Murray??? They shoulda never given you Kiwis money!
  • 9 0
 @chezotron: yeah, I remember grinding my feet on Eddie’s couch.
  • 6 0
 @bengtleon: Cocaine is a hell of a drug
  • 32 0
 it's 9.99$ per month to unlock your fork
  • 5 0
 Just imagine a scenario where you’re riding along and all of a sudden your fork doesn’t auto renew and your bike goes rigor mortis in the middle of a jump line.

Make sure you set your auto-renew for 12:01AM
  • 23 0
 It seems like live valve has had really low up take by racers in the EWS/WC, which would indicate to me that it doesn't work all that well compared to conventional boingers. I wonder if this will be better, or just another dentist level component for old dudes to slap on their Pivots.
  • 5 0
 I was always wondering if its just to unpredictable for racing and a kind of electronic preset switch might be better. The latest spy shots on a fox RAD project looks like that.
E.g how would the electonic know if you'd like to stay on top in rough terrain or if you'd like to suck it up. Different weather/trail conditions might also change how you'd like the suspention to work on the very same trail - especially under race conditions.

Beside race and maybe bike parks I don't know anyone who changes the suspension setup depending on the trails they ride. So for the "normal" user it might benefit from such a system. But might turn out only dentists are willing to pay the price.
  • 5 0
 Reviews of bikes with live valve were also mediocre. That stuff seems to be a very expensive sidegrade rather than an upgrade. A wireless climb switch might be nice, but keeping track of three batteries just for the climb switch would not be worth the hassle.
  • 4 1
 You mean slap on their Santa Cruz**
  • 1 0
 @stumphumper92: Also yes
  • 2 0
 When did all the dentists switch from Yeti to Pivot? I can't keep up with this stuff...
  • 21 1
 Well at least they hid the battery.
  • 21 0
 at least its wireless unlike LiveValve
  • 1 5
flag NZRalphy (Sep 21, 2021 at 3:48) (Below Threshold)
 Gold comment
  • 2 0
 Why do they have the blackbox logo. It just shouts, " Hey look at me I'm Secret"
  • 2 0
 @donthaveadropper: ... you just answer your own question
  • 1 0
 @freestyIAM: o
  • 1 0
 @freestyIAM: sorry
  • 99 84
 The day where that electronic garbage will be forced on us, is the day I'll simply buy a frame and get boutique analog suspensions like 11/6 and cable derailleurs from small companies. Electronics will ruin the fun of this sport, just like today's cars
  • 13 9
 lmfao
  • 15 4
 Agree. No desire to get the SRAM Xs Despite all these “rave” reviews
  • 140 17
 Noone is going to "force" you to ride anything you drama queen.
  • 88 4
 Old man shakes fist at cloud.
  • 29 14
 @PhillipJ: That is what they said about 26" wheels as well. Now look where we are. :-(
  • 19 17
 @Chuckolicious: what problem is it solving? do you see any of this in MXGP, MotoGP, F1 (i know), WRC? any? rather than build higher quality internals that the average punter will put ZERO value on, they have to build gimmicks to keep the turnover going.

Yamaha has the best forks in the game, KYB SSS, and they haven't really changed in ten years.
  • 17 5
 @PhillipJ: I Disagree. Shimano and SRAM are already phasing out mechanical drivetrains in the road bike world, it won't be long before mechanical options are only from alternative brands like Box or TRP.
  • 21 6
 @iRiderPB: I've still got a 26" hardtail trail bike, a 26" full suspension trail bike and a 26" DJ in my house. No 29er gestapo knocking on the door in the night so far.
  • 10 6
 @PhillipJ: lmfao....so you think in 10 years from now you'll still be able to get new parts for your vintage bikes ??? Guess what, you'll end up being forced to get those new bikes some day or later
  • 11 8
 @Charlotroy: Why would I want new parts for a 20 year old bike?
  • 8 0
 @mm732: F1 banned active suspension after Williams success with it. Not sure about the others. Active aero (other than DRS) also banned.
  • 3 0
 @mm732: I think the problem is we dont push out 100, 50, 20, pr even 10hp so gaining efficiency is the best way to make us faster.

Maybe not.
  • 7 3
 @PhillipJ: maybe when your fork bushings will be toasted and you won't be able to get anything new that fit your vintage bike except crappy old used parts but to each is own i guess. Have you ever ridden a modern bike with modern geo ?
  • 3 0
 @ratedgg13: I highly doubt fully mechanical bikes will ever disappear. I do see Proprietary “smart components” in the future. A theft deterrent integrated component ecosystem Downside is it could be subscription based, married to your frame or parent module serial number (no used component market) and require a software license and adapter for repairs.
  • 9 4
 @Charlotroy: Have you actually *looked* at the difference between a 26" fork and a 27.5" fork? The stanchion diameter isn't different so bushings and seals fit and the A to C difference is negligible so there's no problem running a 27.5" fork on a 26" frame. The ~10mm length increase is probably good to slacken it out a little.

26" wheels are not going anywhere because of slope style.

So many 26" frames were made and sold so they're easy to pick up used.

All the above is real but irrelevant to me because I ride a 29er too due to not being a 264Lyfer
  • 11 5
 @mm732: err… comparing the human powered MTB to your alphabet soup of ICE powered stuff seems a little weird and unhinged.

So, we already have climb switches that you either have to reach down to actuate, or install more levers and cables to your bars. Would be kinda useful to instead have a couple buttons on your bars that you could custom map to whatever you want, right? Like all of a sudden instead of just climb and descend, you can, say, program your suspension for flow/berm with one button map, steep chunder with another, fire road climb with another, and on and on. Literally whatever you like. Might be kinda useful, no?
  • 7 0
 @mm732: MotoGP along with lots of high end road motorbikes/cars have electronically-adjusted suspension. F1 had fully active hydraulic suspension for aero, but that got banned thirty years ago. Electronically controlled stuff hasn't really permeated the off road world though.
  • 1 1
 @Socket: i get what you're saying, but for whatever reason, the good stuff aint electric. the electric ohlins stuff is NIX-30 based; not the pressurized stuff with external reservoirs.

same for road-going cars: monotube bilsteins with LSC dials.
  • 1 0
 @Chuckolicious: it would be yes, if it's well integrated and the bike is sensored up. this seems more like the K2 stuff to me; unless it read gear ratio, power and RPM or something, but even then...
  • 1 0
 @iRiderPB: Thank god
  • 1 0
 @mm732: I’m actually thinking keep it simple. No Livevalve auto tune. All this does is give you the ability to do a fork tune of your liking on the fly. But you gotta program the button and then choose to use it.
  • 2 0
 @mm732: Well Ohlins won the 1991 MotoGP world championship with their CES stuff actually, but yeah by and large it does not seem to have made a dent in anything off-road.

The K2 stuff was actually the most ambitious attempt IMO (along with the Cannondale Simon fork that I don't think ever made it to market), it actually used real-time damping adjustments to adjust for each actual bump, but the execution didn't seem very good, apparently they weren't very waterproof and the electronics died all the time (and they were on 4" travel bikes which probably didn't help). Live Valve is just an electronic mode switch (it's either locked out or it's fully open and mechanical), it's yet to be confirmed but based on the patents Wheelbased posted recently (wheelbased.com/2021/06/18/bicycle-suspension-components-and-electronic-control-devices-by-sram), it looks like a slower version that just turns your LSC dial instead. More discussion of it from a few guys here - wheelbased.com/2021/07/14/pro-opinion-active-suspension
  • 16 0
 I struggle to see how having electric shifters and fork adjustments will make riding it less fun.
  • 6 0
 @Randy-Verified: Everytime you shift gears it charges to your debit card lol
  • 3 1
 @mm732: It is solving the suspension problem that bicycles are human powered and suspension robs that power.

All those other sports you mention have big engines and the weight of the machine in relation to the weight of the driver/rider is significantly higher.

And I hate to break it to you, but all of those other sports ARE using electronic suspension...
  • 3 1
 @Socket:

Nope, MotoGP, F1, WRC along with lots of high end motorsport series electronic suspension is banned.
  • 3 2
 @ratedgg13: agree!
Shimano new 105 is electronic only
  • 1 0
 @PhillipJ: forgot to say, that small wheels have that edge in terms of snapy feeling, not muted as 29ers
  • 5 0
 @ratedgg13: for me, I think the new ultegra and DA being electronic only is big for those who don't want electronic inbuilt redundancy everything. It's not really been picked up on much round here, but if it catches on, you can see Shimano doing the same with XT & XTR. And will SRAM only do XO1 & XX1 electronic if Shimano do? It'll certainly make for some expensive crashes and rock strikes
  • 3 0
 @mm732: but thats more of a rules thing i belive.
Check out the donut episode about williams on youtube.
  • 6 0
 @mm732:

All of the closed-circuit motorsports you mentioned have at one point or another used or pursued circuit specific, turn by turn GPS enabled electronic suspension but have been either regulated, homologated or cost cut out of racing.

F1 had active suspension with the Williams racing FW15C in 1993. Banned the following year.

MotoGP had active suspension/rolling chassis tuning with the teams IMU units and was homologated in 2018.

In MX both the AMA and FIM saw the potential of escalating costs and closed the door on active suspension as a cost cutting measure. Both KTM and Honda have previously pursued electronic suspension.

WRC had active suspension in the early 2000s with Peugeot, Citroën and Subaru and once again it was banned out of racing as a cost cutting measure.

Funnily enough electronic suspension is readily available in consumer cars (every manufacture that has ride height and sport mode settings) and motorcycles (Yamaha R1M). Like or not this isn’t new its just bicycle suspension catching up to motorsports 20yrs later.
  • 5 1
 @Chuckolicious:

No, the point (and rightly so) @mm732 was trying to make is was that at the most demanding end of suspension requirements and tuning manufactures have found away to work without electronic suspension and had instead pushed the limits of friction coefficients, spring rates, weight and lubrication. MTB has Kashima (aka the exact same stuff we put on non stuck cooking pans).

For all intent and purposes it appearances RocShox have turned the Climb, Firm & Open switches to electronic switches? At the very least I hope they have put in dynamic suspension linking the fork to the shock and allowed for truly innovative bike specific rolling chassis tuning for this to be a game changer. That would not require you to have a berm mode, fire road climb mode, or any of the other modes you describe. The suspension would know what your doing and what is required of it.
  • 1 0
 @PhillipJ: To keep riding those bikes... lol wtf are you thinking mate!?!?
  • 2 0
 @mm732:

Perhaps you should take a look at the steering wheels in F1 and WRC, and see if there are any buttons or switches.
  • 1 0
 @PhillipJ: im a 2754life
  • 2 0
 @PinkBikeWhisperer: We might be saying the same thing, but I'm not entirely sure. Basically, you can stop at the top of a fireroad climb and click all the clickers (or even pump the pump) to specifically tune for the long descent ahead, then do the same if that descent turns from berms to baby heads. Or, you can push the button on the bars, and Bob's you're uncle. I just cannot see a downside to that, nor some false dichotomy claiming manufacturers are not improving the other stuff instead. I am comfortably certain that if virtually anyone were suddenly granted this ability, they'd be all over it and wondering why it didn't happen sooner.
  • 1 0
 @PinkBikeWhisperer: points taken from others re regulations killing development, but thank you PBW; this is exactly it - We don't see developments in susp fundamentals quality much (grip2 VVC maybe notwithstanding), but instead theyre going the oddball route in an attempt to differentiate artificallly without addressing the inevitable compromises that will continue to follow vis a vis a high-end susp setup for a specific parcours.
  • 1 0
 @TobiasHandcock: Suddenly obtains massive thighs so you can climb in your 10 tooth gear
  • 2 0
 @Cord1: I was replying to someone's comment saying that "the good stuff isn't electric otherwise it would have been used in MotoGP/F1/etc" by pointing out that actually it has been used in those fields. If it's been banned, that's BECAUSE it was good.
  • 2 0
 @Socket: All good.
  • 16 0
 All funnies aside, this is bad ass. Now, I do like the tactile feel of clicking my own settings. But if this can adjust as quickly on the fly as Fox Live Valve, wirelessly? SOLD.
  • 7 0
 My same thoughts exactly, and I also see the opportunity to have data acquisition as part of the perks. The options sort of become endless as to running and keeping track of your suspension. Would be nice to look at a display and see exactly how much air your sus has without putting a shock on it.
  • 3 1
 @abueno: Agreed! For the price most of us spend on upgrading suspension to Factory, Ultimate or going bespoke to Intend, Formula, EXT, we are often underutilizing the components by not properly having them dialed in for our specific riding conditions (barometric pressure, suspension type, rider weight, valving). To have a system in place that is as smart or smarter than Jordi at Fox would be incredibly beneficial to the everyday person.

Now, this is a good reason why I changed from Fox Factory to Rock Shox; Rock Shox has a smaller range of adjustment, but that range is far better in most of my riding conditions than I could ever get with any Fox Factory product. Not saying I won't ever go back to Fox, but for ease of use, Rock Shox is hard to beat. I want to spend more time on the trail, not diddling around in my driveway trying different volume reducers and compression and rebound settings.
  • 20 2
 Still holding out for wireless brakes Razz
  • 59 4
 at least with Sram wireless brakes, their performance would be the same regardless of battery percentage...
  • 15 3
 Completely pointless and probably really expensive - it's a solution to a problem that no one has.

SRAM, why don't you focus on creating a viable alternative to Shimano Deore instead? You know, something riders would actually want and benefit from?
  • 7 2
 They seem happy supplying floppy plastic rubbish parts for OEM builds and going big on marketing so people think its the best. Why would they make something that actually works?
  • 8 0
 This has been leaked already months ago, here is the manual for this suspension Smile I hoped for an XC version (would buy that immediately for my Epic Evo) but it’s for plushier forks/shocks…

easyupload.io/cy6rdi
  • 1 0
 woah woah woah! Is that legit? I feel like a criminal, looking at all sort of unreleased tech manuals. Looks super close to release as well.
  • 9 0
 Rockshox owns Shockwiz, perhaps this is an integrated version of that tech. A built in data acquisition system.
  • 2 0
 Actually there is somewhere a prototype pic or patent image for a Shockwiz unit integrated into the air spring side top cap.
  • 2 0
 @tavaenga: yeah good point. Since this is on the compression side they can’t sense the air pressure.
  • 5 0
 I had this system on my old Lapierre Spicy - with wires and only for the rear damper, but it worked flawless and was helpful on my TransProvence race week. Switching the settings on the rear damper makes it more efficient on the climbs and during sprints. For a day long enduro race that safes some energy. Makes more sense than electronic shifting imo - THAT does not make any substantial diffenrence in bike persormance, but is expensive and leaves you lost, when the battery goes empty.
  • 1 1
 Lapierre dropped the eSuspension experiment. There was an article of the main guy behind it in some VeloVert mag, I don't remember why they dropped it. Lapierre belongs to the same group as Haibike, you could see them on that brand as well.
  • 8 0
 I'd still swap it out for an Avalanche cartridge, and SSD kit!
  • 3 0
 Best thing about my super deluxe ultimate was being able to have it tuned by Vorsprung lol
  • 9 1
 We said we wanted wireless brakes, not suspension.
  • 6 0
 As ungainly as the AXS battery looks on the fork, at least there is some consistency. Next they'll need to have a multi-slot charger like you can get for GoPro batteries...
  • 8 3
 More shit you don’t need that won’t make you a better rider but you need because hype and “why not I’m already a kook”
  • 3 0
 So…. Rockshux / SRAM bring a simple mechanical bike to have 6 batteries to function properly, is it better then 4 cables?
Nicer and cleaner looks for sure.
More accurate pretty sure too.
More reliable I am doubting it with number of devices to actuate same mission.
  • 1 0
 Now if only they could solve the wireless electricity problem...
  • 3 0
 Good point!
But I've counted 7:
2 for the RD/Shifters
2 for the dropper
3 for the suspension

The idea is good, having all things connected and capable to shift & transform the bike dynamically......in theory.
Reallity, is that after some years, you don't have software updates since the old hardware won't take it...or simply they change battery support/connectivity and your in the woods......
  • 3 0
 At first I though meh, but now I think of the possibilities... It would be neat it the most basic form linked to the dropper (same ASX lever unless you're Scott): dropper up = climbing setup, dropper down = descending setup.
You could even tie that in to gears: dropper up plus top gear = fully locked out for extra speed, dropper up and 51t = maximum climbing traction.
What a time to be alive.
  • 2 0
 This was my thought too. It would be easy to make this programmable, but I’d imagine this sort of setting would be popular.
  • 3 0
 Honestly out of things to make electronic on a bike, an electronic lockout switch is one I actually really like the idea of. Without a remote lockout its a total pain in the ass to reach down on a lot of bikes, and if you do have a remote lockout wired up you end up with 2 additional cables flopping around on the front of your bike.
  • 8 5
 Who is gonna be the first to hack the gears and suspension settings. Cant be long before some rider competing in a world cup receives comedy rebound and compression settings mid race..... its gonna happen!
  • 9 0
 If it runs the same as AXS, all you need is rip the door off a microwave and turn it on pointing towards the racers. They'll be slightly warmed, and the RF spectrum will be so polluted highly unlikely anyone is going to be shifting | squish tuning | etc.

For the curious, AXS runs on 2.4Ghz spectrum band, damn close to your microwave.
  • 6 0
 @joshroppo: I hope you like jammin' too
  • 1 0
 @joshroppo: www.ebay.com/b/2-4GHz-Frequency-Band-Hobby-RC-Receivers-Transmitters/40703/bn_56924100
  • 2 0
 @joshroppo: wifi as well as lots of things have the same band. That's now how it works
  • 1 0
 @makripper: I barely can microwave a burrito so I will have to take your word. My only experience was rc cars controllers conflicting as a kid.
  • 1 0
 It would be a trivial technical challenge. Simply put the jammer and battery in your downtube with a switch connected to your downshift paddle in a way where you just have to push it a little to engage. When approaching a steep uphill, either downshift or put pressure on the paddle. You get to shift while all AXS users in range get to stay in a hard gear then stall out.
  • 2 0
 Hasn't happened at the Le Tour yet, I would expect to see it there first. Maybe in CX racing before MTB.
  • 3 1
 @joshroppo: Great way to end up with your head inside a doorless mircrowave.
  • 2 0
 @TobiasHandcock: Have you seen road and cyclocross riders? Their upper bodies are held together by the team's brightly colored body condom. Plus the riders will all be very tired from pushing hills the in the wrong gear! Razz
  • 1 2
 @makripper: care to expand on that?

Wifi has multiple spectrum bands. AFAIK the AXS system uses 2.4Ghz, which is the same as microwaves.

You can test this at home, grab a 2.4Ghz wifi router, connect only on that band, and then break the door on a microwave. Your wifi signal will go to shite. This happens a lot with old microwaves. People will complain their internet/netflix/etc is slow, but it happens to coincide when someone is microwaving a burrito.
  • 1 0
 @joshroppo: do you have any idea how communication works? You could find a way to distort signal with a high enough power and the exact wavelength. The best way to cause issues is to mimic the signal to control what you want to control. You'd have to reverse engineer to figure out the addressing and protocols used.
  • 3 0
 @joshroppo: ok , speaking as an RF engineer never ever ever do this! In fact it's as dangerous as advising people to grab live mains wires. Careful what sh1t you type.
  • 3 0
 @joshroppo: that's with your advice (joking or not) to break the microwave door, that is very fricking stupid
  • 3 0
 When the solar flare hits & the emp disables all the world's electronics, & all the electro bikers all slowly fade to a standstill, I'll still be smashing it on my old fashioned pedal powered mtb
  • 1 0
 I had the Rockshox E:i on my Lapierre Spicy and it worked well. I really liked that setup. The downside was the garbage wiring harness. I went through 3 of them. Probably from water damage. Living in Washington, my bike gets wet a lot and I usually clean it after every ride. I've looked for E;I systems on eBay as I've wanted to toy with the setup more.
I can imagine this setup will be quite good, especially with no wiring harness.
  • 4 0
 Pinkbike I have had wireless suspension for a while now, wheres my article?
  • 3 0
 That's pretty neat. I wonder if it's doing any active tuning during the ride. Intelligent suspension.... Skynet is coming for your PR's!
  • 3 0
 cue the southpark episode with the built-in dild0s. 2028 Selle Italia Flite w/ the built-in PowerDot electrodes and ass massager.
  • 3 0
 I'll take 5!
  • 4 1
 Adding more weight to bikes that are already heavy…

It might be faster for the racers, but for the rest of us I am not so sure…
  • 3 3
 Bikes are pretty light these days
  • 7 2
 @TobiasHandcock: Come again?
  • 6 1
 @TobiasHandcock: Compared to what,the extreme freeride days?
  • 1 0
 @zyoungson: you want handcock to come again?
  • 4 0
 Hold up, I want to reboot my bike before I hit this big send. Just in case.
  • 1 0
 I feel like we're at the same point as with the automobile: No real differentiation between brands anymore so manufacturers try to bring up some fancy stuff they can promote, but the customer base is not really interested in. When designing a product you should always think about the value it can create for a certain group... In this case right here I cannot see any value added apart from EWS racing.
  • 1 0
 This rear shock is a finally something I have been waiting for as it is an ideal application of the AXS as most frames don't have routing for shock remotes and many big bike ha shock placed ij a way the reaching a lever really isn't an option. Being able to lock an Enduro bike on smooth climbs is going to being them that much closer to an honest one bike it do it all bike. If the 0ri e is right I'm tempted to get one for my megatower.
  • 1 0
 If you could make your own pre planned maps and then at press of a button toggle between them that would be insane. Definitely don't want self adjusting suspension. That's for the birds. We weigh more than bike. Therefore our body and how we leverage it and place it has more to do with suspension than the chassis does
  • 1 0
 As in 4 way valving adjustments that you can design yourself
  • 1 0
 The owners manual for this is already published. Lockout is sensing your candence or crank position with extra sensor inside your dub crank axle. You can modify hsc and lsc from fork and shock separately. There is also manual lockout mode, auto mode and three other modes to choose from
  • 1 1
 Charlie's a badass, if he's racing on it then it has to be pretty awesome. Obviously the broke retroschmuck's commenting on here don't represent the real world. My advice is to do what your parents did; get a job. The bum's lost!
  • 5 0
 eSag auto setting. Whew!
  • 3 0
 If it had a "boost" that actually made the bike jump. Now that would be cool...
  • 2 0
 It really needs a super pursuit mode
  • 3 0
 All I know is they'd better call it the Electric Slide so we can boogie woogie down the trails.
  • 1 0
 Wait until you see…
Electric valve for that on-the-fly Psi adjustment
Electric geometry adjustment
Electric suspension lockout
Electric dropper remote
Electric shifting
Electric brakes
Brain interface
  • 4 0
 heated saddle and grips for those frosty morning rides
  • 3 0
 @Prof: Heated brake leavers are what we really need
  • 3 0
 @TobiasHandcock: thats a great idea!
  • 1 0
 It would be much better if we could stay home....in pijamas! Now that seems like the future (present?) for many
  • 1 0
 the more batteries, the better your bike!

jokes apart i suspect they're testing the algorithms for auto locking and so on rather than just making a "wireless remote". but who knows Smile
  • 2 1
 Why don't they have one battery and power the dropper, gears and suspension all from it instead of four separate batteries? I mean geez, I forget to oil my chain sometimes but to charge four packs is madness.
  • 3 0
 "Yo bro, you gonna hit it?"

"Yeah dude just waiting for my suspension update"
  • 3 0
 I'm going to need a tinfoil codpiece to protect my prostate from all the EMF on my bike.
  • 2 0
 Holy Crap, They put Active Suspension on a mountain bike! that's pretty cool.
  • 4 1
 With lights and powermeter it will be 10 batteries to keep track of.. nice
  • 17 0
 Deraileur, shifter, dropper, garmin, powermeter, valve stems, dropper, ebike, Range extender, GoPro, drone, phone, AirPods all charge aaannnndd I forgot my shoes.
  • 3 0
 @Randy-Verified: Ain't that the truth. Everything but the thing that actually matters.
  • 3 1
 @Randy-Verified: You forgot to charge your shoes‽
  • 2 0
 @pcledrew: you only forget once.
  • 3 0
 @pcledrew: wireless Boa adjustment?
  • 1 0
 @Randy-Verified: battery fires unite
  • 3 1
 "Shit, rebound is too fast..... have to upload the app so i can tune it right!
  • 16 17
 I'm sure all of you analog nannys are posting from your analog copper phone lines and modems, or make smoke signals translated by carrier pigeons? I welcome a suspension that can either change it self dynamically based on conditions (like mag ride in cars) or more simply, swap between static settings without a godawful scott double lever on the bars. Bonus points if the dropper position auto selects the mode I want the suspension in.
  • 11 0
 "Analog" lol
  • 4 3
 i guess you're not the kind of guy who do his own suspension overhaul and bleeding then ?
  • 8 7
 @Charlotroy: I actually am, and appreciate that SRAM sells the tools and allow you to do most service at home. My cane creek and dpx2 need to be sent out to be done correctly. This stuff will not be in everything, ever, mtb needs low price point options, analog will be around a long time.
  • 9 4
 My thoughts exactly, lots of knuckle draggers in this chat..wonder if they all are running full rigid steel frames with 26” wheels while using their Motorola screened case Nextel phones. Lol
  • 4 2
 @abueno:

I believe the blogger know as BikeSnobNYC came up with the perfect term for the person you are describing:

Retrogrouch
  • 2 1
 Sometimes more is just more.
  • 4 2
 You can welcome it all you want, that's fine.

But I don't. I have four fully mechanical bicycles (Enduro, XC, road, and gravel). No intention of putting anything electronic where it is required to ride it (Garmin, headlights, power meters, etc are not necessary to ride).

I just bought a 20 year old motorcycle, my van is 25 years old. Not saying I won't buy a newer vehicle, but, I'm happy having manually adjusted suspension settings on my motorcycle too. All the tools and parts I need to replace my fork seals come in tomorrow...
  • 2 0
 I think these gizmos are cool for what they are but at the pro end of the spectrum you will always want a manual override for situations the tech cannot expect.

Like this dropper position auto adjust... it would be handy, but to be honest I adjust my dropper so often for so many different reasons, an electronic sensor could never do that all for me unless it was attached to my brain/thoughts.
  • 2 1
 @JSTootell: No one's making anyone buy electronic, it's just an option, Live Valve has been out for like 5 years, how many bikes have you seen in person actually running it?
  • 2 0
 @Jmorgue:

While Bikesnob can definitely be funny and inventive (I love “bike salmon”), use of retrogrouch sure precedes his oeuvre.
  • 1 0
 @JSTootell: This is also very good for the environment! Buying used saves tonnes of resources. Literally.
  • 1 0
 @bbqmike: Well, I have Dura Ace on my road bike. If I want to stay with mechanical groupsets on the road, I now have to go with a third tier system. Shimano is electronic only on Dura Ace AND Ultegra.

So, I'm forced to downgrade in the future, or put batteries on my bike.
  • 2 0
 @JSTootell: I wasn't saying that top tier might not be electronic only, merely that, lower tier non-electronic options will be around. Maybe they'll bring back mechanical like it's new again after a few years, and you know, charge extra for it!
  • 1 0
 @bbqmike: that I can believe
  • 3 2
 throughout history, people reject new things. but eventually they appreciate the many advantages they offer. however, i still stick with my horse for long distance travel.
  • 1 1
 Meh, some of us don't though. I just bought a 20 year old motorcycle, and my van is 25 years old. I also have a horse, but the bicycle is for commuting.
  • 3 1
 @JSTootell: yup, progress is great but at this point were surpassing many of the sweet spots of progress in which there is perfect blend of technology, simplicity, and human experience. Electronics on one of the simplest, most useful, and fun machines is one of them.
  • 1 1
 The wireless feature is such nonsense. It's not like you can finally disconnect the suspension from the bike now. Or, now you can have that mouth piece actuator for your dropper.
  • 1 0
 Air bleed valves for the lowers is new too.

Saw something coming out of the air valve topcap area too.

ep1.pinkbike.org/p4pb21348203/p4pb21348203.jpg
  • 2 0
 This just looks like a really expensive way to hurt your knee even more in an awkward crash (yes, I ride with kneepads)
  • 5 1
 More crap we dont need
  • 3 2
 I can’t wait until I have to charge my dropper post, my rear shock, my fork and my drivetrain before a ride…It will be so easy and affordable too!
  • 1 0
 also about reel eb, why Sram don't creat a connector for all the wireless to be connecter to the main battery ? one single battery to charge
  • 2 0
 Hackers have locked out my suspension again and there's no Bitcoin on this mountain. Bugger.
  • 1 0
 I hope we could schange low speed compression on tje fly some day... So you can adapt depending the steepness and roughness on the trail ...
  • 1 0
 Great. Now my Kashima-Coated bike rack is already obsolete! Surely Kuat will release an electronic suspension upgraded model truly worthy of my 160E.
  • 1 0
 This would enable a pretty sick feature: auto suspension lock when the dropper goes up, auto unlock when it goes down, or gears, or both. that would be rad.
  • 3 1
 And on our next instalment, wireless brakes! Any takers?
  • 1 1
 There's cable actuated hydraulic brakes, not much of a stretch to go wireless
  • 5 1
 No chance, putting trust in the electronics for one of the most safety critical parts of the bike, I would rather have solid material their or at least brake fluid and not a string of virtual code that may or may not decide to do the right thing whilst hurtling down a 40 degree decline. Steering and brakes should always stay mechanical, everything else couldn't give a toss either way, though I still rather have mechanical so I can fix it with an allen key and not with an Indian customer service tech guy via remote desktop trying to connect to my fork or dropper post..
  • 1 0
 @Danzzz88: yeah that’s my point. I tried to put a ‘petrified’ emoji in there but it doesn’t show up.

No way would I want e-brakes!!!
  • 2 1
 @Danzzz88: ever break a brake cable? ever crack a hydraulic line?

know how many cars makers have cars with electric brakes?

lines of code don't make decisions, they follow exact commands.
  • 2 0
 @radrider: electric assisted brakes. They still maintain mechanical use when no power is going to them
  • 3 1
 @radrider: Youre right, I have never had a software failure of any sort.

Oh, wait, my Garmin crashed just yesterday...

(I know planes are all fly-by-wire, but they aren't burdened with weight restrictions like bicycles and can multiple redundant computers)
  • 2 0
 @JSTootell: Not all planes are fly by wire, not by far. And weight is always a major consideration in aviation. But the advantages of fly-by-wire are different. One is that there can be quite a distance between cockpit and the control surface (both at the tail as well as on the wings). So elastic deformation and friction can compromise the response quite a bit. And then we're not even talking about the elastic deformation in the fuselage and wings, thermal expansion and whatnot. So having a servo closer to the control surface actually makes it more reliable and more responsive. And probably lighter too, as these cable controlled systems weight quite a lot. Especially as they need to be made redundant (so double).

However, wireless control in a (wo)manned airplane is not something I have heard of. Can't see the advantage of wireless other than easier installation and maybe for swapping out parts between different bikes.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: I was referring to large commercial aircraft of modern designs (the safest mode of travel), not a Cessna.
  • 2 1
 i'm mostly troubled by the fact they have the fork just resting on the ground...
  • 4 2
 the ground doesn't have covid bud, the fork is totally fine and unscratched lol
  • 1 0
 I think it's in a stand by comparing it with the feet that are on the ground.
  • 2 0
 @mgmmotoX: need studies. It could be the earth attacking us for all the environmental pranks....
  • 2 0
 I bet your bike has great resale value #NotAJoke
  • 2 0
 this has been around for months... Review imminent
  • 3 0
 It's a ramp detector.
  • 1 0
 HaHa!
  • 2 0
 now we just need wireless brakes and hover wheels
  • 2 0
 nice paintjob on this frame!
  • 1 0
 With so many battery on seatpost, derailleur and suspensions, ain't we talking about e-bike?
  • 1 0
 Honey do list "Can you charge my derailleur, shock, fork, bike, and phone before we go ride".
  • 1 0
 (Joking) Just an offer to EWS riders without said tech:
Will hack and screw up opponents for a clif bar and beer
  • 1 0
 Is NSMB going to write an op-ed about this one too, or are these type of prototype photos OK?
  • 2 1
 No more electronic shit! Work on eliminating the derailleur. That is the part of bikes that still sucks.
  • 1 0
 Right when I get myself set up with fancy fox stuff, something dentistier shows up.
  • 1 0
 Finally! Death to Lefty’s
  • 1 0
 The strongest downvote is not buying it.
  • 3 1
 shocking...
  • 1 0
 It was only a matter of time, really
  • 3 2
 More gimmicks to attempt the theft of people's money.
  • 1 4
 Man that looks pretty finished. I’m ready for it. I was on a ride tonight and was thinking about how the “pedal” setting on my bike is like the worst of both worlds. I’d love a sick electric remote to switch between hardtail climbing and 35% sag suppleness 763 times per ride.
  • 2 0
 If this is developed well enough you won't even need the remote!
  • 2 0
 @pcledrew: I’ve rode the live valve and it’s amazing. I still like the control of a remote though.
  • 1 0
 OH, WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT!
  • 1 0
 Don't get how magura didn't get this sorted with their stuff years ago.
  • 1 0
 Holding out for the Tesla FSD Enduro.
  • 1 2
 Ohh is that a RockShox bolt-on front mudguard (fender!) too?

Maybe they have finally drilled and tapped some holes into the fork bridge!
  • 1 2
 You can bolt a fender on the Zeb
  • 1 4
 Unsurprisingly the haters are dining out on this but it's a logical progression. Wireless just makes sense and given how long the technology has existed its amazing it has taken this long. It will work really well on xc bikes especially. My only complaint (and I get it from a business point of view) is the holding back of tech and the trickle feed year by year. Clearly SRAM now have the tech to do everything wirelessly from shock wiz, to tyrewiz, lock out, dropper, gears etc. I expect brakes are doable too albeit the consumer will take far longer to buy into this one. Just launch it all, keep the analogue stuff for those that don't want it and get on with it. At least that way you can reportage your house, buy a top spec build and not need to spend a heap of money the next year to buy the next edition of what is clearly the same rollout.
  • 1 0
 Now, about that 200mm AXS Reverb, Rockshox... *taps fingers....
  • 1 0
 Can we have wireless charging too please SRAM
  • 1 0
 Wireless eh? Then what's that big orange cord for?!
  • 1 0
 Hmmmm, this must be why Rockshox bought shock wiz.
  • 1 0
 These e-bikes are getting sneakier and sneakier
  • 1 0
 A black box with nothing behind it - suckers!
  • 1 0
 More whizzing between your legs
  • 1 0
 Might be called Flight Attendant...
  • 1 0
 RockEshox…
  • 1 1
 Review tomorrow?
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