I bring 2 clear examples: Tom Pidcock is testing (and using in the race) electronic suspensions produced by SR Suntour while Loic Bruni wins the DH world championship with an Ohlins prototype (remember the green light?). The suspensions are no longer theory but they win, and convince, on the race fields.
Specialized, with the Brain system, has always believed in an automatic direction in the management of the suspension, but it is undeniable that the electronics would significantly increase the quality and speed in the responses compared to a mechanical system such as that of the Brain.
In some of you I already see a puzzled expression as if to say: “But is there really a need? Here is the new found to pluck us ". Yes, it could be as a reasoning, but as usual no one is forbidden to continue using "mechanical" suspensions: the most skeptical should be happy that these new technologies continue to come out, because they depreciate the rest. While for the more curious users, let's see what advantages the use of electronics in the suspension can bring.
But why use an electronic suspension?
The electronic suspension is used to read the terrain without user intervention. In practice it means having a system that unlocks and locks automatically, without the rider having to think about it. A useful solution especially in the cross country, where the changes in slope and terrain follow each other quickly. And this would remove a remote control (and relative cable) from the handlebar, namely that of locking/unlocking. In more advanced and futuristic solutions there could also be a finer calibration in terms of return and compression speed, not just a "simple" lock/unlock as now.
RockShox Flight Attendant
Rockshox came out this year with the Fligh Attendant project, one of the first automatic systems to be available for the end user (to date it is available on some models of these 4 brands: Trek, YT, Specialized and Canyon). The Flight Attendant uses a series of sensors that read rider and terrain inputs to anticipate perfect suspension closure: Open, Pedal and Lock.
A series of sensors on your fork, rear shock and crankset work in unison to detect every bump, every movement and every pedal stroke. The Flight Attendant algorithm has been designed to be able to respond correctly to terrain inputs.
In Auto Mode, the Flight Attendant calculates each input and sends its orders to the AXS compatible fork and rear shock to make them react instantly.
FOX LIVE VALVE
FOX Live Valve is an electronic control system officially presented in 2018 but which has never really caught on, even if this year (perhaps thanks to competitors) Fox has taken the project seriously again and we find it mounted on bikes of various models, especially Giant. Fox is working with Bosch, in the e-bike field, to create a closed calibration system via the display and with the energy that is taken directly from the e-bike battery.
PROJECTED IMPACT
Surely the future will be electric, not only from the point of view of the engine: even purists will find themselves faced with the choice of mounting traditional or electronic forks. But it will still take some time for them to reach the end user with less prohibitive prices so, at the moment, let's leave them to the Pros or let's get ready to make some decent investments to have this technology on our MTB.
