The new EXT shock absorber is ARIA, which contains all the most modern technology within an innovative design.
Source: press release
Right from the start, the EXT team focused on the idea that a simple transformation of a spring shock absorber into an air one would not have been enough; the project had to be completely revolutionary, and of very high performance.
The innovative double positive pressure chamber technology, designed for the ERA fork, was then skilfully adapted to the needs required by this new project.
From these assumptions, EXT has managed to create a significantly improved shock absorber in the air circuit, able to reach very high levels of sensitivity and support, until now only achievable with the use of spring shock absorbers.
The hydraulic circuit is based on the E-Storia design but decidedly improved in structure, specifically for the demands of an air shock absorber. The efficient setting of the shock absorber is guaranteed by the isolation of the compression registers, where we find the high speeds completely independent from the low ones, as well as the return circuit, which is not conditioned by the compression one.
The registers have been carefully studied and it is easy to perceive every single click, allowing the rider to find the best possible setting every time.
To complete the package, there are the exclusive LOK 2.0 system and the external adjustment of the stroke
(HBC), intelligently integrated with the new ARIA shock absorber.
EXT AIR TECHNOLOGIES
· AS3 technology: double positive chamber and the use of 2 dynamic seals to separate 3 different chambers. (Exclusive design patented by EXT).
· Positive chamber +/++ (low pressure/high pressure) with infinite adjustments via the 2 external valves to precisely customize the characteristics of the shock absorber.
· High volume, self-activating negative chamber.
· Seals with innovative design based on aerospace technology.
· LOK 2.0 technology.
· Super light 14mm internal stem.
· Large hydraulic piston (28mm).
· Adjustable End Stop Control (HBC).
· Exclusive “Super Finish” external treatment of the sliding parts.
as3 technology
Aesthetically, it might look like a normal air shock, but the new EXT ARIA is so much more. At the heart of the ARIA is the revolutionary dual positive chamber coupled with a high volume, self-regulating negative chamber. This system allows extensive control of the chamber, then giving a precise adjustment of the shock absorber throughout its travel.
The dynamics of the double positive chamber introduced by EXT therefore eliminates all the negative aspects deriving from the use of volume reducers.
Volume reducers (or more simply called tokens), reduce the size of the air chamber, greatly influencing the natural progressiveness of the air which, in turn, will appear earlier in the shock absorber stroke. The consequence of this phenomenon makes the suspension much more progressive in the final working area.
The use of tokens to modify the progression curve affects the entire shock absorber travel and this means that, if there is a need for more support at the beginning of the stroke, the behavior of the progression at the end of the stroke will also change. Therefore, if less protection is needed towards the end of the stroke, this certainly penalizes the behavior and support of the suspension in the middle of the stroke.
The installation of the tokens also requires the shock absorber to be disassembled from the bike and is certainly not the best solution when looking for an optimal setting; in fact, the process may require several attempts, and a consequent waste of time.
AS3 technology, as already mentioned, uses two positive chambers:
chamber +
The chamber +, characterized by the black color of the valve, provides the necessary support to the system and controls the sensitivity of the shock in the beginning and mid-stroke, also commonly called the dynamic position of the SAG.
room ++
The ++ chamber, characterized by the nickel color of the valve, controls the sensitivity of the central/final part of the stroke and the progression ramp.
The control and adjustment given by the use of the double positive chamber are much more accurate and precise than volume reducers, allowing the rider to focus only on a specific area of the ride.
This system allows the rider to avoid any compromise in the setup in order to find enough support throughout the shock absorber stroke. There will no longer be a need to sacrifice initial sensitivity and central support for more protection towards the end of the stroke or vice versa.
Now it is possible to modify the hardness of the shock absorber throughout the progression curve, unlike the tokens which only modify the last part. The rider will be able to feel much more support in the midsection, without feeling that typical increase in strength from the classics
air-spring.
In these graphs, we can see that, with the increase of the pressure inside the + chamber, the dynamic position of the SAG is defined, which also controls the general behavior of the shock absorber.
The higher the pressure in the + chamber, the stronger the shock force will be throughout the shock's stroke. Chamber pressure + is therefore associated with the rider's weight and riding style. A further setting of the shock progression is done with the chamber adjustment ++. By simply increasing or decreasing the pressure inside the ++ chamber you have the ability to achieve a more linear or more progressive chamber curve.
The increase in pressure in the ++ chamber leads to more support in the central part of the stroke and greater force at the end of the stroke without modifying the initial sensitivity; no more compromises in terms of feeling during the descent.
Starting from a basic setting of the chambers, the rider can increase the pressure ++ by adjusting and refining the behavior of the shock absorber according to the conditions of the terrain, guaranteeing greater control and support of the bike at high speeds.
If the rider is looking for more grip on the rear wheel or better sensitivity in small bumps, he can decrease the pressure in the + chamber and increase the pressure in the ++ chamber. Mid-stroke support will be significantly improved, and we'll also have better protection near the bottom of the stroke.
Around the area of the last 15% of available travel, the limit switch control (HBC) is also activated. This allows you to manage the end of the stroke by helping and avoiding bottom-out situations.
The possibility of fine and adjust the pressure of the two air chambers independently of each other, improves the central support in the shock absorber stroke and gives a much more linear progression.
/ easy setup
With AS3 technology we can control the progressiveness of the shock absorber simply by using a normal suspension pump.
We no longer need to take the shock off the bike to remove the tokens, and that saves us a ton of time.
/ pure coil feeling
The shock absorber, thanks to the use of the double positive chamber, becomes more versatile and adaptable to different leverage ratios and suspension arrangements.
The introduction of the new EXT ARIA makes it possible to obtain the constancy and reactivity of a spring shock absorber together with the infinite adjustment possibilities of an air shock absorber.
/ HBC – hydraulic end stop
The HBC is a shock position valve that comprises a piston assembled on top of a
the main one and a cylinder inside the tube located approximately at the end of the shock absorber body. When you are close to the stroke end, the secondary piston comes into action inside the cylinder and forces the oil to flow through an orifice; this modifies the progression ramp at the end of the stroke.
EXT's HBC system operates approximately in the last 15% of full travel and is externally adjustable to best suit rider weight, preferences and riding style. This feature has been improved for ARIA, making the compression more progressive and allowing the rider to use lower pressures within the chambers, further improving wheel traction.
/lok 2.0
ARIA is also characterized by the use of the exclusive EXT technology, LOK 2.0 (nicknamed "pedaling block"), already known and used in all the other products. This system uses independent valve circuit technology that produces the support needed for ideal pedaling efficiency.
In OPEN mode, the LOK circuit is excluded and instead, when it is closed, the oil must necessarily pass through a preloaded reed valve, significantly increasing the force in compression. Thanks to this reed valve design, it is possible to produce a high support capable of increasing total pedaling traction even on the most uneven terrain.
It is possible to customize the LOK 2.0 technology according to the rider's preferences.
/ new ev2s fluid, the “superthinner”
ARIA will be the first shock absorber to use the brand new EXT EV2S oil: we called it
“Superthinner” for its high viscosity coefficient and incredible viscosity index. Developed for the off-road and WRC rally programme, EV2S oil is unquestionably the most stable ever produced. Its anti-foam properties and low stick-slip effect definitely help reduce friction in all directions.
When temperatures rise, the functional characteristics of the shock absorber do not change, guaranteeing constant performance even during the longest descents.
/ sizes available
ARIA, like the other EXT products, can be adapted to different types of bikes, allowing the rider to keep his favorite shock absorber even with different setups, bike after bike.
Listed here are all the sizes available for ARIA:
METRIC STANDARDS
210 / 50 mm
210 / 52.5 mm
210 / 55 mm
230 / 57.5mm
230 / 60 mm
230 / 62.5 mm
230 / 65 mm
250 / 67.5 mm
250 / 70 mm
250 / 72.5 mm
250 / 75 mm
METRIC TRUNNION
185 / 50 mm
185 / 52.5 mm
185 / 55 mm
205 / 57.5 mm
205 / 60 mm
205 / 62.5 mm
205 / 65 mm
225 / 67.5 mm
225 / 70 mm
225 / 72.5 mm
225 / 75 mm
public price €1060,00
More info: www.extremeshox.com aria.extremeshox.com
