EXT Era v2.1: Testing the new air fork from the Italian brand

excursion	Offset	steli	Weight :	Price
170 mm	44 mm	36 mm	2275 gr.	1800€

Extreme Racing Shox (or EXT) is an Italian brand specializing in suspension. Its roots are in motorsports. Years and years of experience, given that the mastermind of all this is Franco Fratton, former Fox technician in 1978 following the MX world championship.

Palmares? We list only the most important worldwide: 8-time World Rally Championship, Formula 1 World Championship, WTCC Championship, Le Mans, GT and Superstar.

INSIGHT ON THE HISTORY OF EXT

In 2021, the company launched its first fork after years of work on spring shocks. The Era model has a travel of 140 to 170 millimeters, where the fork travel can be managed by inserting or removing spacers within the air system. Suitable for enduro use. In the catalog we also find the Era V2 LT model which offers a greater travel of 180/190mm.

FEATURES

We were able to try it, on the first occasion, mounted on the Pedroni Mate that we reviewed some time ago. The EXT ERA V2 is in a 170mm, 29″, tapered, 110x15mm configuration.

• Low and high speeds in compression and return
• New crown design: AL 7050 T6 forged to substantially increase stiffness
• High volume cartridge with Ø22 mm piston, circuit designed to separate the compression and return oil flow
• HS3, Hybrid Coil and Air Spring: With 2 adjustable positive air chambers and high volume negative chamber
• Exclusive HDRV compression valve system Piston Ø24 mm
• IFP tank piston Ø24 mm
• Compatible with 15QR Boost Torque Cap® Dropout (15×110 mm)

RLP SYSTEM

The new “RLP” radial lubrication pocket system consists of a new dedicated design of the DU bushings with small cavities on the inside that “trap” a part of the oil that flows with normal use, keeping the rods lubricated even under high loads.
In addition, the new DUs feature 3 backup channels that improve the pump lubrication effect.

ROOM ++

EXT uses a three-chamber air spring very similar to Öhlins and Manitou. There is a standard positive chamber with a self-equalizing negative chamber (as in almost all forks on the market). The third extra camera, which EXT calls “++”, controls the progression of the ride from the middle to the end. You can therefore make the fork more progressive not by acting on the tokens but by putting more or less air in this chamber.

FIELD TEST

The multitude of adjustments, typical of a high-end suspension, mean that it is not recommended for a novice audience: the law "the more you spend, the better" does not apply here. We find high and low speeds in both compression and return, with a double chamber on the air side (explained previously).

Starting from EXT's pressure recommendations, we immediately found the right feeling, setting the various registers (high and low) halfway through adjustment as a starting point. The ++ chamber is a much appreciated feature: it is possible to change the progression curve of the fork with just the air pump. With this double chamber, it is like having a fork that gradually sinks in, removing/inserting tokens. This customization gives many calibration advantages to the most sensitive bikers.

The Era is a fork with a rigid structure but completely customizable behavior: the adjustment settings are noticeable and it is possible to transform it into a fairly linear and comfortable fork, up to a super progressive fork perfect for heavier landings.

This is a feature that I liked: in other products you often find yourself getting lost between the adjustments, not hearing the differences well, while on this EXT the differences are perceptible with a few clicks. The perception in the saddle is of having an evolved fork: small bumps are absorbed excellently and, in this situation, it knows no rivals. A very "plush" fork, as the Anglo-Saxons would say.

The front wheel spindle is floating and there is a mismatch between hub spade size and fork alignment. This is to improve sensitivity on small bumps even if, when we put the wheel on, sometimes it isn't immediate and makes us lose a few moments.

Small note on the return: as I warned on the old version of the ammo History, the EXTs tend to be a little lazier (slower) in rebound compared to other models, although I must say that I found the right calibration, but I was just a few clicks away from full scale. In the case of light riders, the risk is to reach the end of the register.

MAINTENANCE

EXT recommends performing maintenance every 25-50 hours. The procedure has been simplified to allow the user to do it at home (see video below). For a complete service, recommended every 50-100 hours, you will need to send it to an EXT service centre.

Particular signs

ROOM ++ Controlling the progression of a fork has never been so easy: you can make the fork more progressive not by acting on the tokens but by putting more or less air in this chamber.

HOW MUCH DOES THE EXT ERA V2.1 FORK COST?

The Extreme Shox air fork (Era V2.1 model) costs €1.480 + VAT.

+	Clearly perceptible adjustments Rigid structure The ++ room is a plus
-	Quality, in many small details, pays off

FINAL VERDICT

A technical and advanced fork for enduro/all-mountain

An excellent fork for enduro but also for all-mountain, if used with reduced travel. Model suitable for those bikers who can perceive the setting changes in the suspensions. A versatile fork that mixes support and comfort. EXT Era is among the most advanced products at Mountain Bike level: but if you are a biker who doesn't like adjustments, it's better to think about other models. It is not cheap but it cannot be defined as a product that costs too much, given the many goodies and the quality of construction.

MORE INFORMATION AT THE OFFICIAL SITE