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Ohlins TTX 22M vs STX 22 Air test


Air Ohlins vs. Spring Ohlins… which is the best choice?

The Andreani group from Pesaro has always been synonymous with suspension, high performance and technical assistance in the racing field. For over a decade, distributor of the prestigious Ohlins brand, Andreani has also been a market reference in the construction of suspension overhauling machinery. We add our consideration, in addition to all these blazons Andreani can boast an extremely helpful and professional staff who did not hesitate to provide us with the materials for the test and to activate a fruitful and scrupulous collaboration. In a crazy market context, such as today's, it may happen that an influencer who has never reached the competition fields (but overflowing with "likes" and "followers") receives previews and materials before a specialized magazine like ours or, even worse, before the national distributor… collaborating with a serious and professional company like Andreani, in addition to being a real pleasure, gives us hope for a better future. But let's get to the Ohlins comparison test between the two shock absorbers, the air STX and the spring TTX. The bike chosen for the test is our Yeti SB6c, easy game for custom calibration by the "magician" Eros (technical manager of the mtb sector) thanks to the experience on the competition fields with the Yeti of the CicoBikes team

FEATURES

STX 22 AIR
The model we tested is the one with the increased volume chamber, introduced last year on the market also as an upgrade of the old STX with standard volume. More air means greater sensitivity along the entire compression curve and more descent-oriented performance. Single Tube technology, atypical at Ohlins, was developed specifically for this shock absorber. The three registers are well placed and easy to use. The high compression speeds are adjusted instantly with the black lever on the three positions ... Andreani replaces the valve in position 3 with a specially modified one to obtain a more blocked and stable platform than the original, a very valid upgrade for pedaling phases. The high speed compressions are adjusted to 9 positions via the blue ring while the rebound is modified to 6 positions via the gold ring at the other end of the ammo.

We found our preferred setting using 30% sag with 165 psi of pressure, 4 out of 9 low register (fully open) and 2 out of 6 rebound (fully open). The STX under test, measuring 216x63mm, recorded a weight of 441 grams. Retail price 780 euros (prices vary according to model and wheelbase)

TTX 22M
The TTX uses twin tube technology (from the name Twin Tube) for total independence between compression and rebound as well as the possibility of using very low pressures for greater sensitivity. For this season, new steel springs have been introduced which, thanks to the particular alloy and small size, have made it possible to significantly reduce the weight. We had the pleasure of watching while the technical manager Eros disassembled the TTX in test for the configuration of the reed valve tailored to the Yeti kinematics… in these moments it is easy to feel like a pro rider. The high-speed register is adjusted via a lever on the three classic Ohlins positions for immediate adjustment even during the setting riding. The low speed compression adjuster has 18 positions while the rebound has 6 positions (like on the STX). For 28% sag we chose the 365 lb spring, while our preferred hydraulic setting provides full open rebound (TTX hydraulics are more braking than STX) low compression at 4 clicks out of 18 from full open . We weighed the TTX with both the old spring and the latest generation one (the two springs are compared in the opening photo). In both cases we have to say that the recorded weight is really interesting for a coil spring, 796 g with the old spring and only 717 g with the new spring (the one used for the test)! Retail price, 950 euros including spring (prices vary according to model and wheelbase)

THEORETICAL COMPARISON

Thanks to Mad Moto, an authorized Andreani center in the province of Verona, we tested the two shock absorbers on the bench and had a chat with Simone (the owner, whom we sincerely thank for his availability and professionalism) regarding the substantial differences between the two different elastomers or shock absorbing elements, air and spring. The main difference lies, for obvious physical reasons, in the compression curve, curvilinear and progressive for the air shock absorber, straight and linear for the spring one... translated in a nutshell, if deprived of the hydraulics, the more the air shock absorber is compressed, the more it opposes resistance, with exponential growth and very high peaks at the end of compression, while the spring one compresses, increasing the resistance to a lesser extent and always linearly, up to the end of the stroke. For this reason the "hydraulics" (remember that the hydraulics intervene on the speed with which a suspension compresses or extends) of an air shock absorber and a spring shock absorber are completely different... that of the spring shock absorber is substantially more braking to compensate for the linearity of the elastomer but it is also allowed thanks to the greater sensitivity that the spring gives compared to the air. Another substantial differentiating element is the maintenance of the desired performance even at high operating temperatures. Our shock absorbers perform thousands of oscillations during a descent, heating up quite a bit. The longer the descent, the hotter they get. From this point of view, the main defect of an air shock absorber comes into play which is subject to high overheating (with relative loss of performance due to the expansion of the heated air) as well as differences in behavior based on the atmospheric pressure due at altitudes. As far as atmospheric pressure is concerned, we can adjust the internal pressure of our air shock absorber by carrying the classic pump with us, while as far as overheating is concerned, the solution is not so simple, on the contrary. Suffice it to say that in the Enduro World Series and in enduro competitions in general, where the special stages can last well over 10 minutes, the use of the spring is now widespread, especially among top riders. Conversely, the constant technological development on air shock absorbers to limit performance losses due to overheating has brought some Pros downhiller (a run of downhill lasts a maximum of 4 minutes) to use the air shock absorbers, which allow for faster and more personalized fine adjustments.

THE RESPONSE OF THE TEST

A first consideration should be made regarding the weight ... 276 grams of difference, moreover placed near the center of gravity of the bike, they really do not feel in the guide. So let's focus on driving sensations and performance differences. The combination with the Ohlins RXF 36 Air fork mounted on our SB6 proved to be perfectly balanced in both cases, guaranteeing an excellent front / rear shock absorbing balance. The STX 22 Air is without a doubt one of the best air shocks we've ever tried. Its performance places it in a precise range of use that goes from trail to enduro ... in these areas it gives a great feeling of control while maintaining the classic progressiveness, fortunately never excessive, of air ammo. The great softness in the absorption of shocks, even close ones, is the characteristic (at the moment unattainable for the competitors) that has made us appreciate this STX the most. The TTX 22M, on the other hand, is surprising for its great support ... in the air spring change we expected to feel the mtb a little lazy and sitting, which does not happen instead, thanks also to the hydraulic calibration tailored to our test bike, the first sensation is that of having so much more travel and an always vigorous rear response. Of course the sensitivity of the TTX, when compared to the STX is really extraordinary ... not that the STX makes the Yeti jump, on the contrary, for being an air ammo we have already stated that its buttery is really high but, the feeling of having the rear wheel always glued to the ground that the TTX gives is absolutely incomparable. This translates into better vehicle control, a reduction in braking distances and an increase in the margins of error. We did some timed tests using two testers on two different trails, one pure flow and the other only beaten. Well, as expected, the chronometer recorded the best times with the TTX, for both testers and on both paths. The explanation lies in the fact that, thanks to the greater sensitivity, the spring shock absorber keeps the rear wheel glued to the ground for a longer time than the air suspension. The sensation is noticeable especially when traveling the most rugged sections, with rocks in rapid succession.

But be careful, it would not be correct to say that the TTX is absolutely better than the STX… it is without a doubt if we look at the chronometer, but if instead we look at usability and fun? The block in position 3 of the STX is much more noticeable than the TTX and makes our Yeti more pleasant and efficient in pedaling phases (on long climbs, even the almost three ounces of weight less can have an impact). When riding downhill, the progressiveness of the STX makes the bike more “playful”, a feature that, for those who know how to exploit it, increases the fun in non-competitive areas. In conclusion, which is the best of the shock absorbers? Neither! We recommend the choice of the STX 22 Air for those who use the mtb in the trail / all mountain but also enduro race, why not, as long as it is not predominant compared to the previous ones. The STX is undoubtedly a valid upgrade for any mtb with air ammo… if you have a top of the range with the STX you will embellish your all-mountain jewel even more by increasing its performance. Instead, we recommend the TTX to those who see the finalization of their biker ego in competitions… the improvement in performance in terms of timing can be truly remarkable, especially if you like straight-to-straight lines and are equipped with experience and handle. In both cases you will have an Ohlins shock absorber, “the Ferrari of suspensions”, on your chariot.



Written by

Passionate about mountains and two wheels since I was a child, I have practiced, competed and sometimes won in all cycling disciplines. As an FCI technical coach I pass on my experience and dedication for fat wheels to those who want to learn or improve in driving. Twenty years ago I started my first tests/reviews of sports materials, today I test with scrupulous attention all the mountain bikes and components that the editorial staff assigns to me.

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