10 hot new suspension products for 2017
The Deville offers both low and high speed compression and single rebound adjustment.
Boss Deville 35 Returns
The all-mountain suspension segment is extremely competitive, but French manufacturer BOS has something special with their new Deville 35 fork. Unlike the bladder systems used by competitors such as Fox, RockShox, and X-Fusion, the Deville has a coil sprung IFP. And that’s not all that sets it apart. For a full tech debriefing, check out our coverage here.
The Helm fork is the first front suspension product from Cane Creek.
Cane Creek Helm Fork
The new Helm fork from Cane Creek originally debuted in March. With burly 35mm stanchions, it’s targeted towards the gravity end of the spectrum. It’s only available for 27.5 wheels and ships from the factory with 160mm of travel (although it’s internally adjustable in 10mm increments from 100 to 170mm). At the Sea Otter Classic, Cane Creek was displaying the new fork internals. To learn what sets the new fork apart, check out show coverage here.
Formula now offers five different compression valves as part of their CTS program.
Formula Expands CTS
While modern suspension forks make it easy to tune your air spring via spacers, most brands don’t allow you to fine tune your compression circuits. The CTS from Formula makes custom tuning simple via aftermarket valves. Previously, they only offered three different valves, but have expanded the range with two new “special” tunes. These valves significantly alter the compression damping force at the beginning of the stroke. To learn more about CTS, check our coverage here.
The 40mm Fox Adventure Cross fork is aimed at burgeoning gravel segment.
Fox Adventure Cross Fork
For the gravel crowd, Fox has launched the new AX fork. It’s essentially a 27.5 version of their ultra-light StepCast fork that’s been lowered to 40mm. It will clear up to a 40c tire and will start shipping this summer. If you’re interested, double check your downtube clearance. To learn more about the StepCast, check our coverage here.
The Fox 34 and 36 series forks gain the new EVOL air spring and lose a dynamic seal in the process. This makes the forks more supple in the first part of their travel.
Fox Brings EVOL Tech to Forks
For the 2018 model year, Fox introduced a number of subtle improvements across the board. The biggest different most riders will notice comes from the addition of an EVOL negative spring to the 34 and 36 models. This technology was first pioneered in their shocks. It essentially adds extra volume to the negative air, which makes the first 25% of the fork travel feel more supple. The other item worth noting is that Fox will offer their premium dampers with blacked out stanchions as an aftermarket option. These will be sold under the Performance Elite moniker. Think of it as Blackshima.
Fox has redesigned the EVOL canister. The new one piece version is now lighter and offers improved responsiveness.
Fox Shocks Get Metric Options
Out back, Fox has revised oil flow for improved control and redesigned the seals to minimize friction. They’ve also modified the shape of the EVOL canister. Previous models used a two-piece canister, but they’ve now gone to a one piece that is lighter and travel specific. This change enables the shape to be custom tailored to improve responsiveness and helps reduce weight.
The Lauf Grit uses six glass fiber leaf springs to offer 30mm of travel.
Lauf Grit 30mm Fork
Historically, elastomer forks were filled under suspension, so we were obligated to include the Lauf Grit in this roundup. This 30mm travel fork uses six glass fiber leaf springs to provide 30mm of unconventional travel. At just 890g, it is nearly half the weight of the new Fox AX fork. Retail is $719. To learn more about this odd duck, check our coverage here.
Fat bikers rejoice! Manitou’s new Mastodon fork brings Dorado level tech to the fat segment. Photo by John Shafer.
Manitou Debuts Mastodon Fat Bike Fork
Manitou is giving fat bikers looking for a suspension fork another option with their new Mastodon. It’s available in three different travel options. There’s an 100mm offering than can be adjusted down to 80mm, as well as a 120mm version that can be bumped to 140mm. An OEM only version will have a whopping 150mm of travel. The shorter travel version can clear up to 26×5.15 tires or a 27.5×4.5. The standard 120mm fork can clear 26×4 or 27.5×2.8 rubber. All versions of the fork will use a damper derived from the Dorado and Mattoc. The fork will be available in two different trim levels. The Pro weighs 2110 grams and retails for $850. The Comp model weighs 2430 grams and retails for $650. For more info, visit www.manitoumtb.com.
The Pike received a major refresh this year. It now sports an all new chassis, damper, and more.
RockShox Pike V2
RockShox recently unveiled the all new Pike, which received an updated charger damper, expanded negative spring, lighter chassis, and more tunability. The new fork was on display at the Troy Lee Designs booth sporting new limited edition decals that will be available aftermarket. To learn more, check our first look here.
For 2017, the Sweep gets boost spacing, fresh decals, a matte finish, and clearance for big tires.
X-Fusion Goes Boost and Plus
The Sweep is X-Fusion’s answer to the Fox 34 or RockShox Pike. This year, it gets new boost compatible lowers and an updated crown, with a lower ride height. It retains the same damper options, but gets sexy black stanchions, updated graphics, and can now clear a 2.9er tire. If you’re interested, the new forks should start shipping towards late summer. To learn more, check out our recent review of the X-Fusion McQueen fork.
This article is part of Mtbr’s coverage of the 2017 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California. For more from Sea Otter CLICK HERE.
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