Preamble
When approaching the writing of this article, I had only one goal: being able to convey in words what it feels like to ride a mountain bike equipped with the RockShox Flight Attendant system complete.
Articles explaining how it works abound online, as do videos and tutorials. I wanted to produce something different, that projected the reader directly onto the bike.
The test bike
has been almost a year since I have had the pleasure of using the new Specialized Epic 8 equipped with the well-known electronic suspension control system. The bike is assembled with SID Ultimate FA 34 Fork, ammo SIDLuxe FA, telescopic Reverb AXS, SRAM Power Meter e exchange XX SL state-of-the-art.
All these components are necessary for the proper functioning of the Flight Attendant (a recent update allows their use even without ammo): they work in perfect synchronization, orchestrated by the control unit located on the fork crown.
I will not delve into the four algorithms, the calibration, or the component pairing: there are other guides for that information. Here we talk about real sensations.
The first contact
Try closing your eyes and imagine approaching the Epic 8the bike is there in all its beauty. Sleek lines, pronounced sloping, iridescent paintwork.
Now climb on: the bike will welcome you gently with the suspensions in open positionmorbid. Under your weight, they will compress just enough to help you graze the ground with the tips of your shoes. The eye cannot help but notice the Green and blue LEDs on the fork head: it is waiting for you to give the first pedal stroke to synchronize with the other components and save you in the future.
The first pedal stroke
As soon as you start pedaling, the system detects the power meter and the first information from the field. The reaction is immediate: a brief buzz of an electric scooter rises from the frame—you are transitioning to a stiffer setup.
The LEDs on the fork head light up in correspondence with the position ProPedal o Firm, based on the data coming from the components and the ground. But this is of no interest to you: you must trust the system, in the algorithm you have set (most likely the most "race") and pedal hard, taking advantage of the efficiency of this bike/suspension combination.
Transfer on asphalt
Push onto the first paved transfer towards your favorite climb: the bike below is rigid as it should be. When the wheels encounter a manhole cover or a bump, the suspension they open instantly With the usual brief hum of the actuators on the suspension head. You hardly notice the obstacle.
For a few meters the Flight Attendant does not close immediately: it makes a brief reading of the terrain and your watts. Try to understand if that obstacle is isolated or the start of a dirt road. The asphalt continues smoothly and then, after a few meters, the system closes to support your thrust. Do those few meters of waiting bother you? No problem: on the left side (the one connected to the telescopic SRAM AXScan you recall the Override modeA light pressure immediately returns the suspensions to position closed.
Dirt road
The scent of the forest draws near, the vegetation grows denser: the dirt road. A long but well-trodden mule track. The system understands everything: it reads constant watts e moderate accelerations from the ground. Throughout the ascent, it will manage the suspension damping by oscillating between ProPedal e everything closed.
If you want to walk a few meters off the saddle to lighten the seat, no problem: call back theOverride and everything is blocked.
Single track XC
The living room opens into a single track typically cross country. Perfect, this is its bread and butter. Every change in slope, every obstacle, every acceleration: everything is managed to the highest standard. You don't have to think about anything; your push on the pedals is constantly balanced from just support of the suspension. Just think about pedaling suspended on a magic carpet, in a condition of continuous comfort.
Descent: where you truly understand
Finally the descent: beautiful, long, technical, with parabolic from the World Cup and a few jumps. Here the problems begin—your. Do you realize that the speed is insane to be made of lycra only: the reflections struggle to keep up with the sudden changes in direction and the neck he was not accustomed to countering those centrifugal exits from the curves.
The bike it's really going too fastThe suspensions work perfectly and, in exiting corners, when you push, the system read the wattage increase e closes just enough improve acceleration.
On the descent, this Epic 8 with Flight Attendant it is something of wonderfully fast.
Conclusions
The ride is coming to an end. Yes, the bike cost you dearly. It has brought more than one smile to your faces, especially when the journey seemed like a real XC Cupwith sudden and unexpected changes in slope. It is a racing bike, born for that, and the Flight Attendant technology represents a real advantage over the opponent.
is also a beautiful object that will allow you to complete the order in mountain bike with more lightness and efficiency. The brain to make things work well, the bike puts it in—this time it's a brain electronicpreamble of the future?
Where to find it and how to set up your bike
Do you want the Flight Attendant on your MTB? In the section Components you find the fork with FA available as aftermarket: https://ciclidrigani.it/collections/componenti
If you prefer a complete bike, discover the XC race ready: Specialized Epic 8 that come standard with it and the Mondraker equipped FA here: https://ciclidrigani.it/collections/bici-mtb-cross-country
Author:
Diego Novara