SPRING into action
Gone are the jittery days when you need a mouth guard to ride your local trails. These days we have the best tech for the plushest ride. Which means much more fun during many more miles*. Yes we are in sunny South Africa and use the metric system and the only reason for the units from the British Empire and not simply, ‘kilometers’, is for the alliteration 🙂
Let’s go!
Is Specialized’s BRAIN suspension as clever as the name suggests?
The Specialized Brain suspension system is a proprietary technology developed by Specialized Bicycle Components for their mountain bikes. The Brain system is designed to provide efficient pedaling and responsive suspension, by automatically adjusting the suspension based on the terrain and rider input.
The Brain suspension system works by using a special valve in the shock that is designed to remain closed when the bike is traveling over smooth terrain, such as roads or flat trails. This keeps the suspension rigid and efficient, allowing the rider to pedal with minimal energy loss. However, when the bike hits rough terrain, the valve opens and the suspension becomes active, absorbing impacts and providing a smooth ride.
The Brain suspension system is designed to be highly responsive, adjusting to changes in the terrain and rider input within a fraction of a second. This allows the rider to maintain control and stability in challenging terrain, without sacrificing pedaling efficiency.
The Brain suspension system is available on a range of Specialized mountain bikes, including the Epic and Stumpjumper models. The technology has been well received by mountain bikers, and is considered to be one of the most advanced suspension systems on the market.
What is an INERTIA valve and how does it work?
An inertia valve is a type of valve used in suspension systems for bicycles, motorcycles, and other vehicles. The valve is designed to respond to sudden changes in velocity or acceleration, which can occur when the vehicle encounters bumps, jumps, or other obstacles.
The basic design of an inertia valve includes a moveable element, such as a ball or disc, that is held in place by a spring or other mechanism. When the vehicle experiences a sudden change in velocity or acceleration, the moveable element is forced to move, opening the valve and allowing fluid to flow through the suspension system.
The inertia valve works by providing an additional damping force in response to sudden impacts or changes in terrain. The valve is designed to open quickly and provide additional resistance to the suspension system, helping to absorb the impact and maintain stability and control.
In mountain bikes, inertia valves are often used in the fork and rear shock to provide additional suspension support. When the bike encounters a sudden bump or obstacle, the inertia valve opens, allowing fluid to flow through the shock and absorb the impact. The result is a smoother, more stable ride that allows the rider to maintain control and momentum in challenging terrain.
Overall, inertia valves are an important part of modern suspension systems, and are used in a wide range of vehicles and equipment to improve performance and safety.
When was the Cannondale LEFTY created and why is there no Righty?
The Cannondale Lefty suspension fork was first introduced in 1999. It was a significant departure from traditional suspension fork designs, as it used a single-legged design with an oversized strut that was located on the left side of the fork. This design allowed for a lighter and stiffer fork, as well as improved handling and responsiveness.
The Lefty fork quickly gained a reputation for its performance and has become a signature feature of many of Cannondale’s mountain bikes. Over the years, the Lefty fork has undergone several updates and redesigns, and continues to be used in many of Cannondale’s high-performance mountain bikes.
What is the link between ROCKSHOX and SRAM?
RockShox is a well-known American brand that specializes in producing high-performance suspension systems for mountain bikes. They were founded in 1989 and are now owned by SRAM, another leading company in the cycling industry. RockShox is known for its high-quality suspension forks and rear shocks, which are used by both professional and amateur cyclists worldwide.
RockShox offers a variety of suspension products for mountain bikes, including the SID, Pike, and Lyrik forks, as well as the Super Deluxe and Deluxe rear shocks. These products are designed to absorb the impact of rough terrain, providing a smoother ride and better handling for the rider. RockShox also produces dropper seat posts, which allow the rider to adjust the height of their saddle while riding, and improve their position for different terrains.
RockShox is recognized for its commitment to innovation and has introduced many new technologies in its products, such as the Solo Air spring system, the Charger Damper, and the DebonAir spring system. They also offer a range of different suspension products with different travel and features, allowing riders to choose the product that best suits their needs and preferences.
How does LAUF suspension forks differ from what I am used to?
Lauf Suspension is a manufacturer of suspension systems for bicycles, based in Iceland. The company is best known for their leaf spring suspension technology, which uses a series of carbon fiber leaf springs to provide suspension travel. The leaf springs are designed to be lightweight, low maintenance, and responsive to small bumps, while also being able to handle larger impacts.
Lauf Suspension offers a range of suspension products for mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and road bikes. The company’s most popular products include the Lauf Grit and Lauf True Grit gravel bike suspension forks, which use 30mm of suspension travel to provide a smoother ride on rough terrain. The Lauf Carbonara mountain bike suspension fork is also popular, and features 60mm of travel.
Overall, Lauf Suspension’s products are known for their unique design, light weight, and ability to provide a smooth ride on a variety of terrain types.
How will a DROPPER post help me the to descent the trails safer?
A dropper post is a type of seat post for bicycles that allows the rider to quickly and easily adjust the height of the saddle while riding. It works by using a remote lever on the handlebar to activate a hydraulic or mechanical mechanism that lowers or raises the seat post.
A dropper post can be very helpful for mountain biking or other types of off-road riding where the terrain varies frequently. It allows the rider to quickly and easily lower the saddle for descents or technical sections, improving their balance and control on the bike. Then, when it’s time to climb or ride on flatter terrain, the rider can quickly raise the saddle to a more efficient pedaling position.
Using a dropper post can help to increase speed, control, and confidence on technical descents, which can lead to a more enjoyable and rewarding riding experience. It can also help to reduce the risk of injury or crashes, as it allows the rider to maintain better control of the bike in challenging terrain.
