Less bobbing
Following the discontinuation of the "HVR" platform shock, DT Swiss is once again introducing a shock that offers a third mode in addition to the "Lockout" and "Open" modes: The "X313" shock, new for the 2013 season, is equipped with a switchable platform stage. This bob suppression supports the biker on climbs or helps the suspended rear triangle to transmit power better when riding at high speed on rough trails.

In initial ride tests by Ride with the "X313" - mounted on a BMC Trailfox bike - the new shock absorber proved to be an efficient means of bringing calm to the suspension. While the rear end of the Trailfox bike was still bobbing uphill when open, the VPP suspension calmed down when it was switched to "Drive Mode". The platform makes the use of the lockout uphill almost unnecessary, except when sprinting, it is advisable to use the lockout function.

Even lighter
In the 165x37.5 installation dimension, the "X313" weighs in at 198 grams, but is still beaten by one of its - in-house - competitors. With the "X313 Carbon" for the 2013 model year, a shock comes to the Fully that is equipped with the same range of functions as its heavy counterpart, but saves a few dozen grams thanks to an air chamber cover made of carbon instead of aluminum. "We have completely redesigned the carbon version of the X313 and lightened it by a few grams in every conceivable place, for example the lockout lever is also made of carbon," reports Jérome Hoffmann, Head of the Suspension Division at DT Swiss. 145 grams of weight in the 165x37.5 installation dimension are the result of this slimming cure on the "X313 Carbon".

Both new shocks are equipped with the familiar "ABS" system, in which the negative air chamber fills automatically via the positive air chamber. A rebound speed that can be adjusted using the red adjustment wheel is of course also part of the range of functions. Furthermore, spherical ball joints on the shock absorber eyes ensure tension-free installation and operation.

Modified all-mountain forks
In addition to the work on the new damper, the suspension engineers led by Jérome Hoffmann and Remo Heutschi have revised the damping for the all-mountain forks such as the "EXM 150". The "Launch Control II" system is designed to make trail riding easier by automatically switching the fork to "Open Mode" in lowered mode (by 30 percent of the suspension travel) from a defined impact hardness and thus releasing the entire suspension travel.

Slim remote control
Light, slim, handlebar-friendly: these are the key features of the new remote lever from DT Swiss. The remote lever for the suspension fork is now twist-proof and more friendly to carbon handlebars, as the inside is plastic-coated.

At eleven grams, DT Swiss also produces the lightest remote lever on the market. At six millimetres wide, the lever is very narrow and is modestly roomy on the cockpit. The handlebars cut a fine figure between the brake and shift levers or between the grip and levers thanks to their small width. The remote control comes in versions suitable for the various damping systems and can also be used with the dampers; a combined solution with a lever for both forks and dampers is not available.

Internal values
"Nobody sees it, but everyone feels it," says Hoffmann about the 2013 forks. In close cooperation with Panolin, a Swiss lubricant specialist, a new damping oil was developed for the forks over the course of more than a year. "It was important for us to achieve a wide temperature range with the oil so that the forks work optimally in icy winters as well as in hot summers," Hoffmann continues. Panolin has also developed a lubricating oil for DT Swiss, which is used between the stanchions and fork tubes. In order to tease out individual damping properties from the DT forks, it is possible to mix the damping and lubricating oil for individual tuning. New wiper rings in the 2013 dip tubes should also ensure that the response of the forks is improved.

650b forks only at the prototype stage
The Scott hardtails used in the World Cup by Florian Vogel and Nino Schurter are currently fitted with DT Swiss suspension forks in 650b format. These forks are only available exclusively for the athletes in the Olympic year, but DT Swiss has hinted that not only wheels but also forks in this dimension will be added to the range.

Model update for the forks
DT Swiss is launching a total of six new fork versions for the 2013 model year. The model variants "XMM 150" (weight 1662 grams), "XMM 140" (weight 1642 grams) and "XMM 120" (weight 1642 grams) now have a 15 millimeter thru-axle mount on the fork tubes, the fork crown is made of carbon fiber and the tapered head tube has a shiny UD finish. The aim of the developers was to reduce weight and increase stiffness by using carbon and thru axles.

For the model variants "XMM 120 29" (weight 1647 grams) and "XMM 100 29" (weight 1642 grams) as well as the "XRM 100" variant (weight 1550 grams, new with so-called Twin Shot damping), the focus is also on 15 millimeter axle mounts and carbon insert.

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