mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Last year Nicola Rohrbach rode them at the Cape Epic, Mathias Flückiger throughout the World Cup season - the unrecognizable prototypes of the "F232 One" suspension fork from DT Swiss. However, 232 One is not just the model name of the fork, but refers to an entire platform consisting of suspension fork, damper and dropper post, all for cross-country use.

mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The all-round talent of the fork is at work inside the fork: the three-stage INCONTROL damping and the cross-country-optimized LINEAIR air suspension. The latter is a two-chamber air system. A bypass ensures that the air pressure in the negative chamber is always higher than that in the positive chamber when the suspension is extended. This ensures a low mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""> breakaway torque, i.e. a fine response behavior for high traction. The middle section of the stroke reacts more linearly, which helps to get through rough sections quickly and safely. At the end of the stroke, the fork reacts progressively so that it has reserves for big hits, such as after drops.

The end progression can be adjusted to personal requirements using a volume spacer in the air chamber. The F232-One suspension fork is available with 100 to 120 millimetres of travel

The INCONTROL damping offers three on-the-fly damping settings for the most important riding situations. Controlled either directly on the fork crown or on the handlebars via remote. Open mode allows the oil to flow through all channels and offers unrestricted response. However, it can be closed in stages, which results in a richer feel and allows the fork to be higher in its travel in berms, for example.
In Drive mode, the low-speed compression channel is closed and all the oil flows through the high-speed compression channel. The fork reduces its eagerness to work, which is ideal for reducing energy loss but maintaining traction on rocky, uneven climbs.

For starting and sprinting situations or on asphalt passages, lock mode is selected. The oil flow is then interrupted and the fork switches to standby mode. Let's call it standby, because a drain valve protects the rider and material from unexpected bumps.

The inner workings of the shock sound pretty similar to those of the suspension fork. Similar, because unlike the suspension fork, the low-speed compression cannot be additionally adjusted. Only the three stages Open, Drive and Lock have the same functions. They are also operated either directly on the shock or via the remote on the handlebars.

The LINEAIR suspension system is also used for the shock, with one small difference. Thanks to the same two-chamber air system, the R232-One shock also offers a very fine response, a mid-travel range that is easy to swallow and end progression that supports an active riding style in technical terrain, but also offers reserves when the going gets tough.

In contrast to suspension forks, the end user has no option to change the end progression of the R232 One suspension strut themselves.

The R232 One is available with standard or trunnion mount from 230 grams in the remote version.

Vario seatposts are already a familiar sight on the cross-country circuit. Specific products, however, are still few and far between. With the D232 One, DT Swiss not only offers a pure cross-country and marathon throne lift, but also the first in the company's history.

The DT dropper post does cause a bit of a stir, as it works upside-down via the 60 millimeter stroke.

From a technical point of view, the upside-down technology makes sense. As the sliding unit is at the top and the seals at the bottom, the system is less sensitive to external influences and is also better lubricated. Thanks to the larger installation space for the release mechanism outside the seat tube, it enables very reliable operation.

In addition, a mechanical system is used in the D232 One, which means that the seatpost does not require hydraulics. This is not only less vulnerable, but also enables a lighter construction in addition to the carbon seat tube. The DT Swiss seatpost weighs 369 grams with a diameter of 30.9 millimetres.

DT Swiss relies on the no-tool concept for its hubs, which enables simple, tool-free work. This should also be possible with the D232-One - release and grease. With opening and greasing, the small service should only take five minutes.

Not only easier to fit, the quick release on the cable mount also helps with removal. For example, if you want to remove the seat post for air travel, you can simply unhook the cable and stow the seat post separately, saving you a lot of stress.