The Californian suspension specialist Fox is - finally - showing its fully automatic suspension with integrated solenoid valve. But, wasn't there already something, didn't it already exist? Yes, back in 2012, Haibike and Lapierre presented a shock that was able to react to different riding situations using electronically controlled compression adjustment, but did so at a rather slow pace.

Electromagnetic valve regulates oil flow

Fox is breaking new ground and has the expertise behind it that it has already gathered in its own automotive division. For example, there is Live Valve technology in a Ford Raptor pickup that is now rolling towards mountain bikes. In particular, we are talking about an integrated solenoid valve that is positioned directly in the damping and can regulate the oil flow there at lightning speed. Using sensors - more on this below - the suspension can react to the trail or impacts from the ground in three hundredths of a second. Three hundredths of a second is 100 times faster than the blink of an eye, explain the Fox engineers, emphasizing that the system is anything but sluggish.

In addition to the solenoid valve, which sits invisibly in the suspension element, Live Valve adds further technical components to the bike: sensors are positioned on the rear triangle and suspension fork to measure impacts. 3D sensors are integrated into the controller to determine whether the bike is on level ground, uphill, downhill or in a jump. The recorded data is fed into an algorithm that calculates and virtually decides how the suspension should react. For example: if the bike is in the air after a jump, the suspension opens fully to cushion the landing.

Available soon, on complete bikes and for retrofitting

The Live Valve is powered by a rechargeable battery and before riding, the system needs to be switched on with a simple push of a button and selected from five levels. The battery should last up to 20 hours of operation, after which Live Valve has to be plugged in. If the power runs out and the system goes into off mode, the fork and shock remain open and the suspension remains active. However, the battery is not permanently connected to the frame, but can simply be removed and replaced. And within 15 minutes, the battery should have enough juice to be ready for a two-hour ride.

Giant, Pivot and Scott will be the first brands to equip their suspension with Fox Live Valve. Pivot and Rocky Mountain already offer compatible frames. Niner and other manufacturers will soon be introducing bikes with Live Valve. The Live Valve package with fork, shock, controller and sensors will also be available in the aftermarket for the Fox 32 Step Cast, 34, 34 Step Cast and 36 platforms.

www.ridefox.com