War of the standards: Metric Shock Sizing

Metric Shock Sizing: It sounds like an earthquake warning system - but it's not and has a lot to do with mountain bikes rather than plate tectonics. Six manufacturers come to an agreement and publish a new system with the aim of standardizing shock installation lengths.

If you are looking for an aftermarket shock for a full-suspension mountain bike, you can expect a lengthy search. There are countless installation lengths that offer different travel at the same time. Apart from these numerous dimensions, there is also the challenge of connecting the shock to the frame using the right bushings. And the manufacturers provide pages and pages of order lists for these bushings.

In a short and not too detailed message, Sram has now announced that six major suspension specialists have agreed on a new system, the so-called Metric Shock Sizing. On board are the manufacturers Cane Creek, DVO, X-Fusion, Manitou, Rock Shox and SR Suntour. Anyone looking through the list will quickly notice that one spring specialist is not participating: Fox Suspension.

The lengths are now to be specified in metric and no longer in inches. According to Sram, these changes will bring new shock lengths and customization options to the market for the 2017 model year, which should provide bike and shock manufacturers and customers with a better overview.

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First the shock, then the bike

Rock Shox is not afraid to launch "Metric", a new approach - avoid the word standard if possible - for shocks. And thinks "out of the box": The suspension pioneers build the shocks and the manufacturers adapt the rear triangle to them. The first result: the Deluxe and Super Deluxe shocks.

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Autor: Tobias Gütlin