The only adjustment on NitroShox is a dial to adjust the spring rate
The company also plans to offer an inline version
Manitou’s extremely refreshing Markhor fork is designed to keep older bikes on the trail
The Markhor is available with a straight steerer, 9mm or 15mm Boost dropouts, and fits 26″, 27.5″ and 29″ wheels. Oh, it also starts at only $250
RockShox’ big three single crown forks received new graphics
Black and white goes with everything
Factory-sponsored riders get special damping tunes and fresh forks before each event
Marzocchi is still alive and kicking, now under the Fox tent
The benchmark enduro fork, Fox’s 36, has been tweaked for improved performance this year
Cane Creek’s demo bikes had a special hi-viz yellow Helm on the front
High- and low-speed compression tuning is easily accessible
The Helm’s D-Loc axle system is Boost width, 15x110mm
Here’s something new, measurements on the fork’s steerer. Good idea, Cane Creek
Manitou’s new Mastodon fat bike fork features 34mm stanchions and up to 150mm travel
MRP now offers a ramp control cartridge for the Fox 36, allowing users to adjust the spring curve externally
Ohlin’s presence in the mountain bike market seems to expand every season
Suspension tuning company / manufacturer PUSH Industries and Niner have teamed up to offer a version of the Eleven Six shock tuned for Niner’s long-travel 29er, the RIP 9 RDO
Wren is known for two things: different and light. Its inverted TwinAir fork lineup covers 80–150mm of travel and just about every axle configuration
The 110 and 150mm stock forks can be travel-reduced in 10mm increments using spacers. Wren was quick to point out its TwinAir system is not as simple as “positive and negative” air chambers
The Wren inverted forks use brass inserts to prevent unwanted rotation when a hub isn’t in place — the inserts are held in place with grease and break away in case of potential trauma
The new Formula Selva has a few novel approaches in philosophy
Lockout is yellow and compression damping is blue on the new Selva — sound familiar?
Replacing that small lever with a fancy remote lockout seems like a good idea
The interchangeability of high-speed compression settings is rider-friendly — the early stages of swapping the cartridge system
With the external knob removed, the actual HSC insert becomes visible — a sample replacement cartridge is shown for visual
Formula has worked out three “consumer” models, two “pro” models and a handy tool to swap them. Formula didn’t elaborate on what makes it “consumer” or “pro”, but it was a language challenge (Italian to English), not an insult to riders
If the Selva speaks to you, and you have a grape-colored bike, you’re in luck
Formula offers two enduro forks: the Boost spaced Selva and the non-Boost 35
Sea Otter is the first big bike event of the year in the United States, it’s where brands and consumers can shake off the winter doldrums and get excited for the rapidly approaching riding season.
Like most bicycle technology, the theme of refinement can be found within most of this year’s suspension offerings. In addition to smoother strokes, lighter weight, and more controlled damping, a few standouts were on display such as Manitou’s Markhor, which is designed to be compatible with standards that many have consigned to history, Push Industries’ collaboration with Niner, and NitroShox’ unique military-derived suspension damping.
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A new fork or rear shock is a surefire way to breathe some new life and wring out a bit more performance from your current bike. Here’s a gallery of some of the latest and greatest from Sea Otter 2017.
