Refinement, a new brand, and some ways to keep that old rig running
NitroShox is a small UK-based company with a different take on suspension design. This shock uses a nitrogen-filled shock similar to the struts used in military and aviation applications. It's firm until it encounters impacts of a certain velocity
NitroShox is a small UK-based company with a different take on suspension design. This shock uses a nitrogen-filled shock similar to the struts used in military and aviation applications. It's firm until it encounters impacts of a certain velocity - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The only adjustment on NitroShox is a dial to adjust the spring rate - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
The company also plans to offer an inline version - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Manitou's extremely refreshing Markhor fork is designed to keep older bikes on the trail - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
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 - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
RockShox' big three single crown forks received new graphics - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
Black and white goes with everything - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
Factory-sponsored riders get special damping tunes and fresh forks before each event - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
Marzocchi is still alive and kicking, now under the Fox tent - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
The benchmark enduro fork, Fox's 36, has been tweaked for improved performance this year - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
Cane Creek's demo bikes had a special hi-viz yellow Helm on the front - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
High- and low-speed compression tuning is easily accessible - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
The Helm's D-Loc axle system is Boost width, 15x110mm - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
Here's something new, measurements on the fork's steerer. Good idea, Cane Creek - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
Mainitou makes a fat bike-specific suspension fork. - Russell Eich / Our Media
MRP now offers a ramp control cartridge for the Fox 36, allowing users to adjust the spring curve externally - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
Ohlin's presence in the mountain bike market seems to expand every season - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
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 - Josh Patterson / Immediate Media
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 - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
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 - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
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 - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The new Formula Selva has a few novel approaches in philosophy - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Lockout is yellow and compression damping is blue on the new Selva — sound familiar? - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Replacing that small lever with a fancy remote lockout seems like a good idea - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
The interchangeability of high-speed compression settings is rider-friendly — the early stages of swapping the cartridge system - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
With the external knob removed, the actual HSC insert becomes visible — a sample replacement cartridge is shown for visual - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
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 - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
If the Selva speaks to you, and you have a grape-colored bike, you're in luck - Thomas McDaniel / Immediate Media
Formula offers two enduro forks: the Boost spaced Selva and the non-Boost 35 - Russell Eich / Immediate Media
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.
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.
