FOX SHOX GET SMART
A clever electronic fork and shock set up is on the way as the ultimate fettlers wet dream.
Simplifying suspension set up has always been a tricky problem, but Foxs latest development potentially makes initially setting up forks and shocks a lot less problematic.

Intelligence quota
The IRD – Intelligent Ride Dynamics – concept has no release date or production schedule yet, but even in prototype form its an impressively simple to use system considering how complex the technology is behind it. The key parts – besides the actual shock and fork – are an ANT+ transmitter – equipped smart shock pump and a Fox IRD app thats Garmin and Android smartphone compatible.Set up starts by scanning the QR code sticker on the fork crown or shock can, which gives details of the air spring its working with in terms of volume, stroke length and so on. You then connect the pump, which records the spring pressure. Prompts on the phone/Garmin then ask you your riding weight with pack, so get onto your bike and measure sag. Youre then asked to bounce the suspension a few times while the pump carries on its measuring work.

Feel the pressure
As its working with an air spring known volume and compression ratio, the IRD software can create accurate recommended pressure settings. These are displayed on whatever ANT+ device youre using for set up in the form of a dial with a coloured sweet spot segment. Add or remove pressure and re – test sag and so on until the current pressure settings put you where you want to be on the dial.
Pressure setting is only part of the set up process and where the IRD software gets really clever is in setting up rebound. Working from the set pressure and air volume it can calibrate the rebound speed of the shock/fork by monitoring pressure changes as you cycle the suspension up and down. It then references the rebound speed against Foxs optimised set up figures. The rebound setting pops up on screen in terms of number of clicks from fully open/closed. Dial it in, repeat to check and if the IRD display agrees youre good to go.

Future plans
As we say. Fox hasnt attached any dates or firm production promises on the system yet. The fact it doesnt involve additional sensors or hardware changes within the actual suspension components should make it easier to engineer though. Even if pricing makes it too expensive for home use itll be a great tool for shops to use rather than the current snap – on clips or measured sag options. As the software lets you save the set up files for future use itll still be useful even with a standard pump at home.
A chance meeting with a new Fox Shox employee at Interbike also hinted at future lines of research for the suspension specialist too. Last time we met Dave Batterbee it was when we test rode a prototype shock he was working on for his PHD. Given that his damper used visco electric fluid for electronically – rather than mechanically – adjustable performance maybe IRD wont be the only plug – in innovation from Fox in the near future.

DROP IT LIKE ITS HOT
Tweaks for dropper posts in 2012, but what about Foxs DOSS?
Hite Rite adjustable leaf spring clamps of the early days have given way to a range of height adjustable seat post designs. Interbike 2011 showed that the dropper post arms race is still on.
Demo day bikes proved that original equipment dropper posts are going to be an increasingly common fixture on longer travel bikes. Giant and Specialized use their own brand posts while Trek and Scott get custom RockShox Reverb units. In fact it seems weird if a 6in frame build up doesnt have a dropper, and its a definite oversight if theres no dedicated routing for a cable/hose somewhere on the frame.
The Trek and Scott – specific Reverb Stealth posts have been re – engineered for a base – rather than top of – post hose exit. This keeps the hose static, rather than rising and falling with the post, and enables very neat internal routing on Trek Slash and Scott Genius LT frames. Second generation Reverbs are now appearing with a strengthened post top fixture. Given the re – routing of the Stealth version we doubt itll be long before we see a collar, rather than top, exit hose option in the market.

It wont be the first though as KS Shocks is already in production with its cable – operated version. By removing the moving section of cable it solves paint damage, tyre rub and other routing problems.
It certainly puts the yet to be released Fox DOSS post on the back foot. Not only is it conventionally routed, with only a partial and full drop option but the double lever handlebar remote seems like rattle prone overkill to us. Its not as neat as the XTR trigger pod – linked, Kashima – coated prototype that we saw on Fox racer Adam Craigs bike.

NORCOS SIGHT
An all – new 140mm full susser and 29er full susser head up Norcos 2012 range.
With Canadian brand Norco due to roll into Evans Cycles branches in the New Year, Interbike was an ideal opportunity to preview its 2012 product line.

In sight
The new 140mm Sight family replaces the Fluid as Norcos all – rounder. Hydroformed alloy tubes with hollow rocker links, tapered head tubes, offset mech clearing seat tubes and ISCG bottom bracket tabs create a state of the art frame. Bottom brackets are lower and steering angles slacker than the Fluid, creating a more surefooted, speed – happy character. There are two womens options and top bikes get dropper posts to show off their aggro riding potential.

The ART rear end is shared throughout the Norco full suss line too. Its a modified FSR – style four – bar suspension set – up that allows a more rider responsive and square edge friendly axle path. It gets more progressive towards the end of the stroke for a more controlled bottom out. 142x12mm screw – thru axles and Fox shocks feature across most of the range too.

Big things up
The Range bikes have been around for years, but the solid 6in front and rear performance already uses the ART design.
Big bikes are where Norco has made its name and even the XC bikes in the 2012 range are tougher than the average short travel performance pieces. The Revolver 29ers float on 1OOmm of travel at either end, but their wheels are secured with 15 and 12mm thru – axles front and rear and the short stem and wide bar are ready to tame technical singletrack. The dovetailed rocker link and front of seat tube seatstay wraparound provide a well – executed stiffness boost too.

Get cross
The Shinobi 29er family takes big wheels into the 140mm category with a Fox F34 fork up front and double and bash chainsets for crushing anything in the bikes path. Those after a second bike will be interested to know Norcos name will be on cyclo – cross and road bikes down at their local green and gold – coloured bike emporium come Christmas.
Intenses first mountain bike hardtail is born…

After tearing up the desert trails on it in Nevada well have first ride reviews of the new Intense Carbine carbon fibre bike in the mag soon. Its not the only new carbon bike from Intense though and the other one is a definite departure for the So Cal suspensioneer.

Hard Eddie is the first hardtail Intense has made – if you dont include BMXs and jump bikes. Given the angular, machined metal, motocross sticker kit aesthetics of previous Intense bikes the outstandingly smoothly sculpted, carbon frame with hand script and tattoo – style graphics is totally fresh too. Its a mark of how much traction big wheels have gained in the US market – particularly on lightweight, high performance hardtails – that Eddie is a dedicated 29er frame, with no signs of a 26in version in the pipeline.

Tapered head tube and press – fit bottom bracket give full fork and chainset compatibility. Post – mount brake bosses make for easy set up and Intenses modular Gl drop – outs come in QR, 135x12mm Maxle and 142x12mm flavours. Weve not been given a confirmed frame weight, but very low complete bike weights suggest itll be right around the 1kg benchmark set by the likes of Scott and Niner.
The slick lines including internal head tube ported cable/hose routing give it ample appeal for carving a slice of the top end trail/race hardtail pie when it appears in the autumn too.

SHOE STOPPER
5:10s new SPD
trail shoe looks like a winner
Another product that wont be available to buy just yet, but worth keeping an eye out for is the new Kestrel trail shoe from 5:10. While its previous biking reputation has been built on ultra sticky Stealth Rubber flat pedal riding shoes developed from its climbing boot range, the companys also been establishing a foothold with SPD compatible shoes.
The Kestrel combines a Stealth rubber outsole for all weather grip, with a stiff 80 durometer carbon shank, firm heel cup and ratchet closure for pedalling performance. It sounds like a superb recipe for a low key high performance trail shoe. Theres a more DH/AM – oriented Coolhwip shoe in the pipeline too.

DEEP PAN LIDS
More deep coverage trail helmets are lining up to grace your noggin next year
The major helmet manufacturers – Giro, Specialized, MET and so on – have been moving towards deeper coverage trail helmets for a while. The recent surge of really deep – shelled lids from the likes of РОС and Urge has really upped the ante, and that was obvious at Vegas.

РОС has more big block colourways on its existing Trabec lids, which Giro has unashamedly aped in the aesthetics of its new Feature helmet. Complete with vivid solid colourways. Giro describes it in
Specialized terms as the Enduro equivalent to the Xars Stumpjumper, and it will be arriving in October for ?70.

Urge was also showing a final prototype of its new all – mountain helmet. Its not as deep as the current Endur – O – Matic lid, but uses massive vents reinforced with an internal halo cage. Mesh covered rear porthole vents and distinctive cats ears profile definitely keep it distinctive.

ON – ONE GOES FAT
Maverick On – One is developing a fat bike
The first prototype is being tested by endurance racer John Shaggy Ross and features a 170mm rear end, 100mm bottom bracket, 44mm head tube, and swap – outs to allow gears or singlespeeding.
Brant Richards told WMB that On – One is, “Going fat in a big way. Hope to blow it apart like we did with singlespeeding.” That includes, aiming for “a genre – busting ?999 complete bike!” Theres still work to be done on it but if Brants enthusiasm is anything to go by then expect to see it sooner than you might think.
Fat bikes, like the iconic Surly Pugsley with 3 – 4in plus rubber, were designed for crossing snow and sand that slimmer tyres sank into. Their monster truck traction and balloon tyre suspension has found fans on more normal trails though.

WAGONS AROLLIN
More and more 29er spares are getting behind the big wheel bandwagon.
Everywhere we looked at Eurobike and Interbike fresh new wagon wheelers were appearing. The good news is that spares – including tyres, wheels, and forks – for 29ers are now more numerous than ever before, and after chatting to the US tyre companies, rubber sales for 29ers are now outstripping 26in by a clear margin – at least in the US.

To the max
Unsurprising then to see new large diameter options from several of the big players. Maxxis is covering all aspects with monster, ultra – light and affordable tyres in the 2012 range.
The UK favourite Minion F tread makes it onto a 29in carcass but so far only in a 2.5in width that we reckon youd struggle to find a bike to fit it through. Equally specific – and sparse – in its potential users is the big format ultra – light MaxxLite tyre. At 330g in 2.0in width its 200g lighter than the next heaviest tyre – Aspen – in its arsenal and designed for groomed course racing. At approx ?80 each its a proper fanatics option too.

The great news for big – wheeled trail riders is the introduction of cheaper, heavier – and hopefully tougher – 60TPI versions of the currently fragile Beaver and Ikon tyres. Youre still getting dual compound rubber, so grip levels shouldnt be far off their
?50+ triple compound siblings

Get in Geax
Geax also showed an extended 29er line with Revolution, Sturdy, AKA and Mezcal tyres all now available in the currently hip hoop size complete with tubeless – ready compatibility for ?32. UK distributor
Hotlines will also be bringing in the full range of WTB 29er rubber in 2012. This includes a reworked side knob version of the versatile Bronson and a slimmed down version of the MotoRaptor. Now just called Moto it looks set to be a competitor to the Maxxis
Expanded long leg fork ranges from DT Swiss and Marzocchi join increased options from Fox and RockShox. Crank Brothers add a ?2000+ carbon – rimmed 29er wheel option to its Cobalt line and there are fresh 29er sets in the new E – 13 and American Classic wheel ranges too.