Modern suspension elements are true marvels of technology. They have to be, because the demands placed on mountain bikes and their suspension components today are enormous. They have to twist as little as possible when braking and steering, they have to take the constant bombardment of mud and sand just as well as the odd load spike when the biker does hit the ground. Oh yes, and they should also be as light as possible. But the combination of stiffness, stability and low weight is not the real achievement of modern MTB shocks and suspension forks.
It is their inner workings that turn the suspension elements into real technical wonders. The dampers should remain as neutral as possible when pedalling, should not sag at high speeds and should not bottom out when jumping. However, they should also provide good comfort and sensitive response behaviour. To ensure that this works, the high-quality MTB forks and dampers are equipped with a complicated system of oil circuits inside them. The high-speed circuit regulates the compression and rebound behaviour on fast impacts such as rock and root fields and hard landings, while the low-speed circuit regulates the behaviour when weight is shifted while pedalling or other slow compression and rebound processes. The spring preload is regulated via the air pressure, and many suspension components even allow the Changing the air chamber volume with the help of volume spacers.
Many bikers are overwhelmed by the setting options
Sag (negative suspension travel), volume spacer, high speed and low speed as well as rebound and compression. It can make your head spin. Manufacturers are aware of this and thankfully only leave it up to the rider to set the parameters that are easy to understand - especially for less downhill-orientated suspension components. These are usually negative suspension travel and rebound. However, the popular Rock Shox Pike also offers a low-speed compression setting, and the Fox 36 even allows the high-speed and low-speed compression to be adjusted separately. Shocks such as the Cane-Creek Double Barrel series, the Fox X2 and the Rock Shox Vivid Air even offer the full range of possible adjustment parameters.
At this point, not only the average consumer, but also many a mechanic in the bike shop is really overwhelmed. Because even if the settings can bring real added value, you almost need a degree in mechanical engineering and in any case an extremely sensitive "popometer" to get the maximum out of such suspension components. It's a shame, because a good setup is not just an end in itself and only of interest to professionals, but would also make normal bikers faster and safer.
Complicated setup problem, simple solution: Quarq Shock Wiz
For several years now, people in Australia have been working on a solution that is as simple as it is ingenious. A small measuring chamber is connected to the fork or shock and measures the pressure differences that occur in the air chamber of the fork or shock due to compression and rebound. These values are transmitted to an app via Bluetooth. As soon as the app has collected a sufficient amount of data, it uses an algorithm to make a suggestion for optimising the setup. All the rider has to do now is turn the adjustment knobs on the fork and shock according to the app's suggestions or adjust the air pressure in the air chamber. The app provides precise information, for example by how many per cent the pressure needs to be adjusted or how many clicks which control knob needs to be turned.
The system should work so well that an almost perfect setup for the respective test track is achieved, which even real professionals can hardly top. This would make the ShockWiz a very interesting tool for every biker, from beginners to racers. In July 2015, the project was launched on the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform with a funding target of 90,000 US dollars. Only a short time later, the campaign ended with a good 130,000 US dollars. Soon after, the American component giant Sram showed interest, bought up the whole thing without further ado and put it under its Quarq label. This alone shows the potential of the idea.
Since then, work on the ShockWiz has continued uninterrupted. The system had to be optimised, the app developed and, last but not least, the advertising campaign and production initiated. The ShockWiz was presented to the public for the first time at Eurobike 2016 (BIKE reported), pre-production models have already been released to Kickstarter supporters and the media. As of today, 15 February 2017, the ShockWiz is now available for purchase. The ShockWiz is compatible with most, but not all, air suspension forks and MTB shocks (with the exception of Rock Shox Dual Position Air, DRCV systems, Manitou and MRP, for example). It weighs just 45 grams in total and is waterproof and dustproof. However, this technological marvel comes at a price. The first version of the ShockWiz will cost 419 euros in Europe.
First detailed test in BIKE 4/2017
The BIKE team is already testing the ShockWiz extensively with many different forks and shocks. You can find out whether the currently still high price for the technology gadget is worth it in a detailed test report in BIKE 4/17 - on newsstands from 7 March.
For technology fans: How the ShockWiz works
The centrepiece of the ShockWiz is a small, waterproof and dustproof black box. It houses an extremely small and precise pressure measuring chamber with an air volume of just 0.5 millilitres. That is less than the volume of an M&M. The pressure measuring chamber is connected to the air cartridge of the fork or shock by means of one of the two valves mounted at different angles on the ShockWiz. If the fork or shock compresses, this not only changes the air pressure in the air cartridge, but also in the small measuring chamber of the ShockWiz. These pressure changes are measured up to 100 times per second and recorded by a microprocessor, which is also located in the small black box of the ShockWiz.
Connection with the app via Bluetooth
The ShockWiz can be connected to the specially designed smartphone app via Bluetooth and transmits the suspension movement data to the app. There, the data is analysed using an algorithm. It recognises undesirable movements in the suspension, such as excessive diving, too much or too little movement in the suspension, too fast or too slow spring movement, and classifies how far the current setup is from the ideal state. The rider is then suggested the appropriate changes to the sag, air chamber volume and rebound and compression parameters (if necessary, separately in high and low speed). Quarq claims to have verified that the pressure changes in the air chamber are actually an indicator of how the suspension element is functioning through extensive laboratory work and countless practical tests from beginners to the Enduro World Series and the Mountain Bike World Cup.
The app also tells the rider what changes in riding behaviour can be expected from the recommended changes to the setup. You can also customise the suggested setup according to your personal preferences. The rider can choose between efficiency, aggressiveness, playfulness or downhill. The app then optimises the suggested changes to the setup accordingly. Using percentages, the app provides information on how close you have already come to the perfect setup, how reliable the collected data is (the more data, the more representative the data, the more reliable the setup suggestions) and, if necessary, what type of trail you should ride to supplement the amount of data.
So far, the app works on Android and iOS (Jellybean 4.3 or higher and iOS 9 or higher).
More information about the ShockWiz, prices, sales and compatibility can be found on the Website of the manufacturer.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
