What is a flipchip on a mountain bike?
Let's be honest, many bikers have never touched the flipchip on their bike - if they have one. Some don't even know it exists. This is understandable, as the part is usually very inconspicuous in the shock linkage or in the chainstay. Sometimes it is not even labelled.
The uninitiated may mistake the flip chip for a robust washer. However, these inconspicuous particles on the bike frame can noticeably change the riding behaviour of your mountain bike by making small adjustments to the geometry.
What are the benefits of the flipchip?
Flipchips change the geometry of the frame parts connected to them and thus cause a change in Seat angle, Steering angle and Bottom bracket height. The differences are usually less than one degree when it comes to the steering angle and less than one centimetre when it comes to the ground clearance of the bottom bracket.
In practice, however, these subtle changes are very noticeable. A steeper steering angle (usually "High" position marked on the chip) makes the bike more manoeuvrable and agile. You automatically adopt a slightly more aggressive climbing position on steep climbs. This raises the bottom bracket, which gives you more ground clearance in rooty or rocky terrain.
A flatter steering angle ("Low" position) stands for improved downhill characteristics. The bottom bracket is lowered, the centre of gravity is lower, the bike is smoother and provides more safety at high speeds.
Geometry customisation made easy - a mini-tool is usually all you need
The best thing to do is to try it out on your bike yourself. The amount of work involved is manageable. An Allen key on the mini tool is usually enough. If necessary, you can even adjust the geometry on the trail. However, you should then make absolutely sure that you don't lose any of the small parts that are screwed on.
Some manufacturers such as Rocky Mountain (Ride-Nine system) have developed Flipchips with more than two setting options constructed. This allows the geometry to be customised even further.
Some mountain bikes also offer the option of using a flipchip to set the Wheelbase to change. Some bike models can be converted from 27.5-inch to 29-inch wheels - and vice versa.
Although the subtle changes to the mountain bike geometry made by a flipchip are clearly noticeable on the trail, you can't really notice the basic Character of your bike cannot be influenced by this. Flipchips cannot replace a balanced and well-functioning frame geometry of the bike.
About Flipchips - Statement from Peter Nilges, BIKE Test Manager:
Flipchips allow you to make small changes to the seat angle, steering angle and bottom bracket height on your mountain bike. This allows you to fine-tune the riding characteristics of your mountain bike.
Depending on the setting, either the climbing characteristics of your bike will improve and it will be more manoeuvrable/agile. Or the geometry flattens out a little, which makes it smoother and safer on downhills.
However, flip chips cannot fundamentally change the character of your MTB. They are no substitute for a balanced and well-functioning frame geometry of the bike.
Want to know more about mountain bike geometry?
Reach, stack & angles: the geometry shapes the character of a mountain bike - What you should pay attention to
