Formula has announced the release of its new Nebbia air shock – the latest addition to Formula’s rear-suspension range.
It joins the MOD Coil shock, with most bikes – and riders – using an air shock due to their setup simplicity and lower weight.
Formula took advantage of its existing suspension technology and applied it to the new Nebbia. This includes CTS (Compression Tuning System) valves and Neopos (New Positive) volume spacers for at-home low- and mid-speed compression tuning, and mid and end-stroke progression tuning.
The Nebbia is designed to suit any mountain bike, whether short-travel trail bikes or flat-out downhill bikes.
The shock stroke can be changed tool-free, and wide-range rebound adjustment should mean it can fit any bike without needing a custom tune.
Formula says the Nebbia should outlast your current frame and can be swapped between bikes without any issues.
It’s backed by Formula’s 10-year guarantee. This states you’ll still be able to get replacement parts for the shock in a decade's time. The Nebbia is priced at £680 / $849.99 / €790 / $950 CAN, excluding VAT.
What’s inside?
Formula has designed the positive air spring to use lower pressures than other air shocks. This helps to lower stress on the seals. The frequency sag markers printed on the shaft of the shock are a neat touch to help riders set their desired air pressure.
The design employs a hybrid coil and air negative spring. This is said to increase initial sensitivity for a lower breakaway force, and improve performance and traction in the initial part of the travel.
There's a reservoir bladder instead of an IFP (internal floating piston). Formula claims this reduces friction and damping reaction times compared to an IFP, helping to improve small-bump sensitivity and reduce heat build-up for a more consistent shock.
It doesn’t feature hydraulic or air-based bottom-out features, forgoing the added complexity. Instead, it uses a polyurethane bump-stop originally designed for Formula's moto trials shocks to deliver a quiet and comfortable end to the shock's travel.
Nebbia tunability
The Nebbia is set to be one of, if not the most, rider-tuneable shocks available. It features a host of adjustments, meaning the shock shouldn't need a custom tune to get it set up well for any bike.
This means you should be able set up the shock from the comfort of your home.
Formula’s CTS valves are a compression-adjustment system. These are effectively shim stack cartridges. The swappable valves change the compression-damping characteristics of the shock, meaning it doesn't need to be sent off to be re-tuned.
The shock comes with three CTS valves: gold (light compression), orange (mid compression) and green (firm compression).
Depending on your frame kinematics, riding style and weight, you can tune the compression damping to best suit your needs. These can be swapped with no proprietary tool required. More options may be available in the future.
The Nebbia gets an external compression dial to fine-tune low-speed compression. There’s also a three-way compression switch with open, platform and firm modes to aid pedalling.
To add mid- and end-stroke progression, Formula has fitted its Neopos volume spacers inside the Nebbia. These compressible volume spacers help create a more linear progression compared to a standard plastic spacer. Formula claims this avoids the abrupt harshness to the ramp-up of a traditional spacer.
There’s an external rebound adjuster too. Formula states this has a wide range, where each click gives a meaningful change. No matter the bike, shock stroke or shock tune, you should be able to get a rebound setting without needing any customisation.
Finally, the shock stroke can be changed. Using simple, clip-in spacers, you can reduce your stroke by 2.5, 5 or 7.5mm to suit your frame and riding preferences.
If your existing frame uses a shock with a 65mm stroke and your new frame uses a 60mm stroke, you don’t need to send your shock off to be adjusted. You simply unscrew the air can, pop in the spacers and reassemble.
End-user friendly
Formula states a minor service should be performed every 60 hours. This can be done by the user, with no specialist tools needed.
A major service should be performed every 125 hours. While Formula recommends the Nebbia is sent to a Formula service centre, it says you can carry out the major service at home if you're confident and have the correct equipment.
Formula Nebbia specs
There are a wide range of shock sizes, from 165x37.5mm (TR) to 250x75mm, suitable for everything from short-travel bikes to downhill bikes. Formula states the Nebbia will fit in a wide range of frames, including anything that can use a RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate shock.
Formula also states the shock is ebike and clevis (yoke) approved. The weight is a claimed 472g (210x55mm).
Formula Nebbia air shock key features
- Frequency sag indicator
- Compression switch: 3 positions – open, platform, firm
- Compression Tuning System: gold (light), orange (mid), green (firm)
- External compression adjuster
- External rebound adjuster
- Neopos volume spacers
- Price: £680 / $849.99 / €790 / $950 CAN, excluding VAT
