Fox has updated its electronic suspension system with the Live Wire Neo, benefiting from wire-free installation and the ability to open the rear shock in 1/70th of a second.
Fox claims the Neo system is the fastest wireless protocol in cycling.
The system uses the brand's Neo wireless communication technology that debuted on the Transfer Neo dropper post last month, and is said to deliver a signal from the fork and rear sensors to the controller in around one millisecond.
Live Wire Neo is said to react so fast that it can instantly deliver the perfect balance of support and rider comfort, adapting at every moment on the trail, increasing efficiency.
Fox says the system is available as an aftermarket upgrade for most trail bikes and enduro bikes, with riders needing a Live Valve Neo Kit priced at £449.99 / $399 / €499 / CAD$534.65, consisting of batteries and bump sensors.
You will then need to choose between a Live Valve Neo Float X for £1,119 / $999 / €1,299 / CAD$1,399 or a Live Valve Neo DHX at £1,099 / $949 / €1,249 / CAD$1,269, depending on your discipline.
Wireless Live Wire
Fox has developed on the same premise as its initial Live Valve technology released in 2018, but says advances in wireless communications have enabled it to ditch the wires of the previous system.
The new system is more similar to RockShox Flight Attendant, and it sees a rechargeable external battery mounted to the shock and sensor.
Sensors are used on the front and rear of the bike, mounted to the brake mounts, while the controller sits inside the rear shock.
The brand says athletes in its RAD (Racing Applications Development) programme have been testing the system for the past three years at Enduro World Championships and Downhill World Cups.
Faster reactions
The system reads terrain inputs up to 400 times per second, sensing, transmitting and adjusting the shock, all in 1/70th of a second.
Fox says because the system is the fastest wireless protocol in cycling, it operates with no noticeable lag.
This is said to increase efficiency down the trail and maximise every opportunity for speed.
A magnetic latching solenoid is used in the shock’s compression circuit, which is claimed to be faster than a motor and virtually silent.
The sensor on the fork is said to be so fast that it can detect a bump and actuate the shock before the rear wheel encounters the same bump.
When the trail starts heading up, the suspension hardens, providing a supportive platform for tapping out climbs.
Fox says the Neo system is so fast it even boosts your speed on jumps and can help you accelerate out of corners by increasing support on the exit.
App integration
The system is also compatible with the Fox Bike App, where you can find setup tutorials, firmware updates and Live Valve Neo tunes.
There are five preset tunes: Standard, Firm, Plush, Open and Closed, and you can store and customise your tunes to suit trail conditions or preferences, with Fox saying this gives World-Cup level tuning possibilities.
