RockShox has introduced its Flight Attendant automatic suspension-adjustment system to the world of cross-country racing, unveiling the new SID, SID SL and SIDLuxe Flight Attendant forks and rear shock.
While the Flight Attendant system has been available on the brand's trail and enduro suspension series since 2021, this is the first time the technology has been implemented on its lightest-weight products.
However, RockShox hasn’t simply ported over the existing Flight Attendant system; there are new algorithms, modes and functionality designed to maximise efficiency for cross-country racing.
SRAM claims that during Nino Schurter’s record-breaking 34th World Cup win at Lenzerheide in 2023, Flight Attendant changed suspension modes 1,325 times in just under 90 minutes of racing.
It also says that during testing, riders on Flight Attendant were 1.8 per cent faster compared to those same riders on a cable-actuated system, showing just how many times it can adapt and improve efficiency in comparison.
Five things you need to know about RockShox XC Flight Attendant
- Uses SRAM’s AXS wireless technology for cable-free integration
- New Adaptive Ride Dynamics function joins Bias Adjust mode to fine-tune how the system reacts when in Auto mode
- Adaptive Ride Dynamics uses an updated algorithm and new data sources to gather data from your last seven rides to create personalised Effort Zones
- Override mode enables you to switch to pre-selected Open, Pedal or Lock modes from Auto modes and vice-versa
- Uses the same batteries as the AXS derailleurs and Reverb AXS
RockShox SID and SIDLuxe take flight
We covered the workings of Flight Attendant when the system originally launched. As a refresher, the system uses sensors on your fork, shock and crankset to automatically adjust your suspension damping.
There’s a Control Module on the fork that can be used to switch between modes, but for full functionality, you will need SRAM’s AXS Pod Controllers.
The aim is to help the suspension work as efficiently as possible.
It does this by firming up the bike when climbing, or traversing flatter or smoother terrain for a snappier, less active suspension feel.
When you switch to the descents, the damping opens up so the suspension can absorb obstacles on the trail to ensure you have maximum grip, confidence and comfort.
The sensors and Control Module on the new cross-country Flight Attendant forks and shocks are largely the same. The real magic happens with the algorithms and data sources that control and gather data for the system.
Adaptive Ride Dynamics brings AI to mountain biking
The new Flight Attendant keeps the Bias Adjust and Override modes of the existing system, but introduces a new functionality in the form of Active Ride Dynamics.
As before, there are three damping positions, which Flight Attendant can switch between: Open, Pedal and Lock.
Active Ride Dynamics works with an AXS Power Meter Crankset and Rear Derailleur to calculate your personalised Effort Zones. These are split into Sprint, High, Medium and Low.
It continuously gathers data from your previous seven rides to adapt the suspension as you ride in real time. As you get faster, Flight Attendant alters the Effort Zones accordingly.
From these zones, Flight Attendant will alter the bias of the suspension modes and influence the selection of modes as you ride.
When your effort level and power output reach your Sprint Zone, Adaptive Ride Dynamics encourages Flight Attendant to favour the Lock position. This will come to the fore in a sprint for the line in the heat of a race.
If you drop to your High Effort Zone, the system will trend towards a more efficient suspension mode, using a combination of Lock and Pedal positions.
Move down further to your Medium Effort Zone and the Pedal and Open modes are utilised for a balance of comfort and efficiency.
Lastly, in your Low Effort mode when you're recovering, riding in more relaxed fashion or descending, Flight Attendant will lean towards Open mode for maximum comfort and compliance.
The Zone you are in is reflected on the Control Module, with yellow, red, green and blue lights signifying Sprint, High, Medium and Low respectively.
Bias Adjust and Lock Disable give more control over Auto mode
Along with Active Ride Dynamics, the new Flight Attendant retains the Bias Adjust of the original system.
Bias Adjust has five positions, starting at zero and travelling plus or minus two steps in either direction. The ＋1 and ＋2 positions favour more efficient Lock and Pedal modes, while -1 and -2 will give a more compliant bias and favour the Pedal and Open modes.
Unlike a cable-actuated remote-lockout system, it can put the fork and shock in different positions to suit the requirements of the rider.
Usually on a cable-actuated system, where the fork and shock are linked together, both units are kept in the same mode, giving Flight Attendant a theoretical advantage in this regard.
Generally, the shock will be placed in a firmer setting, if the fork and shock differ.
New for this version of Flight Attendant are two Lock disable modes, which are accessed via the AXS app.
In these modes, both the fork and shock, or just the fork, will only switch between Open and Pedal modes when set to auto, eliminating the lock function.
If you want to take control of the system yourself, you can disable Auto mode and choose to swap manually between modes with the control module on the fork, or a single button press on an AXS Pod controller.
Finally, there’s Override mode, which switches from Auto to your pre-chosen Override position, which can be any one of the Open, Pedal or Lock modes, and vice-versa. You can only access Override mode when using a left-handed AXS Pod controller.
Customisation, battery-charge status and firmware updates can all be viewed with the AXS app.
Here, you can customise your controls, adjust mode settings, view and edit your Effort Zones, as well as build a bike profile and link to other AXS components.
New RockShox Flight Attendant models, weight & availability
At launch, the only bike we are aware of that's bestowed with the new Flight Attendant as standard is the latest Specialized S-Works Epic 8, which Tom Marvin has reviewed.
However, RockShox has listed nine other bikes that it will sell the system for separately:
- Canyon Lux Trail 2023+
- Canyon Lux World Cup 2023+
- Mondraker F-Podium
- Orbea Oiz 2020-2023
- Orbea Oiz TR 2020-2023
- Pivot Mach 4 SL V3 2023+
- Santa Cruz Blur 2022+
- Santa Cruz Blur TR 2022+
- Specialized Epic EVO 2020-2023
It also states it cannot confirm fitment or rear-shock tunes for models not on this list. In theory though, if you have a bike that uses one of the available fork and shock sizes, you can buy them separately and use them on your bike.
In order to fully utilise Flight Attendant and access all of the functionality, the fork and shock will need to be paired with an AXS power meter, rear derailleur and Pod controllers.
If you’re willing to give up full functionality, the minimum you require is the Flight Attendant fork, shock and an AXS crankset with a pedal sensor.
Current owners of a Flight-Attendant equipped (longer-travel) bike will be able to benefit from the upgrades to the system, via a firmware update that will enable the Active Ride Dynamics learning capabilities.
From launch, RockShox will offer the SID SL and SID fork, and SIDLuxe, in Ultimate Flight Attendant trim.
These are based around the latest members of the SID family introduced last year.
RockShox will also sell a separate Flight Attendant Charger Race Day 2 damper for MY2024 SID SL and SID forks, but it had not announced pricing at the time of writing.
We have the SID and SIDLuxe Flight Attendant fork and shock in for testing and will be writing a full review in the coming months.
Pricing & specifications
RockShox Sid SL Ultimate Flight Attendant fork
- Chassis: 32mm
- Travel: 100/110mm
- Wheel Size: 29in
- Offset: 44mm
- Weight: 1,480g
- Price: £1,339 / $1,349 / €1,499
RockShox Sid Ultimate Flight Attendant fork
- Chassis: 35mm
- Travel: 120mm
- Wheel Size: 29in
- Offset: 44mm
- Weight: 1,624g
- Price: £1,439 / $1,449 / €1,599
RockShox SidLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
- Weight: 349g
- Price: £849 / $849 / €949
