Fox Stay Valve Neo Brings Quick Wi-fi Suspension Management to Air or Coil Shocks

On the floor, the final concept of Stay Valve Neo is similar, however it goes about it in a extra easy and common manner. Most clearly, the system is now with none wires. That’s due to Fox’s in-house wi-fi communication protocol which is claimed to ship indicators from the fork and rear sensors to the controller “in round one millisecond.” Fox factors out that the latency, or delay of information switch for traditional Bluetooth will be as much as 200 milliseconds.

That velocity means a Stay Valve Neo system can sense a bump after which open the controller on the shock in about 1/seventieth of a second.

You’ll additionally discover that the Neo system doesn’t embrace any electronics for the fork, solely a fork sensor that’s appropriate with many alternative brake calipers. The place the unique Stay Valve system tried to lock out and management the fork in addition to the rear shock, Fox has designed Neo solely across the Float X and DHX rear shocks that are meant for Path and All-mountain using. They declare that almost all of on-trail effectivity is gained from the rear suspension, and “any delay within the Opening of a fork’s compression circuit — even 1/seventieth of a second — can be noticeable to riders.”

In comparison with Gen 1 Stay Valve, Neo additionally features a new high-flow solenoid with a 2-position magnetic latch. That is mentioned to maneuver quicker than a motor, with the additional benefit of being quiet. Fox additionally states that pitch detection has been improved, particularly for path switchbacks with an incline sensor constructed into the fork sensor.

Because of this, Stay Valve Neo can also be appropriate with almost any suspension fork, not simply these from Fox. Merely mount the fork sensor to the entrance brake caliper, and also you’re all arrange entrance. There may be additionally a sensor mounted to the rear brake caliper. Together with the rear shock, Neo consists of simply three bodily parts – 4 when you contemplate the Fox App (which isn’t wanted whereas using).

Stay Valve Neo additionally depends on the identical lithium battery and charger that’s used for the Switch Neo, with USB-C charging. These batteries have a claimed run time of 15-20h on the Stay Valve Neo shock, whereas the sensors make the most of normal CR2032 coin cell batteries which have a life expectancy of about one yr.

Just like the Switch Neo, Stay Valve Neo has a Shake to Wake function which can activate robotically when the bike strikes and the suspension is compressed. The controller will flip off robotically if nothing occurs for 5 minutes. The battery degree is displayed on the system energy button with 4 coloured LEDs, and when you occur to fully drain the battery whereas using, the shock will default to the open place.

How Stay Valve Neo Works

The Stay Valve Neo shocks solely have two modes, Open and Agency. As a result of the system can swap forwards and backwards nearly immediately, there’s no want for a center setting. With a sensor on the entrance and rear brake, every solely transmits a sign when the shock must open.

After receiving that command, Neo opens the 2-position magnetic latching solenoid and permits the shock to work unimpeded. At that time, Neo additionally begins a timer. If the sensors transmit one other sign to open throughout that timer, it resets and begins once more. If the sensors don’t ship any extra indicators as a result of the path has smoothed out, the timer expires and the solenoid closes to agency the shock. The controller can also be programmed to detect when the bike goes airborne, instantly opening the shock to soak up the touchdown.

Fox Bike App

You don’t want it when you’re actively using, however the Fox Bike App lets you customise the suspension, save suspension settings, and even observe service primarily based on precise use.

Neo-equipped shocks embrace 5 inventory tunes, every with three states for Climb, Flat, and Descend. Inside every one in every of these states is a drive threshold that it’s a must to surpass to open the shock, and a timer for the way lengthy the shock will keep open. Normal tune is the one which might be for many riders in all terrains. Agency and Plush tunes enable riders to err to the firmer or plusher facet for his or her liking, and Open retains it open on a regular basis, whereas Closed retains it closed on a regular basis besides when touchdown a drop or bounce.

Along with these 5 tunes that are arrange and able to go, riders can create their very own tunes utilizing Precision Mode to individually management each metric. The app can retailer infinite tunes, and you may share them with pals around the globe by the app.

Plainly three ‘Energetic’ tunes are rapidly accessible by the button on the rear shock, whereas further tunes will be loaded by the app. The shock additionally has a tool-free Agency Mode adjuster with seven positions to regulate the firmness of the shock platform when the solenoid is closed.

Chilly Climate Efficiency

Fox particularly calls out chilly climate efficiency with Neo stating, “The Stay Valve Neo Controller will enhance the power utilized by the solenoid throughout colder environmental temperatures to make sure sustained exercise within the system.” This sounds prefer it makes use of extra energy to create warmth which can hold the oil at a constant working temperature. Fox does state that chilly climate use will drain the battery quicker.

Shocks

Initially, Stay Valve NEo might be obtainable on the Float X air and the DHX coil shocks in each normal and Trunnion eyelet mounts. To us, it makes the DHX coil particularly intriguing contemplating it ought to supply an unimaginable steadiness of coil efficiency and pedal platform, whereas solely including 22g over the air shock.