Due to leaked images and patents, we knew it was coming. However that doesn’t make the brand new Fox Switch Neo any much less stunning. Certain, it’s a wi-fi dropper put up with a singular battery configuration, however it’s the wi-fi protocol which may be essentially the most fascinating (and stunning) half.
For higher or for worse, wi-fi connections are actually commonplace in biking. That pace of that wi-fi connection was a serious focus for Fox on the Switch Neo, they usually’ve managed to provide you with an answer that’s the “quickest wi-fi connectivity in biking” – no less than, in response to Fox. They declare that their wi-fi protocol is over 100x quicker than Bluetooth and 20x quicker than their closest competitor – simply 26 milliseconds from lever press to put up motion. Fox doesn’t go into any extra element right here, however it’s assumed that they’re utilizing some type of proprietary system that they intend to maintain below wraps… no less than for now (extra on this beneath).
On account of this quickest wi-fi protocol, Fox claims there may be “just about zero latency between actuating the dropper lever and your put up transferring.”
Ergonomic Lever
The lever they’re referring to is the brand new Ergonomic Neo Lever which is designed to really feel very acquainted as a substitute of simply putting a button in your bar. You’ll discover a rubber-coated thumb pad with an analogous texture and distance from the bar, however with a (6x) shorter lever throw. In accordance with Fox, this implies you may rotate the lever additional below the bar for higher clearance together with your knuckles, whereas nonetheless providing straightforward actuation.
Because it’s nonetheless technically a button in lever type, the lever presents haptic suggestions in order that you recognize once you’ve pressed the lever – identical to your favourite online game controller.
Containing a CR2032 battery with tool-free alternative, the lever has an anticipated 1-year battery life. The lever additionally sits simply 36mm beneath the bar, which Fox factors out is 10mm lower than the competitors. Why does that matter? Relying in your handlebar place, that might imply the distinction between the lever hitting the bike’s prime tube in a crash, or gliding over it.
The lever has an unspecified quantity of lateral adjustment and comes with customary 22.2mm spherical, Matchmaker, and I-Spec EV clamps to mean you can place it as wanted.
Oh, and in case your lever battery dies, you may nonetheless drop the put up manually by urgent and holding the button on the put up controller till the LED turns white (press once more to complete actuation).
What’s up with that battery place?
Probably the most apparent options of the Switch Neo is the positioning of the battery. As an alternative of attaching it to the saddle clamp finish of the put up, the Fox Neo battery sits on the prime of the put up’s decrease, simply above the seat put up clamp.
Fox positioned it right here for 2 causes: it helped to cut back the stack peak, and permits for elevated tire clearance. On a full-suspension bike at full bottom-out together with your dropper put up totally dropped, tire clearance comes right down to millimeters. 6mm to be actual, which is the advisable ISO tire clearance.
Fox states that for his or her nearest competitor to have this clearance on the battery, “posts have to be run as a lot as 18mm above full insertion. This place—mixed with taller stack peak—means your saddle peak sits 40mm increased than Switch Neo when totally compressed.”
The up to date Fox Switch dropper posts already had wonderful stack heights, and the Fox Switch Neo provides simply 11mm to their mechanical posts’ stack peak. When measured from the underside of the controller to the middle of the saddle rails, this distance is a claimed 18mm lower than the RockShox Reverb AXS.
Future Fox Neo Merchandise Incoming?
In a tease of what’s to return, Fox calls out the truth that the Switch Neo makes use of a “Fox-specific battery with compatibility for future Neo Merchandise.” Clearly, Fox have to be engaged on one thing else that makes use of batteries. On condition that the earlier technology of Fox Reside Valve relied on a reasonably large battery, it appears secure to imagine that the Neo battery could also be headed in that route (current patents counsel massive adjustments are coming).
That Neo battery may be faraway from the seatpost, and charged utilizing the included dock. Fox says charging time will take from 1.25-1.5 hours. A full cost is predicted to ship 30-40 hours of trip time relying on the frequency of dropper put up actuations.
There’s an app too
Moreover, the app means that you can activate Bike Park Mode, and Transport Mode. If you wish to drop your put up and keep away from unintentional actuation when charging down the bike park, Bike Park Mode briefly disables your Switch Neo Dropper lever. To get it again, simply hit the lever 4x quickly, or open the app. Transport mode shuts down the “shake to wake” function to stop the battery from draining whereas touring. To disable, merely bounce the rear of your bike off the bottom or take away the and reinsert the battery.
The “shake to wake” function additionally means there’s no want for an influence button, simply bounce on and go.
Those that learn our current Patent Patrol article on the Fox Wi-fi dropper could also be disillusioned to see that options like voice-control, GPS-based auto drops, and stepped or infinite dropping didn’t make the lower, however bear in mind, now that the put up is digital, it opens up the potential for future firmware updates. There’s no assure we’ll ever see any of these options, however because the Fox Neo household evolves, who is aware of.
Journey Choices, Weights, Pricing & Extra
You’ll discover the Tranfer Neo in 30.9, 31.6, and 34.9mm diameters, with the 34.9mm choice that includes particular higher and decrease sections for improved efficiency. All diameters can be provided in 125, 150, 175, and 200mm journey choices, whereas the 30.9 and 31.6mm variations will embody a 100mm journey choice.
Aftermarket posts can be provided in Manufacturing facility Sequence fashions with Real Kashima Coat, however there may even be a Efficiency Elite Sequence that’s at the moment OEM solely. The lightest model of the put up is the 100mm journey 30.9 measurement which has a claimed weight of 528g. Should you’re prepared to purchase, the complete package deal will promote for $859, with spare batteries and chargers additionally obtainable for buy.
Switch Neo MSRP:
- Manufacturing facility Sequence Switch Neo Equipment: $859
- Consists of: Switch Neo Publish, Lever, Battery, Charger, Cable, and clamping choices.
Spare Elements:
- Neo Spare Battery: $79
- Spare Charger and Cable: $49
Euro Pricing:
- Manufacturing facility Sequence Switch Neo Equipment – €1100 with out VAT
- Spare Charger and Cable €61.25 with out VAT
- Neo Spare Battery €76.75 with out VAT.
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