Electronic suspension control isn’t new; FOX released its first version in 2018, but it was wired due to the latency in wireless signal transmission. Other bike suspension brands also offer electronically controlled suspension packages. But FOX created a new wireless signal transmission protocol for Live Valve Neo, claiming it the fastest in cycling.
FOX says it stripped away all nonessential information from its wireless protocol for the sake of speed. Its system relays information from the fork and rear sensors to the controller in about 1 ms. For reference, the latency for Bluetooth can be up to 200 ms.
What Makes Up the FOX Live Valve Neo System
The FOX Live Valve Neo system includes two sensors and a controller. One sensor mounts on the front brake caliper and measures the angle of the terrain and the bump force exerted on the front tire. The other sensor mounts on the rear caliper and only measures bump force. The controller sits in the rear shock.
FOX claims the sensors relay information only when required and can do so 400 times a second. The sensors rely on common CR2032 coin batteries, which, according to the brand, can last up to a year.
The shock controller switches the shock into an open or closed compression valving setting in response to the data supplied by the two sensors. It uses a single rechargeable battery and actuates compression valving with a magnetic latching solenoid.
A FOX Bike app offers installation and set-up tutorials, displays battery levels, delivers firmware updates, and reports Live Valve Neo diagnostics. The app also informs riders that the suspension needs service based on usage, which is determined by sensor data.
The FOX Bike app also allows custom system tuning. There are five factory-set tunes, but press materials from FOX imply that these tunes can be quite advanced. For example, a rider can apply a tune that works best for a known trail. Essentially, it is a shock tune for a specific rider on a specific trail or even a section of a trail, a downhill run, or a race course.
What Sets FOX Live Valve Neo Apart?
FOX stresses the speed of valving actuation as the primary advantage of its electronic suspension system, and the heart of it is the lack of superfluous information and activities the system has to manage.
As stated earlier, the sensors only relay information when needed, which in this case is when the system determines the shock needs to open. Additionally, the rear sensor doesn’t repeat the terrain angle information the front one is already transmitting.
The FOX shock only has two valving positions: open and closed. There is no third “pedal” valving setting, which is common in mountain bike suspension. FOX claims Live Valve Neo switches between the open and closed settings so fast that the middle “pedal” setting isn’t required.
The system is said to deliver the pedaling support of the firm mode exactly when the rider needs it. And, it can switch to open mode exactly when the rider requires plushness.
FOX claims the shock’s magnetic latching solenoid, which actuates the swap-in valving, is significantly faster than a motor (and is virtually silent).
Lastly, the wireless communication protocol delivers the bare bones information in as little as one millisecond.
Why Do I Want FOX Live Neo?
Cross-Country Riding
Think of your typical cross-country or trail mountain bike ride; pedaling efficiency is paramount, but so is comfort, as it affects your endurance and muscular fatigue levels. Without electronic suspension, you either toggle a dial on the shock or a remote switch at the bar. And you cannot do it 400 times a second. You predict and compromise.
When the trail is tamer, you firm up the shock to gain pedaling efficiency, but then you have to switch it to open when the going gets rough. However, in between these two discrete but not realistic situations, you are giving something up intermittently because you cannot manually switch between settings quickly.
So, much of the time, you may ride in the “pedal” mode, which theoretically is always a compromise. Your suspension is not fully open and active. Nor is it fully closed to provide the most stable pedaling platform. This compromise is exacerbated on climbs; you desperately need efficient pedaling, but a bump on the trail can break traction and pedaling rhythm.
Gravity Riding
For the gravity crowd, it’s somewhat the same but at a much higher rate of speed. When the terrain allows, you want more open shock valving, so you get the most plush suspension action without bottoming out.
But then, when the terrain gets more serious, you want more restrictive valving so you don’t bottom out and lose control. The most extreme version of this need is landing on big drops or jumps.
So, without on-the-fly instantaneous valving control, you pick a “middle” setting that you predict will fit the largest area of the bell curve.
In all mountain bike riding cases, cornering can be the most troublesome. You require active suspension to maintain traction while your tires are on lean, but you also need the shock to firm up as soon as you start pumping the pedals on the turn exit. I have tried, but I cannot actuate a bar lever that quickly or consistently, and doing so breaks my concentration and momentum.
If FOX Live Valve Neo works as the brand states, it can significantly diminish these compromises. The shock firms up or becomes more forgiving exactly at the right times.
What Products Have Live Valve Neo?
FOX offers Live Valve Neo for its Float X in the Factory and Performance Elite series. The system is also available in its DHX shocks, but only in the Factory series.
The FOX Live Valve Neo Kit, which includes Fork and Rear Bump Sensors, Battery, Charger, and Charger Cable, has an MSRP of $399. The Live Valve Neo Float X shock goes for $999, while the Live Valve Neo DHX has an MSRP of $949.
Look for a GearJunkie test and review in the future!
