Formula's New DH Fork Uses Three Different Air Springs - Eurobike 2017
When you think of downhill forks, what brands come to mind? RockShox and Fox, of course, or maybe Manitou and Marzocchi if you want to widen your net a little bit, but it's fair to say that your choices are limited to a handful of long-travel options. The Italians at Formula are adding their name to that list, however, with their new 200mm-travel Nero DH fork that we first showed you only a few days ago. Now that I've seen this Italian-made fork in person, and been given a run through its triple-chamber 3Air System spring system, it's worth taking another look at.
There are two versions of the Nero, with the most adjustable being the Nero R with its 3Air spring system. Yes, there are three air valves on the fork: one for the positive chamber, one for the negative chamber, and another to tune end-stroke progressivity. Formula says that these three chambers let you tune the fork's spring characteristics to be exactly how you want or need them, and all without having to use volume spacers or any tools other than a standard shock pump. If the layout sounds familiar, it's pretty similar to what's found inside some of the latest high-end motocross forks.
When it comes to setup, Formula has an easy routine to remember: ''The gold valve (end-stroke progressivity) is always the first to be inflated; the silver valve (positive) is the second one; while the bronze valve (negative) is always the last one to be inflated. The procedure is simple; just remember the sequence of the World Champs podium: gold, silver, and bronze.''
There are two versions of the Nero, with the most adjustable being the Nero R with its 3Air spring system. Yes, there are three air valves on the fork: one for the positive chamber, one for the negative chamber, and another to tune end-stroke progressivity. Formula says that these three chambers let you tune the fork's spring characteristics to be exactly how you want or need them, and all without having to use volume spacers or any tools other than a standard shock pump. If the layout sounds familiar, it's pretty similar to what's found inside some of the latest high-end motocross forks.
When it comes to setup, Formula has an easy routine to remember: ''The gold valve (end-stroke progressivity) is always the first to be inflated; the silver valve (positive) is the second one; while the bronze valve (negative) is always the last one to be inflated. The procedure is simple; just remember the sequence of the World Champs podium: gold, silver, and bronze.''
While I don't doubt that it's easy to tune, and we all know how to use a shock pump, the simple fact of the matter is that many mountain bikers don't bother to regularly check their tire pressure, let alone the three different air chambers for the Nero R. For this reason, I'd say that the air-sprung Formula DH fork is best suited to racers and those who like to tinker, while the coil-sprung Nero C will be better for the those who are less in tune with their bike.
The Nero C forgoes all that air trickery for a coil spring and preload adjuster, but it makes use of the same three-way adjustable damper that the Nero R uses. For this reason, Formula is aiming for the Nero C not to be thought of as a downgrade from the R but rather a different but equal option. The Nero's damper (pictured at right) is a pretty straightforward, sealed mono-tube unit that offers low- and high-speed compression at the top of the fork leg and low-speed rebound at the other end.
There will be both 27.5'' and 29'' models, with the latter being available with either 200mm or 180mm of stroke, and all versions can be had with tapered or straight steerer tubes.
There will be both 27.5'' and 29'' models, with the latter being available with either 200mm or 180mm of stroke, and all versions can be had with tapered or straight steerer tubes.
The air-sprung Nero R will be available in November 2017, and it will cost $2,112.00. The Nero C will be on the market in February of 2018 and go for $1.640,00 USD.
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Those forks are universally hated. Suzuki and Honda both have spring forks on their 2018 450 models. Kawasaki is rumored to be switching back to spring forks in 2019.
Im not saying this will be the issue with the formula forks, but the Showa fork design used on motocross bikes has huge issues with seal friction. It is very difficult to find the balance of bottoming resistance vs. small bump sensitivity.
Mountain bike forks require much lower air pressures than motocross forks, so hopefully this helps in terms of seal friction in the formula fork.
Here it is the interview about the switch to air and then back to coil, if someone is intrested
motocross.transworld.net/videos/enzos-ross-maeda-air-spring
Nerone was the guy you are thinking of, did he did all those thigns? maybe, was he worse than the others in that period? maybe no.
don t waste your time in explanation for it, these people don t know anything about story, geography, grammar, math etc...they don t study these things at school
most of the time they dont even know where Roma is...
"Is Rome in italy.....??"