Can Science Make You Faster? | We Try The Latest MTB Pro Tech!

We've been wanting to try some telemetry testing for so long so a big thanks to J-Tech Suspension for finally making it happen with this BYB Telemetry Kit! With this awesome system, Neil will be swimming in data to see how far away from a spot on set up the suspension on his Rallon is, and exactly how any changes made affect lap times on this classic UK downhill track in Llangollen.
⏱ Timestamps ⏱
00:00 - What Is A Telemetry System & How Does It Work
01:49 - Setting A Baseline
03:23 - Time For Practice Runs
03:40 - First Telemetry Runs
04:52 - Using The Data To Make Changes
07:19 - Back On The Bike For More Testing
12:24 - How Much Has The Final Set Up Changed
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[@gmbn]

Do you think the use of a telemetry system could make you faster? Let us know 👇

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Probably. But I ain't racing I'm just having fun 😊

[@sticksspokesropes2342]

Need a part two with this video. Keep riding over a few days and do runs with your old settings vs new. Keep this series going 🙏

[@gmbn]

Good idea!

[@junka1975]

It's always interesting to see what we think as riders compared to the data and how someone translating that data and adjusting the bike accordingly can make such a difference. We've seen it with Owen and Rich and now Jim and Neil. What help could be given to Anna or Blake to help them with their riding skills and how fast can they make Martyn on the Bowhead? Now that would be an epic one with Martyn, all the stuff they could fiddle with on that machine to give him optimal performance.

[@Laio95]

You should try to do a run with the right suspension setup and than do another run with the initial setup, ideally back to back to have a direct comparison (both on bike feeling and time)

[@chiefsilverback]

This is what I was going to say. A second per lap faster, is that the suspension changes or Neil learning the track/track drying etc... Get it as good as you can, set a time and then go back to where you started...

[@dannyk3718]

Man the tech for bikes is other worldly nowadays, personally I have no use for a telemetry system but for the younger competitive riders out there i can see how it has earned its place on any teams set up

[@gmbn]

It's mad just how much data can be pulled together! And when you have experts to translate it for you like J-Tech, it makes such a big difference

[@Kenshiken]

I am basically the same weight and fork/shock combo. Going to try those run 4 settings! Thanks!

[@trillbill9378]

haha that's awesome, hope it works well for you

[@campbellclark3458]

Love the way you ride Neil! Such sick style

[@billderas3420]

Excellently produced video Neil. Very clear and concise. You are my hero when it comes to such informational videos!

[@gmbn]

Thanks for watching :)

[@trillbill9378]

Always enjoy the videos with Neil. What a G!!

[@kentfusag5458]

This could definitely have been a lot longer, looking forward to part 2. Bring Rich!

[@AndyLewsey]

This transition 8:07 😍 The top down drone shot was very cool too. Excellent work behind the scenes people 👌

[@gmbn]

Thanks Andy! 😍

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Neil is still ripping, you lost me a bit with all the ebike love letters but seeing Neil eat up that track makes my heart go soft 🤘😉

[@JeffMTBinVA]

Neil, what percentage of sag did you end up with? Also how does that play out for the system adding weight to the bike? It would seem from this that firmer is better and that the Fox base settings are too soft. Being that the shock and fork are both high pressure just removing your pump or checking pressure can drop you 2-3 psi easily but no one ever mentions accounting for this.Thanks for the great info.

[@weastan]

Nice job to the editors 👏

[@gmbn]

Cheers! Cookies all round! 🍪

[@sidneisoarescm]

For some tires (such as Continental "X" King), when I put the rolling direction inverted (on the front tire), I notice more grip in curves, precisely because there are intermediate (and lateral) studs in the way the tire Scorpion "XC M" is manufactured - it's difficult to try to explain this..., but it's something like that, the side of the intermediate and lateral spikes, when you turn the handlebars, are more perpendicular to the movement (and not in the direction of movement of the recommended rotation), providing, in my perception, a feeling that these studs are more "ready" and enter the terrain more, giving a greater feeling of predictability and safety in the curves. Of course, I imagine there will be some loss of roll with this, but, up front, I prefer predictability in curves. This would be a suggestion for a video theme to be more illustrative, perhaps contacting the opinions of drivers not sponsored by tire companies, independent studies and even companies that manufacture tires with side stud patterns such as the Pirelli Scorpion "XC M".

[@edoardopalmieri9784]

What was the static sag you ended up with at the rear?

[@matasramrezdaz1880]

thats why electric suspension is the future. Not only for pedal assist, but its going to be used to change rebound compression and more in a bottom, like a preset, it will also be used for telemetry for those who want the most performance and lastly efficiency. Just like race cars. Pretty hyped.

[@kennywallace1]

Yes. Data capture separates fact from fiction. I used a Shockwiz to setup my SC Hightower when I got it back in 2017. I thought I knew how to set my bike up after riding for over 20years at that point in time. However, the change in bike characteristics / handling was truly astonishing. Bike skills and bike setup is without doubt the best way to spend your money to improve bike/riding experience. Cannot buy your way out of poor skills and poor bike setup with shiny new "upgraded" parts.

[@snowman22ism]

Really found this video interesting. Would definitely watch a longer video trying to coach or teach what everything does and maybe for what to look for or try and recognise when we are out riding. I get the basics of compression and what happens if it's too fast or slow but I still feel like when I am riding, that I don't know what all the settings are actually doing while I am experiencing them. I don't feel confident making changes because other than maybe feel, I don't know what the result is going to be if I change one thing for another. Also could use a more in depth explanation of volume spacers.

[@Canyon_Shawn]

More importantly, how did the bike feel to you with the new settings? I tune my suspension by feel.

[@kingrat738]

Old settings vs new settings on a different track... old for 2nd run and new for 1st. Think time and suspension setup are almost (but not quite) separate aspects. Sure, you want your setup to be performing optimally... but, knowing the track and what lines to hit would produce greater time reductions (i.e. would the decrease in times have been the same from just learning the track & conditions getting better?)

[@zebbenbrown1301]

When and how do you set sag? With compression and rebound set at full open, closed or neutral positions?

[@sebbo9696]

it doesnt matter. Just not fully closed for obvious reasons

[@ArkUSAbikerchick]

It seems to me that single track or Trail riders may generally need their SAG at 25%/30% and the Enduro or Downhill racers may need their SAG to be 20%/25% (fork/shock) and it sounds like 2 clicks more rebound as well because of the more aggressive impacts. That is my takeaway here.

[@adrianwilkes3300]

Im useless at setting up suspension. i just to to stick with "does it feel ok?". It was an interesting video and Neil can certainly acheive far greater repeatability than most can. I cant help but think it would be worth going back to the old settings again after in order to fully understand the improvement.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

A rider I sponsor has brakeace and has had problems with it .

[@Huey_Nadel]

Damn

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

One major problem with bicycle telemetry is that no two ride attempts on a given course are the same . Severe vibration can affect sensors .

[@RyonBeachner]

I’ve worked quite a bit with data acquisition/telemetry in karting where we have an engine running at ~15,000rpm, and no suspension. The sample speed of 1000hz they advertise with this system should provide enough data points to be able to accurately “see through” any distortion from the vibration as the bike goes down the trail. I don’t know if I’d trust the zip ties holding the LinPots though, seems like you’d want something a bit more robust, however I’m sure it’s just fine. It would be interesting to know what the battery life is like and how big the file sizes are that this thing spits out because 1000hz on 5 channels is a ton of data.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@@RyonBeachner The movement of sensors with respect to the bicycle can still cause different readings . My sponsored rider found this varied depending on the setup arrangements . It is not an exact science .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@@RyonBeachner A high sampling rate causes sensor lag to show up .

[@RyonBeachner]

@@robertmcfadyen9156 Yes, I understand that. It’s also part of why I pointed out that zip tie mounting the linpots could be problematic. High sampling rate will show sensor lag, but that isn’t a fault of sampling rate, it’s a fault of the actual sensor hardware itself. Eventually however you make the best of what is available because with any telemetry you will eventually find a weakness or blind spot.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@@RyonBeachner My sponsored rider has seen these comments and responded with "there must be a better way , not good enough for my principal ."

[@Justkeepshredding]

If I buy a BYB kit does Jim come with it?

[@gmbn]

Unfortunately not! That would be the dream though

[@max-eb9vi]

What does he mean by dynamic sag?

[@imjustridingbikes]

Dynamic sag is the average position the suspension sits in over the full run

[@gmbn]

What he said ☝️

[@PodcastStreamer77]

You should test polygon

[@frankharradence732]

Enjoyable watch more of this please....especially for trail type riding, rather than downhill focused..... defining what the difference between rebound and compression actually feel like to the rider, ie which one would i then need to adjust to arrive at the sweet spot.

[@Scontoni]

80psi in the front and 150psi in the rear did seem very uneven to start with Fork psi x 2.3 or 2.2 (80x2.3=184) is usually a good starting point for the rear shock

[@_TheDeanMachine]

Lets copy and paste run 4 settings on my bike and see what happens

[@keepkickinit]

all this data would just tell me I'm out of shape

[@gmbn]

😂

[@keepkickinit]

@@gmbn Any trips to the USA planned? Might be cool to check out the stuff we have in northern Minnesota. We have been repurposing old iron mines for mountain biking. You could also check out Park Tool headquarters while you are here.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

The weight of the equipment would make you slower .

[@Canyon_Shawn]

No, not on a predominantly downhill course.

[@dusansuba3961]

amateur rider like him ? 😂😂 dude you were pro and still riding ypu are not acerage joe like me