ELECTRONIC RockShox MTB Suspension - In-Depth Flight Attendant Review

Constantly analyzing both rider and terrain input, @RockShoxSuspension's new wireless, electronic suspension system provides the most ideal riding platform at any given moment. Vital has spent the better part of two months on this new suspension platform to help you understand how it works, where it shines and where it may come up short.
Video Contents
0:00 - Introduction
1:01 - How Flight Attendant Works
4:08 - Manual and Override Modes
5:40 - Customizing through AXS App
6:30 - How to Get Flight Attendant
8:16 - New RockShox Fork Updates
9:30 - First Ride Experience
13:50 - Long-term Experience
17:42 - Zeb and Super Deluxe Performance
18:40 - Simplicity and Rider Bias Adjustment
28:19 - Weaknesses of Flight Attendant
31:58 - Bottom Line
#MTB #mountainbike #rockshox

[@vitalmtb]

Video Contents 0:00 - Introduction 1:01 - How Flight Attendant Works 4:08 - Manual and Override Modes 5:40 - Customizing through AXS App 6:30 - How to Get Flight Attendant 8:16 - New RockShox Fork Updates 9:30 - First Ride Experience 13:50 - Long-term Experience 17:42 - Zeb and Super Deluxe Performance 18:40 - Simplicity and Rider Bias Adjustment 28:19 - Weaknesses of Flight Attendant 31:58 - Bottom Line

[@arviddistner3017]

No matter if you would want it on your bike you have to agree it’s so cool

[@HawkHuntergames]

Thank you for such a good, detailed review. There are many reviews on this new product but this one is the most organic one out there.

[@vitalmtb]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kwilson4880]

Ooooooh, more stuff my doctor will have

[@boisebiker4713]

That dirt at bogus looked amaizing! wish I could have ridden that day! so awsome to live In boise with you guys

[@jasonschroeder2896]

Early mornings from now until the snow falls should be hero dirt!

[@GokkunGuru]

That DUB spindle sensor can have many other functions - speedometer, odometer, GPS tracking, anti theft sound, etc. Come on SRAM, do it.

[@jeremycovelli]

Now we just need battery powered brakes and then we can have 6 battery packs plus 4 battery powered controllers on our bikes...

[@JM-zs5hp]

If you build it, dentists will buy it.

[@pe3117]

I’m not a dentist and I can buy it…🤷‍♂️

[@JM-zs5hp]

@@pe3117 so can I, but I’m not dumb enough or arrogant enough to waste my money.

[@Montblanc1986]

People waste money on vehicles they won’t ever actually take off road or use all the seats in… 12k on a bike is a great investment in your physical and mental health

[@osif]

This review is so key for me thank you!

[@LaurenceGough]

Great idea, now they can build bikes around it that are built for smoother suspension rather than more of a pedaling platform built in.

[@jinavl]

I would luv to have this on my strive..the shapeshifter already makes the climbs easier

[@kwilson4880]

@@onemanmob6756 talking like a jewler

[@RookYZRM1]

Meh…was hoping it was a data acquisition system, guess I just gotta wait for Fox to digitize Jordi;)

[@chrisjacks2599]

I hope everyone goes out and buys a brand new bike with all this Active suspension stuff on it! That will make the used market explode and it will be incredible for the great stuff we already have, and that I need a bargain on!

[@Mediarahan003]

I literally don't want this, but it's interesting. I wonder how long it will take for the fork and shock to change setting independently?

[@sirvince7853]

I'm waiting for some high schooler to hack this system, rendering it useless. Dude, I can't ride today my Flight Attendant got hacked

[@dkdanis1340]

@@sirvince7853 it can't be hacked.

[@zoubtube]

Wish they integrate a motion industries type solution within the shock and fork, which would provide true actionable insights in order to create profiles per trail. I ride a lot of different trials. many of which are very Rooty and rocky while peddling. based off your video, it doesn't sounds like flight attendant will do well in these trial types at all. Seems to me it targeted for trails that start with a big climbs and end downhill.

[@apatriotofhopedanjohn4781]

My first impression was…. Oh Hell No… but after settling in to the idea and listening to y’all kinda doing the same….. I sure hope POLE might consider this on my new VOIMA I’m waiting to be delivered spring next year. It’s kinda settling in with me now…sounds like REALLY EXCITING new Tech.

[@th_js]

Why would you want this on your E-bike? It makes no sense.

[@michaelmarley1879]

Remind me to charge my suspension tonight

[@jack91522]

Would be interested on how it compares to the LiveValve

[@th_js]

Rockshox seems like it is better but both are absolutely pointless.

[@lukefarrell117]

How would it work for example racing enduro, making in to a relative flat bit and sprinting, does the flight attendant firm it up so there’s less Bob when sprinting.

[@ianfurqueron5850]

I was thinking more for DH racing. On some courses where there are long pedal sections (Portugal?) a system that dramatically stiffens the suspension without the rider having to do anything could be an advantage. But again - this is for racing on some courses. But I could also imagine it offering an advantage in the EWS at events with long pedal transitions between stages. Like when he mentioned he felt less tired at the top of a long climb.

[@StefanJovanovski]

Is this system available for my bike park chairlift? Because that's the only way I go uphill! Looks good, do I need it? No.

[@scrutch666]

What if you go downhill but start to pedal to gain more speed, will it lock out? The next generation should come with lidar so it can adjust before you hit a root 🙂

[@andymtb3212]

I don’t think it would because it has an incline/decline sensor too

[@juacobarcelo9148]

Waiting for a stumpy evo to have this

[@FrankVanDykeRealtor]

Do you still have to manually control fast and slow rebound adjustment or is it done by the computer? Sounds cool but seems like its just an easier way to flip the 3 settings on most shocks. Did you like the Trek Slash or the YT Capra better?

[@lloydm5562]

Since I don't like the feel of any lockout, I'd want to adjust system to stay in the fully open position.

[@bigDmtb622]

So just regular suspension?

[@lloydm5562]

@@bigDmtb622 Yes. That was my point.

[@VN-wv7kz]

So autolock between "fully open"/pedal/"fully locked", does it mean boring flow trails and bottomout on every big jump?

[@buckroger6456]

This is some really cool tech but it'll never be for me. I personally ride to get away from everything and almost never take any tech stuff with me. Still it's pretty amazing how far bikes have come over the years.

[@BigerKuma]

YT announced it in their New Capra: UNCAGED 6 for $9,499 But, Launch Edition with Fox 38 Factory front and X2 rear is $7,999. So about $1500 more for the AXS parts ? Reasonable.

[@glenwilner248]

I think calls it twinloc. Cheaper to use your thumb.

[@kinryu3794]

Wonder if this sys will go crazy for riders like jeff k who jumps at everything lol

[@Thoromian]

I'm lucky enough to live in Idaho too, so generally I don't have to deal with wet conditions. Were there any issue with water shorting the system, and I live in an area where I can ride multiple trails all winter without much if any snow; so with that in mind. Were there any issue with riding in cold weather, or were you unable to test for that during this timeframe?

[@JM-zs5hp]

Is your lawn green?

[@BigerKuma]

You guys really bottomed it out on your test runs. Did you set the sag correctly ? 😀

[@shreddersinc9317]

Bro it only works going uphill🤣🤣. Whats the point

[@BigerKuma]

@@shreddersinc9317 And Enduro races don't time uphills. (Thanks @Tom S)

[@th_js]

@@BigerKuma You mean enduro?

[@currendejonge2732]

Does it only have 3 compression modes or does it change it my tiny increments?

[@roddas26]

So did I hear correctly, this only works on climbs?

[@bendatmo]

If it adjusts your fork and suspension every 5th millisecond, and every adjustment makes that electronic bzzzt noise, didn’t it drive you absolutely insane after a while?

[@mtbhub2090]

They should have went with magnetic ride control Instead. That would smoke any suspension.

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Does it work on a fork on a hardtail, or does the fork need a shock to work?

[@bendatmo]

Very valid question and one I haven’t seen addressed so far. Apparently the fork unit is the main unit, so together with the crank spindle, I guess it should work?

[@reubenvandendool]

You have our interest

[@robertoestivill]

Can you control the bias with an Axis paddle?

[@jasonschroeder2896]

You cannot, at least at this time.

[@bobbydebobadibob1261]

I want mini EMPs even more now!

[@steveco1800]

I don't see the point of this Vs using a standard remote lockout...Just setup the suspension well and it should be fine, but I only ride short travel XC bikes so maybe it's more useful for enduro.

[@LexZolnir]

Want! but i can't listen to a robot noise constantly going off, AXS shifting sound doesn't bother me bc i am controlling and so i tune the sound out at this point on both my road and mtb....but the damn thing constantly talking to me from the rear and the front is like wind noise in your ears, eventually you will go insane! ask anyone who lives in a canyon area!

[@jl904404]

I just want to go mountain biking

[@davidsch6490]

Not available for Aftermmarket? Mhhh very Bad decision in my opinion

[@bendatmo]

My guess is it won’t be long until it is. Perhaps as early as the spring. It’s probably a strategic decision based on all the problems the pandemic brought along with shortages of materials and shipping delays.

[@th_js]

I don't think this will take off...

[@Dorkbike]

More batteries.........mah

[@alialvarez5131]

its not bike its the rider

[@alexlp6782]

Simplified riding experience? Where’s the fun in that

[@caseyjoe4827]

You could buy a motorcycle with a hundred more components than these pedal bikes for the same price 🤦🏽‍♂️ these pedal bike people are so dramatic

[@KapitanPisoar1]

MTB industry is a joke...

[@KapitanPisoar1]

To be honest, I dont want or need any electronics on my bike. But its a great thing for all the posers I bet it will make them "faster"...

[@KapitanPisoar1]

Great thing for the ebikers, now they dont even have to bend over to change compression settings, its automated! Good job another few calories saved! But seriously, how useless is this?

[@davidcart28]

What a wast of R.&.D money they would have been better putting that into a e-bike motor and battery combo

[@esdubya]

I’m sorry I just don’t see the need for this. I can’t understand how it took 9 years of development to make something we don’t really need! Why couldn’t sram take some if that time to make something that will benefit all bikers. Like a derailleur that’s crash proof, or a gearbox. Or make bikes cheaper not more insanely more expensive! More environmentally friendly not a greater toll of resources. This is just another wanker gadget.

[@streetrage8694]

Can't buy it after market don't show us then....

[@Mediarahan003]

Why? People buy new bikes all the time.

[@streetrage8694]

@@Mediarahan003 They don't even make new bikes anymore

[@kwilson4880]

@@streetrage8694 🤦‍♂️

[@donwongjohnson3223]

Nah

[@giseltorres2699]

The realm of mountain biking is ever more similar to that of golf- ever more suited for old fat poeple who can´t even be arsed just about anythig.

[@thexardas8395]

Lets make more electronic crap for clueless out of shape people with too much money to stay out of shape and clueless forever. With a bit less money. I always consider any type of bike riding part fun part exercise and part learning experience. . Electric bike with electronic transmission and electronic fork. rider is not needed. Bike can ride itself and you can sit home and enjoy real time video. Here.

[@stevehunter7402]

Waste of time money and batteries.

[@dkdanis1340]

Have you tried it? NO