RockShox Flight Attendant vs Fox Live Valve 1.5 | A Long-Term Review

[@filipmejza7699]

Excellent review! Rarrely I come across review which is objective, well spoken and poiting to all aspects which I am interested (waiting for my Flight Attendant bike)! Great job!

[@Vorporal]

Great content as always, detailed and fair. It's also curious that FOX and Pinkbike released a preview of their new wireless rear-only live valve replacement

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Cheers Joel! I just checked out that prototype shock - that looks very tidy, and it seems that Fox is on the same page as us 😲 Very curious to see where the development of that goes, but I can see a shock-only system being very appealing for trail/enduro riders. [Wil]

[@Noosile]

I love your content, and am happy seeing videos showcased at La Larr Ba Gauwa. Keep it up!

[@familybikeguy]

Longtime lurker, first-time commenter here… Thanks for awesome reviews, you and your team nail it. Recently I became unusually lucky to acquire an Anthem 2022 frame only and have been banging my head on suspension options… the biggest being that I’ve been on remote lockout for years and just love that feeling of a rigid bike on smooth climbs and tarmac sections in an Xc race- do you think I’ll get over that when I convert to Live Valve 1.5? You da man Will!

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks for the feedback mate, glad you're enjoying the reviews! That's a good question on the standard lockout vs Live Valve. Most of Giant/Liv's World Cup athletes are off Live Valve and onto the standard suspension setup with a lockout, which I suspect comes down to weight and the fact that you don't get a complete lockout with Live Valve. As someone who is definitely not a World Cup athlete, I personally prefer the automated platform that Live Valve brings, and the fact that you don't have to think about toggling a lockout lever. You'll never descend with the suspension accidentally locked out, and I find that I can use the spare brain power to focus on riding, rather than wondering what points I should lock or unlock my suspension. I also like that the firm platform still provides a small degree of comfort and traction compared to a full lockout. In my experience, that makes Live Valve more appropriate on technical singletrack climbs, which you'd otherwise have to make a decision to be fully locked out or fully open with the manual version. You'll be stoked on the Anthem whichever way you decide to go, and you'll be able to adapt to either setup, so I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. Hope that helps, but just shout out if you've got any other questions mate! [Wil]

[@familybikeguy]

🙏🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@KotakMeister]

Thanks for the in depth review. I'm saving up for a Flight Attendant bike as an upgrade from my Scott Spark and from what I've viewed from this vid, i think I'm making the right choice. Great work 👍

[@richardseller3733]

If I was in the market would definitely buy it call me early adopter or just curious but just like Fox giving us sneak peak at Rad rear shock this is just the beginning. When the companies start getting more and more data back from the riders they will tweak their algorithms and each system will get better and better. Thank you very the very in depth review and honest pros and cons

[@sandycarmichael31]

Great comparison review Wil. One thing I was wondering while watching the video, was what is the effect of rider inputs is? Was there any differences between the two systems for riders who like to sit and spin, versus those who like to get out of the saddle and mash the pedals? Your analogy about mimicking the action of automated suspension systems with a three position compression lever on a rear shock, got me thinking that riders who like to sit and spin would usually leave the shock fully open for technical ascents, whereas the riders that like to get out of the saddle would normally flick the compression lever in the middle setting in this scenario, but automated suspension systems make this choice for you and probably select the medium compression setting unless the bumps were really huge. PS the spontaneous laughter when the rain wasn't behaving was priceless :)

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Cheers Sandy, and great question! I'm generally a 'sit & spin' kind of climber, so unless I'm on a really inefficient big travel bike, I'll typically leave my suspension open while climbing, particularly the fork. What I find captivating about Live Valve and Flight Attendant is that they both bring an added platform to climbing that I normally wouldn't experience. In both cases, this added platform increases efficiency and general responsiveness to body inputs, while also improving the seated climbing position and providing more ground clearance. The result is that the systems encourage you to put more effort in, because there's more reward for your inputs. It's great, but I always found myself being absolutely spent at the end of the ride on either of these bikes 😂 Another note on climbing; the platform between the two systems is noticeably different. Flight Attendant is pretty much locked out on smoother climbs, whereas the 'Firm' position with Live Valve is more of a heavy compression setting, so there's a little more give with Live Valve on those smoother climbs. It does depend on the bike you're riding, since the Live Valve 'tune' varies from bike to bike. But with the Trance and Anthem test bikes, I generally found it to be more comfortable and easier to get into a rhythm on the climbs compared to the fully locked-out feel of Flight Attendant. [Wil]

[@sandycarmichael31]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin that is an interesting observation regarding reward for effort on climbs with these suspension systems and yet another example of how new technology is constantly changing us and the way we ride

[@janjayed]

Real quality in your reviews. You should be pretty happy with your efforts. PS - where are you riding ? Looks like somewhere in Vic Goldfields.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks mate, glad you're enjoying the Flow reviews! Most of this video was shot at the La Larr Ba Gauwa MTB Park in Harcourt. Great spot! [Wil]

[@chiefsilverback]

Nice content. I have an Oiz TR and even with the SquidLock I don't alter modes all that often so have the bike constantly adept is a really interesting concept. It will be interesting to see if Fox work with Magura to integrate the sensors into the new ABS system and share a wiring harness as that system starts to become available?

[@christophj3014]

the Rolls Royce of bike reviews......great content.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Thanks very much mate, appreciate the kind words! [Wil]

[@brianschaning1575]

RS looks so much better being wireless, excited to see where this goes in the future,- the systems will continue to get better

[@chiefchero6198]

So true about wanting the fork to stay open on climbs on Flight Attendant. I keep bumping roots and rocks on climbs expecting it to compress. Instead, it just bounces back and takes more energy to overcome.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

I think if there was a way to limit the fork to just the Open and Pedal settings (getting rid of the Lock setting entirely), that would be a useful option for trail riding. Perhaps RockShox will roll out some updated functions in the future? [Wil]

[@Cricket-62-spectral]

I have this on my canyon spectral on cfr ltd and absolutely love it. You get used to the slight noise it makes.

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Curious to hear more about your experience with Flight Attendant on the Spectral:ON Glenn! What benefits do you think the system brings to the bike? Any downsides? [Wil]

[@Cricket-62-spectral]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin Hi Will the initial step was so simple. I run it slightly open minus 2. I like a more open feel. Its a set and forget suspension. I have been riding lots of rocky stuff and a lot of big hits but have never bottomed out. It took a little while to get used to the noises but hardly hear them now. Riding with others have had a few comments about robotic noises coming from the bike. The best part in undulating ground not having to reach for the lever all the time. It locks out on smoother surfaces but responds very quickly to rougher ground. I let the system do all the hard work and enjoy the ride. The batteries last for several 60 k rides before needing a charge. All in all I am very happy with the flight attendant. Keep up the great content. I look forward to your videos and read a lot of your reviews.

[@MaQuGo119]

Which one is cheaper?

[@ThunderStruckMTB]

Great video! Hey, the all black Renthal carbon bar on the YT..... where did you get that?

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Cheers mate! Those Renthal bars are stock equipment on the YT Jeffsy Uncaged 6. Pretty snazzy bike! [Wil]

[@jamlee344]

Great review as always. But It's not something I ever want on my bike and will steer away from it even if it trickles down to the cheaper models.

[@cheut]

There are 7 separate batteries on that flight attendant bike…

[@krispykruzer]

lol - wireless suspension control now - what a world we live in !

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

The future!

[@notpablo8369]

Wished theres a XC version of flight attendant

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Us too! We can imagine RockShox expanding the Flight Attendant concept to a broader range of bikes in the future - an XC version would be awesome, and we'd love to see a Scott-specific version to get rid of the TwinLoc remote and associated cables. [Wil]

[@jacobbradstreet1622]

I have the scott triple lock out love it.... not to keen on this electric stuff.... I'm horrible at charging batteries

[@note2self628]

Where are these trails?

[@FlowMountainBikeYouTube]

Most of the footage was shot at the La Larr Ba Gauwa MTB park in Harcourt, Victoria. [Wil]

[@note2self628]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZbin Thanks! They look amazing and multifaceted!

[@curiosgeorge16]

As mentioned in your review, for trail riding, I just don't see the benefit to damping the fork. I ride in quite dusty and rocky terrain and feel that a more firm fork would make my riding experience worse.

[@TheSuperpod]

If you pedal aggressively while standing front fork bobs a lot and part of effort goes into that. But yeah if sitting particularly with a nice fork with separate slow and high speed compression it is fine wide open. Rear shock is where most of the benefit is no doubt.

[@ingopaul67]

Great video and interesting products but ridiculously high tech and massively expensive. Tech for techs sake.

[@asifitmatters1]

Both of these systems are made for racers trying to squeeze out those last few seconds on their run. For them it definitely makes sense. For mortals it’s just another gadget.

[@Nickubus99]

I don't want to see the price of entry lowered. I don't want this on my bike ever. Any bike I see with it I literally don't look twice at. Call me a luddite I don't care!! I like analog bikes and I always will.

[@dan1one]

errrr..... Technology!!!..... always ruining the sport!!! You should also stop using a derailleur.... When they came out people using them were called cheaters..... are you one of them? Never use your bike lights if you wish...who wants batteries anyway... who needs a dropper post??.... it just makes things more complicated.... Heck lets just stop updating bike geometries or the manufacturing techniques. Lets keep riding cast iron or wood bikes; who needs advanced alloys and carbon fibre!

[@Nickubus99]

@@dan1one ....could have just called me a Luddite.....

[@HamSupZhai]

It got very wet very quickly.

[@burningatthetrailhead]

MTB is becoming a colossal waste of money...

[@fulldonkeymode8837]

Great review but only a handful of your audience is gonna use this stuff no?? Or do you KNOW for a FACT that all of your audience are dentists (actual question)? What happened to reviewing bikes that are good value? Not cheap, but best bang for the buck? What happened to reviewing bikes that make sense?

[@Pienimusta]

It is interesting tech that might become mainstream at some point. Chill.

[@fulldonkeymode8837]

@@Pienimusta But in the case of the Trance X, the two big reviews from Pinkbike and Flow only talked about the Livevalve, and there was no real way to discuss the bike itself, it was almost as if the whole bike was just Livevalve? My point is the difference between this and normal bikes that these provide often become the focus of many bike reviews, because obviously Giant wants them to try the top of the line, but you can't feel the bike without Livevalve

[@familybikeguy]

Funny- I know people who live in trailer courts, work at the local auto shop and buy $15,000+ MX Bikes, $15,000+ snowmobiles etc. to each their own fella! Plus, dentists are mostly triathletes no?😂