Fox changes the rules with its new intelligent Live Valve Neo shock absorber: it does not depend on other components, it does not have an intermediate mode, and it is the fastest

FOX has just launched a complete overhaul of its electronic suspension system, called Live Valve Neo and is presented as the fastest and most advanced wireless suspension system in mountain biking.

Key features of the new FOX Live Valve Neo

• Works independently, not dependent on your fork or transmission
• Easy installation and compatible with most Trail and All Mountain mountain bikes
• The system consists of 2 sensors and a shock absorber with an integrated controller
• Promises the fastest response capability on the market
• Opens and closes so quickly that it eliminates the intermediate mode
• Only two models, for now
• Price starts at €1320

What is and how does the FOX Live Valve Neo work

In 2018, FOX launched the Live Valve system and since then it has been considered the first electronic and automatic competition suspension. But at that time, the linking between the different parts of the system had to be done by cable because wireless technology was not yet fast enough.

Something they have just evolved with their new Live Valve Neo structure and with which they claim to have the fastest and most advanced wireless suspension control system in cycling.

The system consists of four components: a fork sensor and a rear sensor, the controller integrated in the shock absorber, and the FOX Bike app.

Both sensors precisely read the terrain 400 times per second and will only send a signal to the controller when it is necessary to open the shock absorber. From the moment the wheel hits an obstacle until the Live Valve Neo controller opens the shock absorber, only 1/70 of a second passes. To give us an idea of the speed at which this occurs, it would be something similar to how long our brain takes to detect a sound.

In clear reference to the RockShox Flight Attendant system, which collects data from the ride to anticipate its behavior, FOX ensures that its system does not depend on extensive or historical power input data to predict how you are pedaling. Once installed and configured, it should act exactly as you want, when you want, without noticeable delays.

The Live Valve Neo system will not depend on an ecosystem and will work independently of fork and transmission components. This is completely different from the RockShox Flight Attendant system, in which both the fork and the shock absorber must be Flight Attendant.

The rear sensor is mounted on the rear brake caliper and determines the force of the impact experienced by the rear tire, but does not measure the angle of the terrain, as that is determined by the fork sensor.

The controller is integrated in the rear shock absorber and will open or stiffen it based on the terrain data provided by the sensors. The controller operates with a single rechargeable battery, the same battery and charger are compatible with the Transfer Neo seatpost.

The FOX Bike app will serve as a guide in setting up the system through useful tutorials, show the battery level, alert about firmware updates, and be used to customize the suspension performance according to each biker's preferences.

The fork sensor is mounted on the front brake caliper and uses a built-in accelerometer to determine the angle of the terrain being ridden and the force of the impact experienced by the front tire.

No intermediate mode, it doesn't need it

The Live Valve Neo boasts not needing the "Pedal" mode of shock absorbers, one of the most valued and demanded options by cyclists for its great performance on climbs. Instead, the Live Valve Neo claims that it can change so quickly and so many times between open and locked that it makes no sense to add an intermediate mode.

FOX ensures that its mode changes are ultra-fast and allow for as efficient pedaling as a rigid bike but with the traction and speed of a full suspension on challenging terrain.

For example, in corners the shock absorber can briefly open in the middle of a turn to maintain traction, but when exiting, the rear of the bike will be firmer and more stable, ready to pedal hard or gain speed.

Or if the shock absorber is locked just when taking a jump, the system will detect the flight and open for the landing. On technical climbs, the Live Valve Neo will remain firm or tractioning depending on the terrain and will make as many ultra-fast changes as necessary.

The App and its Tunes

As we have already mentioned, the FOX Bike app is another element of the system and in it you can customize each of the different Tunes. These are modes or settings that will change the behavior of the shock absorber according to our preferences.

The Live Valve Neo is always active and will work according to the selected map (Tune) beforehand. And in each mode the shock absorber has 3 states: climb, flat, and descent. The system detects the state thanks to the front sensor that interprets the slope of the terrain.

FOX Live Valve Neo shock absorbers come with 5 pre-set modes (Tunes):

• Standard: Ideal for most bikers on a wide variety of terrains
• Firm: For cyclists who prefer firmer cushioning, even when encountering small bumps and obstacles on the trail
• Soft: For cyclists who prefer greater sensitivity, prioritizing comfort over efficiency
• Open: Disables the Live Valve Neo system, keeping the shock absorber open in all pedaling scenarios
• Closed: Disables the Live Valve Neo system, keeping the shock absorber closed

But these are just the presets and the system supports an unlimited number of Tunes that each biker can create and customize. In addition, it has a Precision mode that allows for independent and much more advanced adjustment in which parameters such as the slope angle at which the shock absorber changes state can be changed, among others. It is a perfect mode for all World Cup professionals, for example.

A remote control is on the way

With the FOX Live Valve Neo system, it is not necessary to interact with the shock absorber during the ride, so it does not require any remote control. But FOX anticipates that one will be available by 2025 where you can select the change of Tunes and other parameters from the bike, which are currently done with the phone.

FOX Live Valve NEO: prices, models, and availability

 

There is no doubt that the FOX Live Valve will be a broad ecosystem that we will discover over the next few months and to which many more components will surely be added for different modalities. But for now, it consists of the Fox Transfer NEO seatpost and the newly introduced shock absorbers Live Valve Neo Float X and DHX, for Trail and All Mountain mountain bikes.

Both shock absorbers can be purchased as accessories and there is also a kit available with the sensors, battery, charger, and charging cable (without the shock absorber with the controller).

• Live Valve Neo Kit - €590 RRP: fork and rear impact sensors, battery, charger, charging cable.
• Live Valve Neo Float X - €1390 RRP
• Live Valve Neo DHX - €1320 RRP

You can check all the specifications on FOX's official website.