After SRAM acquired ShockWiz in summer 2016, we were eagerly anticipating the outcome of this acquisition. Now SRAM has officially launched Quarq ShockWiz, a suspension tuning system for air-sprung mountain bikes. All details directly from SRAM:

ShockWiz is a suspension tuning system for air-sprung mountain bikes that combines high-tech hardware with an intuitive smartphone app. Lightweight, durable and powered by a long-lasting coin cell battery, ShockWiz automatically records and evaluates suspension performance every time you ride. The ShockWiz app displays straightforward adjustments that unite bike, terrain and riding style. ShockWiz works for all mountain bike riders, regardless of their experience or bike’s intended use. With ShockWiz, you know exactly how your suspension is performing – and how to make it better.

How it Works

ShockWiz’s small, waterproof case houses a highly accurate pressure sensor and microprocessor. You connect it to your fork or shock’s Schrader valve and it samples air pressure 100 times-a-second while you ride. Finely tuned algorithms analyse the changes in pressure to detect undesirable characteristics such as pogo, pack-down or bob, and class their severity. If a characteristic is severe or persistent ShockWiz will determine the adjustment required to fix it – baseline air pressure, air spring ramp, rebound, compression – and display this in the smartphone app.

Validation

The engineering principles behind ShockWiz were derived from thousands of hours of laboratory and on-bike tests. The tests verified that suspension displacement could be interpreted from changes in air pressure. ShockWiz’s algorithms came from detailed analysis of suspension data from all types of mountain bikes and terrain and using a range of riders — from beginners to racers in the Enduro World Series and Mountain Bike World Cup.

Target Audience

ShockWiz is designed for all mountain bike riders, regardless of their riding style or how much suspension travel their bike has. It works on hardtail and dual suspension bikes, and for all levels of skill, speed and terrain. ShockWiz teaches novices basic suspension tuning concepts and adjustments. It shows experts how one adjustment can affect others and helps them learn advanced tuning concepts.

Details

  • ShockWiz is compatible with most air-sprung forks and rear shocks from many different manufacturers
  • For full compatibility, the fork or shock must have a positive chamber with a single volume
  • Adjustable travel forks such as TALAS and Down Low Adjust need to be kept in the same travel position or a new calibration is required
  • Non-linear, bump detecting dampers such as Terralogic, Brain, iCTD and E:I will not work as well, but you still get usable suggestions
  • Suspension with variable chambers such as DRCV and Equalizer are not supported
  • Suspension where the positive and negative chambers are joined when a shock pump is installed, such as some Manitou forks, or filled through the negative chamber, such as White Brothers and MRP forks, are not supported.

The ShockWiz app is compatible with most smartphones and tablets that feature Bluetooth Low Energy (formerly called Bluetooth Smart). Android devices require Jellybean 4.3 or newer and Apple devices require iOS 9 or newer.

Weight: 45g
Price: € 419 (€ 469 for inverted forks)

First impression

We believe that many riders don’t run the suspension setting that’s best for them and therefore we love the idea behind ShockWiz. Beginners and advanced riders alike get completely new insights that have been reserved for pro riders in the past, data that helps everyone to find the perfect tune for their suspension. We’ve currently got the unit in test and we’ll deliver a full review very soon, stay tuned!

For more information head to quarq.com


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Words: Photos: Quarq