The advantages of 29'' wheels in a technically-enabled trail bike
Color(s): Matte Black / Matte Chi Red
MSRP $2,729.99*
6011 hydroformed butted aluminum mainframe & stays, cold-forged dropouts, G2 29" Geometry, DRCV shock mount, E2, ABP
WheelsBontrager QR15 front hub, Shimano M529 rear hub, Bontrager Duster 29 rims, Bontrager 29-3 tires
Shimano SLX Direct Mount front derailleur, Shimano SLX Shadow rear derailleur, Shimano SLX shifters, Shimano FC-M542 crank, Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disc brakes
SuspensionFOX F120 RL 29, 120mm travel, custom G2 Geometry 51mm offset crown; Custom Fox Float RP2 with DRCV, 2-position Pro Pedal
| Frameset | |
|---|---|
| Sizes | SM (15.5") | MD (17.5") | LG (19") | XL (21") | XXL (23") |
| Frame | 6011 hydroformed butted aluminum mainframe & stays, cold-forged dropouts, G2 29" Geometry, DRCV shock mount, E2, ABP |
| Front Shock | FOX F120 RL 29, 120mm travel, custom G2 Geometry 51mm offset crown, open bath damper, E2 steerer, 15mm QR thru-axle |
| Rear Shock | Custom Fox Float RP2 with DRCV (Dual Rate Control Valve), air pressure, 2-position Pro Pedal, external rebound |
| Drivetrain | |
| Shifters | Shimano SLX |
| Front Derailleur | Shimano SLX Direct Mount |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano SLX Shadow |
| Cassette | Shimano HG61 12-36 9spd |
| Bottom Bracket | Shimano Press Fit |
| Wheels | |
|---|---|
| Wheels | Bontrager QR15 front hub, Shimano M529 rear hub, Bontrager Duster 29 rims, 32h, tubeless ready |
| Tires | Bontrager 29-3, 29x2.25, 120 TPI, aramid bead |
| Components | |
| Crank Set | Shimano FC-M542, Hollowtech arms, 44/32/22 |
| Saddle | Bontrager Race |
| Seatpost | Bontrager Rhythm Elite, 3D forged internally ovalized 7075 alloy shaft, two-bolt rocker head |
| Handlebar | Bontrager Low Riser OS, 7075 alloy, 690mm width, 25mm rise, 9d backsweep, 4d upsweep, 31.8mm |
| Grips | Bontrager Race Lite Lock-On |
| Stem | Bontrager Rhythm Pro OS, 7d rise, 31.8mm clamp |
| Pedals | Custom Crank Bros Candy C w/cleats |
| Headset | FSA 57 Orbits, E2 1-1/8"-1-1/2", semi-integrated, cartridge bearings |
| Brakeset | Avid Elixir 5 hydraulic disc, 185mm front/160 rear rotors |
| Extra | Sag gauges for rear shock and front fork / shock pump |
| Frame Size | SM (15.5") | MD (17.5") | LG (19") | XL (21") | XXL (23") |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standover (mm) | 720.60 | 756.80 | 793.10 | 841.50 | 888.70 |
| Effective top tube (mm) | 568.00 | 600.00 | 620.00 | 641.00 | 663.00 |
| Cockpit length (mm) | 643.00 | 690.00 | 725.00 | 746.00 | 768.00 |
| Minimum cockpit (mm) | 628.00 | 675.00 | 710.00 | 731.00 | 753.00 |
| Maximum cockpit (mm) | 658.00 | 705.00 | 740.00 | 761.00 | 783.00 |
| Stem length (mm) | 75.00 | 90.00 | 105.00 | 105.00 | 105.00 |
| Crank length (mm) | 170.00 | 175.00 | 175.00 | 175.00 | 175.00 |
| Headtube length (mm) | 105.00 | 115.00 | 125.00 | 135.00 | 145.00 |
| Head angle (deg) | 70.00 | 70.00 | 70.10 | 70.10 | 70.10 |
| Head angle sagged (deg) | 69.00 | 69.10 | 69.10 | 69.20 | 69.20 |
| Trail (mm) | 80.40 | 80.20 | 80.00 | 79.90 | 79.80 |
| Trail Sagged (mm) | 58.10 | 86.70 | 86.40 | 86.20 | 85.90 |
| Seat Tube Angle (deg) | 72.60 | 72.60 | 72.20 | 72.70 | 72.70 |
| Seat Tube Angle Sagged (deg) | 71.60 | 71.70 | 71.70 | 71.80 | 71.80 |
| Effective Chainstay Length (mm) | 453.00 | 452.00 | 452.00 | 452.00 | 452.00 |
| Bottom bracket height (mm) | 333.00 | 333.00 | 332.00 | 332.00 | 332.00 |
| Bottom bracket drop (mm) | 37.00 | 37.00 | 38.00 | 38.00 | 38.00 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1092.20 | 1124.70 | 1145.10 | 1166.60 | 1186.00 |
| Wheelbase Sagged (mm) | 1089.20 | 1121.60 | 1142.10 | 1163.50 | 1189.00 |
A 29er that handles better than a 26” wheeled bike.
Basics
DRCV technology has two critical elements that set it apart from all other air shocks on the market:
1. The Dual Rate Control Valve
This is a position sensitive valve that opens the passage way to the secondary air chamber at a predetermined point in shock travel.
2. Mid-Mount Design
The upper eyelet has been moved to the middle of shock, allowing additional air volume to be placed on top of the shock.
Key DRCV Shock Technology Benefits
The DRCV shock was designed in a partnership between Gary Fisher and Fox. The goal was to create a shock for a long-travel trail bike with the best attributes of both coil and air shocks. It is a proprietary shock only found on Fishers.
The air-sprung Fox Float with Dual Rate Custom Valve (DRCV) is the closest thing to coil spring performance in the marketplace. Since it is still an air shock it is still lightweight and highly tunable.
During Initial Setup:
As the Shock Rebounds:
During Subsequent Riding:
DRCV Performance
The Fox DRCV technology is based on a smartly functioning plunger between two air canisters.
The plunger engages the second air chamber midway through its stroke. This is right before the shock would "ramp up" in a standard air can. By engaging the second air chamber the shock can maintain a predictable, linear compression rate much like a coil spring.
What Does the Rider Feel?
At the end of its stroke, the DRCV shock avoids the "harsh ramping up" effect of a single air canister. It's a smooth linear feel that keeps the rider in control. But because the DRCV acts like a single air canister for small bumps it also provides the smooth feel of an air canister without any flat pockets in the midstroke that an XV shock may provide. In short, it's coil spring performance without the weight penalty.
Bump Compliance
The differences between how a standard air shock handles small bumps
and big bumps and how the Fox DRCV handles small bumps and big bumps is
pretty dramatic and worth an explanation.
Standard Fox Float RP23 Speed Sensitivity
Note that the
lines on this chart, which represent different shaft speeds -- forces
from bigger bumps "come at" a shock faster than those from smaller
bumps -- don't deviate much. The RP23, like all traditional single
canister air cans, responds similarly to all bumps. Regardless of bump
size, a single air canister shock responds the same. This can be fine
if the rider encounters consistently sized bumps and the shock is tuned
to handle that consistent terrain. But in varied terrain, single air
canister shocks ramp-up in the last quarter of the shocks travel.
DRCV Speed Sensitivity
In varied terrain (i.e., real world riding) you want a shock that can handle a variety of terrain in a consistent controlled manner.A common criticism of full-suspension 29ers is the long wheelbase. So Fisher figured out how to shorten the chainstays and wheelbase for a bike as nimble as any 26" full-suspension bike.
2009: Chainstay = 462mm
Wheelbase = 1126mm
2010: Chainstay = 451mm
Wheelbase = 1114mm
Active Braking Pivot (ABP)
ABP keeps suspension active while braking. You can brake later and harder in a corner and still have the suspension freely moving to keep you in control. ABP improves lateral stiffness as well. Both rear pivots are now connected by the wheel's axle, as opposed to being independent. The result is a rear swingarm with minimal lateral flex, but greatly improved suspension performance.
E2 Headtube increases steering precision. Tapered 1-1/8" to 1-1/2" headtube increases stiffness for precise handling. It allows for a massive downtube/headtube junction which increases overall frame stiffness, power transfer and frame strength.
At last, a bike for tall riders. The Superfly 100 comes in 5 sizes including the XXL (23") size. Finally, taller riders can enjoy the benefits of a properly fitting bike.
Integrated BB cups for pedaling power transfer. A stiffer BB area for greater pedaling efficiency and output. Reduces weight – no traditional BB cups or threaded aluminum inserts. Huge downtube/bottom bracket cross section for greater frame strength and stiffness.

