TECH
CORNER
If you want to learn more about our suspensions, you’re in the right place! EXT has always employed all its efforts to study and implement technical solutions capable of improving the performance of those riding an MTB, without compromising the practicality of use.
HYDRAULIC BOTTOM-OUT CONTROL
The HBC system is a position sensitive damper valve made of a secondary piston assembled below the main one, and an inner tube near the bottom of the damper. When the rider gets close to the end of the stroke, the secondary piston goes inside the inner tube, forcing the oil flow through a calibrated orifice that characterizes the end stroke ramp up. EXT’s HBC system engages just in the last 15% of the stroke and it’s also externally adjustable to match your weight, riding preferences and style.
This system makes the compression progressive, allowing lower spring-rate settings of the dampers and offering a balanced feeling and better traction. So, you can rely on a very plush feeling and a great support on the last millimeters of your bike’s rear travel. On the graph it is shown how HBC controls the last part of the stroke. The peak on the right side is the strength achieved by the shock when the HBC is full closed. The Hydraulic Bottom Out Control adjuster is located just above compression valve.
lok 2.0 system
All of our MTB dampers feature the LOK 2.0 proprietary EXT technology, (aka pro-pedal switch), already well-known throughout the product line up. A 2-Way lock-out system improved to avoid any kind of bobbing while you pedal on every types of surface. Completely customizable, the LOK system has a blow-off valve that prevents any kind of damage if you forget the LOK lever before a downhill ride. It is made up of a completely independent valve system that controls the oil flow in a separate chamber and allows you to get the support needed for the best pedaling efficiency. In open mode, the LOK circuit is excluded, and when closed, the oil must flow through a preloaded shimmed valve increasing compression force. This shim-based design provides enough sensitivity and support to increase overall traction on rough terrain. Now, the LOK 2.0 system can also be custom tuned based on rider preferences.
PRODUCTS FEATURING HBC
AIR SPRING 3
The core of the Aria is in the innovative dual positive air chambers and a large negative self-equalizing chamber. This system allows for extensive control over the shock’s air spring curve characteristics, giving you fine tune capabilities throughout the entire stroke. The dynamic nature of EXT’s twin positive air chambers virtually eliminates all negative aspects intrinsic to the volume spacer systems of competitors.
The + chamber, characterized by the black color valve, provides the primary support for the system and controls the sensitivity of the top and mid stroke, also called, dynamic sag position.
The ++ chamber, characterized by the nickel color valve, controls the sensitivity of the mid-end stroke and final ramp up characteristic.
HS3 hybrid spring
ERA v2’s hybrid spring system combine the benefits of both coil and air spring: it is characterized by the unsurpassed sensibility of linear coil spring, and gives you
the lightness and the infinite tuning combinations of the air spring.
You’ll feel more support in the middle part of the stroke, without having the typical excessive force increase of the single chamber air spring.
Increasing the pressure on the + chamber will imply:
• higher force through the whole stroke
• higher slope of the force curve