Quarq introduce ShockWiz suspension tuning system

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 analyze 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.

New category

ShockWiz creates a new product category: MTB suspension tuning that combines high- tech mechanical sensing with an app that delivers easy to understand recommendations.

Features & Benefits

• Automated tuning recommendations.
• Shock tuning score — a snapshot of how well your suspension is set up for you
• Works on hardtail and dual suspension bikes. Works for Cross-Country, Trail, All Mountain and Downhill
• Inexpensive, replaceable CR2032 battery lasts for months
• Waterproof and dust proof — IP67 rating
• Two alternative hoses (included) offer a range of fitting options
• Smartphone App is compatible with Apple and Android phones

Hardware specifications

Weight: 45g (with rubber mounting boot and valve caps)
Wireless Communication: Bluetooth low energy (also called BLE; formerly called Bluetooth Smart)
Waterproof, Dust Proof Rating: IP67
Battery Type: CR2032
Air Volume: ShockWiz and one hose add around 0.50mL of air volume. (The volume of a single M&M candy piece is 0.60-0.65mL.)

Hardware compatibility

ShockWiz is compatible with most air-sprung forks and rear shocks from many different manufacturers.

Compatible: The fork or shock must have a positive chamber with a single volume. RockShox Solo Air is compatible. RockShox Dual Air is compatible.

Partial Compatibility: 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.

Not Compatible: 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. RockShox Dual Position Air is not compatible.

Software compatibility

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. The app includes language translations.

Hardware wireless regulatory compliance

Australia (AU), Austria ( AT), Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), Canada (CA), Czech Republic (CZ), Cyprus (CY), Denmark (DK), Estonia (EE), Finland (FI), France (FR), Germany (DE), Greece (EL), Hungary (HU), Iceland (IS), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT), Latvia (LV), Liechtenstein (LI), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Malta (MT), Netherlands (NL), New Zealand (NZ), Norway (NO), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania (RO), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SI), Spain (ES), Sweden (SE), Switzerland (CH), United Kingdom (UK), and United States of America (US)

As at Thursday January 26, 2017.

International pricing

AM Quarq ShockWiz: $399 / €419 / £359 / AUD $529

AM Quarq ShockWiz Direct Mount: $449 / €469 / £409 / AUD $579. Dedicated version for inverted forks such as the RockShox RS-1.