In March 2024, RockShox presented its revised version of the Flight Attendant. The wireless, real-time automatic suspension adjustment system is now growing. From June, two new dampers will expand the system. In addition, three suspension forks and another damper that were previously part of the range have been improved.
How Flight Attendant adjusts your suspension fork and shock while you ride depends on an algorithm developed by the manufacturer. It takes into account the terrain, the surface and your actions on the bike. It accesses the data from several sensors and uses it to derive the respective settings in a matter of seconds. As a result, Flight Attendant’s calculations aim to provide you with a suspension system that is optimally suited to the respective riding situation.
This is where the system’s components come into play. The following seven are new to the Rockshox programme.
1. Flight Attendant Charger 3.1 compression
2. ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
3. Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
4. Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
5. Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
6. Vivid Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
7. Vivid Coil Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
Compatibility and retrofitting
1. Flight Attendant Charger 3.1 compression
Some of you may remember the introduction of the Flight Attendant update this spring. At that time, our attention was explicitly focused on a compression. Similar to the Charger Race Day 2, the Charger 3.1 plays a central role in the Flight Attendant universe as well. In addition to the improved algorithm, it is the real innovation within the suspension forks with a spring travel of 140 millimetres and more, which support the automatic adjustment of the chassis.
The Charger 3.1 is based on the previous Charger 3 damper platform and switches between the three positions “Open”, “Pedal” and “Lock”. It allows you to adjust the low-speed compression and low-speed rebound. Inside you will find the ButterCups, which RockShox has been using for a few years to effectively reduce the high-frequency vibrations of the suspension system, which are in the range of a few millimetres. You can combine the compression stage with the following forks:
- RockShox Pike C1+ from model year 2023
- RockShox Lyrik D1+ from model year 2023
- RockShox ZEB A1+ from model year 2021
RockShox Charger 3.1 compression
To use it, you will also need a control module matching the fork. You can buy this separately, just like the compression itself. Of course, the corresponding control module is installed as standard on the suspension forks presented now.
2. ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
Equipped with the new compression, RockShox’s flagship in the enduro segment should also take a step forward. The ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant has been part of the Flight Attendant lineup since the beginning. Massive tubes and a travel of 170 millimetres unmistakably identify it as a model that plays to its strengths in blocked terrain as well as on rocks, roots and jumps.
- Damper: Charger 3.1 Flight Attendant with ButterCups
- Spring: DebonAir+ with ButterCups
- Wheel size: 29″
- Travel: 170 mm
- Offset: 44 mm (29”)
- Weight: 2,450 g
- Price: 1,799 euros
RockShox ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
3. Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
The Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant likes it a little softer. Although its 160 millimetre spring travel means that you can still ride well where others would stop hiking. The rest of the frame data emphasises the similarity to its big sister, the ZEB Ultimate.
- Damper: Charger 3.1 Flight Attendant with ButterCups
- Spring: DebonAir+ with ButterCups
- Wheel size: 29
- Travel: 160 mm
- Offset: 44 mm (29”)
- Weight: 2,100 g
- Price: 1,749 euros
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
4. Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
The third of the revised suspension forks, on the other hand, has a noticeably different profile. Its weight is just under the two-kilogram mark, which is still relevant for many. Due to its 140-millimetre travel, you will encounter this model on ebikes that focus more on speed uphill than in the enduro sector. The greater balance between uphill and downhill is usually appreciated by riders who go on longer tours more often. In this context, the Flight Attendant should prove to be a power- and nerve-saving luxury package.
- Damper: Charger 3.1 Flight Attendant with ButterCups
- Spring: DebonAir+ with ButterCups
- Wheel size: 29“
- Travel: 140 mm
- Offset: 44 mm (29”)
- Weight: 1,960 g
- Price: 1,699 euros
RockShox Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant suspension fork
5. Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
It’s quite possible that bike manufacturers will combine the Pike Ultimate Flight Attendant with a Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant on a trail ebike. Since the shock is also available separately, you might want to take matters into your own hands. In terms of performance, the two would certainly be a good match. After all, the Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant combines sufficient travel with High-Flow Piston. The latter function allows the compression damping to be reduced. This means that the rear wheel reacts quickly enough even to hard impacts, making it easier to get over bumps.
- Damper: RC3, RC3 with Hydraulic Bottom-Out
- Air spring: DebonAir+, Linear or Progressive
- Weight: 560 g
- Price: 1,049 euros
RockShok Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
6. Vivid Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
The only two “real” new products are two shocks for riding in rougher terrain. Rockshox describes the Vivid Ultimate Flight Attendant as the most “coil-like” air spring they have ever built. The strengths of the shock include the wide range of adjustment options, depending on the travel. For example, you can adjust both the beginning of the spring travel and the mid-travel to your preferences and control the volume of the positive air chamber. In addition, the damper has the well-known Hydraulic Bottom-Out, which can also be used to influence the last 20 per cent of the spring travel, preventing the bottom out after heavy impacts.
Important: This model is not available separately from retailers. At least at the time of its introduction, it will be delivered exclusively to bicycle manufacturers.
- Damper: RC3 with Hydraulic Bottom-Out
- Air spring: Vivid with DebonAir technology
- Weight: 780 g
RockShox Vivid Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
7. Vivid Coil Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
The same restriction applies to newcomer number two. In addition to the “steel spring-like” version, RockShox is expanding the Flight Attendant range to include a real steel spring. Basically, the shock absorber is a copy of the Vivid Ultimate Flight Attendant – but with an alternative spring element. Yes, the weight increases by almost 200 grams. On the other hand, it features the unmistakable look that may make up for it for some of you.
- Damper: RC3 with hydraulic bottom-out
- Air spring: steel spring
- Weight: 960 g
RockShox Vivid Coil Ultimate Flight Attendant shock
Compatibility and retrofitting
Apart from the two brand new shocks, you can now buy all the other components separately. However, there are three important restrictions to be aware of:
- The system only works with a minimum set-up. A suspension fork, rear shock and pedal sensor are essential.
- If you read point 1 carefully, you will come to the conclusion that Flight Attendant can only be used on full-suspension eMTBs.
- RockShox is not yet able to implement the adaptation of the suspension based on the force applied to the pedals, known as Adaptive Ride Dynamics, on ebikes. The motor assistance puts a stick into the spokes of the the manufacturer’s wheels regarding the algorithm’s calculations at this point.
In theory, all currently available Flight Attendant components can be combined with each other. In practice, however, frame geometries and other details of the respective ebike set limits. In addition, older suspension forks of the system can be updated with the new Charger 3.1 pressure stage. However, this requires a suitable new control module.
The situation is less favourable when it comes to retrofitting existing shocks with Flight Attendant shocks. RockShox advises against such attempts. On the one hand, because, for example, the mounts for the motor modules would be missing. On the other hand, because the conversion is too complex and would require enormous effort in terms of subsequent fine-tuning.
Pictures: SRAM Deutschland GmbH
