RockShox Flight Attendant: Upgrade your speed!

Unlocking the Power of Automatic Suspension Adjustment

In the ever-evolving world of mountain biking, the pursuit of performance and efficiency is a never-ending quest. Riders are constantly seeking ways to eke out every last ounce of speed and control from their machines, and the latest innovation from RockShox, the Flight Attendant, is poised to be a game-changer. This revolutionary suspension system promises to transform the way we approach cross-country, trail, and enduro riding, offering a level of automation and responsiveness that was previously unimaginable.

As a long-term user of the Flight Attendant, I've had the opportunity to put this technology through its paces and can attest to its transformative impact on my riding. In this in-depth blog post, we'll dive into the inner workings of the Flight Attendant, explore its key benefits, and discuss how it can elevate your mountain biking experience to new heights.

The Flight Attendant: A Suspension System that Thinks for Itself

At the heart of the Flight Attendant is an intelligent control module that communicates with both the fork and the shock, seamlessly adjusting the suspension based on your riding inputs. This system is designed to take the guesswork out of suspension management, freeing up your mind and hands to focus on the task at hand – navigating the trail with precision and control.

The key to the Flight Attendant's success lies in its ability to sense your pedaling input, whether through a dedicated cadence sensor or a power meter. By monitoring your power output, the system can determine the optimal suspension setting for the terrain you're traversing, automatically locking out or opening the suspension as needed.

For example, when you're powering up a smooth, flat section, the Flight Attendant will quickly lock out the suspension, maximizing your pedaling efficiency and minimizing energy loss. Conversely, when you encounter a technical climb or a rough section of trail, the system will automatically open the suspension, providing the necessary traction and control.

Unleashing the Benefits of the Flight Attendant

The Flight Attendant's ability to adapt to your riding dynamics offers a host of benefits that can elevate your performance on the trail. Let's explore some of the key advantages this system brings to the table:

1. Improved Efficiency and Speed

By automatically locking out the suspension on smooth, flat sections, the Flight Attendant helps you maintain momentum and minimize energy expenditure, allowing you to conserve your efforts for the technical sections.
The system's quick reaction time ensures that you're never wasting time manually adjusting your suspension, which can make a significant difference over the course of a long race or ride.
Over time, these small gains in efficiency can add up, translating into faster lap times and improved overall performance.

2. Enhanced Technical Climbing Ability

The Flight Attendant frees up your mind and hands, allowing you to focus on optimal body positioning and weight distribution during technical climbs.
By automatically adjusting the suspension, the system ensures that you maintain traction and control, even on the most challenging ascents.
This can be particularly beneficial for cross-country riders, where every second counts and the ability to maintain momentum is crucial.

3. Reduced Fatigue and Improved Comfort

The Flight Attendant's automatic suspension adjustments can help reduce the physical and mental strain of constantly reaching for the lockout lever, especially on long rides or races.
By keeping the suspension active when needed and locked out when appropriate, the system can help minimize fatigue and improve your overall comfort on the bike.
This can translate into better endurance and the ability to maintain a higher level of performance throughout the duration of your ride or race.

Setting Up the Flight Attendant: What You Need to Know

To take advantage of the Flight Attendant's capabilities, there are a few key components you'll need to have in place. First and foremost, you'll require a RockShox fork that is compatible with the system. This includes models like the SID Ultimate, Lyrik, and Zeb, among others.

In addition to the compatible fork, you'll also need a Flight Attendant-specific shock, such as the RockShox Deluxe or Super Deluxe. These shocks are equipped with the necessary sensors and communication protocols to work seamlessly with the Flight Attendant control module.

The final piece of the puzzle is the control module itself, which is a separate component that mounts on top of your fork. This is where the "brains" of the system reside, processing the data from your pedaling inputs and making the necessary suspension adjustments.

To complete the setup, you'll need either a cadence sensor or a power meter. The cadence sensor, which can be integrated into the axle of your crankset, allows the Flight Attendant to detect when you're pedaling and when you're not. Alternatively, a power meter can provide even more precise data, enabling the system to fine-tune the suspension based on your actual power output.

Once you have all the necessary components in place, the setup process is relatively straightforward. The Flight Attendant control module will need to be paired with your fork and shock, and you'll have the option to customize the system's behavior to suit your riding style and preferences.

One of the great things about the Flight Attendant is that it runs on the same AXS batteries as other SRAM components, such as the Reverb dropper post and the AXS rear derailleur. This means you won't have to worry about managing a separate power source, simplifying the overall integration and maintenance of the system.

Customizing the Flight Attendant to Your Riding Style

One of the standout features of the Flight Attendant is its level of customization, allowing you to fine-tune the system to your specific needs and preferences. The control module offers five different modes, each with a unique bias towards either a locked-out or open suspension setup.

If you prefer a more active, responsive suspension feel, you can opt for a setting that leans towards the open end of the spectrum. Conversely, if you're looking for maximum efficiency on smoother terrain, you can choose a mode that is biased towards a locked-out suspension.

The ability to adjust these settings on the fly can be particularly useful when tackling a variety of terrain within a single ride or race. For example, you might want a more open suspension setup for the technical sections, but a more locked-out configuration for the flat, pedaling-intensive portions of the course.

By taking the time to experiment with the different modes and find the sweet spot for your riding style, you can unlock the full potential of the Flight Attendant and tailor the system to your specific needs.

Integrating the Flight Attendant into Your Riding Routine

One of the key benefits of the Flight Attendant is its seamless integration into your riding routine. Unlike traditional suspension systems that require constant manual adjustments, the Flight Attendant operates in the background, freeing up your mind and hands to focus on the task at hand.

For cross-country riders, this can be a game-changer, as it allows you to devote more attention to optimal body positioning, gear selection, and line choice during technical climbs and descents. By taking the suspension management out of the equation, you can hone in on the factors that truly make a difference in your performance.

Similarly, for trail and enduro riders, the Flight Attendant can be a valuable asset, particularly on long, flat pedaling sections where you might have previously neglected to lock out your suspension. With the system handling the adjustments automatically, you can maintain momentum and efficiency without the need for constant manual intervention.

Over the course of a long ride or race, these small gains in efficiency can add up, translating into faster lap times and improved overall performance. By removing the cognitive load of suspension management, the Flight Attendant allows you to ride with a heightened level of focus and flow, unlocking your full potential on the trail.

Unlocking the Next Frontier in Mountain Bike Performance

As the mountain biking community continues to push the boundaries of what's possible, the RockShox Flight Attendant stands as a testament to the ongoing pursuit of innovation and performance. This revolutionary suspension system represents a significant leap forward, offering a level of automation and responsiveness that was previously unimaginable.

By seamlessly adapting to your riding inputs and terrain conditions, the Flight Attendant frees up your mind and hands, allowing you to focus on the factors that truly matter – line choice, body positioning, and the pure joy of riding. Whether you're a cross-country racer, a trail shredder, or an enduro enthusiast, the Flight Attendant has the potential to elevate your performance and transform your riding experience.

If you're ready to unlock the next frontier in mountain bike suspension performance, I highly recommend exploring the RockShox Flight Attendant.