We already obtained a peek on the up to date Prime adjustability for brand spanking new DVO shocks earlier this spring at Sea Otter. However now we now have extra particulars concerning the improve, and they’re truly out there. Plus, there’s a bit extra lurking in these revamped mountain bike shocks, than only a new knob on the surface.
DVO Topaz air & Jade X coil Prime shocks add adjustability
We previewed the brand new Prime controls at Sea Otter again in April. However then we first seen the brand new inexperienced dial out in the true world, on the beautifully-machined Actofive P-Prepare enduro bike of Vojta Bláha. He shared pics of his blue-on-the-right, silver-on-the-left rig within the lead-up to the UCI Enduro World Cup in Finale Ligure.
Extra complicated than merely slapping some dials on the surface, the brand new Prime household options an all-new piston and shim stack inside. You get all-new oil stream paths to offer actual, usable adjustability.
Extra usable adjustability, for simpler tuning
Whether or not you’re a professional enduro racer seeking to fine-tune setup in between follow & race runs, or an newbie rider seeking to get one of the best grip and really feel out of your bike, straightforward adjustability is good. However extra isn’t all the time higher. We’ve seen loads of suspension parts with 30-clicks, and little noticeable distinction on the path.
DVO assures that their new Prime circuit has been “meticulously tuned” to supply large adjustment vary. And tuned to ship actual management of your suspension. This isn’t for a set-it-and-forget-it rider, however somebody seeking to actually tweak their suspension setup relying on path situations and using fashion.
What’s new?
What we see new on the surface of Vojta’s DVO Topaz Prime shock are two all-new tool-free exterior dials for high- & low-speed compression adjustment, plus a redesigned low-speed rebound knob.
The massive inexperienced high-speed compression (HSC, for quick motion >500mm/second) circuit will get 10-clicks to regulate how supportive the bike is over “sudden g-outs, square-edge hits, and deep landings”. The smaller black low-speed compression (LSC, for slower shock motion of 1-500mm/second) circuit has simply 6-clicks to present you management over the overall ‘plush-to-supportive’ really feel of the suspension by most using.
DVO explains that the main target of the brand new Prime circuit redesign was to supply a large usable HSC adjustment vary that would “transfer elevated oil velocities with zero hydro-lock” to permit the suspension to “react shortly to quickly ever-changing path situations”. No small feat, as extra adjustability typically means oil stream is extra restricted at adjustment extremes.
Similar Prime adjustability for air & coil shocks
The great factor about the same piggyback compression circuit design of DVO’s air Topaz & coil Jade X shocks, is that they each can profit from the identical Prime damping adjustability replace.
The Jade X Prime coil will get the identical compression adjustability, plus its personal redesigned low-speed rebound adjustment dial on the different finish of the shock that’s straightforward to spin & really feel its detents with gloves.
Different purposeful shock efficiency upgrades
Each new DVO Topaz & Jade X shocks additionally profit from new development of their air bladder in that piggyback. A brand new materials for the bladder, redesigned seal, and new valve core ought to permit riders to make use of decrease pressures inside, and a wider vary of usable adjustability per rider to dial of their stage of help..
DVO says the decrease bladder pressures must also imply improved sturdiness and lowered stress loss over time, for extra constant efficiency. Formally, the bladder operation stress vary (140-180psi) is similar although, so we’d need to attempt it out to see.
Each up to date and carry-over Jade X & Topazes additionally get improved bushings meant to ship smoother stroke & higher sturdiness, even when a bit of body flex provides additional side-loading to the shocks. The MY24 Topaz collection additionally options “an up to date and outsized seal head and inside shaft, designed to additional improve efficiency and sturdiness”.
DVO Prime shock updates: Pricing, availability & choices
Each new DVO Topaz Prime air and Jade X Prime coil shocks can be found now for a similar $599 pricetag, transport worldwide. Developed to present professional and newbie mountain bikers extra management of their suspension, they’re usually out there in related sizes as their predecessors. Whereas the Primes are fifty bucks greater than the earlier technology, these earlier shocks additionally come down in value by one other fifty bucks making them extra inexpensive now, too.
In actual fact, the brand new Jade-X Prime provides a further new longer eye-to-eye size possibility for every Metric & Trunnion sizes. And whereas the Topaz Prime truly drops one eye-to-eye possibility every, it provides new stroke lengths to select from.
DVO additionally notes that the Prime shocks are a bit wider on the new controls. So, there are just a few bikes that might match the outdated shocks, however not these more-adjustable iterations. Examine their listing, and double-check your body for compatibility all through its journey.
