DH World Champ Valentina Höll obtained a brand new TY Tues simply in time for the beginning of the 2024 World Cup season, so we thought we’d monitor it down for a Professional Bike Test. However, it’s kitted out with all-new BlackBox Flight Attendant prototype gravity suspension from RockShox – a RockShox BlackBoxxer fork – so we couldn’t formally get the bike for a full photoshoot. As a substitute, we lurked across the World Cup pits, begin line, and alongside the racetrack to get a more in-depth look…
YT Tues adjustable carbon DH bike of World Champ Vali Höll
YT simply launched the newest evolution of their carbon Tues mk4 DH bike a few weeks again. And fortunate for her, it already got here in white to match her equipment. All she wanted had been some rainbow accents. YT simply added a easy rainbow Tues decal behind the seattube. And RockShox managed to high it off with a particular World Champ BlackBox version of their not too long ago up to date Boxxer.
What makes a RockShox BlackBoxxer fork?
The white and rainbow stripes are good, however what about these 38mm gold stanchions? RockShox says that it’s truly the identical precise low-friction onerous anodized coating that they offer to all Final-level forks. Solely this time in gold for the World Champion.
For many who are questioning, it’s positively not Kashima. And side-by-side (on bikes cropped out of the identical photograph), it’s clear that RockShox BlackBox gold has a barely extra yellow/orange tint to it vs. the bronze of Fox. However the RockShox gold is prone to keep World Champ-only.
Colours are simply there to distract you from the truth that this RockShox BlackBoxxer is a Flight Attendant-equipped DH fork. It’s the primary gravity fork to get Flight Attendant, for the reason that path tune of the Zeb when Flight Attendant first debuted. We simply noticed an all-new Vivid Coil and Vivid air shocks turning up with a brand new computerized gravity-tune. So now it looks as if a Boxxer Final Flight Attendant fork will spherical out the combination for computerized digital suspension management from XC to DH!
It’s additionally price noting that Höll has the 2-button lefthand AXS controller on her bar that now permits for Override Mode to vary suspension modes if she wants one thing completely different on the fly than what Flight Attendant is considering.
RockShox BlackBox Vivid Coil Flight Attendant to match!
We solely actually noticed the title Vivid on a RockShox coil shock final week, however we suspect that’s what’s hiding beneath the BlackBox stickers on Höll’s Flight Attendant coil shock. Rumor has it that this new BlackBox coil is extra tunable by way of customizable shim stacks vs. the Tremendous Deluxe Coil. On the surface they appear remarkably related, so I’ll be curious to be taught extra as soon as SRAM formally releases them.
And naturally, once more we now have AXS battery-powered digital Flight Attendant computerized suspension management to match the BlackBoxxer fork.
Quarq MTB DUB-spindle energy meter?
One neat function we noticed added with XC Flight Attendant earlier this spring, is that Höll’s bike wouldn’t want a separate pedaling sensor, if it has an influence meter. And it doesn’t have the common pedal sensor within the BB spindle. As a substitute, there seems to be the Quarq AXS transmitter from a DUB-Pwr energy meter connected on the driveside crank arm. But, SRAM doesn’t but provide a Quarq energy meter spindle improve for any of their MTB cranksets.
And there doesn’t look like any Quarq electronics within the non-driveside BB spindle.
So maybe, this Quarq AXS transmitter is only a smaller, easier resolution for a pedaling sensor?
World Champion Construct
Moreover the key RockShox BlackBoxxer stuff, Höll was racing the contemporary monitor with Continental Argotal tires mounted to alloy DT Swiss FR1500 wheels with Peaty’s valves and sealant inside.
She was operating a mechanical SRAM X01 DH groupset with its 7-speed mini block cassette, carbon cranks, and Crankbrothers Mallet DH clipless pedals.
Her cockpit is a 35mm Renthal Fatbar with an identical bolt-on stem, Ergon GDH Crew grips, and an Ergon SM Downhill Professional Titanium saddle mounted to a Thomson seatpost. Ample stopping energy comes from SRAM’s new strongest ever 4-piston Maven Final brakes in splatter pink ano.
Powerful luck in Poland, however a stable end
Höll didn’t have one of the best luck on the Szczryk mountain monitor on the Bielsko-Biała DH World Cup. In her qualifying run she broke her chain on the beginning ramp, however as a protected rider didn’t need to stress. Semis went properly with a quick time that meant she was the final Elite Lady to start out the finals.
Then, absolutely dedicated to a high-speed flip within the higher portion of the monitor, Höll washed out her entrance tire in one of many fast-changing moist ruts and ended up on the bottom. Nonetheless, she stayed composed, obtained again on the bike, and managed a stable sixth place end.
Adequate to maintain her in 1st within the general standings heading into Leogang in a pair weeks.
One other week with that #1 quantity plate on her RockShox BlackBoxxer fork.
