Cheers Joel! I just checked out that prototype shock - that looks very tidy, and it seems that Fox is on the same page as us 😲 Very curious to see where the development of that goes, but I can see a shock-only system being very appealing for trail/enduro riders. [Wil]

Thanks for the feedback mate, glad you're enjoying the reviews! That's a good question on the standard lockout vs Live Valve. Most of Giant/Liv's World Cup athletes are off Live Valve and onto the standard suspension setup with a lockout, which I suspect comes down to weight and the fact that you don't get a complete lockout with Live Valve. As someone who is definitely not a World Cup athlete, I personally prefer the automated platform that Live Valve brings, and the fact that you don't have to think about toggling a lockout lever. You'll never descend with the suspension accidentally locked out, and I find that I can use the spare brain power to focus on riding, rather than wondering what points I should lock or unlock my suspension. I also like that the firm platform still provides a small degree of comfort and traction compared to a full lockout. In my experience, that makes Live Valve more appropriate on technical singletrack climbs, which you'd otherwise have to make a decision to be fully locked out or fully open with the manual version. You'll be stoked on the Anthem whichever way you decide to go, and you'll be able to adapt to either setup, so I don't think there's a right or wrong answer. Hope that helps, but just shout out if you've got any other questions mate! [Wil]

🙏🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

I think if there was a way to limit the fork to just the Open and Pedal settings (getting rid of the Lock setting entirely), that would be a useful option for trail riding. Perhaps RockShox will roll out some updated functions in the future? [Wil]

Cheers Sandy, and great question! I'm generally a 'sit & spin' kind of climber, so unless I'm on a really inefficient big travel bike, I'll typically leave my suspension open while climbing, particularly the fork. What I find captivating about Live Valve and Flight Attendant is that they both bring an added platform to climbing that I normally wouldn't experience. In both cases, this added platform increases efficiency and general responsiveness to body inputs, while also improving the seated climbing position and providing more ground clearance. The result is that the systems encourage you to put more effort in, because there's more reward for your inputs. It's great, but I always found myself being absolutely spent at the end of the ride on either of these bikes 😂 Another note on climbing; the platform between the two systems is noticeably different. Flight Attendant is pretty much locked out on smoother climbs, whereas the 'Firm' position with Live Valve is more of a heavy compression setting, so there's a little more give with Live Valve on those smoother climbs. It does depend on the bike you're riding, since the Live Valve 'tune' varies from bike to bike. But with the Trance and Anthem test bikes, I generally found it to be more comfortable and easier to get into a rhythm on the climbs compared to the fully locked-out feel of Flight Attendant. [Wil]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZfaq that is an interesting observation regarding reward for effort on climbs with these suspension systems and yet another example of how new technology is constantly changing us and the way we ride

Thanks very much mate, appreciate the kind words! [Wil]

Curious to hear more about your experience with Flight Attendant on the Spectral:ON Glenn! What benefits do you think the system brings to the bike? Any downsides? [Wil]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZfaq Hi Will the initial step was so simple. I run it slightly open minus 2. I like a more open feel. Its a set and forget suspension. I have been riding lots of rocky stuff and a lot of big hits but have never bottomed out. It took a little while to get used to the noises but hardly hear them now. Riding with others have had a few comments about robotic noises coming from the bike. The best part in undulating ground not having to reach for the lever all the time. It locks out on smoother surfaces but responds very quickly to rougher ground. I let the system do all the hard work and enjoy the ride. The batteries last for several 60 k rides before needing a charge. All in all I am very happy with the flight attendant. Keep up the great content. I look forward to your videos and read a lot of your reviews.

Thanks mate, glad you're enjoying the Flow reviews! Most of this video was shot at the La Larr Ba Gauwa MTB Park in Harcourt. Great spot! [Wil]

Cheers mate! Those Renthal bars are stock equipment on the YT Jeffsy Uncaged 6. Pretty snazzy bike! [Wil]

If you pedal aggressively while standing front fork bobs a lot and part of effort goes into that. But yeah if sitting particularly with a nice fork with separate slow and high speed compression it is fine wide open. Rear shock is where most of the benefit is no doubt.

The future!

Us too! We can imagine RockShox expanding the Flight Attendant concept to a broader range of bikes in the future - an XC version would be awesome, and we'd love to see a Scott-specific version to get rid of the TwinLoc remote and associated cables. [Wil]

Most of the footage was shot at the La Larr Ba Gauwa MTB park in Harcourt, Victoria. [Wil]

@@FlowMountainBikeKZfaq Thanks! They look amazing and multifaceted!

Both of these systems are made for racers trying to squeeze out those last few seconds on their run. For them it definitely makes sense. For mortals it’s just another gadget.

errrr..... Technology!!!..... always ruining the sport!!! You should also stop using a derailleur.... When they came out people using them were called cheaters..... are you one of them? Never use your bike lights if you wish...who wants batteries anyway... who needs a dropper post??.... it just makes things more complicated.... Heck lets just stop updating bike geometries or the manufacturing techniques. Lets keep riding cast iron or wood bikes; who needs advanced alloys and carbon fibre!

@@dan1one ....could have just called me a Luddite.....

It is interesting tech that might become mainstream at some point. Chill.

@@Pienimusta But in the case of the Trance X, the two big reviews from Pinkbike and Flow only talked about the Livevalve, and there was no real way to discuss the bike itself, it was almost as if the whole bike was just Livevalve? My point is the difference between this and normal bikes that these provide often become the focus of many bike reviews, because obviously Giant wants them to try the top of the line, but you can't feel the bike without Livevalve

Funny- I know people who live in trailer courts, work at the local auto shop and buy $15,000+ MX Bikes, $15,000+ snowmobiles etc. to each their own fella! Plus, dentists are mostly triathletes no?😂