Consumer electronics have created tiny batteries and control modules with a lot of endurance and functionality. Mountain bike suspension designers have recognised the potential of these, and the enhanced Flight Attendant system is created to be a true fit-and-forget riding experience. 

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Having analysed an avalanche of data, RockShox's engineers created the Adaptive Ride Dynamics algorithm, capable of harvesting all the riders and bike inputs required, to make the best possible suspension adjustments, in real-time, autonomously. 

The promise with RockShox’s latest generation Flight Attendant system is that riders, especially racers, are unburdened from having to trigger fork and shock lock-out settings. But there’s more. Adaptive Ride Dynamics software calculates what you need concerning pedalling dynamics, and adjusts the fork and rear shock, accordingly. 

2024 rockshox flight attendant shock.jpg, by Liam Mercer

How does work? An abundance of data delivers the most accurate Flight Attendant experience and riders who want to experience all the benefits of Adaptive Ride Dynamics, will need to be running an AXS drivetrain, SRAM/Quarq power meter. The system is not currently compatible with any other power meter or e-bikes. 

These are the suspension bits you need

True to its ecosystem-engineered configuration, you can only use Flight Attendant and Adaptive Ride Dynamics with RockShox suspension components. The fork options are SID Ultimate, SID SL Ultimate, Pike Ultimate, Lyrik Ultimate, and ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant. Only air-sprung rear dampers work with the system, those being SIDLuxe Ultimate and Super Deluxe Ultimate. 

As with all sophisticated sensor technology added to your mountain bike’s build, there are weight and battery considerations with the latest Flight Attendant system. The fork control module is 220g, with the shock controller weighing 308g. 

2024 rockshox flight attendant fork.jpg, by Liam Mercer

RockShox estimates that an operational Flight Attendant fork module battery will run 20-30 hours of riding on a charge, with the shock power unit being good for 30-40 hours. Pedal sensors are powered by AAA lithium batteries, with an estimated 200-hour ride cycle, while the spider-mounted power meter controller, with its CR2032 battery, should be good for similar riding endurance. 

In principle, the Flight Attendant system is about keeping fingers on the handlebars, brake levers, and shifters, instead of having to thumb or press a suspension lock-out. Experienced racers will know that when nearing their threshold, incorrect suspension selections happen, which can be disastrous in a race. 

Flight Attendant sets out to avoid incorrect suspension settings by reading terrain and rider effort, ensuring your RockShox suspension components are running open when they should, and lock out when needed. However, the Adaptive Ride Dynamics algorithm adds additional functionality beyond autonomous suspension adjustment in real-time. The algorithm recognizes which effort zone you are in and adjusts accordingly. 

By harvesting more than just terrain input data through the suspension sensors, Adaptive Ride Dynamics knows when you are in a sprint zone, locking out the suspension. As your output varies between high- and medium-effort zones, Adaptive Ride Dynamics create a more efficient or balanced suspension setting. Pedalling at a low-effort zone? Adaptive Ride Dynamics recognizes that you might need to recover and sets the suspension towards a fatigue-reducing comfort setting. 

How many adjustments does it make?

The SRAM AXS app allows adjustment and configuration settings for your entire system, including Flight Attendant. You can build a bike profile, personalize adjustment modes, view those Adaptive Ride Dynamics effort zones, and check battery levels, to ensure you don’t suffer an AXS or Flight Attendant power-out on the trail. There are override and battery-safe modes, to ensure system functionality and integrity. 

2024 rockshox flight attendant modes.jpg, by Liam Mercer

If you have a comprehensive AXS build on your XC, XCO, or downcountry bike, with a power meter, can you use Flight Attendant with Adaptive Ride Dynamics? Not necessarily. RockShox has tested the system and graded several bikes as compatible with the total system, with rear-suspension mounting points and clearances being a crucial issue. 

Canyon’s Lux Trail and Lux World Cup (2023 onwards) will work. So will Mondraker’s F-Podium, from the 2023 model year and up. Orbea’s 2020-2023 Oiz and Oiz TRs are compatible, and so is Pivot’s March 4 SL V3 (2023 onwards). The 2022 to current Santa Cruz Blur and Blur TR are compatible, so is Specialized’s Epic EVO, if it is a 2020-2023 frame. 

Flight Attendant damper adjusts in five milliseconds. To contextualise that, in the blink of an eye, it makes 80 suspension state decisions, having considered data inputs from rider and terrain. How much adjustment is that on an average ride or race? RockShox has tested the Flight Attendant system, guided by Adaptive Ride Dynamics, during a 90-minute UCI XCO World Cup race, where it made 1325 suspension adjustments.

• www.sram.com

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