Fox Live Valve Neo, Lauf's first MTB, the Mondraker Sly and Carbon Wasp's updated Truffle

The top tech stories of the week – all in one place.

Liam Mercer

Sep 28 2024

This week has hosted several prominent tech releases including the Lauf Elja mountain bike, Fox's wireless suspension adjustment, the new Truffle mountain bike from Carbon Wasp and Mondraker Sly e-MTB. We've also produced a brace of buyer's guides focussing on the best mountain bike jackets and sunglasses to help prepare you for winter.

Fox Live Valve is now completely wireless

Back in 2018, Fox shook up the market with its Live Valve system that adjusted suspension settings on the fly but used wires to achieve the fastest signal. Since then, it's been overshadowed by RockShox and its wireless Flight Attendant technology. This week, however, Fox unveiled its Live Valve Neo tech.

Live Valve Neo borrows the Neo protocol launched on the Transfer Neo dropper post which wirelessly communicates with sensors located at the front and rear of the bike, mounted near the brake calipers. It's an incredibly complicated bit of kit, so we'll leave the news to do the talking.

But for early impressions, check out the Fox Live Valve first ride review.

The Sly takes cues from Mondraker's Neat and Dune but builds it with an alloy frame

Lightweight e-mountain bikes are all the rage at the moment and Mondraker has bolstered its offering with the Sly. It's an e-MTB that utilises Bosch's SX motor and pairs it with a 400Wh battery. Additionally, it uses the same suspension travel, geometry and kinematic as the Neat but brings it all to a more accessibly priced alloy-frame platform.

For a deeper look, check out the news - Mondraker Sly e-MTB gets Bosch SX motor, 400Wh battery and alloy frame.

Lauf hasn't just dipped its toe into mountain biking, it's dived in head-first

Best known for its leaf-sprung forks on modern gravel bikes, Icelandic brand, Lauf, has entered the mountain bike market. Its first MTB, the Elja, is a cross-country bike that's every bit as 'Lauf' as you would expect. It runs 2.8in tyres, with space up to 3.0in rubber and, in a mental but incredibly clever move, it runs two bottom brackets – one where you would expect and the other acts as the suspension's pivot bearings.

The Elja spans eight models but is available in a focused XC build or a more trail friendly guise with a longer travel fork. But both bikes push lightweight, coming with wireless drivetrains across the board and RockShox's Reverb AXS dropper post.

Head over to the story for more - The Elja is Lauf's first MTB and runs 2.8in tyres.

The handmade Truffle from Carbon Wasp has been updated

Built by hand in Leeds, the Truffle from Carbon Wasp has been updated. It is the brand's XC/trail bike designed to be lightweight and efficient on the trail. The new updates include tweaks to the geometry and the company has made the suspension platform more progressive.

This time around, the bike gets loads of modern features, including downtube storage and customers can pick from coloured frame wraps.

For more, here's the news - Leeds-based carbon manufacturer Carbon Wasp updates Truffle.

We brought you the best jackets we've tested

Like it or not, winter is coming so you best get kitted up with a good jacket. Whether you're looking for waterproofing or insulation, we've got you covered as here are the best mountain bike jackets we've ridden and rated.

Best mountain bike jackets 2024.

And the best mountain bike sunglasses

Keeping your eyes safe is incredibly important, especially when traversing loose and technical mountain bike trails. A good pair of glasses can cover you throughout the year, providing comfort against the sun or protection against debris flung from your front wheel. We've collected the best sunglasses we've ridden to make buying your next pair simple.

Best mountain bike sunglasses 2024.

Author block

Liam Mercer

Tech Editor here at off.road.cc Liam can also be found photographing bikes as well as revelling in cycling's intricacies. Whether it's gravel, mountain, or e-MTB as long as it's a bike on dirt, he's happy.