Öhlins certainly has an interesting marketing strategy as they enter the mountain bike market. First, it looked as if Specialized was going to have an exclusive on the shocks starting with the 2014 Enduro Expert Evo and Demo 8. Shortly after that announcement, the Andreani Group released information via Facebook that listed shock sizes that would fit a number of bicycles other than Specialized. As an Italian distributor for Öhlins, there was some speculation that the Andreani Group could only sell the products throughout Italy.
Now, Öhlins suspension products for mountain bikes have surfaced from yet another company – this time in France. Not only that, but there are more bikes that have been added to the compatibility list as well as the new fork cartridges for Fox 40 and Rockshox Boxxer forks. In addition to acting as a full service suspension repair and tuning outfit, X1 Racing Suspension also sells a full line of suspension products which includes their newest partnership with Öhlins as an official distribution and service center. By the looks of things on X1’s Facebook page, numerous Öhlins shocks and fork cartridges are currently in stock.
What bikes will the new shocks fit? Details next…
Along with the shocks, X1 Racing is also offering the Öhlins fork cartridges for the Fox 40 and Rockshox Boxxer. Listed as a pressurized cartridge with a 22mm piston, the units offer two separate channels of adjustment (likely meaning low and high speed compression) plus customizable valving. Also first spotted on a Specialized Demo, it appears the question of whether the cartridges will be sold separately has been answered.
While many of the bikes were on the original compatibility list from the Andreani Group, an additional 10 bikes have been added including the Santa Cruz Nomad (2013-14), Evil, Mondraker, Nukeproof, and more. If you’re drooling on your keyboard and can’t wait to get one of these bad boys on your ride, don’t expect them to come cheap. The (now expired) introductory offer was for a TTX22 shock plus a titanium spring for €950 (about $1119). The current price according to the website after December 31 jumps up to €1,076 ($1268) with the shock only (no spring) selling for €816 ($961) and the TTX22 spring only offered for €75 ($88).
For more details email ohlinsmtb@x1-racing-suspension.com.
x1-racing-suspension.com
Thanks to Chris for the tip!
