Ohlins is a name known world over in the realm of suspension, even in the mountain bike world with their co-developed Double Barrel shock with Cane Creek. Now, in an exclusive partnership, Specialized is bringing more Ohlins technology to the gravity word with their all new TTX rear shock. Spotted a number of times under Specialized’ team riders, the new shock will be available on Demo 8s and the Enduro Evo for 2014. Thanks to the twin tube design, Ohlins promises to bring more control, performance, and adjustability to downhill riders.
Dial it in, next.
With the bright yellow spring as a dead giveaway, the Ohlins shock is also characterized by the horizontal reservoirs on the shock body. Built with Ohlins’ patented twin tube design, the system separates compression and rebound damping with an internal Nitrile Bladder that keeps the system running cooler. The bladder also helps to reduce system pressure and cavitation which is the formation of bubbles in the damping oil.
The shock offers a number of adjustments with 16 Low speed compression, 3 high speed compression, and 7 low speed rebound adjustments. In order to keep everything running smoothly the shock features a spherical bearing mount at the front shock mount to allow the shock to rotate slightly when under side load which improves handling through choppy corners.
As of now, you will only find the Ohlins TTX22M on specialized bikes, and only on the Enduro Expert Evo and Demo 8 Series. Still featuring 26″ wheels, the new Enduro Evo jumps up to 180mm of travel front and rear with the Ohlins TTX22M and Fox 36 Vanilla RC2 Kashima. Drivetrain duties are taken care of with an X01 group propelled by a SRAM s-2200 carbon crank with a 34t “XX1 style ring.” The Enduro Evo will also be equipped with the all new Command Post IR dropper post with internally routed remote line. The rest of the Enduro line stays at 165mm travel for the 26″ models and 155mm for the 29ers.
The Enduro Expert Evo will retail for $5,800.
On the Demo side, the S-Works carbon Demo 8 and the alloy Demo 8 II will also be sporting the Ohlins TTX22m. Both bikes (a first for the alloy version) continue the use of a 135mm rear end with a custom 7 speed 9-20 micro cassette with SRAM X0 drivetrain.
Really, the Demo 8 II is almost a carbon copy of the carbon S-Works Demo, only with an aluminum frame. There is a difference in price as well, with the S-Works Demo retailing for $8,500 and the alloy version a slightly more attainable $6,600.
Of course the TTX22M will also be available through the purchase of a Demo frame – in your choice of carbon or aluminum. Both frames include a SRAM PF30-BSA83mm adapter if you dont have a PF30 DH 83mm BB at your disposal, along with a Thomson alloy straight post, seat post clamp, headset, derailleur protector, and the carbon frame including Fox 40 fork bumpers in the box. It is not mentioned if these frames are 135 or 150mm spacing for the rear – we’re looking into it.
The S-Works Demo 8 carbon frame will retail for $3,500 with the alloy $700 less at $2,800.
All images ©Wil Matthews / Specialized, used with permission.
