Now with over 25 years of Italian Racing heritage, Formula continues to refine their product line and offer a number of components with impressive designs. For 2015 the company has introduced a new brake that is essentially a more affordable version of the RO along with changes to their suspension forks which probably don’t get the recognition they deserve. We’ve seen much of the new tech out at Sea Otter, but there are few new details after the break…
When Formula introduced the R0 brake it was the first production bicycle brake to use oval piston calipers. The wider shape supposedly provides more braking power than 4 piston brakes, but keeps the weight and durability more similar to two piston brake calipers. The CR3 continues the use of oval pistons but builds them into a more economical package thanks to the Master Cylinder Cartridge Technology (MCCT) that was first seen on the C1. The result of the design is a brake with “DH stopping power” but at trail/am brake weight and a lower price point.
The use of a cartridge for the radial mounted master cylinder helps keep the price down and the cartridge itself can be replaced for service. The CR3 includes a number of adjustments that allow riders to fine tune the feel of the brake including an interchangeable pushrod bushing in the lever that allows adjustment of the push rod angle. The more off-center the angle of the push rod is, the more progressive the brake’s lever feel will be. There is also an optional two piece Progressive Lever Adjust (PLA) blade that has a tool free leverage adjuster for on the fly adjustments.
Coming in at 345g for the caliper, 85cm hose, 160mm rotor, and mounting hardware, the calipers have an equivalent piston size of 24mm and ship with sintered pads stock. The brakes ship with Speedlock standard which has been redesigned for 2015 to be smaller and lighter and completely hidden under the dust cover. Price is TBD but the brakes are starting to ship now.
The big news for their suspension forks is new sizes for the forks including a 27.5″ specific 33. At Sea Otter Formula wasn’t sure on the addition of the middle sized fork, but for 2015 they have phased out the 26″ size in favor of the 27.5 and 27.5″ EX model at 100-120 adn 130-140mm of travel. The same travel options will be available in the 33 model for 29″ wheels as well.
The 35 (33 and 35 refer to the size of the stanchion in mm) model will have new EX long travel options in 170-180mm for the 27.5″ and 150-160mm for the 29″ fork.
The longer travel 35 forks use a sturdier crown and steel impregnated bushings for increased durability compared to the polymeric bushings found in the 33.
The damping assembly includes a new compression disc that controls the speed of the oil flow during high speed compression. Available in 3 different flow rates, the disc can be changed without the need for bleeding the cartridge – which is a good thing since the forks have an impressive 100 hour service interval. The compression circuit is designed for use with OJ Racing Oil which is super light in viscosity. Just like the Ballistol oil in the air chamber, using the correct oil is very important on Formula forks.
All of the forks are compatible with Formula’s Remote Cartridge Control which is their name for a remote lockout. Instead of using a hydraulic hose or cable, the system simply uses a rigid tube that twists the lockout open or closed. The 7 position lockout adjusts compression to full lockout all with an easily installed system that is extremely light.
