A year and a half ago, BYB Telemetry took to Kickstarter to get the first 50 of their professional-level DIY suspension analysis & tuning systems out to a broader audience. Now the Italian mountain bike suspension tinkerers are back with BYB Telemetry version 2.0 – offering higher & more precise data sampling, additional modular sensors to gather more key data, easier to use apps, and the same accessible pricing with further discounts for a limited time.
BYB Telemetry v2.0, pro-level suspension analysis for the privateer
Detailed suspension telemetry analysis has historically been pretty much limited to the absolute top level of mountain bike racing – with the cost & complication of data collection hardware & software analysis still out of reach of even many of the smaller teams & individual riders racing at the UCI MTB World Cup level. So what really drew us in to the first gen BYB Telemetry offering was its accessibility.
Sure, starting at 1400€ for a MTB setup this still isn’t for the average amateur mountain bike rider. But that’s a cost level that even small race teams can budget, and probably even something a collective of amateur racers might be able to go into together.
And beyond a price that’s less than a new set of race wheels, the real trick of BYB Telemetry v2.0 is the supposedly easy-to-use dedicated smartphone app and PC software that get you deep into data analysis to help you properly optimize your suspension setup.
We’re still not entirely sure how easy it will be to move from just collecting data and ogling a bunch of pretty graphs. But I’m pretty curious to give it a try, and see if someone without real deep suspension tuning experience can still benefit from telemetry analysis & optimization.
So what’s new in BYB Telemetry v2.0?
BYB’s techs tell us that the key upgrades in the second generation of their professional telemetry system boil down to a bump up to a faster 1000Hz sampling rate of sensor data, more sensors, more compact components on your bike, and updated software to manage it all.
Quicker data collection is good, but just as important are new brake sensors to better track braking impacts on suspension actuation and a new wheel speed sensor for more accurate time comparison from run-to-run when paired with the on-board GPS data.
BYB also says this helps really identify precise sections on course where a rider is losing or making up time – depending on their suspension setup (simply highlighting segments in red or green to show where improvement could be made.
In addition to a couple of more sensors, the core CNC-machined alloy BYB Telemetry v2.0 Acquisition Unit (the brains of the operation) gets a bit smaller & lighter, too. At the same time its capacity jumps up from 2 input channels to 10 to collect more data, and add future expansion capability. It still offers modular mounting to fit the telemetry tracking setup onto almost any DH, enduro, XC, e-bike, even MX bike.
BYB mobile & desktop software interface
Just like before both mobile & desktop apps let you analyze the collected BYB Telemetry data, but now the mobile app is updated for both iOS & Android and the desktop app for both Mac & Windows PCs. The software overhaul is said to deliver “more intuitive new charts” to visualize the impacts of suspension setup changes. And the “automatic-tuning” functionality has been overhauled for faster one-click setup suggestions to help make it easier for bike shops or rental shops to get new riders started more quickly.
From that, BYB says just three back-to-back data acquisitions runs are enough with relative setup adjustments after each run to properly set pressures, rebound & compression settings for a balanced setup. Of course, more data & more analysis will mean further optimization, especially to individual track conditions.
The last remaining key to BYB’s Telemetry setup is that their software is continuously evolving, and buyers of a kit now are promised regular over-the-air updates & new features over time at no extra cost.
How much does it cost & how fast can you get set up?
Generally, the second gen BYB Telemetry starter kits for mountain bikes sell for the same 1600€ as the original did after the initial crowdfunding run. But even that is available now for 200€ less if you act fast. The BYB Telemetry v2.0 – MTB Full kit with all of the newly added sensors retails for 1800€ complete, but again is offered now for a preorder sale that saves you 210€.
So does pre-order mean it’s not available yet? Well, not really. After some COVID-induced manufacturing delays from their northern Italian HQ at the base of Lago di Garda, BYB are now putting the final touches on the first full kits. They plan to ship pre-ordered kits out within the next week. You shouldn’t have to wait much longer to get your suspension dialed like a pro.
