How RockShox Tests and Develops Suspension, and Why Service Intervals Matter

Chris Mandell is the North American Public Relations Manager for SRAM where he's worked for the past 8 years. He currently lives and rides in Bellingham, Washington. 

• Is mountain biking suspension harder to design than say suspension for cars or motorcycles? What's different?
• How much of RockShox testing is real world vs. lab based?
• Is shock heat management important for the average rider?
• What is the advantage of larger diameter fork stanchions?
• What's the idea behind the electronic suspension controls in SRAM Flight Attendant?
• Why aren't there more inverted fork designs?
• What are some common misunderstandings about mountain bike suspension?
• Are suspension designers as focused on reducing weight as they have been in the past? By loosening weight requirements, what improvements can be made?
• What's your method for setting up a new fork?
• Which suspension innovations are you most stoked about?

A full, edited transcript is available at singletracks.com.

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