RockShox Flight Attendant learns as you ride!

If you're eagle-eyed when watching the world's best do battle on the World Cup, you will have spotted RockShox Flight Attendant, maybe even a year ago. What some commentators hurriedly dismissed as timing transponders attached to forks and shocks of SRAM-sponsored teams was in fact the next step in the AXS family of integrated wireless systems on mountain bikes.

So it's electronic lock out?

In a simple term – yes. But that's not really that new. Cannondale did that with ELO what, two decades ago? What RockShox Flight Attendant does in the XCO space is much, much more advanced. It has the ability to take your decision making process out of the compression damping settings on your suspenion while redlining during races or just riding trails. Not only will it react to your input and work rate, Flight Attendant will learn from past rides as well.

This all sounds a little bit big brother, but SRAM have stated that Flight Attendant doesn't use AI that will take control, that it is all based on a very complex algorithm. And one that you can still turn off, or change the bias via the SRAM AXS app.

The system goes online August 4th, 1997. Human decisions are removed from strategic defense. Skynet begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, August 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the plug.

All jokes aside, there is a fair bit going on here. In the automatic mode, Flight Attendant will choose when the increse the compression damping in your forks or shock. Maybe more one end or the other – which isn't possible with the majorty of cable actuated lock outs unless you have three arms and run different levers for your fork and shock. And of note, SkyNet Flight Attendant is just for full-suspension bikes.

To do all of this, Flight Attendant needs input, and it needs its partner AXS components, such as a rear derailleur and shifter. For the fully automatic options you need a SRAM/Quarq powermeter, as the responses to compression damping are based on your input. Smashing the watts? Better firm it up! Zero pedalling? Time to keep it open for the big sends. Low input? We'll keep it open for comfort and traction.

The Charger dampers and SID shocks wtill have three positions: Open, Pedal and Lock. While it can rapidly (think, 5 milliseconds) make the changes to compression damping it's not doing anything like increasing or decreasing spring rate, changing LSC or rebound. But that's not to say it won't do that in the future. 

Of course, there are many nuances that may change that, and you can adapt the bias via the SRAM AXS app – and you can let the system learn how you ride.

ADAPTIVE RIDE DYNAMICS 

Data is good but control is better. Adaptive Ride Dyanmics compiles the data from your previous rides to precisely calculate your personalized Effort Zones. SRAM have stated that the algorithm continually collects fresh data and automatically updates as you ride. Given the system uses your power output as a metric, it needs to adapt. So, as you get stronger, Adaptive Ride Dynamics adapts. 

Of course, if you did bulk training on another bike, it may need to catch up. Similarly, if you leant your bike out to a mate (which is nice of you, as it won't be a cheap bike) the ride dynamics will adapt. But you can reset your bias via the app to get things refreshed, or just disable Adaptive Ride Dynamics it if you were to loan your bike out.

All told though – this is freaking cool. The SRAM crew monitored Nino Schurters bike at a World Cup, where it made 1325 changes to his suspension's compression settings in the race, which was under one and. ahalf hours. It would be easy to suggest that the time saving from decision making, and how much slower we are in actuating the changes manually, would add up to true race winning differences. This is not far-fetched at all.

Can I retrofit RockShox Flight Attendant to my bike?

Maybe, but only if it's very new with 2024 suspension or you're willing to update but a number of manufacturers are compatible at the time of launch. Specialized are leading the way with their new S Works Epic, wtih Flight Attendant equipped units as stock. 2024 SID SL Ultimates and SID SLs will feature the updated Charger 2 Race Day dampers with Flight Attendant, as will the SidLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant rear shock.

Currently, those units will fit on these bikes:

Canyon Lux Trail 2023 and beyond
Canyon Lux World Cup 2023 and beyond
Mondraker F-Podium 2023 and beyond
Orbea Oiz 2020-2023
Orbea Oiz TR 2020-2023
Pivot Mach 4 SL 2023 and beyond
Santa Cruz Blure 2022 and beyond
Santa Cruz Blur LT 2022 and beyond
Specialized Epic Evo 2020-2023

Does it weigh more? What if my battery dies?!

SRAM state that on an XC bike you'll be adding about 220g while on a Trail bike it will be a bit over 300g. But for the trade off in fiddling with suspension – that seems fair!

In the case of a flat battery the system stays open – ready to ride. Given the batteries are a standard AXS battery you could consider moving one from a dropper post or derailleur, but with the suspension open we'd rather keep the dropper and gears!

Our take

We've looked over the press release and thought about how and when riders need to, or should use their compression damping settings. With that in mind, this is an absolutely amazing product development – and one that will give athletes and serious riders an edge when racing or pushing themselves out on a ride. But let's be honest, every single mountain biker would find the Flight Attendant system advantageous. Just like they would benefit from electronic or wireless shifting, simple 1x drivetrains, better wheel systems… the list goes on. It's just not in reach for everyone yet.

Right now, Flight Attendant is a supremely premium product. And that's fine, that is where it starts. But if we look at how SRAM have moved their AXS shifting down their product line in both road and off-road group sets, there is scope for the same to happen with Flight Attendant equipped suspension products. But it may not be to the same degree.

To get the most out of the system you need a power meter, or a pedal sensor. You can use the manual setup and use a left hand AXS pod to toggle between modes, but you're kind of missing the best bits – a bike that freakin' learns! (Not SkyNet though).

From here we are likely to see more frame designs released with compatability for the shocks. Depending on the frame design, and size, the larger unit with the battery could impede bottle placement, and for now we all still need water to operate. Kudos to SRAM for using existing AXS batteries that have been around for many years, but it's not the most svelte look on the fork or shock. It sure beats increasing e-waste so that is a minor point, and not a concern.

The new Flight Attendant sounds incredible, but we'll reserve judgement until we get a chance to ride on it. Make no mistake it is a premium product, but as a product to simplify our riding experience, it's a winner. We just look forward to seeing it appear on more bikes into the future, as mountain biking continues to grow.