I put two Ohlins on his Turbo Levo and…
Calm down, calm down: background first.
Some time ago I happened to test an e-MTB with Ohlins suspension and in particular the Ohlins RXF 38 fork, and I was really impressed.
As soon as that test ended, I asked Andreani Group to have the “magic combo”, i.e. a 160 mm RXF 38 29″ and a TTX 22 shock available for a test.
In the lower part, however, the rebound knob (15 clicks).
“And which bike would you mount them on?” Frankie Munno of Andreani asked me.
It is at that point that I think of one of my outing companions, Luigi Morelli, who has a long-lasting relationship with off-road, on and off the pedals.
He has a very basic Specialized Turbo Levo G2 in aluminium, on which a pair of suspensions of this level would certainly have left their mark.
So, I send Andreani the correct specifications and within a few weeks… it’s Christmas for Luigi!
Needless to tell you his enthusiasm, even if he had already tasted some level upgrades on his “more or less minimal” Turbo Levo.
So, this is the background and now let’s go to the last outing, the one during which we recorded the following video…
I put two Ohlins on his Turbo Levo…
…and the benefits were immediately evident.
Most significant is the ability of the wheels to maintain contact with the ground, thanks to the extreme sensitivity of the fork and, of course, the shock spring.
The smoothness of the fork is something that amazed me too when I tested it on an aluminum Mondraker Crafty.
And I imagined what a spring shock absorber could do on an e-MTB…
Luigi was very precise, also listening to my indicators: the rear spring improves the bike’s ability to overcome obstacles.
Like loose stones, rocks, steps and roots.
In fact, it is so fluid as to significantly reduce the micro-jamming that every obstacle represents for the wheels.
Not only fluidity, but also precision
And I am not referring only to that which derives from structural solidity, but to that which comes from hydraulics.
Every click is felt, especially on the fork.
And it is precisely on the fork that one appreciates the ease with which it is possible to decide the “character” of the fork itself in compression, especially towards the limit switch.
Goodbye tokens and adjustments, yes, practical, but coarse and welcome more precise and even faster adjustments (just the air pump).
It looks like a motorcycle!
Such a statement was easily predictable, especially if you have a test like this done by an enduro motorcycle enthusiast.
And in fact I asked Luigi for precise feedback on the behavior of the Ohlins TTX 22 spring shock absorber.
The answer was clear: it would also be useful on the bike…
Just choose the right spring and make the two-three basic adjustments suggested by Ohlins and you’re practically set.
Then, if you have particular sensitivity and needs, you can go much further, thanks also to the possible support that Andreani technicians can give you.
Support of the highest level, provided however that you give them clear indications.
How much does all this cost?
Of course, like all things, there is a price to pay and, in the case of fine things, the price is high.
Indeed the fork Ohlins RXF 38 it costs 1485€ + VAT, that is 1811,70€while the shock absorber Ohlins TTX 22without spring, costs 828€ + VAT or 1010,16€ to which it is necessary to add the spring whose cost is €105 + VAT, or €128.10, and the bush (only one in the case of the Turbo Levo), €15 + VAT, or €18.3.
Certainly demanding as an upgrade and, on balance, not within everyone’s reach, but we are talking about Ohlins, that is the suspension brand that is the reference for everyone in the world of motor racing.
And in the Mtb field, which he entered only 10 years ago, he has already received results and appreciations of the highest level.
Who do we recommend these suspensions to?
As Luigi said in the conclusions of the video, these Ohlins suspensions are not intended only for the big enthusiasts and the most demanding, i.e. for all those who know how to perceive small changes in the hydraulics, because, respecting the basic indications for the setup, it is very easy to quickly get to feel immediate benefits in driving and therefore become a profitable upgrade even for the less experienced.
Immediate benefits that translate, first of all, into greater confidence in drivinggreater safety and, in general, greater driving satisfaction.
It’s an upgrade that doesn’t come cheap, it’s true, but if you intend to keep your Mtb or e-Mtb for a long time, this is a way to make it truly special.
But that’s not all: I’ll soon be offering some other delicacies to my buddy on outings, but not before I’ve tried it myself.
Where the mayor… ????
Here all our articles on the e-Mtb world
For information AndreaniGroup.com
