{"id":158376,"date":"2017-05-03T09:13:32","date_gmt":"2017-05-03T07:13:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/?p=158376\/"},"modified":"2017-05-03T09:13:32","modified_gmt":"2017-05-03T07:13:32","slug":"first-ride-the-new-formula-selva-fork","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mtb-mag.com\/en\/first-ride-the-new-formula-selva-fork\/","title":{"rendered":"[First Ride] The New Formula Selva Fork"},"content":{"rendered":"

[ad3]<\/p>\n

During the Bike Festival, we had the new Formula Selva enduro fork, installed on our Specialized Enduro 29<\/a> which we use for long term testing. We took the chance to ride it for three days on the Garda trails, with the assistance of official mechanics. Before checking its behavior, let\u2019s have a look at the characteristics of this fork.<\/p>\n

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Details<\/h3>\n
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\u2022 Diameter (\u00d8): 35mm<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Material: 7075 Aluminum<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Finish: Hard Anodized Black<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Damping Adjustments: Drop \u2013 In Cartridge with Internal Floating Technology<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Rebound: 21 Click Adjustment<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Compression: High and Low Speed 12 Click Adjustment<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Compression Curve Adjustable with Compression Tuning System (optional)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Lockout: Crown Mounted standard<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Remote cartridge control optional<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Spring Type: Air Spring (w\/5cc Ballistol Oil)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Negative Spring: Steel (Dual Coil Technology)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u2022 Fork Offset (Rake): 46mm for 27.5 \/\/ 51mm for 27.5 Plus & 29<\/div>\n
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\u2022 Max Rotor Size: 203mm<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Weight:<\/strong><\/div>\n
Standard \u2013 1940g<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Extended \u2013 1945g<\/div>\n
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For the most part, MTB forks offer air spring curve adjustments and then up to 4 damping adjustments via\u00a0high and low speed compression and rebound.<\/p>\n

If you look closely, you can see the size and number of orifices vary from left to right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The new CTS (compression tuning system) is, in our words a bit of a plug and play, drop in style tuning system for compression damping on the Selva forks. Basically, with a quick 5 minute swap, an allen key, a box end wrench and Formula\u2019s special pin spanner.<\/p>\n

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A quick removal of the blue knob above allows access to drop in the CTS valve of your choice.<\/p>\n

Orange and Green \u201cSpecial\u201d tunes which just became available.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The \u201cspecial\u201d tunes are race oriented and feature a lot more support in the early to mid travel while not sacrificing any high speed\/impact support. Our contact at Formula hinted at the option for custom, individualized tunes based on rider weight, preference, ability, riding style etc\u2026.<\/p>\n

The pin spanner partially installed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Damping curves for the 5 current CTS options.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

[ad12]<\/p>\n

Settings<\/h2>\n

We tried 2 CTS valves among the 5 available: first of all we tried the blue one, which is the standard installed by the factory. It is important to emphasize\u00a0that the valves have nothing to do with volume reducers (aka: tokens), which are used to reduce the volume of the positive chamber thus changing the air spring curve. Valves are aimed at adjusting the damping\u00a0and therefore the overall behavior of the fork through hydraulics as opposed to pneumatics.<\/p>\n

With the Selva, you need to change the amount of oil in order to adjust the bottom out resistance. We used the standard amount of 5ml with both valves, so as not to have too many variables during the test.<\/p>\n

After the first day, we went back to the Formula stand, where the mechanics politely changed the blue valve with the green one, since we were soaked wet and freezing after a descent in the rain. It took them only 5 minutes to replace the valve, below you can see how it\u2019s done.<\/p>\n