Specialized Future Shock VS. Redshift ShockStop PRO Stem

Summary

In this video, the creator compares two suspension systems for bikes: the Future Shock and the Redshift ShockStop Stem. The Future Shock is a proprietary system with 20mm of compliance, integrated into certain Specialized bikes, while the Redshift ShockStop Stem is a versatile, easily swappable option. The video delves into the differences in feel, travel, and compatibility, with the creator favoring the Future Shock for its active ride feel but acknowledging the Redshift's flexibility and lighter weight. Ultimately, the comparison highlights the distinct advantages and trade-offs of each system for different bike setups.

Takeaways

• 😀 Specialized and Redshift offer front suspension solutions, but in different ways—Future Shock is proprietary, while the Shock Stop stem is adaptable to most bikes.
• 😀 Wider tires with lower pressures help reduce suspension losses, making them a popular choice for improved comfort and performance on rough terrain.
• 😀 The Future Shock system offers 20mm of front-end compliance using a coil spring, providing a linear spring rate and vertical translation.
• 😀 The Redshift Shock Stop stem provides 20mm of compliance but uses elastomers and a pivot mechanism, allowing it to be swapped between different bikes.
• 😀 The Future Shock is integrated into specialized bikes and cannot be added to other bikes, whereas the Shock Stop stem is a more flexible option for standard bikes with threadless stems.
• 😀 The Redshift Shock Stop stem feels like a flexible material, with progressive spring behavior, but only responds to force applied along the handlebar axis (forward and backward).
• 😀 The Future Shock offers more consistent compliance across various handlebar positions (hoods, drops, or tops), while the Shock Stop stem offers more travel when riding on the hoods and less on the drops.
• 😀 Both systems are designed to reduce low-amplitude, high-frequency vibrations, making rough trails less fatiguing for the rider, but they are not intended for absorbing large hits.
• 😀 The Future Shock tends to feel more active and better at smoothing out rumbles compared to the Shock Stop stem, but the latter is easier to install and swap between bikes.
• 😀 While the Future Shock system is proprietary and adds weight, the Redshift Shock Stop stem is lighter and more versatile, making it suitable for a wider range of riders and bikes.

Q & A

What is the main goal of the video?

The main goal of the video is to compare two bike suspension systems, the Specialized Future Shock and the Redshift Shock Stop Stem, in terms of performance, ride feel, and functionality.

Why is the presenter walking instead of riding a bike in the video?

The presenter is walking because they had a flat tire while shooting the video and didn't have the time to fix it, so they decided to proceed with the video on foot.

What does the presenter think about the adoption of wider tires in 2022?

The presenter believes that in 2022, most people have embraced the idea that wider tires, with lower pressures, are better for comfort and performance, as they don’t incur significant speed penalties.

How does the Future Shock suspension system work?

The Future Shock is a proprietary suspension system that offers 20mm of compliance in the front end of the bike, and it cannot be easily removed or added to bikes that don’t already have it.

What is unique about the Redshift Shock Stop Stem compared to the Future Shock?

The Redshift Shock Stop Stem is a modular system that uses elastomers and a pivoting mechanism to offer similar compliance to the Future Shock but can be swapped between bikes and adjusted with different elastomers.

How does the travel on the Redshift Shock Stop Stem change based on riding position?

The travel on the Redshift Shock Stop Stem is greater when riding in the hoods, as the force applied to the stem changes with the rider's position. In the drops, the travel is significantly reduced, and at the extreme, there is virtually no travel.

What does the presenter mean by 'progressive spring rate' in relation to the Shock Stop Stem?

The 'progressive spring rate' refers to how the Shock Stop Stem feels more flexible under load, similar to flexing a hockey stick. The elastomers used in the stem prevent bottoming out and offer a gradual increase in compliance based on force applied.

What are the major design differences between the Future Shock and the Shock Stop Stem?

The Future Shock uses a traditional coil spring and operates with up-and-down motion, while the Shock Stop Stem uses elastomers and a pivoting mechanism to provide compliance through rotation, offering different sensations depending on riding position.

Which system does the presenter prefer in terms of pure ride feel?

The presenter prefers the Future Shock in terms of pure ride feel, as it provides smoother compliance and a more active suspension feel compared to the Redshift Shock Stop Stem.

What is the downside of using both the Future Shock and the Shock Stop Stem on the same bike?

Using both the Future Shock and the Shock Stop Stem on the same bike would result in a super soft front end due to the combined spring rates, making the bike feel disconnected and less stable.

What makes the Redshift Shock Stop Stem more versatile than the Future Shock?

The Redshift Shock Stop Stem is more versatile because it can be easily swapped between different bikes, works with any standard fork and headset, and allows for elastomer customization, unlike the proprietary Future Shock system.

Does either suspension system perform better in terms of handling rough trails or absorbing big hits?

Neither system is designed to absorb big hits, but both perform well at reducing low amplitude, high-frequency chatter typical on rough trails, providing comfort and reducing rider fatigue.