Whereas mountain bike forks & shocks may not be the very first thing you consider when somebody says DT Swiss, the distinctive position-sensitive damping and mini-coil+air know-how contained in the 535 suspension household has been delivering supple DT path and all-mountain efficiency for five years now. A few of that tech is even licensed by one of many 2 largest MTB suspension makers. And now an upgraded 535 household is even higher, with extra refined damping, greater quantity air springs, and a brand new extra reasonably priced 535 model to enrich the top-tier 535 One.
DT Swiss 535 MTB suspension fork & shock
The brand new 535s look fairly a bit totally different – with new extra typical crown designs that make 35mm stanchion fork setup and adjustment extra simple – however contained in the applied sciences are for probably the most half conceptually unchanged. However that’s probably not a draw back – DT’s mountain bike suspension has quietly been innovating for many years as a small fish within the large suspension sport.
The 535 already launched two spectacular core applied sciences again in 2018 – the Plushport that varies compression damping by the fork’s journey, and Coilpair the place a tiny coil shock works along with the primary air spring to ship instantly supple journey that counteracts air spring seal stiction, consuming up tiny path chatter.
Plushport up to date position-specific compression damping
One of many first core updates of the brand new DT Swiss mountain bike forks is a refined evolution of the Plushport of their proper leg damper cartridge.
A patented collection of oil ports contained in the low-speed compression circuit of the 535 One & 535, Plushport permits compression damping to be open for roughly the primary 1/3 of the fork’s journey so that you get unmatched small bump sensitivity and optimum traction. However then because the fork compresses, that Plushport is steadily closed, stiffening up the fork to withstand path impacts for extra assist by the center and finish of fork journey. And as soon as totally closed, the Plushport successfully diverts oil within the damper by the high-speed compression damping circuit as an alternative making for a progressive, bottomless really feel that DT says enhances the revised large-volume air springs.
Successfully, the progressive Plushport compression damping ought to will let you experience the 535 forks with regular low air spring strain, and profit from additional small bump management and plush early journey, whereas sustaining assist within the center journey which you utilize more often than not out on the path, and smoother bottom-out safety as you push the fork to its restrict.
The highest 535 One forks pair the Plushport damper with ODL 3-position compression damping lock-out remotes, whereas the usual 535 retains it easier with OL 2-position open or locked levers.
Coilpair mixture between coil & air spring advantages
Within the left leg, DT Swiss will get somewhat inventive (a minimum of on the 535 One) by combing a coil spring and an air spring for the perfect of each worlds – their patented Coilpair.
The tiny ~25mm lengthy metal coil spring doesn’t add a lot weight, however because it begins to maneuver instantly and linearly when any power impacts the axle, the little coil eliminates the lag of an air shock that should overcome seal stiction. Collectively, the Coilpair (coil + air) each work to clean out the primary 30mm of fork journey. Working side-by-side with the Plushport within the oil damper facet, the result’s higher small bump sensitivity with out having to run additional low strain or undergo from compromised mid-travel assist & pedaling effectivity to get actual sensitivity.
Look a bit nearer on the Coilpair tech, and like us you may discover that it seems to be related in idea to a Buttercup – that’s as a result of the DT Swiss patented design is licensed by RockShox for his or her premium path and all-mountain forks, too. So, regardless that DT makes lots fewer forks than RockShox, you’ll have already from benefited from DT Swiss suspension improvement tech.
Different Tech Particulars
Past the refined Plushport in all of the 535 household forks, and the Coilpair carrying-over to the highest 535 One fork, however not the extra reasonably priced 535 – all forks & shocks get elevated air quantity that DT is looking Lineair tech. Basically revised large-volume air spring chambers are in a position to present extra linear suspension journey each entrance & rear in a light-weight setup, higher mimicking coil shock efficiency. And the larger area inside can at all times be diminished with quantity spacers to create a extra progressive really feel for riders seeking to ramp up assist by their journey.
As for the rear shocks, the tech sounds a bit much less hi-tech, however follows the identical line of updates. Bigger quantity optimistic & adverse Lineair air springs enhance the linear spring curve to higher mimic coil shock efficiency. The shocks additionally get an up to date self-balancing bypass that gives greater adverse strain at top-out for diminished breakaway power and higher small bump sensitivity, whereas then delivering extra assist from mid-stroke to the top of rear wheel journey. It’s a bit easier on the air facet, however works in an analogous, complimentary solution to Plushport up entrance. Damping-wise the brand new 535 shocks get 3-position ODL compression damping – Open, Drive & Locked-out – for optimum pedaling and descending effectivity.
DT Swiss 535 Suspension – Pricing, choices & availability
The brand new 535 collection forks are actually 29″ solely with 120-160mm of journey in 10mm increments to suit all disciplines from XC & path to enduro. I’ll simply name this candy spot all-mountain once more. The highest 535 One forks promote for $1150 / 1150€ together with the Coilpair, bigger quantity air spring, and 3-position compression lock-out on prime of the crown – open, experience & closed.
The all-new 535 fork is a bit lower-priced at $989 / 989€ with the massive quantity air spring and a 2-position compression lock-out on prime of the crown – open or closed. Each with claimed weights from 2090g, the 29″ forks all get increase thru-axles, 44mm offset, put up mount 180mm brakes, and max 130kg/287lb rider+bike weight limits. DT even approves them for ebike methods as much as 150kg/331lb.
Matching the entrance finish, there are additionally up to date dual-air chamber 535 Every body-new customary 535 rear air shocks as effectively. Right here the up to date shocks are available just about any size your path bike may wish in Trunnion or typical mounts – 165-230mm general and 40-65mm stroke, in six increments of every. The highest R 535 One shocks promote for $449 / 449€ with weights from 300g with 3-position lockouts.
And the usual R 535 shocks retail for $399 / 399€ additionally with weights from 300g with 2-position lockouts, all with the newest slippery self-lubricating DU bushings.
