RockShox Flight Attendant Upgrade: Adding High-Tech Suspension to your Mountain Bike
RockShox Flight Attendant is a wireless suspension system that automatically changes your suspension from locked to pedal to open, based on rider input and terrain. It works with SRAM's other wireless products to create an ecosystem to provide you with a perfect suspension platform. Let's look at the components that work together to creater this rider-centric ecosystem.
RockShox Flight Attendant Fork
RockShox Flight Attendant Rear Shock
SRAM Power Meter or Flight Attendant Pedal Sensor
RockShox Reverb AXS Dropper (Optional)
SRAM AXS Derailleur (Optional)
Almost all modern XC bikes now offer Flight Attendant as an option, or you can purchase the components seperately. In this article, I will walk you through the upgrade process and show you how to do it in this most economical way possible, assuming you already own or can buy a used RockShox Sid 2021+ (C1-E1 Models).
My two oldest sons both have Specialized Epic 7 Evo's, which in my opinion is the best bang for the buck NICA bike you can purchase. They are lighter than the Epic 8's, widely available for decent prices, much cheaper than the brand new Epic 9's, and can be upgraded to Flight Attendant. Both of my bikes already have RockShox Sid C1's up front, so I can perform the upgrade for much cheaper. Instead of a full Flight Attendant fork ($1,599), I can just buy the Flight Attendant Damper ($650). Even if you don't have a Sid on your bike, you can find a used one on FB Marketplace and since you are replacing the entire Damper Assembly, you can get a lower end Select or Select Plus to save money.
Parts List
Flight Attendant Upgrade Kit ($659)
SidLuxe Ultimate Flight Attendant ($939, Purchase Shock Tuned for your Bike)
If you want to maximize inputs to make the best possible Flight Attendant System you can use a Quarq Power Meter instead of the Flight Attendant Pedal Sensor to unlock Adaptive Ride Dynamics. An algorithm that learns your power zones and scales suspension firmness dynamically to match your actual effort output. Higher power inputs bias the suspension toward firmer pedal and locked modes. You can also add a Reverb Wireless Dropper to the mix so Flight Attendant knows if your dropper post is up or down. And add on SRAM Wireless Deraulleur/Shifter so it knows what gear you are in and if you are actively shifting up or down.
Flight Attendant Damper Removal and Install
Process is as simple as servicing the lowers in your fork. Remove fork from bike, separate the uppers from lowers, and then unbolt the damper. Detailed write-up here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_aYFY1-DQA
Once you have everything cleaned and the new damper installed in the uppers, you mate the uppers to the lowers, add oil, and then install the lower leg bolt on each side.
RockShox Oil Chart. Once the newly upgraded Sid is back in one piece you can install the fork back in the bike, process is the opposite of the installation.
Video that cover the entire upgrade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGr7XSc2D2E
Fork disassembled and stock damper removed Stock damper Ultimate Flight Attendant Damper Upgrade Kit Sid Select with Upgraded Flight Attendant Damper ready to put together Flight Attendant Damper Installation of Flight Attendant Damper Flight Attendant Damper Install Upgraded RockShox Sid with Flight Attendant Upgraded RockShox Sid with Flight Attendant RockShox Sid Ultimate Flight Attendant ready to bolt in Removal of Fork Fork Removed Upgraded Fork in place Upgraded Fork in Place
RockShox SidLuxe Rear Shock Install
The rear shock cannot be upgraded, you have to purchase a new shock and replace the shock that came on your bike. Rear shocks are valved specifically for your bike, so make sure you purchase the right one. I got the rear shock for an Epic 7 2021+. The rear shock removal is pulling the two bolts that hold it on and then install the new Flight Attendant shock in it's place. You will reuse the hardware from your original shock. your new Flight Attendant shock should come with upper shock hardware that you will need to press into the upper shock mount.
Removal of stock Super Deluxe that came on Epic 7 Evo Stock Shock Removed New Flight Attendant Rear Shock Shock Installation for Flight Attendant Setup
Flight Attendant Pedal Sensor Install
Installation Instructions (Installs in Non-Drive side crank arm.
The finished product, two Flight Attendant equipped Specialized Epic 7 Evo's ready for the trail!
Specialized Epic 7 w/ Flight Attendant Specialized Epic 7 w/ Flight Attendant Specialized Epic 7 w/ Flight Attendant Specialized Epic 7 w/ Flight Attendant
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