Specialized AFR brain

Steveh101

I have a Spec. Stumpy with the AFR Brain. The way I understand it, the brain is a type of infinitely adjustable pro-pedal with firm to soft settings and a 'blow out' device if you hit something that loosens it up.

So the issue is this - the best is to have it in firm for uphill and soft for downhill. So why is the adjuster out of reach at the back wheel??

SDK2007

As I understand it the settings adjust the Brain's sensitivity to enable the rear suspension when you encounter a bump.
The whole point is that you set it up before the ride to your preferred setting and then the Brain does it stuff during the ride to smooth out bumps.

i.e. on a flat surface the suspension is locked out and depending on the sensitivity set is when the rear suspension becomes enabled over bumps.

So, it's set and forget..

Bump forces from the ground activate the inertial valve inside the Brain, which activates the air shock, giving you suspension compliance.
It's important for the Brain to be as close to the rear axle as possible for the most sensitive reaction to the terrain, but minimal sensitivity to pedaling forces.

nicklouse

the brain controls the wheel movement. Pro pedal controls frame movement.

brain think HT that moves on big bumps.

Pro pedal thick FS that does not bob through leg movement.

very generalized but gives the differing ideas.

irony

It sounds like you don't know what you've bought!

The idea with the brain shock is that it only reacts when it moves, i.e. if the bike is jolted up by a bump it loosens the valve in the shock allowing it to activate.

However if you jump up and down on the pedals or bounce on the seat it won't react because the shock won't be moved up and down and hence the valve won't be loosened. Thus the bike feels like a rigid.

So you wouldn't stiffen the shock or lock it out for uphill because it is already 'locked out' unless you hit a bump, in which case you want it to react to retain traction.

Steveh101

I agree with the responses and the philospohy, but this is not strictly true in practice, hence my question.

When pedalling on even a flat surface you still get some movement. You get more in a softer setting than on firm. In the same way if you apply an equal force, the movement is more in a soft setting to the firm - hence the thought it is like an infinitely adjustable pro-pedal.......

Larok

The whole point of the brain is that you don't have to keep changing it to go up/down hills. Just set it the best for the type of riding you want to do/how you like it and forget.