French Suspension Fun: Fast Suspension Fenix 2.0 1

We’ve tested several Fast shocks over the past couple of years, and we’ve always been very impressed with the quality of the damping and the performance. To keep up with the Joneses, their flagship Fenix shock needed a couple of key updates, which is what led them to develop the 2.0. The new shock inherits the hydraulic bottom out system already used in their Ride series of shocks, and it gets a slimmer head in both the regular and the Trunnion versions to help it fit more frames.

Fast Fenix 2.0 Highlights

• Monotube damper
• 100% CNC 7075 T6 aluminum, anodized with PTFE impregnation to reduce friction
• Alloy shaft used on standard version - chrome steel shaft installed for bikes equipped with a yoke
• Piggy-back reservoir uses an internal bladder to reduce friction and temperature
• Viton seals for improved temperature resistance
• Velocity-dependent piston (VDP), said to improve bike control and traction
• 3 independent compression damping circuits (Low-Speed/Mid-Speed/High-Speed)
• Externally adjustable LS/MS compression damping, LS rebound damping
• Independent climb mode circuit with dedicated shimstack
• Hydraulic Bottom Out (HBO), effective on the last 25% of the shock’s stroke
• HBO built around self-centering piston with rebound release mechanism
• Each Fenix shock is custom-tuned to the bike and the rider’s preferences
• Fenix can be modified by Fast as needed if you change bike (including change of shock length, stroke, and even switch between regular and Trunnion mounting options)
• Standard color: black or black with purple accents (optional, limited-edition purple ano body parts available, 30 pcs only)
• Original warranty: 24 months
• Warranty extension program: the warranty is extended for a further 12 months after each yearly service for the first owner, for the lifetime of the product
• MSRP (standard): EUR 995.00, including ICHU spring and hardware
• MSRP (ltd edition purple): EUR 1200.00, including ICHU spring and hardware

Initial Impressions

The Fenix 2.0 shows up in a nice little box, which serves both as product packaging and shipping packaging – perhaps a small detail but every step in the eco-responsible direction is probably worthwhile these days. Before they shipped your shock, Fast (or an authorized point of sales) would have been in touch to prepare it for you, as the Fenix is sold with a full custom tune to match both the bike and the rider preferences. In contrast, the brand’s Ride series of shocks are ”only” tuned for the kinematics of the bike.

The Fenix is a beautifully made product, the quality apparent in both the assembly and the finish. If you really want to treat yourself, Fast is making a limited run of 30 pieces of the Fenix 2.0 with purple ano body parts and a "Chroma+" treated shaft, which could look killer if it matches your build. Either way, the finish is excellent and the shock delivers in the looks department. If purple is not your game at all, there is also an all-black version without the small purple highlights you see here.

As for the important bits, the Fenix is built on Fast’s unique, 3-way compression damping architecture, with independent external adjustments for low- and mid-speed damping and internally tuned high-speed compression damping. The mid-speed damping concept comes from the moto world, and Fast has made it a key part of their hydraulics with great results. There is a climb switch that activates a completely separate compression platform for climbing, and externally adjustable low-speed rebound damping as well. New for the 2.0 version, the hydraulic bottom out system is based on a self-centering piston equipped with a release mechanism to avoid any risk of a sticky rebound when the shock extends after a big hit. The HBO affects the last 25% of the shock’s travel, and is internally tuned from the factory. 

On The Trail

We’ve been riding the Fenix 2.0 for a couple of weeks now, and we’ve been very impressed with the comfort and composure on offer here. The shock is very poised in action and almost completely silent, with a very smooth transition from compression to rebound. The climbing platform is very effective, removing any unwanted bobbing on our test bike almost completely, while leaving just enough shock movement to make it useful for technical climbing as well. It also holds your bike up in its travel a bit, which is always a good feeling on steeper inclines. The platform is built around a shimstack which also functions as a blow-off valve if you should forget to open up the switch again for descending.

The adjustable mid-speed compression damping sets this shock apart from many others, as this feature provides for independent tuning of a very critical type of suspension compression event, right in between rider weight transfer and big hit types of events. For example, if you need more support when hitting hard turns in a bike park, you can add mid-speed compression to hold the bike up during these short and sharp compressions, without introducing extra low-speed harshness. We found that this adjustment works almost like a “speed dial” – the more mid-speed damping we added, the more speed we carried through rougher sections. Both the low- and the mid-speed adjusters offer a very usable range, the bike is fully rideable with the knobs in either fully open or closed positions if that should tickle your fancy. There are plenty of clicks, which means you may have to adjust them a few at a time to start really feeling the effects. In our short time of testing so far, we’ve settled on just a few clicks from open for the HBO, and about 75% closed for the mid-speed, running a spring rate slightly on the soft side. This has left the bike super comfortable through the rough stuff, while remaining quite light on its feet (we’ve tried a few different spring rates as well, and the damper has been able to accommodate everything from stiff to soft).

The hydraulic bottom out is a welcome addition to the Fenix 2.0, as it provides for a very controlled feeling when landing bigger hits. Fast’s HBO is super smooth, with no noticeable transition either when compressing or rebounding. When paired up with the excellent 3-way compression damping architecture it all translates to quite a sophisticated experience on the bike. Also worth noting, the HBO can allow you to run a coil shock on more linear frames.

What’s The Bottom Line?

We’re big fans of Fast’s hydraulic architecture, as it seems to translate to a very comfortable yet dynamic damper on the trail. The updates made to the Fenix 2.0 have now also made a great enduro shock even better, and although 995 euros is no small amount of money, it is actually a very competitive price given how feature-packed and well-made this shock is. It is highly adjustable, and since a custom tune is part of the purchase price, chances are pretty high indeed that you’ll find what you are looking for here. Definitely one to put on your wish list!

More information at: www.fast-suspension.com.

About The Reviewer

Johan Hjord - Age: 51 // Years Riding MTB: 19 // Weight: 190-pounds (87 kg) // Height: 6'0" (1.84m)

Johan loves bikes, which strangely doesn’t make him any better at riding them. After many years spent practicing falling off cliffs with his snowboard, he took up mountain biking in 2005. Ever since, he’s mostly been riding bikes with too much suspension travel to cover up his many flaws as a rider. His 200-pound body weight coupled with unique skill for poor line choice and clumsy landings make him an expert on durability - if parts survive Johan, they’re pretty much okay for anybody. Johan rides flat pedals with a riding style that he describes as "none" (when in actuality he rips!). Having found most trail features to be not to his liking, Johan uses much of his spare time building his own. Johan’s other accomplishments include surviving this far and helping keep the Vital Media Machine’s stoke dial firmly on 11.

Photos by Johan Hjord