Upgrading to a Suspension Fork Remote

A suspension remote (often called a lockout lever) is a handlebar-mounted trigger that connects to your fork's damper via a cable or wireless signal. Instead of reaching down to the top of your fork crown to stiffen your suspension for a climb, you simply push a button. Here is what you need to know when shopping for a suspension remote.

Why Run a Remote Lockout?

• Unmatched Efficiency: Cross-country (XC) racers and marathon riders rely on remotes to instantly stiffen their suspension during sprints and smooth climbs, ensuring no pedal power is lost to suspension "bob."
• Increased Safety: Reaching down to the top of your fork to flip a switch while riding technical terrain can be dangerous. A remote keeps your hands securely wrapped around the grips where they belong.
• Instant Adaptability: Trails change fast. A remote allows you to open up your suspension the exact second the trail points downhill.

Push-to-Lock vs. Push-to-Unlock

When buying a remote (and the corresponding damper for your fork), you will encounter two main actuation styles. It is critical to match your lever to your fork's internal mechanism.

• Push-to-Lock: Pushing the lever adds tension to the cable, which closes the damper and locks out the fork. If the cable snaps during a ride, the fork defaults to the "Open" (plush) position, which is safer for descending.
• Push-to-Unlock: Pushing the lever pulls the cable to open the suspension. Many XC racers prefer this because they spend the majority of their time in the locked-out position and only push the lever when they hit a descent.

Single vs. Dual-Pull Remotes

If you ride a full-suspension bike, you can actually link both your front fork and your rear shock to a single handlebar remote.

• Single-Pull: Controls only one suspension component (almost always the front fork).
• Dual-Pull (TwinLoc): Features a dual-cable design that simultaneously locks or opens both the fork and the rear shock with a single push of the thumb. This is the ultimate setup for maximizing whole-bike efficiency on rolling terrain.

Compatibility Matters

You cannot attach a remote lever to just any mountain bike fork. To use a lockout remote, your fork must have a remote-compatible damper. If your current fork has a standard manual dial on the top right stanchion, you will likely need to purchase and install a remote lockout upgrade kit (which includes a new top cap mechanism and a return spring) before a handlebar lever will work. Additionally, always check brand compatibility; it is highly recommended to pair a Fox lever with a Fox fork, and a RockShox lever with a RockShox fork, as the cable pull ratios differ between manufacturers.