While an electric fork might be something that Homer Simpson would use for dinner, Magura has introduced something entirely different. The bicycle component maker has followed RockShox and Fox by introducing a fork for mountain bikes that provides an electronic auto-lockout technology called eLECT.
This new fork system replaces the top-mounted adjustment cap/knob that is typically found on suspension forks. Instead eLECT offers a lightweight module that contains a microprocessor, servo motor, 3D accelerometer and it all runs on a lithium-ion battery that can be juiced up via a micro USB port.
The accelerometer is there to detect when the tire hits a rough patch – and it registers the size of the bump and just as fast the module alternates the suspension accordingly. It can also determine whether the bike is going uphill, down or rolling on flats. When on flats or downhill the suspension will remain opened to soften the ride; while on the uphill can be automatically locked to the most rigid setting to make it easier for the rider to climb. This system can reportedly even detect if the bike has “caught” some air and will respond to help soften the landing.
With this new technology we say put a “fork” in it – it’s done and ready to ride.