Nude Suspension
by SCOTT Sports
Shocks with NUDE Technology have been integral to SCOTT Full suspension bikes for nearly two decades. Working closely with our suspension partners, we continue to improve upon this technology so that whether you’re racing World Cup’s at the highest level or out for a big day in the mountains, you’ll always have the best support on offer.
What Makes Nude Shocks so special? Let’s take a look.
Nude Technology
All NUDE Shocks, whether theyre manufactured by FOX, RockShox or X-Fusion, feature three modes. How these three modes work, and the impact they have on your ride depends on the bike and its intended use.
NUDE 5 and 5T
Bikes that feature the NUDE 5 and 5T shock place a great emphasis on versatility. They all work with our TwinLoc Suspension System. The TwinLoc Suspension System is a proprietary SCOTT Suspension System that allows a rider to control a bikes suspension performance and geometry simultaneously.
With TwinLoc, you can have three bikes in one. Lets take a closer look at what the TwinLoc Suspension System offers with its three modes.
Learn moreFLOAT-X NUDE
Bikes the feature the Float-X NUDE from FOX have more of a focus on the downhill part of the ride. With that in mind, the way we apply our NUDE technology to the three modes is slightly different on these shocks.
Learn moreNude 5 and 5T
MODE 1 DESCEND MODE
All NUDE shocks feature two positive air chambers. In Descend mode, both chambers are open, essentially creating one large volume chamber. This gives you the full amount of available rear wheel travel. In Descend mode, the shock is fully optimized for downhill performance with regards to both air spring rate and damping.
MODE 2 Traction Control Mode
In Traction Control mode, one chamber is closed off, reducing the shock’s air volume. This reduces the effective travel and results in a more progressive air spring curve. Most NUDE shocks combine this with an increase in compression damping which leads to a few changes. Primarily, the system changes the bikes geometry when switching from Descend Mode to Traction Control Mode. You sit higher in the shock’s travel, ground to pedal clearance is increased, and you effectively move forward into a more efficient position for putting down the power and clearing technical climbs. Additionally, the bike becomes more agile, more nimble and more efficient, all without sacrificing traction or sensitivity. It is perfect for smoother, less technical terrain where you have to pump the bike to gain speed or rough, technical climbs where traction and comfort need to be maximized.
MODE 3 Lockout
The lockout mode is the firmest of all three modes. It is perfect for smooth road or fireroad transitions, or simply riding to the trailhead. The lockout still features a big hit blow off in the event that you hit a rough section, preventing any potential damage to the suspension.
What about the Fork?
SCOTT Bikes feature either TwinLoc, where Frame, shock and fork are all connected via a handlebar remote, or TracLoc, where just the frame and shock are connected.
While the Forks we spec don’t feature NUDE technology, changes to the fork from mode to mode with TwinLoc also coincide with changes to the shock to keep things balanced. So in Descend mode, the Fork, just like the Shock, is fully open.
In Traction Control Mode, Compression damping is simultaneously increased in the fork in an effor tto keep the bike well balanced.
In Lockout mode, the Fork is just as firm as the shock.
Float-X Nude
MODE 1 DESCEND MODE
The all-new Float X NUDE from FOX also features two positive air chambers. In Descend mode, both chambers are open, essentially creating one large volume chamber. This gives you the full amount of available rear wheel travel. In Descend mode, the shock is fully optimized for downhill performance with regards to both air spring rate and damping. The biggest difference between the Float X NUDE and the NUDE 5T is that the former has an additional reservoir on the shock, this helps maintain consistent shock performance over longer descents. The Float-X also features a Low-Speed compression adjust dial.
MODE 2 Ramp Control Mode
We received great feedback in recent years from our ramp control option on certain Genius and Ransom shocks, and decided to make this an option that can be adjusted on the fly with the all new Float-X. Flick the switch into the middle mode, Ramp Control, one chamber in the shock is closed off, increasing progression within the shock. Out for a rip that features technical singletrack and maybe a section or two of fast bike park? With this new shock, it’s as if you can add a volume spacer in your shock mid ride. You also benefit from sitting higher in the shocks travel, increased ground to pedal clearance and effectively moving forward into a more efficient pedaling position for when you have to bash out a quick, technical climb.
MODE 3 Climb
Then, we have a Climb Mode that closes off compression damping and also alters the bikes dynamic geometry for those long slogs up to the trailhead so you can save energy for the rip back down.
What about the Fork?
Bikes with the Float X NUDE offer fork options that are decoupled from any suspension system. These forks offer greater adjustability, and tend to better for riders who are really after maximizing downhill performance.
WHAT’S BEST FOR ME?
The choice of a NUDE shock for a bike has everything to do with the bike’s intended use. Racing XC bikes? Out for a big hut-to-hut trip? Ride up for the ride down? The style of ride you do most plays a huge part in choosing between NUDE equipped full suspension bikes.
NUDE 5 and 5T
Versatility
Whether you’re racing XC or out for an all-day epic - having suspension that is versatile is key. NUDE 5 and 5T shocks place huge emphasis on versatility. These bikes
World Champion Nino Schurter has used NUDE suspension w/the TwinLoc Suspension System for many years now, claiming multiple World Championships, World Cup Overalls, and individual World Cups among numerous other titles. Nino utilizes each of the three modes during a race countless amounts of times. Spending a majority of his time in Traction Control mode, Nino switches to Descend mode often, gaining time on his competitors with every meter. When the climbs smoothen out, or when there is an option to really put the hammer down, Nino opts for the Lockout mode guaranteeing efficiency in power transfer.
Having the ability to have three bikes in one when racing XC is crucial, and knowing that you always have the right mode for the section of track your own key.
FLOAT-X NUDE
DH PERFORMANCE
When you pedal up to have the most fun on the way down, you want a shock that gives you full factory performance when things point downwards, but also a shock that won’t slow you down when you need to ride back up. This is where the Float-X NUDE shines.
Being able to reap all the benefits from your shock when riding down the mountain is of supreme importance. And having one bike that can ride steep singletrack, bike park laps and why not, even pedal all day long is what you get with the Float-X NUDE. In fully open mode, take advantage of everything the shock has to offer. RIding trails or a bikepark where youd like a bit more progression? No problem, put it into Ramp Control mode. This is like adding volume spacers to your shock on the fly. Need to pedal back up? Climb mode gives you an ultra effecient climbing plafortm allowing you to save energy for lap after lap of your favorite trail.