Smoother Is Faster

The History of Compliance Without Compromise

It’s a simple concept. The smoother you are on the bike – stable in the saddle, confident at the bars – the faster you can ride. This is true in the mountains, it’s true on the cobbles, it’s true on rough road and gravel. But Smoother is only faster when that compliance is delivered with efficient power transfer and precise handling. We’ve been chasing it for decades with innovation after innovation.

The History of Compliance Without Compromise

Smoother is Faster

1992

The Original Future Shock

Conceived for the trail, the original Future Shock delivered oil damped front suspension to the Stumpjumper and gave birth to the tagline, ‘Yeah, It Works!’.

1993

The S-Works FSR

Dual suspension on the mountain truly came of age with our revolutionary FSR suspension. The suspended rear wheel met pedaling efficiency for the first time. The love affair continues.

2002

The Brain

Created to instantly and automatically adjust suspension from firm to active to maximize efficiency and control. The Brain does it all faster than you can think, ensuring you’re always ready - whether it’s time to attack on a steep climb or a gnarly rock garden downhill.

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2005

The Roubaix Debuts

A suspended wheel won’t deliver the aggressive and direct acceleration the road demands. The term ‘vertically compliant and laterally stiff’ was coined to describe the smooth and efficient ride of the Roubaix. In 2008 it won its first of seven Paris-Roubaix.

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2012

The S-Works Turbo 24mm

Sketchy and unforgiving 21 and 23mm tires were the norm on the road when we launched the S-Works Turbo 24mm tire 2012. That tire kicked of the high volume revolution in road. One year later Quick-Step was on 26mm and today 26mm and 28mm tires are the new normal, tires that handle like magic and roll like hell.

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2016

Future Shock

Suspend the Rider is the ultimate strategy to deliver Smoother is Faster on the road. The Future Shock, 20mm of travel above the Roubaix’s frame, keeps riders fresh and fast with a smooth ride over a rigid frame for efficiency and precise handling. It’s innovation that put Sagan and Gilbert on the top step of the Hell of the North.

2022

Rear Future Shock

Rear Future Shock puts 30mm of rear travel in the ideal path to smooth out rough road. Its hydraulic damping controls travel to eliminate “bobbing” under power and ensure big hits never catapult you from the saddle, all without compromising fit or pedaling efficiency. Diverge STR is the ultimate Smoother is Faster solution for gravel.

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