RockShox Flight Attendant
Electronically adaptive suspension SID ULTIMATE - fork / SIDLuxe ULTIMATE shock.
Why I like it
Flight Attendant brings electronically adaptive suspension to XC racing — locking out, opening up, or running a “pedal” mode depending on the terrain and effort, without any rider input.
It delivers a noticeable speed and efficiency upgrade, especially on punchy, constantly changing trails where manual lockouts are impractical.
Quick Specs
- Electronically controlled suspension
- RockShox SID Ultimate 120mm fork + SIDLuxe Ultimate rear shock
- SRAM AXS integration with power meter input
- Adaptive ride dynamics based on effort and terrain
- Lightweight and race-proven
In My Setup
- I originally bought the Epic 8 Evo Pro, which came with a Fox suspension system more suited to trail/downcountry riding (130mm fork).
- Upgraded the suspension to a 120mm RockShox SID Ultimate fork and SIDLuxe Ultimate shock with Flight Attendant for a much more XC race-optimized setup.
- Paired with a SRAM X0 AXS crankset that includes a power meter — required for enabling adaptive ride dynamics.
- Flight Attendant replaced my need for a manual remote lockout and immediately made the bike feel lighter, faster, and smarter on XC courses.
🔧 Thinking about upgrading?
Use SRAM’s Flight Attendant Kit Builder to find the exact parts you need for your specific bike and drivetrain setup.
Where It Shines
- Flight Attendant excels on technical, punchy, constantly changing courses where manually adjusting lockouts would be a major hassle.
- Especially beneficial on tight, tricky Texas trails where rapid adjustments between open and locked suspension can really add up over a race.
Performance Notes
- I don’t even notice it operating — it just locks up when needed, opens up in techy sections, and optimizes traction on tricky climbs.
- Adaptive ride dynamics mode (with a power meter) tunes the behavior based on my actual effort zones during a ride.
- SRAM’s internal testing shows a ~2% performance improvement for XCO pros over using manual lockout systems. For riders like me coming from no lockout at all, the gains likely feel even bigger.
- Battery life is excellent — lasts several long rides — but worth noting: if the fork battery gets critically low, it can mislead you by changing display indicators without actually actuating the damper. Always keep batteries topped up pre-race.
Who It’s For
Riders who are:
- Hardcore racers chasing marginal gains in efficiency.
- Tech enthusiasts who appreciate innovation and integration with the rest of their AXS ecosystem.
- Focused on XC racing or marathon endurance events where energy conservation matters.
If you’re not super into tech or would rather control your own suspension manually at all times, it may not feel as necessary — but for those who want maximum speed with minimal distraction, it’s an incredible upgrade.
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