Lightweight Big Hitter
Although relatively new entry for bicycle suspension Formula has a deep history in the moto brake and suspension game. The Formula 33 targets aggressive trail riders that want the extra adjustment for dialing in the fork for preference and trails. Travel is easily adjusted with spacers that clip on to the airshaft. This is great if you want to play around with different travel settings and head angles and not get locked into a single travel option - which is what you will find on the Sid or FOX32. The Formula ThirtyThree EX is a good choice for those are looking to upgrade their trail bikes - either with a bit more travel or more efficient and smoother damping.
ThirtyThree means this has 33mm stanchions which improves stiffness and less binding through the stroke - Lightest in it's class and some really great trail tracking. This is no basic entry level fork with a Rebound and Lockout - if you like tweaking and tuning your suspension this fork will suit you well. Out of the box it has low speed compression adjustment, lockout lever and threshold adjustment and rebound adjuster on the lower leg. In addition to this there is "expert" tuning available(sold seperately) which allows you to change the range of compression settings (low, med and high) with the drop-in damper which will really apeal and improve the experience for intermediate to advanced riders.
As seen with most of the top end forks the spring rate adjustment - The Formula ThirtyThree also features spring rate adjustment from linear to more progressive simply by adding different amounts of Ballistol oil on the top of the air piston.
What really sets the ThirtyThree aside from it's competitors is its extremely supple stroke and small bump sensitivity. Utilising dual negative springs to make the progression to midstroke super smooth and effortless - this is unlike negative air-charged springs that can be sticky which inhibits small bump sensitivity. 33mm uppers balance weight and rigidty and a carefully sculptured chassis brings weight down to an impressive 1585grams combined with the 33mm uppers this is one of the lightest and most adjustable forks in it's class. It's lighter than the Rock Shox SID but far stiffer with the added material on the 33mm uppers.
An easy to use 15mm integrated QR lever. Available in EX edition which bumps the travel to 130-140mm
- EX edition 1580grams
- 18 click Rebound adjustment
- 14 Low Speed compression adjustment
- Crown mounted lockout with threshold adjustment(remote available)
- Air-Spring curve adjustment
- Travel adjustment (120mm-140mm)
- Satellite damper replacement (sold seperately)
- Matte Black lowers and anodised black uppers
- Easy to use Integrated QR 15mm Lever
- Made in Italy