When it comes to ride quality, nothing can touch a smooth, progressive leverage ratio. The 3VO system is optimized for coil spring shocks and high-volume air shocks. This progressive leverage ratio allows for instant initial reaction to small bumps and square edged impacts, even when climbing. True mid-range support means you can rail corners and hunt for fun on every little trail feature. Excellent bottom-out resistance means you can find your limits while keeping things under control.

High anti-squat counteracts the pedaling forces that cause a bike to bob up and down under power. To calculate anti-squat, designers have to choose a center-of-gravity point. The truth is nobody ever asks what number they used, so it's easy to claim all sorts of numbers. It's also easy to display really high anti-squat numbers if you measure with the chain in the smaller cogs and a with a small chainring. I use a center-of-gravity point 1150mm above the ground, and I measure in with a 32t chainring and a 50t cog, because that's a gear you'd actually use when climbing the worst climbs. Most importantly, 3VO is able to generate this high anti-squat while still keeping pedal kickback to a respectable minimum.

Anti-rise is all about balance: too much, and you begin to compromise sensitivity and traction; too little and your rear suspension extends under braking, pitching you forward. Here's the thing about anti-rise: any time you're descending while squeezing the brake, your weight is shifting forward, which causes your fork to dive, which causes your body to shift forward even more. I'm all about neutralizing anti-rise and helping keep your weight rearward and low. An anti-rise range with 100% near suspension sag point is the single best way to preserve geometry without compromising traction.