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One trend I've noticed in recent years is mid-spec enduro bikes coming with shocks that don't have a compression adjustment (e.g., Rockshox Select). I find myself pretty baffled by this choice... surely it can't cost that much more to include a compression circuit and knob on the shock? Does anyone know why this is or have also been frustrated by this? Is there a genuinely large cost difference, or is is this just a tactic by brands to convince buyers to go up to a more expensive model?
I'm curious to know if others have noticed this trend!
Just bought a Transition bike and most are speced with full feature shocks except the NX builds which are lowest level.
I don't know the answer but I doubt it's cost (at least for the Float X) since the compression circuit is still there. It's pretty easy to add the knob (or just pull off the cover where the knob would go) and adjust the compression using pliers to turn the adjuster shaft (I've done both).
Great question! Two thoughts. First, specing bikes is an impossible battle. They have to get the price down somewhere so compromises have to be made, and every customer disagrees about what's important and what's okay to skimp on. Even worse, most bike buyers evaluate bike purchases with three factors: cost, weight, and the label on the rear derailleur, which is why you'll still see EXO tires and a nice rear derailleur on a long travel enduro bike with cheap everything else.
Second, like you said, product managers are often trying to create product differentiation across their tiers to encourage riders to upgrade to the more expensive model. I think upgrading to a higher suspension tier is a great reason for a customer to upgrade and a pretty simple carrot product managers can use to get customers to separate with more money.
Honest question: what would you give up to have a compression knob on your shock? Would you rather have flimsy hard compound OEM tires that go directly in the trash? Would you rather have a cheap fork? Or 28 hole wheels with straight pull spokes? Or a lower grade drivetrain? Because the answer can't just be "charge more for the blue knob." They're trying to hit a certain price point to compete with other similar product tiers from other brands.
I haven't had a compression knob on my shock in years, and it's really only been annoying on flatter smoother trails where I need to pump a lot. Coming from downhill racing, it was a little annoying that it became an industry standard to take compression knobs off of trail shocks, but that happened a long time ago. These days, I wouldn't trade much of anything on my bike to get a blue knob on my shock. I'd rather have the good fork, good brakes, good tires, etc. No blue knob just means I have to be a little more conscious about nailing my spring rate within 5-10 pounds, which is why I like air shocks and Sprindex adjustable coils.
If you're talking Fox Float X, it cost about $20 for a customer to add the blue LSC knob and is a 5 minute installation.
Bike companies are just looking to maximize profit wherever they can. I bet they only save $5 in cost not including the LSC adjustment on a Float X.
And now the bikes/parts are all discounted 20% because the overstock is so massive.......
Great time to be a consumer.
I think there's more to than than just trying the shave down the cost. It makes good business sense to spec bikes with good components but ones that leave you wanting more (e.g. compression adjustment) - chances are that you will upgrade and they will make money again
Thanks for the detailed response - I think a lot of that makes sense. However, from what others are saying, I'm not sure this would actually impact the price in a noticeable way. If its $20 bucks for a consumer to buy a compression knob and add it to a Fox Shock, then it is likely a fraction of that cost as an OEM spec. I guess that might add up over a lot of units sold, but it seems like more of a carrot to incentivize buyers to bump up to the next model.
As for what I would swap - personally, it would be tires. As you mention, most manufacturers are speccing EXO tires, which I almost always swap out before going out for the first ride on an enduro bike my local trails tend to claim EXO tires very quickly (obviously, this is not a particularly good approach if you're a manufacturer).
I have a 2022 Rockshox Super Deluxe Select+ Coil (lockout and rebound, but no blue knob). I looked into adding the knob, but for this shock it requires buying a whole new reservoir. You can’t just add a knob onto the existing reservoir assembly, so it ends up being $200 in parts plus labor. So maybe you can do a cheap and easy upgrade on a Fox shock, but no go on RS. I determined that I didn't want the blue knob that bad.
I honestly think it is mostly a tactic to artificially "dumb down" the mid-level products so that there is a clearer distinction between the mid-tier and top-tier parts. There are ton's of psychological sales techniques out there that influence how people make a choice. Going in the other direction, low end products are usually given very dull branding because for most people if they can afford the mid-tier they will go for that just because the entry level one looks "cheap". With mountain bikes, literally just removing a dial is a simple way to nudge people towards the top build, but it will be done for every part of the bike.
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