Intend Introduces the Flash 38 USD Fork 8

The days of graceful lightweight construction are over. Word has gotten around that an extra pound on the bike doesn’t really matter much on the climb, and especially with e-bikes that extra pound plays only a minor role. On the descent, however, you definitely notice that pound: the bike feels more planted, more stable, and isn’t so easily unsettled.

More is More

Stiffness is the dominant topic when it comes to upside-down forks. Slowly but surely, it is becoming clear that USD forks do have their advantages: Lubrication, bushing dynamics, directional stiffness—everything is better and superior. What remains is the issue of torsional stiffness, which causes even the most ardent supporters of USD forks a persistent nagging doubt in the back of their minds. To put the last critics’ concerns to rest, the Flash 38 was developed, now featuring a stanchion diameter of 38 mm. It comes with a double axle clamp and is available in 15 or 20 mm versions. Thanks to the new axle/dropout design, both axle sizes work without requiring any conversion or modification. The crown is CNC-machined from a solid block of aluminum—and, frankly, not a whole lot is machined away. What remains is a brute, tipping the scale at 479 g.

Zero Gap Technology

The connection between the crown and the stanchion has been rethought. Typically, the upper tube is axially positioned by a shoulder inside the top of the crown, leaving the connection between stanchion and crown effectively “free.” With the Flash 38, Zero-Gap technology is used instead. The axial contact is no longer created at the top inside the crown, but outside the stanchion, between the lower end of the crown and the stanchion itself. As a result, all loads are transferred directly into the crown, increasing stiffness and preventing micromovements.

The steerer remains the same unit used on the smaller Gravity forks. With a wall thickness of 6 mm at the bottom and 3 mm at the top, it was already significantly stiffer than anything offered by known competitors. There’s nothing more to be gained here anyway, as the steerer alone would only marginally increase torsional stiffness.

Smooth Operator

The compression damping has remained unchanged since the very beginning, offering a simple yet effective damping system with a shim stack and a low-speed needle—nothing more than what has long been used in motocross forks and in virtually every shock absorber out there. But the bike world evolves, and why not take a step further than might strictly be necessary?

One key aspect that cannot be achieved with a conventional shim stack is increasing low- and mid-speed damping without also raising high-speed damping. You can work with preload on the shim stack, but preload is still preload—and you usually feel that in your hands, in the form of added harshness. With the Flash 38, we are therefore introducing the new compression damping unit: The Smooth Operator.

Oscillator

At the heart of the new Smooth Operator is the so-called Oscillator unit. A conventional shim stack sits on it, but it’s stiffer than the previous version. This shim stack is not preloaded; it’s mounted normally, just like any other shim stack. Its diameter is now larger than before (18 mm instead of 14 mm shims), allowing for higher flow in the high-speed range. The shim unit can oscillate thanks to a blow-off shim, which allows the Oscillator
unit to open and close. This only occurs at higher damping speeds, reducing the high-speed compression forces. Until that point, the shim stack operates normally—sensitive, yet with more resistance than the previous compression unit.

It achieves a balance between strong low-speed support and plush absorption of big hits, without introducing preload into the system. The Smooth Operator has been installed in all forks since we switched from the Travelizer air spring unit to our TravelRanger. In addition, full compatibility with earlier forks is ensured, making the Smooth Operator easily retrofittable.

Specs and Pricing

Weight: 2620g incl. aluminum lower guards
Travel: 160-190mm internally adjustable travel
Axle: 15mm or 20mm
Lower Blades: 38mm Lower blades included
Offset: 44mm
Pricing: (prices include 19% VAT)
Flash 38: 2349 € (available immediately)
Axle 15 / 20mm: 49 € (available immediately) (fork purchase includes one axle!)
Smooth Operator: 139 € (available at end of January)

More info at www.intend-bc.com.