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@MetalMelly
Took a day away from my desk and boarded an early morning train to Swindon for some Ridgeway rollicking fun. Using my Lapierre Zesty in anger it was a first opportunity to test the Ei electronic rear suspension. Investing in hitech is not my norm but this trickery appealed. Switched it to auto, dropped tyre pressure, drop of chain oil applied, munched a cheese n ham garage sandwich and climbed onto the Ridge. Uphill and pedalling the actuator buzzed and the rear suss locked. At the top on the rough stuff and freewheeling down a reasonable descent the actuator buzzed again and the rear suss slackened to medium. The buzz of the actuator became a signal that the bike was under control and all I had to do was hang on and pedal like f*ck. That was when I really appreciated how smart this technology is. Blasting a smooth section the suss is locked out. Spotting a series of potholes directly ahead I back off the pedalling and the suss slackened enough to enter the first hole under control. And then slackened off completely anticipating more rough stuff. The pickups from front fork, BB and front wheel combine to profile the surface conditions and the signalled actuator responds. Suspension is set....and reset...constantly as the surfaces change. After a while I work out how to signal my preference to the actuator, backing off the pedalling for a fraction and buzz....suss released....pedal again...buzz...suss locked. Awesome! Rattle freewheel down a rutty steep section and those front and rear pistons are pumping. Reach the bottom and spin the pedals into the immediate steep uphill and the rear locks. Solid progress and best of all never needing to take a hand from the bars to switch that RockShox Monarch. The whole package works beautifully. On the road I switch off Auto to Locked at the handlebar toggle switch and ride Streatley to Reading. Yuch. After 4 hours of my only company being buzzards, red kites and admirals, deer and a handful of dog walkers the only buzzing is the usual train of shit drivers who think close passing at 50mph plus is fine. It f*cking isn't. Reading Station and then Paddington. Ride home to E Finchley. I'm as white as a sheet. Bike too. Dry chalk! All I needed was a red nose and I'd be prime suspect in a clown scare!