Formula Launches Its First Air Shock: The Nebbia 2

On the trail the Nebbia is everything you’d expect from Formula, delivering comfort, composure and control. A coil and air hybrid negative spring combined with a bladder oil reservoir gives fine levels of sensitivity and grip while our Neopos system allows quick and easy tuning for the mid- and end-stroke. A simple polyurethane bump-stop prevents harsh bottom outs without the need for complex hydraulics.

Key Features

• Positive air chamber: Works at a lower pressure compared to other shock designs. This puts less strain on seals so they last longer.
• Negative spring: A coil and air hybrid negative spring design increases initial sensitivity.
• Compression switch: 3 positions - Open. Platform. Firm.
• Compression Tuning System: Smaller and lighter Compression Tuning System valves compared to our coil MOD shock. Three user-changeable options are included with the shock - gold (light), orange (mid), green (firm).
• Neopos: Sponge-like volume spacers that allow tuning of mid- and end-stroke support. The same technology as used in our air forks, redesigned specifically for the Nebbia.
• Stroke adjustment: 2.5, 5 and 7.5mm user-installable spacers allow the shock’s stroke to be changed with no specialist tools required.
• Bottom out bumper: Originally developed for our moto trials shocks, the polyurethane bump-stop allows you to achieve full travel without any harsh bottom-out
• Bladder membrane technology: The bladder design reduces friction and reaction time compared to an Internal Floating Piston design, this improves small-bump sensitivity and generates less heat for more consistent performance.
• Rebound: A wide range of rebound adjustment is built in, so there’s no need for a specific tune to suit your frame.
• Compatibility: Fits most frames. Standard and trunnion mounts. E-bike and clevis (yoke) mount approved.
• Weight: 472 g (210x55 mm)
• Price: 790 EUR // $950 CAN (exc VAT) // $849.99 USD // 680 GBP

Simple To Set Up

The Nebbia is easy to set up but also highly tunable. In testing we’ve found most riders can achieve the ride feel they want with very few adjustments – set the sag, adjust the rebound and go.

The frequency design on the shaft helps riders visually work out their sag settings. Our zero-loss shock pump, included with the shock, makes accurate adjustment of air pressure easy. The Nebbia has a wide range of rebound adjustment with each click making a noticeable difference. This makes getting your preferred setup easy. It also means there is no need for a specific rebound tune for your frame. The setting you need is just a few clicks away.

Our Compression Tuning System (CTS) uses rider-changeable valves to tune the low to mid-speed compression damping. There’s no need for a frame-specific tune or to send your shock off to have the shim stack adjusted, you can do it yourself at home. And, if you don’t like the results, you can just as easily reverse the changes. The Nebbia comes with three CTS valves: gold (light compression), orange (mid compression), green (firm compression). The compression switch has three positions: open, platform and firm. Behind the switch is a shim stack and like our CTS valves it’s removable and tunable. This is factory-set at the moment.

Neopos was developed for our air-spring forks. These add mid-stroke support, but unlike a hard plastic volume spacer, allow for the full range of travel to be used and do not create additional pressure on the seals. The Nebbia uses the same technology as in our forks, but in a slightly different shape. Installation is as simple as opening the air can.

Easy to Adapt

The Nebbia is designed to work on every bike, from short-travel trail bikes through to downhill race bikes. Change the stroke without tools. Using a simple, clip-in spacers you can reduce your stroke by 2.5, 5 or 7.5mm to suit your frame and riding preferences. With an ultra-wide range of rebound adjustment and our Compression Tuning System (CTS) there is no need for a specific shock tune for your frame either. The settings you need are just a few clicks away.

The best components are those you don’t think about. They just let you enjoy the ride. What stands out about the Nebbia is that it disappears beneath you. The hybrid coil and air negative spring reduces the amount of initial breakaway force required, giving fine sensitivity and traction early on in the travel. Deeper into the travel the characteristics of the shock can be tuned to suit riding style and trail with the CTS valves and Neopos volume spacers. From super-progressive to linear, how your shock feels is up to you.

Compared to an internal floating piston (IFP), we believe the bladder used in the Nebbia’s piggyback has better sensitivity and speed of response, which should be noticeable on a series of small bumps in quick succession. A bladder also runs cooler giving more consistent performance, even on long descents. The polyurethane bottom-out bumper gives a calm, quiet and comfortable end to the shock’s travel, no harsh bottom-outs.

Reliable

Formula’s first air shock is all new but well-proven. Built with the same technical expertise behind our MOD coil shock and trials moto shocks, the Nebbia is easily serviced at home. Like all Formula products, it is covered by our ten-year service promise. That means we guarantee you will still be able to get your shock serviced and find parts and upgrades a decade from now. The best components are those you don’t have to think about. Much like the mist it is named after, the Nebbia is engineered to disappear beneath you.

Performance and reliability are always a balance. We have found that 60 hours between minor services and 125 hours for major services is the right balance for an air shock. Reliability is something we work hard on. But we believe in giving real- world guidance on servicing rather than making up figures to sound impressive.

When it is time for a service, the Nebbia is easy to work on. Minor services don’t require specialist tools and can be done at home. We recommend that you send your shock off to a Formula service center for major services but, if you are confident and have the correct equipment, this too can be done in a home workshop.

For more information, please visit rideformula.com