Hugin rear shock
Vidar fork
Magura's rather good but largely unsung suspension range is getting some new products, some tweaks and some lower prices for 2006. The new thing is the Hugin rear shock, an air-sprung unit with dial-adjustable platform damping and separate high and low-speed compression damping circuits. The Hugin also has spherical bearings to isolate it from any twisting forces that may find their way to the shock mounts. It'll be available in four stroke/length combinations (38/165, 50/190, 50/200, 65/222) and weighs from 255g.
The main development in the fork line is a new "Superfinish" surface on the stanchions. This is said to give a "much plusher movement" which would be a welcome improvement. The Asgard and Vidar forks will now come with an optional lockout lever and prices are down across the range - the 80-125mm adjustable travel Phaon is now £279, the Ronin XC fork is £294, the air-spring Asgard is £244 with lockout or £196 without and the the coil-sprung Vidar is £195 with lockout, which looks very reasonable indeed.
As an added bonus, Magura's new custom programme means that all 2006 forks can be had with lower legs in white, yellow, orange, pink, red, olive, turquoise, dark blue or silver. And they're all available with 1in steerers to fit that classic old bike... More at www.magura.com.
