EXT Introduces the Upside-Down VAIA Fork 3

The wait is finally over. EXT is proud to unleash the Vaia, a dual-crown inverted DH fork, distinguished from all others in its class. This groundbreaking product breaks away from familiar suspension design and is packed with innovation and cutting-edge tech for the gravity focused MTB world. While the Vaia completes EXT’s DH lineup, its thoughtful design and adaptability simultaneously lends itself to aggressive enduro bike and e-bike applications as well. With travel options from 170mm to 200mm, and the ability to change between 15mm and 20mm axles, the Vaia is both a powerful and versatile contender in the MTB market.

CORE FEATURES

• Built entirely in 7075 and 7050 T6 alloy and Grade 5 Titanium
• Tapered 38.5 stanchion tubes optimize the strength to weight ratio, offered with our proprietary surface finish
• Floating bushing system design with an impressive overlap (240 mm around SAG position) with 200 mm travel, ensuring consistent sensitivity and torsional stiffness for riding precision while braking and cornering
• Adjustable high/low speed compression and rebound cartridge with low friction seals, high dynamic response valves and turbulent flow, assures performance in extreme working conditions
• HS3 air cartridge unit with 2 independent positive air chambers as well as an innovative negative chamber with a tunable volume design for increased sensitivity and adjustability
• Pressure release bleed buttons to release air on both fork legs
• Optimized inner volume design ensures maximum lubrication for sliding bushing systems
• Unique double crown design offers 2 offsets, from 44 to 48 mm, enhancing personal adjustment on steering geometry without having to purchase additional crowns
• Available with interchangeable 20 mm and 15 mm Grade 5 Titanium wheel axles for both maximum stiffness and rigidity
• Dedicated stanchion protection with available bolt on fender
• Weight: 3195 gr (in 200 mm travel with 20 mm wheel axle, cut steerer tube, oil included)
• MSRP: 2150,00 € + VAT

1 STEM, 2 OFFSETS!

Thanks to a proprietary cam stem design developed with Mojo Rising, the Vaia offers two offset options (44 and 48 mm) with only one stem and crown, allowing for personal adjustment of steering geometry. The fully machined double crown is made from 7075 aluminum.

DOUBLE CROWN

Vaia will be available with two different top crowns:
• 10 mm drop for headtube from 107 mm to 132 mm
• 30 mm drop for headtube from 127 mm to 152 mm

SLIDING BUSHINGS

We have implemented technology derived from our motorsports heritage to provide optimal bushing performance, via floating bushings. The new DU bushing material in the Vaia fork is manufactured to precise tolerances for each assembly and works seamlessly with our specially formulated EXT oil. This combination ensures zero stiction and exceptionally low friction, even under high side loads.

Like in MX bikes, our unique DU guiding system, featuring a specially designed long bushing overlap, providing maximum guidance and optimal torsional rigidity for the stanchions. We’ve named it the CGB (Continuously Guided Bushing) system, which also boosts dynamic stiffness. Optimized inner volume design ensures maximum lubrication for sliding bushing systems. This technology inherently allows for optimal bushing overlap that increases throughout fork travel but also has the advantage of incorporating a radial float capacity that constantly adapts to any forces exerted onto the fork tubes by the wheel. As such this small degree of float may be perceptible while unweighting the system from a static state such as lifting the front of the bike in the parking lot. However, in actual use this is not detectable by the user.

TITANIUM TI GR5 WHEEL AXLE

Twin hexagonal Grade 5 Titanium (Ti Gr 5) floating wheel axle guarantees perfect wheel alignment and excellent torsional stiffness. Available in 15mm diameter version for enduro wheels and 20mm for DH, with no need to replace any major components of the fork; just add an adapter for the 15mm axle!

TITANIUM TI GR5 HARDWARE

Bolts, nuts, washers, and other hardware components made of Grade 5 Titanium DIN 912 spec, used in aerospace and industrial applications for its high mechanical strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance characteristics. We know that even the small things matter, so all details were considered.

NEW SELF CONTAINING AIR CARTRIDGE

Vaia features the EXT HS3 technology, a unique hybrid air spring system with two separate positive air chambers that work in tandem with a large-volume, self-equalizing negative air chamber. HS3 is designed to provide excellent mid-stroke support around the dynamic sag position, while also delivering outstanding sensitivity and bottom-out protection. All passages and ports are designed to minimize air pressure drop during long stroke high-speed movement, minimizing hysteresis. The special design improves heat dissipation and better isothermic conditions, balancing pressure variations and ensuring consistent performance even on long descents.

HS3 WITH EXTRA TUNING

The advantages of our HS3 system doesn’t end there. We have introduced volume spacers to our current HS3 system to further increase the range of tunability. By adding or removing tokens you can both reduce and increase the volume of the chambers independently. The ++ chamber offers further tunability within the end stroke of the air spring curve. This tuning allows for significantly increased end stroke ramp up while minimizing impact to the initial and mid stroke characteristic. The negative chamber volume is also tunable with volume spacers. Adding spacers to the negative chamber increases support throughout the entire travel range without affecting the curve. This allows for further air spring curve optimization for different rider wights and levels of aggression.

3 WAY-ADJUSTABLE CARTRIDGE

A high-flow, 3-way adjustable hydraulic cartridge is the core of the Vaia fork, featuring independent high/low speed compression and rebound adjustments. Maximum hydraulic fork tunability allows each rider to dial in the damping forces to perfectly match their riding style and weight. High dynamic response valves and turbulent flow ensure optimal performance in extreme working conditions. The options for customizing this fork are virtually limitless.

WE GOT YOU COVERED

Dedicated mudguard protection, directly mounted on the stanchion guards, available for purchase separately as an accessory.

AXLE TO CROWN MEASURES

200mm travel ---> Max 614 mm / Min 604 mm
190mm travel ---> Max 604 mm / Min 594 mm
180mm travel ---> Max 594 mm / Min 584 mm
170mm travel ---> Max 584 mm / Min 574 mm

ROTOR SIZE

200 mm up to 220 mm with brake adapter

TRAVEL OPTIONS

170 mm/180 mm/190 mm/ 200 mm

WHY “VAIA”?

Vaia is the name given to an extreme weather event that struck our mountains of Northeastern Italy in 2018. It caused the fall of millions of trees, devastating tens of thousands of hectares of Alpine conifer forests. In remembrance of that tragic event, we have dedicated this name to the fork to keep attention focused on the importance of preserving our woodlands, as well as forests around the world.

For more information, head to extremeshox.com.