This new Intend Rover hybrid of coil and air shocks seems like the direct answer to questions mountain bikers have been asking the German suspension maker for several years.
When Intend recently released their Hover Monocoque air shock update, it brought back some familiar questions. And statements. “Wouldn’t the piston rod break easily?” and “Looks like the coil is missing.” This, along with others, is feedback Intend had received concerning the unconventional look of the Hover shock from day one.
Rather, the shock was intentionally designed that way. “Our track record shows zero broken piston rods in the six years since the Intend Hover launched,” they said. Despite a style that broke away from other offerings in the suspension world, adding a coil spring always seemed to be the logical next step.
But, it isn’t just styling and looks that have Intend putting a spring over the Hover to create this hybrid. Rather, the brand claims significant improvement with the addition of a spring for riders searching for a touch more sensitivity.
Introducing the Rover, a unique air/coil hybrid shock that becomes part of Intend’s Blackline.
The Intend Rover coil and air shock hybrid
Rather than creating separate air and coil shocks in either category, Intend views the Rover as more of a Hover-variant that combines the advantages of an air shock with those of a coil. On the air side, you have progressivity and adjustability. On the coil side, you get a more linear, sensitive experience and the ability to run lower pressures. And both can be adjusted, essentially independantly!
Intend kept the core principles of the Hover air shock with the Rover. An air spring system is incorporated, with self-balancing positive and negative chambers. The progresivity of an air shock helps prevent bottom-outs and is easily tunable.
Adding a coil on the other hand, changes the shock altogether.
Coil shocks are known for their supple, sensitive feel, which Intend says the Rover now delivers. This suppleness is achieved by running the shock at a much lower air pressure, effectively replacing basic spring duties with the coil. The addition of the coil lowers seal friction, increasing sensitivity, and provides a more linear experience.
In effect, Intend has replaced a significant percentage of the air spring curve with the linear characteristics of a coil.
The Rover’s hybrid nature also makes it easily adjustable. Rather than switching between different coil springs to get the right feel, the Rover is adjusted simply by adding or releasing air.
And Intend provides a custom tune for each Rover based on the rider’s weight and frame kinematics.
But, one important note is that while the Rover ultimately looks like the Hover with a spring, it is its own unique shock. Intends says that you aren’t able to simply convert a Hover to a Rover, or vice versa.
Rover Hybrid Shock – Tech Details & Options
Intend offers two spring options for the Rover: titanium or steel. Spring rates for the coils are fixed, covering a fairly vast weight range with a relatively lightweight spring. The Rover is also offered in trunnion and standard sizes and includes additional hardware to convert between them.
Intend offers the Rover Ti in 205×65 (trunnion) and 230×65 (standard), as well as the Rover Fe (Fe is iron on the periodic table, so that’s the steel spring). They also offer the Fe in 225×75 (trunnion) and 250×75 (standard) for the big rigs.
Pricing & Availability
While this may seem like fairly limited stroke length options, Intend expands its stroke options with stroke reduction. Shock strokes can be reduced by 2.5, 5 & 7.5mm, expanding fitment possibilities.
- Weight: 510g (Ti 205×65) / 570g (Fe 205×65)
- Adjustments: LS compression/rebound, air pressure, 3-position lockout (Open/Gravel/Road)
- Shock Price: €1200 (~$1400)
- Coil Price: €129 (~$140)