Each fork features a Compression Tuning System (CTS) valve designed specifically for Bryceland. Bryceland asked Formula’s engineers for something with good grip early in the stroke and then plenty of build-up for bigger hits.
• Suspension travel: 170 mm
• Wheel size: 29″
• 43 mm offset
• A2C: 585mm
• 35 mm posts
• Custom compression tuning system valve
• Includes pump, tools, travel spacers, 2 additional CTS valves
• Weight: 2020 grams
• Price: 1514 EUR, 1279 GBP, 1750 CAN
• rideformula.com
What’s new about the CTS system is that changing the valves takes just a few minutes. If a rider buys this limited edition fork (only 100 will be produced) and then finds that they don’t ride like Josh, they can quickly install one of the two standard CTS valves that are also included.
The Bryceland edition Selva is available with 170mm travel for 29″ wheels and costs 1514 EUR. My test fork with a thru axle fitted weighed 2020 grams. The Selva comes with a transferable 2-year warranty as well as Formula’s 10-year support promise, which states that parts, replacement parts and support are available for 10 years for every product they make.
Fork details
In addition to the custom CTS valve, the air-sprung Selva features a new higher volume positive air chamber designed to give the fork a more linear spring curve. This version of the Selva uses a three-stage negative coil spring under the positive air chamber, with the springs getting stiffer towards full extension to prevent noticeable bottoming. The CTS valves and Formula’s Neopos volume spacers are the two components that help prevent the fork from bottoming out abruptly.
For those who don’t know, Neopos are volume spacers made from foam rather than the hard plastic normally used. This foam compresses as the air pressure in the positive chamber increases, creating a smoother end-stroke rise. However, it still acts like a volume spacer, so depending on your fork configuration, it may still be necessary to remove it to achieve full travel.
The rebound knob is in the usual place, on the bottom of the right leg, and is adjustable with 18 clicks. The tool-free quick release lever on the thru axle is removable. Once removed, the axle can be tightened or loosened using a 5mm Allen key.
Driving impressions
I started with the Bryceland CTS valve installed and pumped the fork up to 65 psi as per Formula’s recommendation. I set out on one of my usual test laps, a ride that includes a good mix of jumps, drops, berms and some steeper, more natural trails. In other words, a mountain bike ride.
Not that I had any doubts beforehand, but this ride proved to me once again that I’m not Josh Bryceland. Formula definitely hit the mark of having a soft, supple first stroke and then plenty of support after that, but the extreme climb meant I was only using about 140mm of travel, and that was on a ride with lots of hard drops and G-outs where I would have used almost all of the travel with my typical setup. The softer first part of the travel meant I wasn’t jolted, but the climb further back in the travel was very, very noticeable – it was like running into a padded wall, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get through.
Time to swap the CTS valve for something more suited to mere mortals. I tried both the orange and gold valves and ultimately settled on the gold valve without spacers as my preferred all-around configuration. As it turns out, 75% of Formula customers say this valve is what they prefer. If I were riding an e-bike or doing high-speed laps at the bike park, I could see myself using the orange valve as it offers more support in the middle and end of the travel. With the gold valve, the fork had excellent grip from the top and the support was well built up throughout the travel.
Formula’s CTS system makes it easy to experiment with different setups and it’s a clever way to give riders a wide range of distinctly different fork configurations. On the Bryceland Selva, I wonder if this is the last push for this model before something new comes along. Don’t get me wrong, it works very well; aside from the rather loud rebound noise, I have no complaints about its performance, it’s only partially overshadowed by the latest offerings from Fox and RockShox.
The Selva’s stanchions still measure 35mm, and while the chassis was certainly stiff enough for my 72kg weight, I’d imagine larger riders would gravitate towards the more robust 38mm options. The flip side is that the Selva weighs around 300 grams less than a Zeb or 38, which is a significant weight saving – something to keep in mind for riders who are fed up with their enduro bike weighing as much as a downhill bike.
Bleed valves would be a nice touch and I don’t think the lockout lever is necessary on a long travel fork either. However, I wouldn’t consider any of these issues a deal breaker and for riders looking to try something different, the Selva is worth considering.