How Often do You Flip Your Chip?

Flip chips are a nice option to have, though some mountain bikers find it more useful than others.

By Jeff Barber
December 25, 2022

8 comments

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Many full suspension bikes are equipped with flip chips to modify the bike’s geometry or adjust suspension characteristics. It’s a nice option to have, though some riders likely find it more useful than others.

Bonus for the comments: Is having a flip chip an important feature when choosing a mountain bike?

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A cartoon scene depicting two men in a garage, one kneeling beside a blue mountain bike while explaining its features to the other, who is standing with a smile. The dialogue bubble reads, “And with the flip chip, I can transform it from enduro to a gravel bike.” The background shows trees and a wooden fence.

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A silver mountain bike displayed on a workshop table, featuring Maxxis tires and a prominent geometric frame design. The background showcases a red brick wall adorned with band posters, while workshop tools and equipment are visible in the setting.

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A diagram illustrating the geometry of a mountain bike frame, with labeled measurements including Effective Top Tube (ETT), Reach, Head Tube Angle (HTA), Stack, Seat Tube Angle (STA), Chainstay, Bottom Bracket Height, and Wheelbase. The frame is depicted in a simplified silhouette format.

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8 Comments

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Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Dec 26, 2022

I could see experimenting with the flip however, after that set it n fergitit!

4 reply

Allan Taylor 2019
Dec 25, 2022

Interesting that 80% of riders rarely or never use this feature. Imagine how much better frames would be if all the frame manufacturers didn't have to make compromises for features few people care about..water bottle mounts, flip chips, internal cable routing.... headset routing is the next useless feature 🤣

Ted Teyber New York // 2015
Jan 3, 2023

I think the value is in letting riders fine tune a stock frame for their local terrain/riding style. Once you get that sorted, there's really no need to move it again. Even when going to a different zone where flipping the chip might be warranted, having to set-up suspension and stack height for a different bike geo probably isn't worth the effort not to mention being less familiar with your bike on new trails. Kind of like WC DH guys using different angle set headsets for initial set-up, but then only fine tuning suspension for different race tracks week-to-week.

1 reply

Dr Sweets Georgia // 2016
Dec 28, 2022

Every bike I've owned since 2014 has had adjustable geometry. I believe it is mostly used as such to suit each rider's tastes when they initially set up the bike versus altering it routinely.

3 reply

weaselsmopar Georgia // 2022
Dec 29, 2022

I have a 2022 propain that doesn't have the chip and I just switched the front from 650b to a 29 front and honestly the bike rides better climbing and descending since I went mullet then it did with the stock setup. The geometry is just so good on bikes now days. The only problem I have is with how low bottom bracket are to the ground.

bikefoole 2017
Dec 26, 2022

Found my Nomad worked as I wanted in all situations in the high setting. The low worked but just wasn’t necessary.

0 reply

JeffL22 Illinois // 2020
Dec 27, 2022

I set it to High on my Stumpy near the end of the season but haven't ridden enough to tell if it is all that helpful. I was having issues with pedal strikes and thought it might help some but I'm not sure if the chip solved that issue or I simply began to work more on pedal position on some trails.

Svteam 2015
Dec 25, 2022

I've had other bikes in the past that I never touched it on but I have a stumpy evo now and switch between mullet setup I prefer in the low setting and 29er that i prefer in the higher setting both at the neutral HA.

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8 Comments