Gravity-First

Kitsuma Air

$699.99



Kitsuma turns your bike into a downhill bike. It hugs the ground on the roughest and steepest trails. It gives you maximum grip, a planted feel, and allows you to go faster thanks to a more personalized tune. It’s the only 4-way adjustable shock that’s tunable by hand – making it easier to move through the setup process and get back to ripping down the trail faster than before.

This second generation Kitsuma shock has updates that make it easier to tune and more reliable than ever.

All shocks are built to order by hand in our facility in North Carolina, USA.  For estimated build times see below:

  • Standard Mount & Trunnion Mount Kitsuma Air shocks will ship within 7-14 business days

Shocks are sold without Hardware.

All shock returns are subject to a 20% restocking fee.

Here's how it feels

 

 

Extra Confidence at Speed

 

 

Composed on rough, chunky trails

 

 

Consistent and predictable

 

 

Mutes big hits and impacts

 

 

Comes alive when going fast

 

Predictable when taking off or landing jumps/drops 

 

 

Insane grip – sticks to the ground

 

 

Easy to tune

"Kitsuma makes my bike feel like a downhill bike"

-Olivier G., Real Kitsuma rider

SETUP MADE EASY

Tired of getting bucked over the bars, or feeling your rear wheel skitter and break traction when the trail gets rough? Getting the best out of any shock requires a decent amount of tuning, and the second generation Kitsuma makes that tuning easier and more immediate with the aid of updated dials on all 4 damper adjustments. Each dial now offers a large range of adjustment contained in a single 360* turn with marks that denote each position of the adjuster. Reading your shock settings is now as easy as reading the hands on a clock.   

No hunting for tools, and no ‘counting clicks’ to see where you are.  

Less time tuning – more time riding.

SETUP MADE EASY

Tired of getting bucked over the bars, or feeling your rear wheel skitter and break traction when the trail gets rough? Getting the best out of any shock requires a decent amount of tuning, and the second generation Kitsuma makes that tuning easier and more immediate with the aid of updated dials on all 4 damper adjustments. Each dial now offers a large range of adjustment contained in a single 360* turn with marks that denote each position of the adjuster. Reading your shock settings is now as easy as reading the hands on a clock.   

No hunting for tools, and no ‘counting clicks’ to see where you are.  

Less time tuning – more time riding.

CLIMB SWITCH

OPEN, CLIMB, LOCK

Our patented Climb Switch technology controls both compression and rebound movement at the same time, effectively eliminating pedal bob. It shores up the shock from both “ends”, instead of just one – but still leaves just enough freedom for the shock to move over significant bumps in the trail. This means that you’ll feel supported and efficient, while still having access to crucial traction when you need it.  

The Kitsuma Climb Switch has an additional position that locks out the shock entirely for long, self-shuttled climbing days or paved rides to the trail head. It’s the best-pedaling gravity shock out there.

CLIMB SWITCH

OPEN, CLIMB, LOCK

Our patented Climb Switch technology controls both compression and rebound movement at the same time, effectively eliminating pedal bob. It shores up the shock from both “ends”, instead of just one – but still leaves just enough freedom for the shock to move over significant bumps in the trail. This means that you’ll feel supported and efficient, while still having access to crucial traction when you need it.  

The Kitsuma Climb Switch has an additional position that locks out the shock entirely for long, self-shuttled climbing days or paved rides to the trail head. It’s the best-pedaling gravity shock out there.

SECOND GENERATION UPDATES

  • More intuitive tuning ⇆ Single-turn dials on all adjustments with laser-etched position marks

  • Precise feel ⇆ Easy-turn dials with machined grooves

  • Greater Control on big hits & hard compressions ⇆ Higher maximum high speed rebound (HSR) damping force

  • More plush feel ⇆ Lower minimum high speed compression (HSC) damping force

  • Even more reliability ⇆ Updated valve seats and damper tube materials

  • New look ⇆ Refined graphics plus new colorway options

SECOND GENERATION UPDATES

  • More intuitive tuning ⇆ Single-turn dials on all adjustments with laser-etched position marks

  • Precise feel ⇆ Easy-turn dials with machined grooves

  • Greater Control on big hits & hard compressions ⇆ Higher maximum high speed rebound (HSR) damping force

  • More plush feel ⇆ Lower minimum high speed compression (HSC) damping force

  • Even more reliability ⇆ Updated valve seats and damper tube materials

  • New look ⇆ Refined graphics plus new colorway options

AIR OR COIL?

Air Spring Benefits

  • Less weight
  • Easily adjustable with a shock pump 
  • Tunable progression (ability to control bottom out resistance and add more ‘pop’)
  • Better for heavier riders

Coil Spring Benefits 

  • Maximum sensitivity & planted feel = GRIP
  • Most consistent and predictable on long, rough descents
  • Buttery smooth
  • Spring Rate = set & forget  

 

AIR OR COIL?

Air Spring Benefits

  • Less weight
  • Easily adjustable with a shock pump 
  • Tunable progression (ability to control bottom out resistance and add more ‘pop’)
  • Better for heavier riders

Coil Spring Benefits 

  • Maximum sensitivity & planted feel = GRIP
  • Most consistent and predictable on long, rough descents
  • Buttery smooth
  • Spring Rate = set & forget  

Additional information

Colors

Black or Silver (limited qty)

Sizes

Standard mount: 210, 230, 250 in various stroke lengths, Trunnion mount: 185, 205, 225 in various stroke lengths

Damper

Standard mount: 210, 230, 250 in various stroke lengths, Trunnion mount: 185, 205, 225 in various stroke lengths

Adjustments

High speed compression, low speed compression, high speed rebound, low speed rebound. Kitsuma Air uses easy, tool-free volume reduction to increase progression

Climb Switch

3 position CS lever : Open, Climb, LOCKED

Shaft Diameter

9.5mm, solid steel

Weight

+/- 585g (Air) +/- 417g (Coil w/o spring) *varies by size

Manufacturing

Hand-built and individually dyno tested in Fletcher, NC, USA

Warranty

2 years

*All shocks are subject to a 20% restocking fee.

Bike Fitment

This list is not exhaustive, and represents 52 popular bikes that we know Kitsuma fits. There are many many more bikes out there that are also fit the shock! If you have any question regarding shock fitment or hardware, please contact our support team at 828-641-9560 or support@canecreek.com. We’ll help you figure out exactly what you need!

   
Make Model Mounting Config. Shock Size Hardware Notes
Specialized Stumpjumper evo Standard 210×55 20 x 8 Only needs hardware for forward shock eyelet
Levo Standard S1: 52.5x210mm, S2-S6: 55x210mm 8 mm ID x 20 mm W (front), No Hardware (rear)
Enduro Trunnion 205 x 60 none
Levo SL 2021-2023 Standard 210×52.5 20×8
Levo SL 2024 Standard S1 210×50, S2-S6: 210×55 Front: 20×8 Rear: No Hardware
Demo 2023 Trunnion 225×75 None
Status 2 Standard 230×62.5 30×8
Trek Fuel EX (Gen 6) Trunnion 185×55 40 x 8 Only needs hardware for lower shock eyelet
Fuel EX-e Trunnion 205×60 40 x 8 Only needs hardware for lower shock eyelet
Slash (Gen 5) Trunnion 230×62.5 40 x 10 Only needs hardware for lower shock eyelet
Slash (Gen 6) Standard 230×65 54mm x 10mm upper, 20mm x 8mm lower
Session Standard 250×72.5 40×8
Pivot Firebird (current) Trunnion 205 x 65 30 x 8
Switchblade (current) Trunnion 185 x 55 30 x 8
Pheonix Standard 250 x 70 Front: 22 x 8  Rear: use stock hardware
Cannondale Jekyl Trunnion 205 x 65 30 x 8
Commencal Supreme Standard 250×75 20×8, 30×10
Giant Reign Trunnion 205×62.5
Glory Trunnion 225×75
Norco Shore/Shore A Trunnion 225×70/225×75 30×10
Sight 2020-2023 Trunnion 185×52.5 10×30
Sight 2024 Trunnion 60×205 8×30
Santa Cruz Megatower ’22 – current Standard 230×62.5 30×8
Bronson ’22 – current Standard 230×60 Front: 30×8 (Standard Bushing), Rear 30×8 (Roller Bearing)
Nomad V6 Standard 230×65 30×8
V10 V8 Standard 250×75 30×8
Transition Spire 2021-current Trunnion 205×65 30×8
Patrol Trunnion 205×60 30×8
Repeater PT Trunnion 205×65 30×8
Sentinel Trunnion 205×62.5 25 x 8
TR-11 Standard 250×75 25×8 top and bottom Lrg & XL ONLY
Kona Process 153 2024 Trunnion 205×57.5 20×8
Process X Trunnion 205×62.5 20×8
Process X DH
Ibis Ripmo V2 Standard 210×55 Front: 25×8, Rear: 15×8
HD6 Standard 230×65 Front: 25×8, Rear: 15×8
Scott Gambler Trunnion 225×75 50×8
GT Fury (current) Trunnion 225×75 30 x 10
Fury (2019-2022) Trunnion 225×75 22.2 x 8
Propain Spindrift Standard 230×65 Top: 20×8 Bottom: 30×8
Yeti SB140 Standard 210×55 Front: 36×8, Rear: Proprietary
SB160 Standard 230×65 Front: 36×8, Rear: Proprietary
SB150 Standard 230×60 8×36
SB165 Standard 230×65 8×36
Forbidden Druid V1 Standard 210×55 Front: 30×8, Rear: 30×8
Druid V2 Trunnion 185×50 Rear: 30×8
Deviate Claymore Standard 230×60 Front: 40×8, Rear: Eyelet bushing
Revel Rail 29 Standard 230×60 Front: 22.2×8, Rear: Open Eyelet
Rail 27 Standard 230×65 Front: 22.2×8, Rear: Open Eyelet
Ari La Sal Peak Standard 230×65 30 x 8, front & rear
Timp Peak Standard 230×65
Superior Peak Standard 250×75
 

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Showing 2 of 2 reviews (5 star). See all 2 reviews
Douglas Maier
Douglas Maierus
Verified OwnerVerified Owner
5/5

It’s such a great option in my opinion cause you can fully lock it out and a couple pounds does not make a big difference on gravel

Verified reviewVerified review - view original

4 weeks ago
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Richard R.
Richard R.us
Verified OwnerVerified Owner
5/5

My main off tarmac riding is done on open grazing land. During the winter it gets very chewed up from the cows. It makes for next to impossible riding at times and even after they grade the roads in the spring they can still be quite rough. I had a suspension stem which helped somewhat but the front end had a hard time connecting to the ground. After only a few ride with the Invert I've found that the frontend now stays connected to the ground and I'm able to ride faster and smoother.

My local bike shop owner hadn't heard of the Invert when I brought it in for him to install. After a quick ride around town he was impressed by how responsive and positive the steering was.

Verified reviewVerified review - view original

4 months ago