INTRODUCING THE TOP HAT

June 23, 2026

Ride 886 introduces TopHat, a modern dual-stage air spring system for Fox and RockShox suspension forks.

Combine the sensitivity of a coil spring with the tunability of air. Increase comfort and traction without compromising support and control, or tune your fork for hard charging without adding harshness. TopHat’s dual-stage air spring system allows for lower initial operating pressure for a supple feel off the top, while the secondary spring provides tunable support and bottom out resistance. Combine improved ride characteristics and options for factory level suspension tuning in one simple, user-friendly package.

TopHat simultaneously satisfies the most performance minded suspension tuners while remaining incredibly simple to use for riders just looking for an effective, set-and-forget upgrade. For riders on a budget, or who can’t justify the marginal gains of a new $1200 fork, TopHat offers greater performance benefits at a fraction of the cost.

• Installation and initial setup in under 5 minutes.
• Two-stage, dual air spring system for independent tuning of beginning, middle, and end stroke.
• 10-15 psi lower base pressure increases sensitivity off the top without a loss in support.
• Easy to use tuning guides for riders of all experience levels from beginner to professional.
• Adjustable floating piston height and chamber volumes for a custom tunable spring curve.
• Unique volume spacer design adds bottom out resistance with zero effect on initial spring rate.
• Fully adjustable without disassembly.
• User friendly modular design is rebuildable and upgradable without special tools.
• Includes replacement seals and optional chamferless socket tool.
• Weighs only 40 grams more than stock cap assembly.
• Two color options: blue or black (FOX) / red or black (RockShox)
• Lifetime warranty.
• Ships worldwide, prices include all import fees and VAT.

Legacy Technology Optimized for Modern MTB Forks

First introduced in motocross by Yamaha and KYB in 1976, dual-stage air spring technology has featured in various MTB forks and suspension products for more than a decade. At the consumer level these systems have remained relatively unchanged over the past fifty years, and aftermarket products built for first generation enduro forks have not evolved in step with current fork technology. Ride 886 designed TopHat to bring a legacy air spring concept fully up to date with modern MTB fork chassis, air springs, and dampers.

TopHat Explained

For those unfamiliar with dual-stage air springs their defining characteristic is the division of the traditional single positive air spring chamber into two different chambers in series, with the primary chamber at a lower pressure and the secondary chamber at a higher pressure. This creates a low pressure and low volume initial chamber to build midstroke support at the dynamic sag point, then transitioning to a larger chamber to maintain the supportive midstroke before ramping up to prevent bottom out. In addition to creating a more optimal spring curve, both chambers are infinitely adjustable making them more tunable as compared to traditional single positive chamber and volume reducer designs. Ohlins, Manitou, EXT, Formula, and Intend have all offered forks with some basic variation of this technology.

TopHat vs Volume Reducers

Traditional volume reducers offer a simple to understand, but rather blunt tuning option mostly directed at bottom out resistance. And while they do this rather well, installing or removing reducers influences the entire spring rate, requiring a compromise with small bump compliance and mid stroke support. Additionally, the abrupt ramp up they introduce can feel like hitting a wall toward the end of the stroke, making it difficult to use full travel efficiently. Often the adjustment riders want versus what can be achieved with volume reducers doesn’t align. To quote a multiple World Cup winner, “I always have a hard time with volume spacers. They always feel so progressive for the feeling you want.”

The TopHat Advantage

While simple enough to use for someone with no background in suspension tuning, TopHat’s advanced adjustment features unlock tuning potential previously unavailable.

Traditional dual-stage air springs allow only pressure adjustment, where adding bottom out control requires increasing air pressure in the secondary air chamber. For less progression the same process is repeated in reverse. While this maintains a level of simplicity, the limitation comes from a need to keep the pressure ratio between the two chambers in an optimal window. Too much pressure in the secondary chamber will aid in bottom out while also introducing a harsh spike early in the midstroke. The result is a loss of control in rough terrain, excessive feedback through the handlebars, and a front end that is easily deflected or stood up in corners. Conversely, too little pressure and the mid-stroke support falls off and the fork begins to wallow in its travel. While many riders are able to find an optimal setting while maintaining an optimal pressure ratio there’s little room to deviate, especially in designs built for a narrow, pre-defined spring curve. Anyone looking for more personalized ride characteristics is forced to make the same compromises they experienced with volume reducers.

The Ride 886 TopHat solves this problem through careful design and the introduction of additional adjustment features that do not rely solely on air pressure.

• Precision internal machining maximizes the volume of both chambers. More system volume means a more linear spring rate with reduced baseline progression, less sensitivity to small changes in pressure, and a broader range of usable adjustment.
• Traditional volume reducers can be used in the secondary chamber to increase bottom out resistance and end of stroke progression without changing the pressure ratio between the two chambers.
• Because the reducers are redoupled from the system initially, off the top feel, sag, dynamic ride height, and midstroke support are unaffected. Adjusting bottom out resistance can be fine tuned precisely without affecting the rest of the stroke.
• Individual chamber volumes can be adjusted with 10mm spacers installed under the floating piston.
• This allows for how quickly or slowly initial pressure builds in the primary air chamber and influences off-the-top feel and the bias of the upper chamber between mid-stroke or end-stroke support.
• The TopHat Advanced Tuning Guide provides easy to use, infographic based support for riders who wish to explore more advanced tuning options.

Find Your Optimum Setup in 5 Minutes or Less

Recognizing that many riders would prefer to enjoy the additional benefits of the TopHat system without added complexity, the Quickstart Guide will get you from unboxing to the trail with an optimum setup in 5 minutes or less. For riders looking to set-and-forget, simply type your current or recommended fork pressure into the Quickstart Calculator to get your optimal settings instantly. Inflate your fork to the new pressure and you’re ready to ride. Should you need to make small changes later, the TopHat Standard Tuning Guide provides easy to follow instructions to dial in your ideal setup.

User Friendly Service and Adjustment

Performance and adjustability are useless if accessing them is a hassle, so TopHat was designed specifically with the end user in mind. All adjustment features can be accessed by a single bolt at the bottom and no special tools are needed for disassembly. Basic service and lubrication can be completed in a couple minutes with only a 4mm allen wrench. Additionally, all critical parts have redundant tool interfaces so your day won’t be ruined by a slipped wrench or an accidentally stripped bolt head. All o-rings are standard metric sizes easily available and sourced locally if needed, and complete o-ring specs for each model are published on the service page of the website. A set of complimentary replacement piston seals is included.

Where to Buy

TopHat can be purchased direct from the Ride886.com website.

All models are currently offered in blue or black color options for all Fox 36, 38 and Podium forks with additional red and black RockShox models scheduled for release later this summer.

Reduced launch price of $239 for US customers

€245 in Europe and world wide (prices will vary depending on individual markets). Prices include all tariffs, associated fees, and VAT.