Is Formula's new Nebbia hybrid air/coil shock the answer to suspension simplicity?

Formula's new Nebbia shock fitted to a Canyon bike
(Image credit: Formula)

Formula has released its first-ever rear shock – the Nebia. The coil and air hybrid rear shock is claimed to simplify rear suspension ownership, whether running on a short-travel trail bike or downhill race bike. 

The shock features a coil and air hybrid negative spring design that increases initial sensitivity and a low-pressure positive air chamber. Formula says the Nebbia is very easy to set claiming that it should just be a case of setting the sag and adjusting the rebound. There is a low-speed compression dial and a three-position (Open, Platform, Firm) compression switch.  

For riders wanting to go a bit more in-depth with their suspension tune, the shock uses Formula's Neopos volume spacers to adjust progression and features Formula's Compression Tuning System (CTS), with three user-changeable valve options being supplied with the shock; gold (light), orange (mid), green (firm). 

Formula's new Nebbia shock fitted to a Canyon bike

The Nebbia is a hybrid coil and air rear shock with adjustable valves stacks (Image credit: Formula)

The Nebbia doesn't require any specialist tools to perform a basic 60-hour service, although it's recommended that you send your shock off to a Formula service Center for the more involved 125-hour service. Formula recently committed to a 10-year support promise on all its products so the Nebbia will be covered for parts, spares, and support for the next decade.

The shock should fit most frames and comes in a wide range of standard and Trunnion mounts. The stroke is also adjustable using 2.5, 5, and 7.5mm user-installable spacers allowing the shock’s stroke to be changed with no specialist tools required.

Weighing in at 472 g (210x55 mm), the Formula Nebbia shock will retail for $849.99 / £680 / €790 / CAN $950 exc VAT.

Graham Cottingham
Senior reviews writer, Bike Perfect

Graham is all about riding bikes off-road, based in Edinburgh he has some of the best mountain biking and gravel riding in the UK on his doorstep. With almost 20 years of riding experience, he has dabbled in downhill, enduro, and gravel racing. Not afraid of a challenge, Graham has embraced bikepacking over the last few years and likes nothing more than strapping some bags to his bike and covering big miles to explore Scotland's wildernesses. When he isn’t shredding the gnar in the Tweed Valley, sleeping in bushes, or tinkering with bikes, he is writing tech reviews for Bike Perfect.

Rides: Cotic SolarisMax, Stooge MK4, 24 Bicycles Le Toy 3, Surly Steamroller

Height: 177cm

Weight: 71kg