We Tested a $3,000 Suspension Telemetry System: Here's What Happened

James Moore · 2026-10-02

Professional data acquisition has been standard practice in the World Cup for years, helping riders squeeze the last hundredths of a second out of their suspension. But can amateur riders benefit from technology that costs $3,000? We spent months testing the BYB Tech Telemetry V3 Pro system on trails to find out. If you want to compete at the sharp end of today's Downhill, Enduro, or Cross Country World Cup, instinct alone won't get you there anymore. Delicate cables and small data boxes are now common on race bikes, recording every movement of fork and shock with millisecond precision. Among the leaders in this field is BYB Tech, based in Italy. Founded by former Elite Masters downhill champion and automation engineer Enrico Rodella, the small team has grown from a Kickstarter campaign in 2018 into one of the top telemetry suppliers on the World Cup circuit. Today, the company runs on three full-time employees and one part-time team member, delivering data insights once available only to a handful of professional teams. So why bother? Isn't a good feel for the bike and the classic rubber O-ring on the fork stanchion enough? BYB Tech claims their V3 Pro system turns subjective impressions into reliable data, making suspension setup understandable and repeatable. But does this flood of data justify the hefty price tag? And more importantly, can you make sense of the analysis without a degree in aerospace engineering? ### What's Included and What Can It Measure? For the substantial price of $3,000 (excluding VAT), you get a system with an IP65 rating, making it resistant to dust and water spray. At its core is the central data acquisition unit, which processes data at frequencies up to 1,000 Hz—that's 1,000 measurements per second. The box includes: - V3 Pro data acquisition unit: stores all measurement data and features a three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope - Two linear potentiometers: measure suspension travel on the fork and shock - Brake sensors: detect when brakes are applied - External GPS receiver: records your route and speed - Magnetic wheel sensor: measures wheel speed with high precision directly at the wheel - Comprehensive mounting hardware If you want to dive deeper, the unit can pair via ANT+ or Bluetooth with external sensors like heart rate monitors and power meters. Action cameras can be synchronized too. Camera sync is a powerful feature—it lets you overlay telemetry data onto your video footage. This makes it possible to analyze exactly why a load spike occurred in a specific trail section, whether it was a riding mistake, poor line choice, or just an untidy landing. ### Installation: Zip Ties, Double-Sided Tape, and a Little Patience Installing the BYB Tech system for the first time requires careful attention and some mechanical confidence. If you know what you're doing, fitting takes around 15 to 20 minutes. For first-timers, it can take considerably longer. Frame designs with the shock deep inside the down tube or routed through the seat tube need a more creative approach when mounting the shock sensor. On our test bikes—a Trek Fuel+ EX and a YT DECOY SN—installation was straightforward and trouble-free. For selected bike models, BYB provides dedicated mounting brackets as free downloadable 3D printing files, so you can print the parts yourself. For most bikes, the supplied universal mounts are all you need. Everything is secured with cable ties and double-sided adhesive tape. ### Does It Actually Make a Difference? After months of testing, we found that the BYB Tech Telemetry V3 Pro does deliver on its promises—but with caveats. The data is incredibly detailed and can help you dial in your suspension like never before. However, the learning curve is steep. You'll need to invest time in understanding the software and interpreting the data. For serious racers or data geeks, it's a game-changer. For casual riders, it might be overkill. > "The V3 Pro turned my suspension tuning from guesswork into a science. I found seconds I didn't know I was losing." — Enrico Rodella, Founder If you're chasing podiums and have the budget, the V3 Pro is a powerful tool. But if you're just riding for fun, a good old-fashioned O-ring might still be your best friend.