Factory to Fast Forward with TJ Hanson

For Episode 10 of Suspension Sessions, Glen and Robbie sit down with Terje “TJ” Hansen, Head of MTB Suspension at Öhlins - a man who’s spent nearly three decades at the heart of world-class suspension development.From being born into motocross heritage to helping build Öhlins’ mountain bike program from a “skunkworks” project into a World Cup-winning force, TJ shares the inside story of how elite racing drives real-world product evolution.In this episode, we chat about:The early days of Öhlins MTB and the legendary TTX22How working with Specialized Gravity and riders like Loïc Bruni shapes suspension innovationThe philosophy behind the Fast Forward program and hydraulic top-out technologyNew developments including advanced low-friction coatings and the launch of an Öhlins gravel forkThe impact of Brembo’s acquisition and what it means for future R&DElectronics vs. analogue suspension — where the industry is really headingWhy most riders overcomplicate setup — and TJ’s simple, powerful approach to getting suspension rightTJ also shares honest insights on telemetry overload, common setup mistakes (even at World Cup level), and why correct bike balance always comes before twisting knobs.This is a masterclass in suspension thinking - blending race paddock development, real-world service insight, and practical advice every rider can apply immediately.If you care about performance, balance, and the future of suspension tech, this one’s not to be missed.