Anyone following the latest releases, bike news and rumours will have caught wind that RockShox was planning to launch a new fork, and here it is. The new RockShox Zeb family of forks bridges the gap between Lyrik and Boxxer with the introduction of a larger chassis, more travel and new features.
The Zeb range, named after Zebulon Pike, is a suspension fork family for riders wanting more precision and travel than the Lyrik currently offers. 38mm stanchions make the Zeb the burliest fork in the RockShox range and with up to 190mm travel on tap, it could be the single crown choice for aggressive enduro, downhill and eMTB riders.
New for the Zeb is a more angular crown, the straight lines are a result of machining to help reduce weight while retaining strength in all the key areas. With this the larger chassis and bigger stanchions, RockShox claims the Zeb offers 21.5% more torsional stiffness compared to a Lyrik (based on a 29er fork with 180mm travel). In addition, the Zeb is 7% stiffer under side loads and 2% stiffer fore and aft.
RockShox has also taken oversize frame designs into account while building the Zeb and has increased the gap between the arch and crown so that even under full compression riders shouldn’t run into any clearance issues. The new arch design also has built-in fender mounts for the new Zeb Fender too.
Just as we saw on the Pike and Lyrik earlier in the year, the new Zeb features a Debonair Air spring that helps the fork to sit higher in its travel. It has been redesigned for the new chassis but should perform the same.
Ulitmate, Select+ and Select models all feature the Charger 2.1 damper, with a redesigned architecture for the bigger 38mm chassis, offering adjustments to both the high and low-speed compression circuits. The Zeb R Debonair and Zeb R Dual Position come fitted with the new Charger Damper R, a factory-tuned damper unit.
Dual Position forks have a travel adjustment feature that works on the fly. In the case of the Zeb, the fork can be switched between 180mm or 150mm travel on the move. RockShox says that this will benefit eMTB riders on steep, technical climbs.
Below are the full details of the complete 2021 RockShox Zeb lineup.
Zeb Ultimate
ZEB Ultimate is a whole new breed of fork, designed to challenge the limits and take on the world’s toughest Enduro tracks. Going Ultimate has its advantages. Featuring an all-new stiff 38mm chassis designed with the Charger 2.1 damper, DebonAir™ air spring technology, SKF Wiper Seals, and Maxima Plush Fluid. Our highest performing, athlete-proven technologies matched with premium style plays. An anodized crown and ZEB’s signature color – Slab Grey – make a rocking debut.
Features
- New 38mm chassis for increased stiffness and rider confidence
- Highly-tunable DebonAir™ air spring offers a buttery smooth feel off the top and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence in steep terrain
- Our highest performing Charger technology. Charger 2.1 RC2 damper features independent high and low speed compression with rebound adjustment – designed to reduce hand fatigue and fight unwanted friction, the Charger 2.1 damper increases confidence and control over every trail
- Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long-lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Available in the Signature Colorway Slab Grey or Ultimate High Gloss Black with foil graphics
- Short fender compatible (RockShox fender sold separately)
Specifications
- Wheel size: 27.5″, 29″
- Travel: 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm
- Damper: Charger 2.1 RC2
- offset: 38mm (27.5″), 44mm (27.5″, 29″)
- Upper tube: 38mm aluminum
- WEIGHT: 2281g (29” / 170mm / Maxle Stealth / Uncut Steerer)
RockShox Zeb Select +
ZEB is a whole new breed of fork, designed to challenge whatever limits you find. ZEB Select+ features an all-new stiff 38mm chassis designed with the Charger 2.1 RC damper, DebonAir™ air spring technology, SKF Wiper Seals, and Maxima Plush Fluid.
Features
- New 38mm chassis for increased stiffness and rider confidence
- Highly-tunable DebonAir™ air spring offers a buttery smooth feel off the top and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence in steep terrain
- Our highest performing Charger technology. The Charger 2.1 RC damper features easy to adjust low speed compression and rebound – designed to reduce hand fatigue and fight unwanted friction, the Charger 2.1 damper increases confidence and control over every trail
- Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Short fender compatible (RockShox fender sold separately)
Specifications
- Wheel size: 27.5″, 29″
- Travel: 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm
- Damper: Charger 2.1 RC
- offset: 38mm (27.5″), 44mm (27.5″, 29″)
- Upper tube: 38mm aluminum
- WEIGHT: 2281g (29” / 170mm / Maxle Stealth / Uncut Steerer)
RockShox Zeb Select
ZEB Select features an all-new stiff 38mm chassis designed with the Charger RC damper, DebonAir™ air spring technology, SKF Wiper Seals, and Maxima Plush Fluid. A whole new breed of fork, designed to challenge whatever limits you find.
Features
- New 38mm chassis for increased stiffness and rider confidence
- Highly-tunable DebonAir™ air spring offers a buttery smooth feel off the top and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence in steep terrain
- Charger Technology – The Charger™ RC damper features easy to adjust low speed compression and rebound
- Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Short fender compatible (RockShox fender sold separately)
Specifications
- Wheel size: 27.5″, 29””
- Travel: 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm
- Damper: Charger RC
- offset: 38mm (27.5″), 44mm (27.5″, 29″)
- Upper tube: 38mm aluminum
- WEIGHT: 2270g (29” / 170mm / Maxle Stealth / Uncut Steerer)
RockShox Zeb DebonAir
ZEB features an all-new stiff 38mm chassis designed with the New Charger R damper, DebonAir™ air spring technology, SKF Wiper Seals, and Maxima Plush Fluid. A whole new breed of fork, designed to challenge whatever limits you find.
Features
- New 38mm chassis for increased stiffness and rider confidence
- Charger Technology – The New Charger™ R damper features factory tuned compression with easy to adjust rebound
- Highly-tunable DebonAir™ air spring offers a buttery smooth feel off the top and maintains a higher ride height for increased confidence in steep terrain
- Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long-lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Short fender compatible (RockShox fender sold separately)
- eMTB endorsement decal
Specifications
- Wheel size: 27.5″, 29″
- Travel: 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mm
- Damper: Charger R
- offset: 44mm (27.5″, 29″)
- Upper tube: 38mm aluminum
- WEIGHT: 2279g (29” / 170mm / Maxle Ultimate / Uncut Steerer)
RockShox ZEB Dual Position Air
ZEB features an all-new stiff 38mm chassis designed with the New Charger R damper, Dual Position Air adjustment, SKF Wiper Seals, and Maxima Plush Fluid. A whole new breed of fork, designed to challenge whatever limits you find.
Features
- New 38mm chassis for increased stiffness and rider confidence
- Charger Technology – The New Charger™ R damper features factory tuned compression with easy to adjust rebound
- The Dual Position Air spring allows riders to adjust the fork between two distinct travel positions. With the turn of a knob, adjust from 180mm of max travel to 150mm minimum travel.
- Ultra-low friction SKF wiper seals provide long-lasting fork performance and improve overall suspension feel
- Maxima Plush damping fluid reduces friction and silences damper noise
- Short fender compatible (RockShox fender sold separately)
- eMTB endorsement decal
Specifications
- Wheel size: 27.5″, 29″
- Travel: 150mm / 180mm: 30mm Travel Adjustment
- Damper: Charger R
- offset: 44mm (27.5″, 29″)
- Upper tube: 38mm aluminium
Comments (5)
Comments Closed
A reduction in the number of offsets available. No 51mm for 29″ any more?
heavy
Five variants for each model. What will that be, 40-odd forks in their range to choose from? I’ll need a lie down.
Oh why, oh why did they not call it the Zebedee?
I’m holding out for 38.99. Missed opportunity SRAM.