All new RockShox… everything, pretty much

by 21

For model year 2023, RockShox is rejigged the Pike, the Lyrik, the Zeb, the Deluxe, the Deluxe Coil, the Super Deluxe and the Super Deluxe Coil. Below are the details of, amongst other things, the new Charger 3 damper and optional hydraulic bottom out.

New Pike, Lyrik, and Zeb

  • Charger 3 damper with truly independent High Speed Compression (HSC) and Low Speed Compression (LSC) adjustments and silent rebound damping
  • ButterCups help dampen high-frequency vibrations
  • DebonAir+ airprings, designed to offer consistent feel across all three fork platforms with tuned positive and negative air volumes
  • Pressure Relief Valves to deal with unwanted air pressure build-up in the fork lower leg
  • Maxima Plush Dynamic Suspension Lube
  • New chassis designed for each category of riding

New Deluxe, Deluxe Coil, Super Deluxe, and Super Deluxe Coil

  • RCT2 damper with independent High Speed Compression (HSC) and Low Speed Compression (LSC) adjustments
  • DebonAir+ airspring system with two different air cans to better work with a frame’s particular kinematics
  • Fine-tune airspring with positive and negative tokens
  • Optional Hydraulic Bottom Out
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2023-rockshox-zeb-ultimate-super-deluxe-ultimate-review/

Press Release:

Here’s the edited highlights from the 80-odd page PDF!

Forks

New chassis designed with industry-first damper technology, reinvented air springs, a host of new technologies to mute trail chatter and win the fight against friction.

Charger 3

Green is LSC oil flow, blue is HSC oil flow

What sets Charger 3 apart from other dampers is the truly independent High Speed Compression (HSC) and Low Speed Compression (LSC) damping.

That means adding compression damping and more control to the fork. It also means that adding damping just adds damping—not harshness, not feedback.

New damper design featuring an Internal Floating Piston (IFP). The coil spring opposite the piston allows for unparalleled responsiveness.

Buttercups

Buttercups

Little gold-packaged rubber pucks live at the end of the damper and air spring shafts and fit into the lower leg of the fork. Similar technology is found in off-road vehicles, chainsaws, and most devices that transfer high-frequency vibrations into the hands and arms of the user. Like a rubber mount on the handle of the chainsaw, ButterCups dampen high-frequency vibrations before they hit your hands and arms and lead to an early end to an otherwise good day.

ButterCups measurably eliminate trail chatter by on average 20%. Proven by data acquisition over thousands of trail miles and confirmed by riders.

DebonAir+

The dimple, the top out bumper, the volume of the positive and negative air chamber—every single detail was meticulously poured over, assessed, and reassessed.

The goal was a consistent feel across all three fork platforms with tuned positive and negative air volumes to tailor each spring to excel in each rider use case.

By focusing on refining the shape of the spring curve, we created an air spring that’s plusher off-the-top, with a supremely supportive mid-stroke and improved end-stroke ramp up.

New bushings

We maximized the internal bushing overlap in all models to minimize friction throughout our lineup. New Ultimate models feature lower bushings that are 53% longer than before to further optimize friction reduction.

Pressure relief valves

Pressure Relief Valve

New Pressure Relief Valves eliminate unwanted air pressure build-up in the fork lower leg caused by variations in altitude or temperature.

Huge end caps adapters

Huge end caps adapters

If you aren’t interested in “free stiffness” all Pike, Lyrik, and ZEB forks now make it easy to run a standard hub end cap via a new bolt-in adapter.

Pike Ultimate

Pike range

Ultra-versatile, super capable, lightweight on the scales, heavy on the attitude—this is the new Pike. Not afraid of the rooty chutes. Unintimidated by the calf-crushing climbs. We’ve redesigned the trail-capable legend with a new 35mm chassis equipped with podium-proven technology like the new Charger 3 damper featuring vibration-killing ButterCups. A fork designed to level up your trail game. Experience the legend.

Lyrik Ultimate

Lyrik range

Faster. Stronger. Ruthlessly efficient. The new Lyrik is up for anything and down for it all. The most versatile fork in our lineup features a hyper-focused new chassis that’s lighter while still critically stiff to deliver on Lyrik’s legendary performance and party attitude. Lyrik Ultimate packs an orchestra of industry-leading tech like the new Charger 3 damper, ButterCup technology, and the new DebonAir+ air spring. Let Lyrik sing with a fresh signature colorway we call “Heavy Meadow”, inspired by our favorite alpine sufferfests. The new Lyrik Ultimate is here.

Zeb Ultimate

Zeb range

Long on travel, short on excuses, ZEB Ultimate is a whole new breed of fork designed to challenge the limits and take on the world’s toughest enduro tracks. An updated stiff 38mm chassis includes the new Charger 3 RC2 damper with vibration-killing ButterCup technology. Our highest performing, athlete-proven technologies matched with premium style plays. This is ZEB.

Rear shocks

RC2T Damper

RCT2 damper

Meet the RC2T Damper, our most precisely-tunable shock damper yet. RC2T sounds like a mouthful, but the name says it all. Rebound. Compression: 2 separate adjustments—High Speed and Low Speed Compression. And Threshold.

Riders can fine-tune High Speed Compression damping to a tee without having any residual impact on how Low Speed Compression performs, and vice versa, for unprecedented customization.

The RC2T base tune is set by the frame manufacturer to suit their exact kinematics, which falls right in the middle of the tuning range. Set it and forget it, or dial it in to find your perfect fit. RC2T features a spectrum of 5 adjustable “clicks”—2 to decrease and 2 to increase both High Speed Compression and Low Speed Compression damping.

Hydraulic Bottom Out

Adjustable hydraulic bottom out

Utilizing a needle that blocks the flow of oil as the piston moves through the stroke, Hydraulic Bottom Out kicks in within the last 20% of travel, sparing you the pain of that harsh clanking bottom out after impact without sacrificing reactivity or traction.

Hydraulic Bottom Out plays nice with our Bottomless Tokens, allowing riders to fine-tune their air spring without worrying about bottoming out.

The key component is an adjustable dial offering five different compression settings to customize the cushioning you experience on impact.

Deluxes

Deluxe Ultimate

Light on ounces and heavy on capability, Deluxe Ultimate adds a touch of luxury to the latest uber-capable trail bikes. From the new DebonAir+ air spring that offers more volume tunability than ever to the damper’s independent Low Speed Compression and Rebound adjustments—every aspect was carefully designed to maximize tunability into a streamlined, minimalist package. The power is in your hands to dial in the perfect-for-you, perfect-for-the-trail-ahead settings. A custom-tailored ride, every time.

Deluxe Coil Select

Say bye-bye to fitment challenges with the all-new Deluxe Coil. An inline coil shock that takes cues from its podium-dominating cousin, Super Deluxe Coil. Deluxe Coil brings to the table the same stiffness, controlled mid-stroke support, and buttery off-the-top feel you love, in a compact package with a friendly price tag. A match made in heaven for E-MTBs, hard-to-fit frames, and anyone ready to dip their toes into the world of coil shocks.

Super Deluxes

Super Deluxe Ultimate

In it to win it? Super Deluxe Ultimate is the smart bet for the podium. Packed to the hilt with fine-tuning adjustments that meaningfully improve suspension performance, it’s the most advanced shock we’ve ever made. Pioneering one of the most impactful innovations in damper history, the new RC2T damper allows for 100% independent High Speed and Low Speed Compression adjustments. The arsenal of elite technology rounding out Super Deluxe Ultimate is grounded in the philosophy that, at the highest level of capability, the extra ounce of performance and customization is what it takes to capture the crown.

Super Deluxe Coils

Super Deluxe Coil

Performance to match the most demanding riders out there. The ground up, all-new Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate is a work of art with no feature spared. Equipped with an entirely new chassis, 100% independent High Speed and Low Speed Compression adjustment, increased bushing overlap for improved small bump performance, and optional Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom Out to tailor that bottomless feel. It’s the unmistakable feel of coil, evolved. A coil shock packed full of premium technology that gives you a hand in painting the experience of how you ride.

Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate DH

Performance to match the most demanding riders out there. The ground up, all-new Super Deluxe Ultimate DH Coil is a work of art with no feature spared. Equipped with an entirely new chassis, 100% independent High Speed and Low Speed Compression adjustment, increased bushing overlap for improved small bump performance, and adjustable Hydraulic Bottom Out resistance to tailor that bottomless feel. It’s the unmistakable feel of coil, evolved. A coil shock packed full of premium technology, designed to lock in lines and reach mach speed on the steeps.

Join our mailing list to receive Singletrack editorial wisdom directly in your inbox.

Each newsletter is headed up by an exclusive editorial from our team and includes stories and news you don’t want to miss.

Signing up to our mailing list is not only a great way to keep up-to-date on all things Singletrack but it is also a great, free way to support us.

Sign up to receive awesome editorial content from Hannah every week.

We appreciate how handing over your email address is a mark of your trust in us. Check your inbox for our confirmation email and click the link to activate your newsletter.
We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check out a previous newsletter here

While you’re here…

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/rockshox-flight-attendant-review-efficient-neat-fun/
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ohlins-rxf38-m-2-review-for-proper-hard-charging/

Singletrack Weekly Word

Sports Newsletter of the Year finalist at the Publisher Newsletter Awards 2024. Find out why our newsletter is different and give it a go.

Orange Switch 6er. Stif Squatcher. Schwalbe Magic Mary Purple Addix front. Maxxis DHR II 3C MaxxTerra rear. Coil fan. Ebikes are not evil. I have been a writer for nigh on 20 years, a photographer for 25 years and a mountain biker for 30 years. I have written countless magazine and website features and route guides for the UK mountain bike press, most notably for the esteemed and highly regarded Singletrackworld. Although I am a Lancastrian, I freely admit that West Yorkshire is my favourite place to ride. Rarely a week goes by without me riding and exploring the South Pennines.

More posts from Ben

Home Forums All new RockShox… everything, pretty much

Viewing 21 posts - 1 through 21 (of 21 total)
  • All new RockShox… everything, pretty much
  • thepurist
    Full Member

    Any news on whether bits are going to be available to upgrade older forks to newer spec as they did with the C1 spring? Though perhaps I’m not going to be drilling holes in my forks for a pressure release valve!

    BillOddie
    Full Member

    The cheapest versions don’t even get a Charger damper now.  They get a “Rush” damper which I would wager is a reworked/renamed Motion Control damper.

    chakaping
    Full Member

    The cheapest versions don’t even get a Charger damper now. They get a “Rush” damper which I would wager is a reworked/renamed Motion Control damper.

    Need clarity on that, but it’s weird that they drop down to a different damper on the basic OE models. Cheapens the name. Why not just drop to a Yari / Rev / Domain with MoCo?

    rickon
    Free Member

    Pressure Release Valves. How has it taken Rockshox this long to get them on their forks? We’ve all been shoving cable ties down own wiper seals for a decade.

    Welcome change, but it would be nice if they were more reactive to the real changes we need, rather than all the see-sawing changes we saw through the how Charger2 damper era (too soft, too hard, too soft, too hard, not enough adjustment ad finitum).

    RickDraper
    Free Member

    We were told the new air springs and damper can only be fitted in the A1 Zeb not the older Pike or Lyrik.

    robertajobb
    Full Member

    “… a standard hub end cap via a new bolt-in adapter…”

    Please please tell us more. When tou say ‘standard’ hub, do you mean a hub like was being used for 30 years sort of standard ? With a 100mm spacing ?
    Or is this yet another bike industry incompatibility fhuckfest with a Boost+something-else NOT standard new standard ?
    Please tell me I can fit my wheels with their Hope Pro 3 hubs that are a STANDARD (ie 100mm width) and a hole for 15mm through axle !!!

    Northwind
    Full Member

    Looks like good progress- was never a fan of the charger damper and they’ve fannied around with the debonair trying to make it work well for so long, maybe they’ve finally got it?


    @robertajobb
    , Could be wrong but I think those are to give better compatibility with and without torque caps. Which if so, is a Good Thing- torque caps might be “free stiffness” but they mean the wheel fit isn’t as good without them. Plus, i give it 10 seconds before someone gets a boost adaptor out that bolts into the fork.

    nickjb
    Free Member

    Any news on whether bits are going to be available to upgrade older forks to newer spec as they did with the C1 spring?

    That’ll be a no (apart from the most recency zeb)

    Pretty comprehensive look from GMBN

    sillyoldman
    Full Member

    No more 51mm offset.

    Akers
    Full Member

    Very disappointed to see rider choice reduced. Pike used to be available up to 160mm travel, Lyrik up to 180mm. Now they top out at 1400mm and 160mm. Being forced to go up a class in fork, adding unnecessary weight, to get a 150 or 170mm travel fork is very annoying.

    desperatebicycle
    Full Member

    How long before I can snap up some bargain 2021 Pike Ultimates in 29er from some serial upgrader?? Want!

    doomanic
    Full Member

    This

    We were told the new air springs and damper can only be fitted in the A1 Zeb not the older Pike or Lyrik.

    And this

    Very disappointed to see rider choice reduced. Pike used to be available up to 160mm travel, Lyrik up to 180mm. Now they top out at 1400mm and 160mm. Being forced to go up a class in fork, adding unnecessary weight, to get a 150 or 170mm travel fork is very annoying.

    Are indeed very disappointing.

    ta11pau1
    Full Member

    All new RockShox… everything, pretty much

    Apart from a 200mm reverb AXS. 😐

    Yep, I’m still banging that drum. It’s been 3 years since it was released and zero updates in that time… Meanwhile we’ve had GX AXS, new forks, a gravel AXS reverb, flight attendant, etc etc.

    chiefgrooveguru
    Full Member

    “Very disappointed to see rider choice reduced. Pike used to be available up to 160mm travel, Lyrik up to 180mm. Now they top out at 1400mm and 160mm. Being forced to go up a class in fork, adding unnecessary weight, to get a 150 or 170mm travel fork is very annoying.”

    Their reasoning is that the smaller range of travels allows them to make the bushes longer for greater stiffness and reduced friction under load. When I’ve experimented with changing fork travel I noticed that the air springs didn’t seem to work as well at the extremes of travel – too short and you were in the wallowy section too much, too long and the ramp-up was too extreme near bottom-out.

    scandal42
    Free Member

    Can’t wait to see how they have massively improved these next year.

    2023 models are rubbish next year man.

    Although…..Green Lyrik want

    HoratioHufnagel
    Free Member
    HoratioHufnagel
    Free Member

    Air piston looks a lot like the luftkappe design

    penguino12
    Free Member

    Bit late to the party, just wondering on the Raaw, which stroke shock you used, 60 or 65,and which air can is on the shock, the linear or progressive.
    When I spoke with Ruben at Raaw, he said a 65mm stroke Rock Shox shock didn’t work as the air can fouled the lower shock mount. Wondered if that is different with the new shape air can.

    nickc
    Full Member

    Very disappointed to see rider choice reduced

    the opposite argument is that Pikes at their extreme travel option are disappointing. I’d much rather see forks built specifically for a narrower range that can accommodate their travel better. Zeb weighs a few hundred grams more than a Lyric, it’s not going to be a deal breaker for most folks.

    Rubber_Buccaneer
    Full Member

    I’ve not seen much beyond first ride reviews of the 2023 RockShox. I thought there would be loads of interest with all the changes (damper, narrower travel range, buttercups, air bleed) but maybe it’s all a bit meh?

    bigyan
    Free Member

    Looks like Rush damper is an IFP design.

    Yeah spring backed IFP.

Viewing 21 posts - 1 through 21 (of 21 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.