A little over a moth ago, we finally found out what that odd bulge was on the bottom of the new RockShox Boxxer. Part of a complete redesign with all kinds of kitschy marketing names, if ButterWagonTech doesnt give it away, the goal is all about making things smooth and controlled. Now, that same tech is coming for RockShox trail forks with LinearXL versions of the Lyrik and Zeb. The LinearXL air spring system is meant to deliver coil-like performance characteristics in air-sprung mountain bike forks. The technology features redesigned lower legs and a new air spring configuration that provides what RockShox describes as suppleness at the beginning of travel, mid-stroke support, and controlled bottom-out resistance. The system requires higher air pressures than traditional designs due to engineering changes that include a twin-tube design, reduced piston diameter, and an enlarged 14mm hollow air spring shaft.That bump on the bottom of the fork leg is also part of the LinearXL system, and its called the Air Annex. It essentially increased the lower leg air volume for reduced progressively and speed sensitivity. Like the Boxxer, the new Zeb and Lyrik also gain stanchion breather holes which claim to allow the lower leg air volume to actually increase and the fork goes through the travel.The LinearXL system pairs specifically with the new Charger 3.2 damper, which features speed-sensitive damping with independent high and low speed compression damping, and adjustable rebound damping. Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) control allows riders to customize end-stroke support (with a tool) independently of the main air spring curve.The updated forks incorporate ButterWagonTech, an internal oil distribution system with divots that capture and redistribute the high density Maxima lower leg oil to maintain bushing lubrication. This combined with new lower friction seals from SKF should result in buttery smooth travel.Along with ButterWagonTech, youll also find ButterCups which seem to be RockShox take on a tuned mass damper inside the fork legs. ButterCups are said to isolate the air spring and damper shafts from chatter, cutting high-frequency vibration by up to 20%.RockShox fork adapter spacers to make installation of non-TorqueCap hubs easierRockShox is continuing its crusade for stiffer hub/fork connections with their TorqueCap dropouts. As a refresher, these dropouts use the same 15mm axle size, but have a larger end cap for the hub that results in more contact area with the fork. The catch is that it makes installing non-TorqueCap hubs a bit trickier, so forks should include small plastic spacers that bolt into the dropout when not using a TorqueCap hub. Both forks also see stiffness gains thanks to a wider fork crown. Additional post-forging machining removes excess weight.Perhaps one of the more interesting features is the new lower arch and integrated fender options. Instead of mounting underneath or behind the arch, the fenders now bolt directly overtop the arch offering full tire clearance (and protection of the fork seals). When not in use, a small plastic cover is bolted to the arch to conceal the mounting point. Weve only seen the small half fender so far, but the press kit mentions a full or half fender as an option.The ZEB B1 and Lyrik E1 models should be widely available starting April 2026. Note that if you want the new tech, you should buy an equipped fork up front base-level models cannot be upgraded to Ultimate specifications due to component incompatibility.Lyrik & Zeb ModelsLYRIK ULTIMATE FLIGHT ATTENDANTFeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) for end-stroke controlNEW ButterWagonTech ensures a constant supply of oil to the bushings, reducing friction and maintaining smooth performance throughout the entire service intervalNEW Flight Attendant Charger 3.2 damper provides riders with efficiency and control and achieves virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Integrated fender mount (Lyrik Integrated Fender sold separately)NEW Graphics packageminimalist design, maximum impactButterCups technology block 20% of high-frequency trail chatter to reduce hand and arm fatigueFlight Attendant is the only automatic suspension system that listens to you and the trail, adapting in real time for smarter, more personalized efficiency and speedfully wireless, AXS-enabled, and seamlessly integrated to disappear into your rideLow-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother rideMaxima 920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionAvailable in Electric Red or Ultimate High Gloss Black Signature colorwaysDAMPER: Charger 3.2 Flight Attendant w/ButterCupsSPRING: Linear XL w/ButterCupTRAVEL: 140mm, 150mm, 160mm, 170mmFORK OFFSET: 37mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: $ 1,699LYRIK ULTIMATEFeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) for end-stroke controlNEW ButterWagonTech ensures a constant supply of oil to the bushings, reducing friction and maintaining smooth performance throughout the entire service intervalNEW Charger 3.2 damper with new Rebound/Compression tunes that match LinearXL air spring, achieves virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Control bezel with numbered Compression adjuster for intuitive adjustmentsstart at 0 and easily add or decrease dampingNEW Integrated fender mount (Lyrik Integrated Fender sold separately)NEW Graphics packageminimalist design, maximum impactButterCups technology block 20% of high-frequency trail chatter to reduce hand and arm fatigueLow-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother rideMaxima 920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionDAMPER: Charger 3.2 RC2 w/ ButtercupsSPRING: Linear XL w/ ButtercupTRAVEL: 140mm, 150mm, 160mm, 170mmFORK OFFSET: 37mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: $ 1,259LYRIK SELECT+FeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) for end-stroke controlNEW Charger 3.2 damper with new Rebound/Compression tunes that match LinearXL air spring, achieves virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Control bezel with numbered Compression adjuster for intuitive adjustmentsstart at 0 and easily add or decrease dampingNEW Integrated fender mount (Lyrik Integrated Fender sold separately)Low-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother ride Maxima SG920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionDAMPER: Charger 3.2 RC2SPRING: Linear XLTRAVEL: 140mm, 150mm, 160mm, 170mmFORK OFFSET: 37mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: Not available AMLYRIK SELECTFeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by a fixed bottom-out system for end-stroke controlNEW Delta RC damper with easy-toadjust Compression and independent Rebound features intuitive controls and virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Integrated fender mount (Lyrik Integrated Fender sold separately)Low-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother rideMaxima 920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionDAMPER: Delta RCSPRING: Linear XLTRAVEL: 140mm, 150mm, 160mm, 170mmFORK OFFSET: 37mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: $ 929LYRIKFeaturesNEW Delta RC damper with easy-toadjust Compression and independent Rebound features intuitive controls and virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailDebonAir+ air spring strikes the perfect balance of small-bump sensitivity and mid-to-full travel support, giving riders confidence on rough terrainBolt-on short fender compatibility (Lyrik Fender sold separately)Maxima SG920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionDAMPER: Delta RCSPRING: Debonair+TRAVEL: 140mm, 150mm, 160mmFORK OFFSET: 37mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: Not available AMZEB ULTIMATE FLIGHT ATTENDANTFeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) for end-stroke controlNEW ButterWagonTech ensures a constant supply of oil to the bushings, reducing friction and maintaining smooth performance throughout the entire service intervalNEW Flight Attendant Charger 3.2 damper provides riders with efficiency and control and achieves virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Integrated short fender mount (ZEB Integrated Fender sold separately)NEW Graphics package minimalist design, maximum impactFlight Attendant is the only automatic suspension system that listens to you and the trail, adapting in real time for smarter, more personalized efficiency and speedfully wireless, AXS-enabled, and seamlessly integrated to disappear into your rideButterCups technology block 20% of high-frequency trailchatter to reduce hand and arm fatigueLow-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother rideMaxima 920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionAvailable in Electric Red or Ultimate High Gloss Black Signature colorwaysDAMPER: Charger 3.2 Flight Attendant w/ButterCupsSPRING: Linear XL w/ButterCupTRAVEL: 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mmFORK OFFSET: 38mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: $1,799ZEB ULTIMATEFeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) for end-stroke controlNEW ButterWagonTech ensures a constant supply of oil to the bushings, reducing friction and maintaining smooth performance throughout the entire service intervalNEW Charger 3.2 damper with new Rebound/Compression tunes that match LinearXL air spring, achieves virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Control bezel with numbered Compression adjuster for intuitive adjustmentsstart at 0 and easily add or decrease dampingNEW Integrated short fender mount (ZEB Integrated Fender sold separately)NEW Graphics packageminimalist design, maximum impactButterCups technology block 20% of high-frequency trail chatter to reduce hand and arm fatigueLow-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother rideMaxima 920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionAvailable in Electric Red or Ultimate High Gloss Black Signature colorwaysDAMPER: Charger 3.2 w/ ButtercupsSPRING: Linear XL w/ ButtercupTRAVEL: 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mmFORK OFFSET: 38mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: $ 1,299ZEB SELECT+FeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) for end-stroke controlNEW Charger 3.2 damper with new Rebound/Compression tunes that match LinearXL air spring, achieves virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Control bezel with numbered Compression adjuster for intuitive adjustmentsstart at 0 and easily add or decrease dampingNEW Integrated short fender mount (ZEB Integrated Fender sold separately)Low-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother rideMaxima SG920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionDAMPER: Charger 3.2 RC2SPRING: Linear XLTRAVEL: 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mmFORK OFFSET: 38mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: Not available AMZEB SELECTFeaturesNEW LinearXL air spring delivers a consistent and predictable ride feel backed by affixed bottom-out system for end-stroke controlNEW Delta RC damper with easy-to-adjust Compression and independent Rebound features intuitive controls and virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailNEW Integrated short fender mount (ZEB Integrated Fender sold separately)Low-grab SKF wiper seals deliver long-lasting fork performance and a smoother rideMaxima 920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionDAMPER: Delta RCSPRING: Linear XLTRAVEL: 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mmFORK OFFSET: 38mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: $ 989ZEBFeaturesNEW Delta RC damper with easy-to-adjust Compression and independent Rebound features intuitive controls and virtually silent performance, keeping riders focused on the trailDebonAir+ air spring strikes the perfect balance of small-bump sensitivity and mid-to-full travel support, giving riders confidence on rough terrainBolt-on short fender compatibility (ZEB Fender sold separately) Maxima SG920 blended 15w reduces overall fork frictionDAMPER: Delta RCSPRING: Debonair+TRAVEL: 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, 180mmFORK OFFSET: 38mm (27.5), 44mm (27.5), 44mm (29)WHEEL SIZE: 27.5, 29MSRP: Not available AMThe post RockShox ButterWagonTech Rolls in on New Lyrik & Zeb with LinearXL Air Springs appeared first on Bikerumor.

The new Surly Sorceress is a hardcore hardtail MTB with a steel frame, aggressive geometry and a varied assortment of build options to suit your personality and riding style. Surly has a history of creating wild dropouts and its latest DUH dropout, introduced on the Sorceress, is a piece of engineering genius. It combines compatibility with multiple derailleur hanger standards, while also acting as a singlespeed chain tensioner. Read more: Best hardtail mountain bikes in 2026: top-rated hardtail MTBs and our buyer's guide DUH dropout system Surly's DUH dropout system can be used with singlespeed, UDH or traditional derailleur hanger setups. Surly Combining Boost (148x12mm) wheels with either a UDH, traditional hanger or sliding singlespeed dropouts with built-in tensioners is very clever indeed. Like many of the best problem-solving ideas, Surlys patent-pending DUH dropout is delightfully simple. The 12mm dropout contains pucks that surround the axle. The pucks can be interchanged between either a traditional derailleur hanger, UDH-compatible spacers or singlespeed pucks, which also act as chain tensioners. Built-in tensioners are used to position the wheel and set chain tension only when the DUH dropouts are in singlespeed mode. Surly In the singlespeed guise, two bolts (one at the front of the non-driveside dropout and one at the back of the driveside dropout) are used to centre the wheels and set chain tension as the wheel is tightened. Hardcore hardtail The Sorceress Eagle 90 build is the top-spec offering, available in Surly's Elderberry Tonic colourway. Surly All Sorceress bikes use 29in wheels front and rear, except the XS size, which uses 27.5in front and rear. The frame is set up with geometry designed for a 140mm suspension fork (the fork travel on offer for all three build options). The bike has a long front-centre measurement for each size, which Surly says will promote confidence at speed. Surly says the Sorceress has a best in class dropper-post length and standover, with a full-length seat tube and low top tube enabling long dropper posts to fit into the frame and accommodate maximum space even for shorter riders. The frame has mounts for two bottle cages on MD, L and XL sizes, and one cage on the smaller XS and SM options. All frames are TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welded from 100% Chromoly steel, from Surlys Natch tubing with a double-butted main triangle and trumpet flared tubes. The finished frames are ED (Electrophoretic Deposition) coated. Surly Sorceress geometry and sizing A compact chainstay measurement, low BB and roomy front centre should mean this hardtail is ready for aggressive riding. Surly Four sizes are available: XS, SM, MD, L and XL, with a relatively short reach of 415mm (XS), 437mm (small), 465mm (medium), 484mm (large) and 507mm (XL). Geometry looks progressive, with a head angle of 65 degrees (64 degrees on the XS) and a seat tube angle of 76 degrees. The bottom bracket has a drop of 65mm below the axle centreline (55mm on the XS). Surly has deliberately engineered short chainstays for snappy handling, and chainstay measurement is a compact 429mm on the 29in bikes and 410mm on the 27.5in-wheel XS. Three Sorceress build options The singlespeed build is minimalist for simplicity and low-maintenance riding. Surly There are three builds on offer, as well as a frame-only option. The most expensive is the Elderberry Tonic build, which uses 12-speed SRAM Eagle 90 Transmission, a RockShox Psylo Gold RC and SRAM DB6 four-piston brakes. The cheapest geared build is the Hot Honey Bling, featuring a Shimano Deore groupset, SR Suntour Zeron36 fork and Shimano MT420 four-piston brakes. There is a singlespeed build, called the Swamp Water Taffy, with an SR Suntour Zeron36, SRAM NX cranks and Tektro brakes. There is also a frame-only option, which includes all the dropout variations. UK and European options The Hot Honey colourway is available with a Deore drivetrain in the UK and USA. Surly The singlespeed build and Swamp Water Taffy (grey) colourway are not available in the UK. The frame-only option is available in Elderberry Tonic and Hot Honey Bling colourways. Exact UK specs are to be confirmed, but they will include Halo wheels, Gusset components and a Manitou Mattoc fork. Pricing and availability The Sorceress can be used with Boost hubs and one gear thanks to the clever DUH dropout system. Surly Elderberry Tonic (Eagle 90): 3,150 / $3,199 Hot Honey Bling (Deore): 2,650 / $2,499 Swamp Water Taffy (singlespeed): NA / $2,199 Frame only: 1,050 / $TBC

Rohan Dennis has publicly pushed back against the way his role in the death of his wife, former Australian Olympic cyclist Melissa Hoskins, has been portrayed, accusing sections of the media of distorting his words and misrepresenting the circumstances of the incident. In a lengthy statement posted...

Three road users including two motorists and a pedestrian have died in separate collisions since Friday. On Friday, a woman in her 40s was knocked down in a collision involving a truck driver, and she passed away on Sunday; on Monday, a man in his 50s was pronounced deceased at the scene of a collision where he was the driver Castletownroche in Co Cork; and, on the same day, a driver in his 60s was also pronounced dead at the scene at a collisions also invoving another car on the N53 at Rassan, Dundalk, Co Louth.Garda said that they conducted their Roads Policing Operation from 7am on Thursday until 7am this morning. During this, over 1,000 drivers were caught speeding, over 175 drivers were detected intoxicated driving, 290 were found holding mobile phones, and 95 people were caught without seat belts.Gardahighlighted notable speeds detected over the operation as follows:103km/h in a 50km/h zone on the Malahide Road, Donnycarney, Dublin 3138 km/h in a 50km/h zone on Cashel Road, Cahir, Co Tipperary98km/h in a 60km/h zone on the North Road, Drogheda, Co Louth.102 km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Stillorgan Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin138km/h in a 80km/h zone on N60, Manulla, Mayo.102km/h in a 80km/h zone on R148, Kilmurry, Enfield, Meath.147 km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N11, Newcastle, Co Wicklow141 km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N22 Killaha, Killarney, Co KerryA spokesperson said: An Garda Sochna continues to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelt and keep your eyes always on the road. Drivers should continue to give driving their full attention, slow down and take extra care.

Adding to their clipless range, Wolf Tooth just launched a new large-platform pedal they say is ideal for aggressive trail riding. The brands new SHIFT pedals feature a generous platform and an adjustable Q-factor. Get to know all the details belowThe post The Wolf Tooth SHIFT Pedals are Designed for Aggressive Trail Riding appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

I have several sets of sunglasses in my gear bag. Full disclosure, all of them have been sent to me, either for review or projects Im working on. A few of them are from more expensive brands and retail for $200-$300.And then there are the Tifosi Moab sunglasses I have that retail for a fraction of the price. If Im being honest, Im not sure if I ever really notice a difference.For friends asking me for a recommendation under $100, I usually direct them toward Tifosi. And after trying a handful of pairs, the Moabs are a top favorite of mine. Now, Tifosi offers the Moabs in a frameless, XC version, appropriately dubbed the Moab XC.Slimmer definitely isnt the correct word to describe the new Moab XC, as they are actually overall larger than the originals. While Tifosi ditched the frame on the new glasses, the overall size has grown, albeit by very thin margins.Moab (left) and Moab XC (right)um, not to scaleFrom end to end, the Moab XCs are 0.6mm wider and nearly 1mm taller. However, the actual lens width has shrunk from 138mm (Moab) to 130.8mm (Moab XC).And, of course, Tifosi ditched the full-frame design. This dropped the weight of the Moab XC sunglasses to a claimed 29g. While it is less than the Moabs claimed 31g weight, Steves review actually had them closer to 34g.So, we imagine the Moab XC weight is a bit higher than what Tifosi says. But will you notice an extra gram or two? Likely not.Tifosi Moab XC DetailsTifosi uses a Grilamid TR-90 frame on the new Moab XC sunglasses. They feature hydrophilic rubber on the adjustable ear and nose pieces for comfort and added grip. Tifosi also uses polycarbonate lenses that are shatterproof and scratch-resistant.Three lens options are available, with some overlap among them. First, Tifosi offers the Moab XC in their standard three-lens interchangeable setup. They also have a Clarion lens, which repels sweat and moisture, as well as a Fototec lens, Tifosis take on photochromic.Clarion lenses offer different color options for high- and low-light conditions, with interchangeable clear lenses. Neither of the Fototec lens options comes with a clear lens, as they, well, are fairly clear in low light settings.The Tifosi Fototec lens Moab XC sunglasses retail for $89.95, while all the other options retail for $79.95. See all the details and options at tifosioptics.com.The post Tifosi Shaves Some Weight Off the Moab Sunglasses to Introduce the Moab XC appeared first on Bikerumor.

Remco Evenepoel has kept his Tour of Flanders debut a secret. Only the coming days will confirm if the same isn't done for Paris-Roubaix, however reputable sources in Belgium report that this is not the case, and that the decision has already been made for the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe rider to no...

Following our review earlier this year, we teamed up with We Are One and Industry Nine for our latest Collective Reward, and they'll be giving one lucky Bikepacking Collective member a custom, one-of-one anodized Wanderer Wheelset. Find details here...The post Collective Reward #242: We Are One Wanderer Wheelset appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

Today, Fox Racing is releasing the completely rebuilt Flexair Mountain Bike Collection. The new pants, shorts, jerseys, and gloves (for both men and women) are the lightest iteration of the Flexair lineup to date.And the slimmest. The latest Flexair offerings were heavily influenced by Foxs SpeedSuit RS, which is form-fitting to say the least. Fox athletes such as Asa Vermette, Tahne Seagrave, and Jackson Goldstone all raced in the SpeedSuit and were instrumental in developing the new Flexair line.The Fox SpeedSuit also offers a bit of extra protection with integrated elbow, chest, and hip pads. While the new Flexair line has no integrated protection, it draws on the same fabric choices and design as the SpeedSuit.(Well, no one-piece onesie jumper thingy.)Fox Flexair LineupFox reworked the Flexair line from the ground up, focusing on performance. Flexair is aimed at those looking to push on the everyday trail ride and race day. Compared to previous Flexair products, this latest Flexair line is lighter, more breathable, more flexible, and more comfortable.And, like the SpeedSuit, Fox uses body mapping in the new Flexair line. The result is an articulated, slim, and tapered fit that enhances mobility and reduces wind drag.The new shorts and pants now feature a bonded waistband that sits a bit higher on the body. This creates more flexibility and comfort at the waist without bunching or slipping down. The womens pants and shorts have a slightly higher rise than the mens, based on feedback Fox received from athletes.Bottoms feature three pockets. Two are typical hand pockets, one is a pass pocket, presumably for a lift pass for the chairlift cheaters. All pockets are zippered. Both the Flexair shorts and pants feature ripstop fabric and four-way stretch.Both the shorts and pants feature perforations to increase breathability, with the pants (obviously) having more. The pants have perforations on the inner thigh, knee, and lower leg. They also feature a stretch-gusset cuff to help get the pants on and off, while maintaining the tapered, slim fit.Fox utilizes advanced fabrics to create jerseys that are both super-light and breathable. The jersey features Polartec Power Dry fabric for the main body, with bonded fabric at the neck, hem, and sleeve openings.The Flexair Race Jersey is more suited for World Cup race performance and looks. Its body features 100% polyester fabric, with race-inspired upper sleeves. Basically, the sleeves are ribbed for less drag, of course.Foxs new Flexair glove features a neoprene cuff that locks the glove into place. The palm features perforations for breathability and fit, with touchscreen-compatible silicone grippers.For full details, colors, sizes, and pricing, visit foxracing.com.The post The All-New Flexair Collection is Fox Racings Slimmest and Lightest Yet appeared first on Bikerumor.

RockShox has overhauled its big-hitting, single-crown fork, claiming the only part that remains the same is the axle. The new ZEB gets a completely new chassis, an updated air spring and damper, as well as a host of new features intended to make it smoother and more predictable on the trail. Revised damping ranges, along with new adjustments, make it a seriously tuneable fork, too. On the hill, riding it back-to-back with the previous-generation ZEB, theres certainly a difference to be felt between the two. While both feel incredibly supple and smooth, the latest iteration handles bigger impacts with more composure, especially when youre deep into its travel, recovering quickly, and always feeling predictable and consistent. When you factor in the price, which starts at 965 / $989 / 1,080 for the Select-level fork, the new ZEB could well be the big-travel, single-crown fork to beat this year. I tested the new fork at a RockShox launch event in New Zealand, and I was seriously impressed. Read on to get my initial ride impressions. Read more: RockShox boosts all-important sensitivity and control on new Vivid Air and Super Deluxe shocks Perfectly poised During back-to-back tests, Rob could feel the difference between the older and new ZEB forks. Callum Wood / SRAM Having spent three days lapping the trails of Queenstown, New Zealand, along with a number of rides on my local trails, riding it back-to-back with the previous-generation ZEB, I feel Ive got a decent handle on how the new fork performs. Staring with setup, although RockShox has since updated its air-pressure guide slightly, I stuck with the suggested setting, which felt spot-on. Like the recently updated Boxxer, the ZEB uses the new LinearXL air spring, paired with the AirAnnex. The bulge in the lower-leg casting, just in front of the brake caliper, is there to add volume to the lower legs its only on the spring side so it can match the already greater volume of the damper leg. It's designed to help prevent unwanted pressure build-up as the fork compresses. Limited pressure building in the lower legs creates a smoother ramp-up when youre close to the end of the forks stroke. This helps the ZEB feel smoother through the last part of it travel and, as I felt in New Zealand, especially on longer runs, more comfortable. This additional section on the lower-leg casting adds volume, creating a smoother ramp-up towards the end of the travel. Sven Martin / SRAM Breather holes on the upper tubes enable the lower-leg volume to increase as the fork compresses, helping to create a more linear, predictable feel, no matter how fast the fork is cycling through its travel. Whats more, though, this new spring and damper make this generation of the ZEB feel as if it sits a little higher in its travel than the older fork. When I first jumped on the previous ZEB, one of the first things I noticed was how smooth it was. It felt as though it rode a little deeper into its travel than the fork it replaced so much so, in fact, that as well as upping the spring pressure to nearly 15psi above what was recommended, I also increased the bar height by 5mm to compensate. The new ZEB feels as if it sits up a little more and gives back more in terms of support when you load it up, but without ever feeling harsh. That, for me, is a real positive. However, its not only that feeling that makes it better than the outgoing model. The new ZEB feels more controlled and consistent deep into its stroke. The change in the way the spring works makes the fork feel as though theres more of a buffer deep into the stroke, as if theres a little extra travel to tap into. With a less abrupt ramp-up and an incredibly quick and smooth recovery, rapid hits that keep the fork sitting low in its travel deliver more composure and comfort. This felt particularly noticeable when smashing through a lengthy, matted root spread, where the fork was working hard to transition continually from compression to rebound. In this situation, while both forks felt smooth, the new ZEB seemed more comfortable with more consistent front-end grip. Smoothing things out RockShox has reduced friction in the ZEB, meaning it needed to increase the damping as a result. Callum Wood / SRAM The improvements over the old fork arent all down to the changes to the air-spring, though. ButterWagonTech essentially consists of divots placed in a strategic pattern around the upper tubes, below the wiper seals. As the fork compresses, these divots fill with lubricating oil from the lower legs, and transport up and over the bushings which have been cut to improve the flow of oil and wiper seals. Doing this leaves a thin film of lubrication for the lower tubes to flutter smoothly over the upper tubes. That oil has changed, too, with RockShox moving to a medium-weight Maxima offering and a new SG920 grease. On top of that, theres now more oil in the lowers, too. New SKF low grab wiper seals reduce friction further. The small dimples in the upper tubes help to transport oil, and keep the bushings and wiper seals well lubricated. SRAM But a smoother fork and improved air spring would mean nothing without control. In this case, that comes from the new speed-sensitive Charger 3.2 damper. To match the suppler fork feel, RockShox had to adjust the damping range slightly, upping it to keep it more closely in line with what was on offer previously. When testing the forks back-to-back, as well as riding in my preferred settings, I also rode laps testing the extremes of each dial. Maxing out the low-speed compression adjuster on each fork had a dramatic effect, causing the fork to ride much higher in its travel. This felt more pronounced on the newest ZEB. With the old fork, due to how deep it sat into its travel, I tended to run quite a lot of low-speed compression damping to keep it propped up, which may explain the differences I felt. Running the high-speed compression fully closed was different, though. Both forks felt better supported through the harshest of hits without feeling harsh, although the new ZEB felt smoother. And while on the older fork I didnt run any high-speed compression damping as standard, I was using a couple of clicks of it on the new ZEB. RockShox is still using its ButterCups assembly at the base of each leg, too, which helps to mute high-frequency vibrations. Dialling it in Getting the settings right didn't take long, but more importantly, making changes is quick and easy, and very noticeable on the trail. Sven Martin / SRAM As well as the new damper adjusters being numbered in a bid to help riders keep tabs on their settings, RockShox has added a new tuning feature. Theres still scope to add volume spacers to the spring leg to alter how the spring curve behaves, but theres also the new Adjustable Bottom Out to play around with. A new feature for the ZEB is the Adjustable Bottom Out, which can be tweaked externally and makes a notable difference on the trail. SRAM By turning a 5mm hex key at the base of the spring leg, you can move the bottom-out bumper position by 10mm, altering how the final 7-17mm of travel will feel. There are seven clicks to choose from, and it makes tuning the final part of the travel quicker and easier than using spacers. Number-compression damping dials help riders keep track of their settings more easily. SRAM This is a setting I played with a lot while in New Zealand. Although it only alters the final part of the travel, it feels as though it has a marked effect on the ride. After tinkering quite a bit, I settled on using four out of the seven clicks from fully closed, which gave the fork a really controlled final ramp-up at the end of its travel, and never felt harsh or as though it lacked support. Details, details A new integrated mudguard bolts directly onto the revised, reshaped fork arch. Sven Martin / SRAM Of course, theres more when it comes to the final touches. A revised lower-leg arch now features removable caps. The integrated blank cap can be removed and replaced with two fender options that screw neatly into the back of the arch. While theres no doubt how neat this solution is, fixing a fender in place with the small bolts is a little fiddly. Cutouts either side of the arch are said to help reduce pressure on the upper fork bushings, improving sensitivity further. RockShox has also moved the air-bleeder buttons up and onto the back of the new, wider crown, which it claims improves steering precision. The bleeder buttons were moved to make them easier to reach and to improve the overall look of the fork. The ZEB now features bleed buttons on the back of the fork crowns, which are easier to reach. Sven Martin / SRAM These buttons help relieve pressure build-up within the fork, often caused by a change in altitude or temperature, causing the fork to have a more pronounced ramp-up through the final part of the travel. Previously, these were situated on the back of the lowers, below the seat of the wiper seals and went from push buttons to threaded caps during legal back and forth between RockShox and its competitor, Fox, which uses a similar design on its forks. My initial verdict on the new RockShox ZEB Rob needs to do more testing, but he's been mightily impressed by the latest RockShox ZEB. Callum Wood / SRAM Compared to the old ZEB, this new model is an improvement, especially in those situations where youre really hammering through bumps that keep the fork deep in its travel. The ride dynamic also suits me better. I realise this is a very subjective matter, but if you like a livelier, better-supported front end on your enduro or trail bike, the new ZEB delivers exactly that. RockShox has done a great job and delivered an incredibly good fork. Compared to the new Fox 38 Factory (1,439) and Podium (2,199 Factory version), the ZEB even in the top-tier Ultimate version is cheaper. Considering the performance on offer, this could well be the MTB fork to beat this year. RockShox ZEB range overview Not a bad place to get to grips with a new fork. Sven Martin / SRAM RockShox ZEB Ultimate Flight Attendant The priciest ZEB on offer includes the Flight Attendant system, which adjusts damping levels automatically. SRAM Travel options: 150, 160, 170, 180mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 Flight Attendant Spring: LinearAir XL Prices: 1,750 / $1,799 / 1,965 RockShox ZEB Ultimate The new ZEB Ultimate is feature-packed. SRAM Travel options: 150, 160, 170, 180mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 RC2 Spring: LinearAir XL Prices: 1,265 / $1,299 / 1,415 RockShox ZEB Select+ The Select+ version of the ZEB uses the same air spring and damper as the Ultimate, but forgoes some features, including ButterCups. SRAM Travel options: 150, 160, 170, 180mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 RC2 Spring: LinearAir XL Prices: Not available aftermarket RockShox ZEB Select We've a feeling we'll be seeing a lot of ZEB Selects on bikes this year. SRAM Travel options: 150, 160, 170, 180mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Delta RC Spring: LinearAir XL Prices: 965 / $989 / 1,080 RockShox ZEB The cheapest base model of the ZEB uses a different air spring and damper from the the pricier models in the range. SRAM Travel options: 150, 160, 170, 180mm Wheel size-options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Delta RC Spring: DebonAir+ Prices: Not available aftermarket