RockShox ZEB Ultimate 3.2 RC2 suspension fork | FS-ZEB-ULT-B1

The new RockShox ZEB Ultimate suspension fork from the high-end Signature series, featuring Linear XL suspension and Charger 3.2 for Enduro and Gravity use.

The new ZEB was built for the most extreme terrain – steep trails rated double black and featuring freeride elements. And if you like, you can also pedal back up with it. The all-new LinearXL air spring offers a ride feel similar to a coil spring – responsive at the start, with plenty of support in the mid-travel and adjustable bottom-out protection (ABO) for reliable control towards the end of the travel. Exclusive to our Ultimate suspension forks, ButterWagonTech ensures a constant supply of lubricant to the plain bearings, thereby reducing friction and guaranteeing silky-smooth performance right up to the next service interval. The intuitive HSC/LSC adjustment knobs on the Charger 3.2 damping with ButterCups technology help achieve a quick, easy-to-understand and simple-to-tune setup. The ZEB offers the composure riders need to not only confidently choose their line, but also hold it – no matter how extreme the trail may be.

Included:

• RockShox ZEB Ultimate LinearAir XL, Charger 3.2 RC2 DebonAir suspension fork, 27.5+29 Boost, QR15x110 mm Maxle Stealth thru-axle, claw, in original packaging, naturally with full manufacturer’s warranty

RockShox ZEB Ultimate 3.1 RC2 suspension fork specifications:

• for 29-inch and 27.5+-inch Boost wheels
• Tapered steerer tube tapering from 1.5 to 1 1/8 inches
• Intended use: Enduro, Gravity, E-bike
• Suspension system: Linear XL
• Suspension settings: air pressure via Schrader valve, damping curve via Bottomless Tokens
• Damping: Charger 3.2 RC2
• Damping settings: Rebound, low-speed compression, high-speed compression
• Offset: 44 mm
• Travel: 160 mm
• Mounting height: 566 mm
• Maximum tyre width: 74.5 mm
• Maximum tyre diameter: 77 cm
• Crown: forged 6061 T-6 aluminium
• Seat tubes: 38 mm 7000 series aluminium, low-friction anodised
• Down tubes: magnesium
• Weight: approx. 2260 grams (manufacturer’s specification)
• Maximum brake disc size: 220 mm
• Brake disc mount: Post Mount 8, direct mount 200 mm disc
• Boost dropouts: 15x110 mm incl. Maxle Stealth Boost thru-axle
• E-bike tested and approved
• ASTM F2043-EN 17406 Class: 5
• Max system weight 170 kg

ZEB Ultimate FS-ZEB-UTL-B1:

• NEW The LinearXL air spring delivers a smooth and predictable ride with adjustable bottom-out protection (ABO) for full control right to the end of the travel.
• NEW ButterWagonTech ensures a constant supply of lubricating oil to the slide bushings, thereby reducing friction and guaranteeing silky-smooth performance until the next service interval.
• NEW The Charger 3.2 damping system, featuring new rebound and compression settings specifically tuned for the LinearXL air spring, delivers virtually silent performance, allowing every rider to focus even better on the trail.
• NEW Adjustment ring with numbered compression adjuster makes setup even more intuitive – start at 0 and simply increase (+) or decrease (-) the damping.
• NEW With integrated mounting for the short mudguard (the integrated ZEB mudguard is available separately).
• NEW decal design – minimalist but with maximum impact. ButterCups technology isolates up to 20% of high-frequency trail bumps, thereby reducing fatigue in hands and arms.
• The friction-optimised SKF seals ensure long-lasting fork performance and a silky-smooth ride.
• The Maxima 920 blended 15w oil reduces overall friction in the suspension fork.

THE NEW LINEARXL AIR SPRING IS NOT JUST AN AIR SPRING. IT IS A COMPLETE SYSTEM. Performance comes from the fork as a whole. Not from a single technology. Not just from the air spring. Not just from the damper. The LinearXL air spring is not just a string of new technologies, but part of a system. SRAM engineers test the product themselves, evaluate the results, optimise and repeat the process. Through this process, we have adjusted and shaped the air spring curve to be more linear and consistent, so you can accurately predict how the fork will feel, regardless of where you are in the travel. LinearXL has been developed to deliver the most linear ride feel we have ever achieved with an air spring. The twin-tube design, AirAnnex, the bleed holes and the adjustable bottom-out are all new technologies that work together to give you the support you deserve.

RockShox TwinTube Design

The twin-tube design, first introduced on the BoXXer 2024, has been adopted by SRAM for the latest generation of forks: BoXXer, ZEB and Lyrik. With the BoXXer’s transition from 35 mm to 38 mm stanchions, it was virtually impossible to adjust the ratio of piston to stanchion diameter in such a way that the spring rate curve matched the ride feel the development team was aiming for.

By inserting an additional, smaller tube into the stanchion, RockShox was able to reduce the diameter of the compression piston, thereby further reducing the ratio between the compression piston and spring shaft diameters. By increasing the standard 10 mm air spring shaft to 14 mm and making it hollow, we were able to further reduce this ratio whilst simultaneously increasing the negative air chamber volume. In addition, we have moved the top of the air spring piston upwards and developed a hollow-milled cover cap, thereby maximising the air chamber volume of the negative spring even further. Has all this information about positive and negative air chambers left you confused? Then take a look at DebonAir+ and learn more about the theoretical basics of air springs. By introducing the twin-tube design, we were able to refine the shape of the air spring curve so that it became even more linear – from the initial compression right through to the mid-stroke. But we also wanted to smooth out the pronounced progression towards the end of the travel – so that the suspension feels even more predictable throughout the entire travel. That’s why we’ve incorporated AirAnnex.

RockShox LinearXL AirAnnex:

Adding AirAnnex achieved two things at once: it smoothed out the progressive rise of the spring curve and improved speed sensitivity. The team had an idea for how to give the stanchions even more volume, so they cut a hole in the chassis and attached a hollow insert to it. Then they tested the whole thing. It worked. As part of the suspension fork stanchion, what we now call the AirAnnex provides additional air volume within the stanchions, thereby reducing the progression caused by the casting.

Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) The icing on the cake of the LinearXL experience is the Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) – a simple yet innovative solution that allows riders to customise the resistance at bottom out. ABO offers adjustable bottom-out control over 10 mm across 8 detent positions for easy adjustment. When the adjuster is turned anti-clockwise towards ‘-’, bottom-out resistance engages in the final 7 mm of travel. When turned clockwise towards ‘+’, the support is extended to the final 17 mm of travel.

Together, these three innovations deliver the most linear and consistent air spring characteristic curve to date. Much like a coil spring, you can expect extremely predictable and consistent support across the entire travel, regardless of your fork’s movement speed. A smoother air spring allows for finer shock tuning, so you can set your fork exactly to your liking – right down to adjusting the bottom-out resistance.

RockShox ButterCups:

filter out 20 per cent of high-frequency vibrations. This significantly reduces hand and arm fatigue, so you feel fresher for longer and have more control.

RockShox Ultimate Bushing:

the bushing package maximises bushing overlap, reduces friction and ensures the best possible ride quality.

RockShox Pressure Relief Valves:

the pressure relief valves eliminate unwanted air pressure build-up in the stanchion unit caused by altitude or temperature fluctuations. At the touch of a button, the valves ensure a first-class fork feel.

RockShox Bottomless Tokens:

By inserting the optionally available volume spacers, the air volume in the fork can be reduced, thereby influencing the spring characteristic curve. A smoother response with higher end-stage progression is achieved by using the volume spacers.

RockShox Maxle Stealth thru-axle:

The 15 mm Boost thru-axle system offers greater stiffness with low weight, but is only compatible with wheelsets designed for this system. The new Stealth thru-axles can be fitted quickly and easily using a 6 mm Allen key.

RockShox Torque Cups

The wheel mount on RockShox suspension forks is designed for Torque Cups. These provide a larger contact surface for the hub axle, thereby increasing the stiffness of the suspension fork/wheel system. Torque Cups are available as an option for most wheelsets.

Offset 44 mm:

These suspension forks have a 44 mm offset. This offset provides good manoeuvrability and good straight-line stability

The offset refers to the forward reach created by the fork. The greater this value, the further the front wheel extends from the direct extension of the head tube/steerer tube. This results in a longer wheelbase and better straight-line stability. Bike manufacturers generally design their frames for a fixed offset value. If in doubt, please check with the frame manufacturer to find out which offset is correct for your frame.

Herstellerinformation: RockShox, 1610 Garden of the Gods Road, 80907 Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, https://sram.com | EU contact: Sram Europe Sales and Services B.V., Paasbosweg 16, 3862 ZS Nijkerk, Netherlands, https://sram.com/