RockShox ZEB Ultimate 3.1 RC2 suspension fork

The new RockShox ZEB Ultimate Charger 3.1 suspension fork for enduro and gravity riding.

The wait is finally over! The next evolutionary step in the exceptional single-crown fork is here. A whole new kind of fork, designed to challenge existing limits and tackle the toughest enduro trails in the world. The ZEB’s stiff yet versatile 38 mm chassis and sleek milled finish make a powerful impression and provide a clear tactical advantage in the pursuit of racing success.

27.5+ inch and 29-inch Boost:

The Boost standard with a 15x110 mm hub spacing allows for stiffer wheels and wider tyres, up to 3.2. The increased spacing between the fork legs requires the new 15x110 mm Boost spacing. The wider hubs result in a flatter spoke angle, thereby increasing the lateral stiffness of the wheelsets, leading to more stable and durable wheelsets.

For tyres wider than 2.8 inches, please note the minimum clearance between the tyre and the fork crown; 6–8 mm is required, otherwise the fork may lock up suddenly. Tyres from different manufacturers and fitted to rims of varying widths will also sit at different heights. The maximum tyre width must not exceed 81 mm; the maximum diameter of the wheel with tyre must not exceed 77 cm.

Included in delivery:

RockShox ZEB Ultimate 3.1 RC2 DebonAir suspension fork, 27.5+29 Boost, QR15x110 mm Maxle Stealth thru-axle, claw, mudguards, 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: DebonAir Plus
• 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: 81 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

ZEB Ultimate FS-ZEB-UTL-A3:

Built for the best riders and ridden on the toughest trails – the ZEB Ultimate dominates the world’s most challenging enduro trails. Equipped with the new Charger 3.1 damping, the ZEB offers the rider exceptional adjustability for the ideal balance of comfort, control and speed. In addition to top-end damping, the 38 mm chassis features vibration-damping ButterCups and a DebonAir+ air spring. The technology you need for the fastest lap times, combined with the style you love to show off at the start line. That’s ZEB. To meet the demands of the world’s best riders, the Charger 3.1 is the ingenious next evolution of our proven damping platform. With its expanded adjustment range, separately adjustable High-Speed Compression (HSC) and Low-Speed Compression (LSC), and adjustable Low-Speed Rebound, the Charger 3.1 RC2 smooths out even the roughest trails. Equipped with the new Charger 3.1 suspension, the ZEB offers riders exceptional adjustability for the ideal balance of comfort, control and speed. In addition to top-end suspension, the 38 mm chassis features vibration-damping ButterCups and a DebonAir+ air spring.

RockShox Charger 3.1 RC2:

To meet the demands of the world’s best riders, the Charger 3.1 is the ingenious next step in the evolution of our proven suspension platform. With its expanded adjustment range, separately adjustable High-Speed Compression (HSC) and Low-Speed Compression (LSC), and adjustable Low-Speed Rebound, the Charger 3.1 RC2 smooths out even the roughest trails. The adjustment range of the Charger 3.1 RC2 has been expanded – with less compression damping in the LSC range in the open position and additional support in the closed position in the HSC circuit. Giving you more traction, control and comfort to shred the trickiest lines all day long.

The highest-performance damping technology has just received another upgrade. The Charger 3 damping platform marks the beginning of a new era in mountain biking. More damping no longer means your hands have to suffer from an unresponsive ride feel. The goal: to reduce the stress on your hands, leading to greater control and safety. This means you can ride the fork with more compression damping – and thus more control – without it feeling harsh or providing excessive feedback. The incredible consistency of the Charger 3 platform was made possible by a damping design featuring an Internal Floating Piston (IFP). The steel spring on the opposite side of the piston ensures unrivalled responsiveness and more consistent handling throughout the entire travel. What sets the Charger 3 apart from other dampers is the truly independently adjustable compression damping in the High-Speed (HSC) and Low-Speed (LSC) ranges. Cross-talk between HSC and LSC has been eliminated – that is, the influence that the HSC and LSC settings have on one another, which previously made truly independent tuning of the two impossible.
The Charger 3 platform was developed with the mid-position as the starting point. With a twist of the dial to increase or decrease damping, you can find the optimal combination of comfort, traction and control for any terrain and any day – there are simply no wrong settings anymore. Tuning your suspension has never been so precise and so personalised.

The Charger 3.1 RC2 shock offers independent adjustment of high- and low-speed compression, plus additional adjustable low-speed compression. With a smoother transition to high-speed compression (mHSC), the revised shim stack reduces the impact of fast impacts and hard braking surges. The RockShox Lyrik Ultimate 3 RC2 suspension fork works with the Charger 3 shock featuring new Maxima Push oil, SKS seal rings and a self-adjusting negative air chamber. With the help of the so-called bladder – a sac that absorbs the oil volume during compression and supports the rebound – foaming of the oil is prevented during fast compression and heavy damping work. This prevents the mixing of oil and air to achieve consistent, perfect damping behaviour. The Charger 3 damping design offers more extensive adjustment options for the low-speed compression in open mode and a more effective mode for pedalling, which proves particularly useful on undulating trails

RockShox ZEB DebonAir + suspension system:

The new DebonAir system offers even more sensitive response and, thanks to the larger stanchion diameter, an even larger air chamber. By repositioning the seal head relative to the dip, RockShox has increased the fork’s travel from top-out to sag. This means more support at the start and the ability to utilise the full travel to stay on the trail at all times. The spring rate can be adjusted across a wide range from linear to progressive thanks to the Token spacers. Equipped with external rebound adjustment and external low-speed compression adjustment, the suspension fork can be set up quickly and easily. Air pressure is automatically distributed between the positive and negative chambers depending on the riding situation. This ensures you have the full travel available in every situation.

The DebonAir plus dampers barely give way when you apply light pressure to the pedals. At first glance, this may seem like a weakness, but on the trail the benefits are clearly noticeable. This creates a seamless connection between the bike and the ground, with your DebonAir shock smoothing out bumps. The linear spring rate offers low breakaway torque over the first third of the travel. This effectively absorbs hard initial impacts. Thanks to the increasing progression, the full travel is still available.

RockShox ZEB Rapid Recovery:

Thanks to the Rapid Recovery system, the shock returns to its initial position more quickly after successive impacts, allowing the bike to maintain more precise traction. This more active damping system never fails and ensures a ride with higher and smoother suspension compliance. With Rapid Recovery, the rider benefits from greater travel for a smoother and more controlled ride with every impact.

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 lower leg caused by changes in altitude or temperature. 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 rate. A smoother response with higher end-stage progression is achieved by using the volume spacers.

RockShox Air Shaft:

The new Debon Airshaft is fitted in the left fork leg. This ensures improved responsiveness and can be replaced relatively easily. This also allows the suspension travel to be adjusted. The Airshafts are available as spare parts.

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/