BUTTERY SMOOTH

Revamped RockShox suspension line-up unveiled with new springs, dampers and, um, ButterCups?

2022-06-10 -

NEED TO KNOW

RockShox have overhauled their fork and shock line-up for 2023 in a bid to improve grip, reduce friction and help maintain the dynamic geometry of your bike as you scream down the hills.

The all-new Pike (trail), Lyrik (all-mountain/enduro) and ZEB (enduro/park) fork chassis now have pressure-relief valves on the rear of their lower legs, as on the 2022 Flight Attendant-equipped forks. On the Ultimate-level models you also get ButterCups – small rubber bumpers at the bottom of the lower legs, designed to help absorb high-frequency chatter. The top-end forks benefit from new, longer bushings as well, which should reduce friction even more.

Inside sits the new Charger 3 RC2 damper (on the Ultimate and Select+ models only). This offers external high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping adjustment, which, the brand claim, are fully independent of one another. RockShox have shifted from the old bladder-style damper to a coil-spring-backed IFP (internal floating piston) system instead, which is said to be more responsive. Their new DebonAir+ fork spring is claimed to be more consistent throughout its stroke and more sensitive, too, thanks in part to its increased negative air volume.

There’s plenty of fresh shock tech, as well. The latest RC2T damper – found in the revised Super Deluxe (below) – promises independent high- and low-speed compression and rebound damping adjustment, along with a threshold lever to firm things up on the climbs. The coil-sprung version also includes the ability to tune the hydraulic bottom-out resistance. This is fixed on the air shock, although you can tune the volume of both the positive and negative chambers of the new DebonAir+ spring, as well as choose a progressive or linear can, to suit your riding style.

WHO’S IT FOR?

With fork travel spanning from 120mm to 190mm (depending on the model) and a multitude of shock sizes and fitments, there’s something for just about every mountain biker out there here.