ROCKSHOX DOMAIN RC
A 38mm enduro fork for half the price of the Zeb? Tell us more...
Rockshox traditionally has a taste-the-difference range – think Pike, Lyrik and Zeb – and also an ‘essentials’ line using a similar, if not identical, chassis. The Revelation is the cheaper Pike, the Yari is the less expensive Lyrik and now there’s a new sub-lieutenant to the Zeb – the Domain RC. It has a 38mm chassis but with a cheaper
Motion Control damper and a £530 price tag, rather than £969 for the
Zeb Ultimate.
So how does Rockshox keep the costs down? It simply has a fixed menu rather than á la carte. Starting at the top, the crown steerer and upper tube assembly (CSU) is made in the same way but the upper tubes are a lower-grade 6000-series aluminium and also get a slightly cheaper surface finish. There’s currently only one steerer size available aftermarket (1.5in taper), but Rockshox is offering the bigger 1.8in taper to certain e-bike manufacturers, so you will see this fitted to complete bikes. You’ll also see an EMTB version that’s the exact same fork but with different branding.
You still have a choice of 27.5in or 29in-wheel options, but there is only a single 44mm offset – no 38mm or 51mm options like the Zeb. Rockshox also offers the same travel (150, 160, 170 and 180mm) across both wheel sizes.
The Domain uses different bushings and seals to the Zeb too, but it can be fitted with the same bottomless tokens to adjust spring volume and progression.
The lowers legs are straight off the Zeb and feature an offset fork brace to provide extra crown clearance when the fork is at full travel. This also creates ample clearance for 2.8in tyres and Rockshox’s bolt-on mudguard, which is available aftermarket for about £20.
The lowers use the 200mm direct mount, which means you bolt the brake caliper straight on without having to run an adapter. So if you’re running a 203mm Shimano or Magura rotor, you’ll need to add 3mm spacers to stop it rubbing.
In terms of a range, there isn’t one. Yes, Rockshox offers a Domain R to bike
The Domain really is a fitand-forget fork
manufacturers but only the Domain
RC is available aftermarket. If you get a bike with the Domain R you can easily upgrade to the RC damper for about £45 and you can also upgrade either fork to the Charger 2.1 damper from the Zeb, which will cost you £325.
But let’s get back to the stock Motion Control damper. It has both low-speed compression and rebound adjustment and it’s flushed with the new Maxima Plush damping fluid. According to Rockshox, this is not only quieter, it’s more resistant to foaming, which means it’s more consistent when you’re really slamming hard through rock gardens and the like.
HOW IT RIDES
I’m not sure if it’s the new Maxima Plush damping fluid or the extra stiffness of the 38mm chassis, but the Domain feels way more controlled than the Yari it replaced on my test bike, even though it uses the same damper. Also, I couldn’t feel any of the harshness through my hands that was present with the Yari. Maybe that’s because the Domain is also way more sensitive, but at the same time there’s still plenty of support, so you’re not blowing through the travel on the steep stuff.
Like all forks in Rockshox’s family, the Domain is a doddle to set up – adjust the spring pressure to get the correct amount of sag, set the rebound to about six clicks in from full open and get ready to shred. I’ve since added one bottomless token and tweaked the spring pressure and settings all in the interest of testing, but I didn’t really need to do any of that as the Domain RC really is a fit-and-forget fork.
Would I spend my money on the Domain RC? Definitely, because I can’t afford the £950 Zeb. But even if I could I’d have to think hard about that because the Domain fills that subcategory way better than the Yari or Revelation ever could. The fact that you can upgrade the damper at a later date means you can have your cake and eat it when funds permit, or when you really must have that final extra five per cent of performance.
HIGHS
Unbelievable-value-for-money trail/e-bike fork with 38mm upper tubes. Available in 29 and 27.5in options with four travel options from 160mm to 180mm.
LOWS
As to be expected, the Motion Control damper performance is not quite at the same level as the Charger 2.1. Stock mudguard is way too short for UK conditions.