Steel spring shocks have a large fan base. Even though air shocks have become so good in recent years that Vivid Air, Fox Float X2 and the like have even been used by some riders in the Downhill World Cup: Most of them still can't match the stoic composure, consistent performance and enormous sensitivity of a coil shock. The steel spring shock can really show its strengths on very long and demanding descents.
So it's no wonder that the coil shock is still very popular despite its disadvantages, such as its higher weight and the extra effort involved in the basic setup. With a lockout, as we know it from air shocks, i.e. a lockout that closes the low-speed compression stage with a flick of the wrist, the annoying bobbing on climbs was also history. Suspension specialists such as Fox and Cane Creek have made a small but significant triumphal march on the trail with this concept. Now Rock Shox is following suit and implementing the combination of trail and coil shock even more consistently.
Coil shock also with remote lockout
A damper should be sensitive on the descent and drive-neutral uphill. At the same time, the performance should not differ too much when the oil is cold or warm. The specification sheet for the development of the Rock Shox Super Deluxe Coil must have looked something like this. A classic coil damper provides the necessary downhill performance, but the Super Deluxe Coil can be completely locked out with a flick of the lockout lever so that it can also be used uphill. The "Threshold" mode is already familiar from other Rock Shox suspension components.
Rock Shox is even more consistent than the competition when it comes to lockout design. In addition to the lockout lever with the two positions "Open" and "Threshold", the whole thing is also available with a remote lever on the handlebars. This allows the shock to be locked or unlocked in fractions of a second, even on the trail. Another practical feature is the SAG indicator already familiar from other Rock Shox models. This means that the negative spring travel of the Super Deluxe Coil can also be read directly and easily from the laser-engraved percentages on the shock. The Super Deluxe Coil will come with spring rates from 250 to 650 pounds in 50 pound increments. The weight is not yet available. As the Super Deluxe Coil will initially only be available ex works and not in the aftermarket, no prices have been announced.
All information on the new Super Deluxe Coil can be found on the Sram website. Link.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
