MTB forks & shocks: New suspension parts from Cane Creek, Öhlins & Rockshox - already ridden

Öhlins Race suspension

Fork: 1496 grams / 1695 euros
Damper: 255 gram / 695 Euro

In 2023, the Swedes celebrated with the RXC 34 and the TXC Air make their debut in the cross-country sector. After almost a year of individual testing, we take stock: Has Öhlins' race première been a success?

Öhlins RXC 34

With 100 to 120 millimetres of travel, the fork with 34 millimetre stanchions fulfils the basic requirements for a successful XC fork. The adjustment options: Three riding modes are available via remote (125 euro surcharge): open, platform and closed. Without the remote, however, it is difficult to operate while riding. The low-speed compression stage can be adjusted in twelve well-defined clicks. The same applies to the rebound. Here too, the rotary knob engages twelve times between open and closed.

Our 1695 euro test fork is the high-end model with carbon crown and steerer tube. The aluminium version weighs 129 grams more, but is also 200 euros less expensive. For comparison. The current Fox 34 Stepcast with Grip SL cartridge weighs 1422 grams and costs € 1349.

Öhlins TXC Air

The exact model designation of our test damper is "TXC 2Air". However, thoroughbred racers can also opt for the 1Air model. The slimmer counterpart has a lower air volume, is narrower and offers greater progression. As with the suspension fork, the shock absorbers can also be set to three riding modes. The compression and rebound stages can be fine-tuned manually in 16 and 12 steps.

Practical test: How the Öhlins suspension rides

But now to the practical side: in contrast to the price tag, the performance of the suspension elements was only moderately impressive. The fork is only really sensitive with a comfortable setup. But then the Öhlins RXC 34 doesn't offer the desired support in the mid-stroke. If you ride the fork firmer - as it should be on a race bike - it quickly becomes bumpy.

In short: the Öhlins fork does not hit the sweet spot between sensitive response behaviour and firm support, at least in open mode. However, the platform works very effectively. In this mode, the fork offers significantly more support without sacrificing too much traction.

And what about the shock absorber? The TXC 2Air certainly doesn't lack support. Quite the opposite. On our test bike (Canyon Lux Trail), our testers were always high in the suspension travel even with a comfortable setup. Even in open mode, the sporty shock converted every pedal rotation into propulsion with almost no loss. Unfortunately, the response behaviour on fine bumps leaves a lot to be desired.

Advantages & disadvantages

• + top processing
• + good handling
• + light
• + successful platform
  
• - too expensive
• - too great a compromise in terms of traction and support

Rockshox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock

491 gram / 649 Euro >> available here

Just as with the suspension forks, Rockshox has also found potential for optimisation in its Super Deluxe shock for 2025. Both the high-speed and low-speed compression damping of the popular air shock with reservoir have been revised.

Similar to the Updates to the suspension forks The oil flow in the low-speed compression stage circuit has also been adjusted here. The system, which can be adjusted in five stages, should now allow settings from "2very smooth" to "lots of support" without compromising on grip. The shim function has been optimised by means of a lighter rebound control plate and a new high-flow piston.

In practice, the Super Deluxe is completely convincing and offers a very fine response paired with convincing damping control. The shock can also be extensively customised to suit your own riding style. Attributes that the predecessor already had. On our Giant Trance test bike with 120 millimetres of travel, the difference between old and new was limited.

Advantages & disadvantages

• + sensitive response
• + good breakdown protection
• + versatile adjustable
• + strong platform
  
• - Little difference to the predecessor

Cane Creek Tigon steel spring damper

475 gram / 799 Euro >> available here

Steel or air - which is better? Friends of fast descents appreciate coil spring shocks because of their extremely sensitive response behaviour. However, these traction wonders also have disadvantages: on the same bike, they produce a significantly more linear characteristic curve than air shocks, which means that the back pressure in the middle of the suspension travel and the end progression are weaker. Riders with an active riding style are therefore happy to sacrifice the response of coil shocks in favour of the support of air shocks. In addition, kinematics that have been specially developed for progressive air spring dampers often offer so little progression that they are not compatible with the linear coil versions. This means that, depending on the make and model, the beloved steel spring feeling cannot be retrofitted.

The air-charged steel spring shock: Cane Creek Tignon

Cane Creek solves precisely these problems with the Tigon shock. The air-charged steel spring damper combines the progression of an air damper with the soft ride feel of a steel spring. Depending on the pressure in the air chamber, the Tigon offers more end progression against bottoming out or even increases the counter support up to the sag point. For this purpose, the ramp tube is filled with up to 30 psi of air via a shock pump. Depending on the spring rate, the Tigon offers up to 35 per cent progression.

Adjustment options: The high-speed compression damping is infinitely variable and set manually using a wheel. To set the low-speed compression stage (12 clicks) and the low-speed rebound (15 clicks), a 3-way Allen key is required. This is fixed behind the damping unit with a magnet. A platform lever also prevents annoying drive influences uphill. So much for the theory.

In practice, the concept of the Tigon is a complete success: You actually get to enjoy the super-sensitive steel spring feel. At the same time, the Ramp Tube absorbs hard impacts in a more controlled manner than conventional coil shocks. The greatest added value, however, is the constant counter support in the middle spring travel. This makes the Tigon feel very predictable and also fulfils the requirements of riders with an active riding style. Conclusion: An absolute tuning tip for all those who want to get the maximum performance out of their suspension.

Advantages & disadvantages

• + additional air chamber perfectly harmonises sensitivity and back pressure
• + Super handling and top workmanship
• + more stability, as the ramp tube reinforces the damper piston and is therefore better suited for direct linkage rear suspension systems
  
• - Price
• - Despite the air chamber, the damper can only be adjusted to your own body weight using different spring rates

Rockshox Vivid Coil shock absorber

1049 gram / 699 Euro >> available here

Last year, Rockshox launched the Gravity damper Vivid has been relaunched, now the steel spring version follows. The Vivid Coil inherits most of the technology from its well-known air counterpart. Similar to the Charger3 damper, the high and low-speed compression stages can each be fine-tuned by two clicks from the centre position. The rebound offers 15 clicks. Smart: The rebound adjuster also serves as a 3-way adjuster to adjust the high-speed compression and the hydraulic bottom-out. In addition, the damping of the main piston is completely bypassed in the first 10 per cent of the stroke. As a result, the Vivid Coil enables super-sensitive response behaviour and first-class traction. But it also feels the ground extremely sensitively around the sag range. The damping works quite plushly overall - if you close the compression adjuster a little, you get good counter-pressure without the damper feeling harsh.

Advantages & disadvantages

• + super response behaviour
• + top swallowing capacity
• + good support
• + simple operation
  
• - Very expensive
• - heavy