Rockshox Vivid Coil 2025 in the first test: Ultimate plush for fat enduro bikes?

Whether air or steel springs is a question of faith among bikers. A sober view: Air spring shocks are significantly lighter and the spring rate and progression can be better adjusted via the air pressure and spacers. Steel springs are said to offer a little more sensitivity and more consistent performance. So it's no wonder that most bikes rely on air shocks. Is there still a place in the world of modern mountain bikes for the heavy steel spring, which can only be adjusted with great effort? The answer surprised us after our first test kilometres on the new Vivid Coil.

The Rockshox Vivid Coil Ultimate 2025 at a glance

• AdjustabilitySpring stiffness, high and low speed compression, rebound, hydrolic bottom-out
• Weight: 1049 grams (shock without bushings with 450 spring, BIKE measurement)
• Price: 699 - 729 EUR

New touchdown damping: the technology of the Vivid Coil

The name Vivid traditionally stands for Rockshox's roughest and most downhill-orientated shocks in the line-up. Just last year, after a long pause for breath, the Americans presented the new Vivid damper with air suspension. Now Rockshox is adding a steel spring counterpart to the Gravity damper. The new Vivid coil inherits most of the technology from the already familiar Vivid damper. The compression damping, separated into high and low speed, is set harder or softer in two clicks from the centre position, similar to the Charger 3 damper. The rebound (15 clicks) is not divided into high and low speed. The rebound adjuster also serves as a 3-way adjuster to adjust the high-speed compression, which can only be adjusted with a tool, and the Hydrolic bottom-out (see below).

>> You can read all about the new suspension forks and shocks from Rockshox in our detailed new presentation.

As with all steel spring shock absorbers, the progression of the spring itself is not adjustable, but the spring stiffness can be adjusted using other springs from the accessories (44 euros). Once the right spring has been found, the spring preload can be fine-tuned using the knurled screws. A special feature of Rockshox' downhill shocks: The end progression can also be adjusted via the so-called Hydrolic Bottom-Out setting. If you turn the adjuster in the direction of the plus sign, strong damping takes effect in the last 20 per cent of the spring travel, which prevents hard bottoming out but can possibly impair the utilisation of the spring travel. Like the Vivid air shock, the Vivid Coil also comes with touch-down technology. This completely bypasses the damping of the main piston in the first ten per cent of the stroke for maximum sensitivity.

>> Also really strong: the classic Vivid with air spring. You can read a test of the shock absorber here.

How the Vivid Coil Ultimate rides

Admittedly: We were a little sceptical about how the new steel spring wonder from Rockshox would perform in practice. At around 700 euros, the price is high for a shock, as is the weight at over a kilogramme. The part looks so martial that you could easily imagine it in the rear of an Erzberg enduro bike. What's more, modern air shocks have simply become really good. Can the classic steel spring, despite modern technology, still go one better?

The short answer: yes, it can! In a Canyon Strive:On CFR, we've already been able to put the new Vivid Coil to the test on a few trails. Despite the rather firm setup, the Vivid Coil in the Canyon's rear end impresses with its super-sensitive response behaviour and feels the ground extremely sensitively, especially around the SAG range. This gives the Canyon super-strong traction. The success story also continues downhill and on bigger hits - the shock never lacks control and still gives the bike a lot of comfort and confidence. Overall, the damping is quite plush - but if you close the compression adjuster significantly, you also get good counterpressure without the damper feeling harsh. Points of criticism so far: none.

BIKE verdict on the Vivid Coil Ultimate rear shock

The Vivid Coil Ultimate shock is expensive and heavy, but makes up for this with fantastic performance. A powerful tuning part for baller bikes where weight is not an issue and which harmonise well with linear steel spring shocks. - Adrian Kaether, BIKE Editor