Pikes Peak is not only the name of a legendary car race, but also that of the 4300 metre high mountain itself, which became a central place of longing in the heart of America long before the invention of the automobile. The myth-enshrouded American explorer Zebulon Pike (1779 - 1813) himself gave the mountain its name ("Pike's Peak") when he succeeded in making the first ascent with an expedition in 1806. The reason for the history lesson? The mountain also plays a central role in mountain biking. This is because the suspension fork giant Rockshox, based at the foot of the mountain in Colorado Springs, repeatedly uses the mountain as a name for its products. Not least with the equally legendary Rock Shox "Pike".
Rockshox Zeb: 38 mm stanchions, up to 190 mm travel
Now Rockshox presents the latest single crown beast. Massive 38 mm stanchions, up to 190 millimetres of travel and a stiffer chassis as well as a new inner workings should Enduro mountain bikerEWS racers and e-bikers happy at the same time. The name - "ZEB" - is short for Zebulon and also pays homage to the explorer and adventurer from the beginning of the 19th century. This is no coincidence, because like the explorer himself, the Zeb should not shy away from even the greatest challenges on the mountain.
Lyrik on steroids - The new chassis
Opposite the Poetry the new Zeb stands out above all due to its more solid chassis. The stanchions with a diameter of 38 millimetres in conjunction with the reinforced fork crown and the solid dip tubes are intended to increase the torsional rigidity of the fork by 21 percent compared to a Lyrik in favour of steering precision. Braking and lateral stiffness have been kept at a similar level to prevent the fork from feeling too stiff off-road. Thanks to cut-outs and milling work on the fork crown and fork tubes, the fork should not be too heavy. Especially for e-bikes, the increased head tube clearance thanks to a more cantilevered triple clamp and the option of more solid triple clamp constructions with wider support is also an argument in its favour. The ZEB will be available for 1.5-inch and 1.8-inch butted head tubes to give frame designers more freedom here too.
Charger 2.1 and new Debonair cartridge - the inner workings
For the inner workings of the Zeb, Rockshox relies on the new poetry The Charger 2.1 shock features the same familiar components, which have simply been adapted to the larger stanchion diameter. The Charger 2.1 damper allows the compression stage to be adjusted in high and low speed, while the rebound stage remains easily adjustable. The new Debonair spring is designed to keep the fork's response behaviour as sensitive and "downhill-like" as possible with more negative suspension travel and a larger air volume. Seals from SKF and the new "Maxima Plush" oil are responsible for low basic friction in the fork.
Five Zeb models from Ultimate to EMTB
The Rockshox Zeb will be available in a total of five models, which are differentiated primarily by the shocks fitted. Only the Ultimate model (2283 grams with thru-axle / BIKE lab measurement) features the new high-end Charger 2.1 shock with adjustable high- and low-speed compression, while the Select+ model comes with a slimmed-down version, the Charger 2.1 RC shock. Here, however, you have to do without the externally adjustable high-speed compression damping. The Select model comes with the tried and tested Charger RC shock.
In addition to the familiar Ulitmate, Select+ and Select versions (160 to 190 millimetres of suspension travel in 10 millimetre increments), the Zeb will also feature two E-MTB models to complement the lower end of the product range: The entry-level Zeb model comes with 150 to 180 millimetres of suspension travel (in 10-millimetre increments) and the affordable Charger R shock. The Zeb Dual Position Air offers the same inner workings, but can be lowered from 180 to 150 millimetres at the turn of a knob for better climbing capabilities on an E-MTB. All five models come with the same chassis, 1.5 or 1.8 inch head tube (tapered), 27.5 or 29 inches, SKF seals and "Maxima Plush" oil and offer tyre clearance of up to 2.8 inches. Here is an overview of models and prices:
Tuning kits for retrofitting and fenders
As fenders are becoming increasingly popular, Rockshox has decided to integrate the mudguard into the design. The triple clamp on each Zeb is therefore equipped with three threads into which the fender from the accessories (23 euros) can be simply screwed. This design ensures that the fender sits perfectly and does not hit the ground even when the suspension travel is fully utilised and the tyres are wide.
By the way: The new Debon-Air cartridge and the high-end Charger 2.1 damper are also available for retrofitting. Both for classic 35-millimetre Pike and Lyrik chassis and, in the case of the damper, for the 38-millimetre chassis. This means that both older Rockshox models and the cheaper Zeb variants can be upgraded to the level of the Zeb Ultimate. Cost: 47 euros for the Debonair cartridge and 365 euros for the shock.
The Rockshox Zeb will be available to buy from July 2020. Further information on the new Zeb can be found on the Website of the manufacturer.
How the Rockshox Zeb performs in practice, and whether it can compete with the competition - the 38 from Fox - can keep up, read the suspension fork test duel in the upcoming EMTB issue 4/20 - from 14 August in the app, as a digital edition and in stores!
Adrian Kaether
Editor
