Pikes Peak is not only the name of a legendary car race, but of course also of the eponymous summit in Colorado, which rises 4300 metres into the air. The myth-enshrouded American explorer Zebulon Pike (1779 - 1813) gave the peak its name when he succeeded in making the first ascent with an expedition in 1806. The reason for the history lesson? The mountain has also influenced mountain biking. The suspension fork giant Rockshox, based at the foot of the mountain in Colorado Springs, likes to draw inspiration from its home peak. Which biker hasn't heard of the Rock Shox "Pike"? "ZEB", short for Zebulon, is also a tribute to the explorer and adventurer from the beginning of the 19th century. This is no coincidence, because like Zebulon himself, the "ZEB" should not shy away from even the greatest challenges on the mountain.
Rockshox ZEB: 38 mm stanchions, up to 190 millimetres of travel
The facts about the fearless fork: Massive 38 mm stanchions, up to 190 millimetres of travel and a stiffer chassis as well as a new inner workings should make e-bikers and EWS racers happy at the same time. The fork will certainly be used a lot on e-MTBs in the coming model year. For looks alone. Because in the increasingly burly frames with massive down tubes, even enduro forks like a Rockshox Lyrik or Fox 36 look undersized. But the ZEB is not only a perfect match for potent e-mountainbikes in terms of looks.
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 harsh off-road. Thanks to cut-outs and milling work on the fork crown and the fork tubes, the fork should not become too heavy. Especially for e-bikes, the increased head tube clearance thanks to a wider 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 with both a 1.5-inch and a wider 1.8-inch head tube (both tapered) 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 components that have been adapted to the larger stanchion tube 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 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 / EMTB 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.
Attention climbing foxes: Dual Position is back!
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 travel (in 10-millimetre increments) and the affordable Charger R shock. Rockshox is also reviving a feature that is particularly exciting on E-MTBs! The lowering function, which can provide an extra portion of climbing ability for extreme ramps. The ZEB Dual Position Air offers the same inner workings, but can be lowered from 180 to 150 millimetres using a rotary knob. All five models come with the same chassis, 1.5 or 1.8 inch tapered head tube, 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 of every Zeb is therefore equipped with three threads into which the mini mudguard (23 euros) can be simply screwed. The 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 Zebs can be upgraded to the level of the Zeb Ultimate. Cost: 47 euros for the Debonair cartridge and 365 euros for the damper.
The Rockshox ZEB will be available to buy from July. We do not yet have an exact date. All further information on the new ZEB can also be found on the Website of the manufacturer.
How the Rockshox ZEB performs in practice, whether it is the better E-MTB fork than thinner competitors and how it compares with the 38 from Fox in the suspension fork duel in the next issue of EMTB issue 4/20 - from 18 August in stores and in the app!
Adrian Kaether
Editor
