Rock Shox Zeb Ultimate reviewed among 4 bikes!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- All the details about the Zeb Ultimate 3 RC2 that I’m riding in this video: bit.ly/RockSho... (affiliate link!).
As promised, here are some links to the Ibis Ripmos I’m riding (the AF is currently 25% off!)- and anything you purchase from these will help support my videos!
bit.ly/IbisRip...
bit.ly/IbisRip...
The Knolly Chilcotin: bit.ly/KnollyC...
I also really enjoyed Ohlins suspension: bit.ly/OhlinsF...
Have also tried DVO: bit.ly/DVOfork...
And I baseline this all on the Fox enduro forks: bit.ly/FoxFork...
Any purchases from Jenson USA from this link will help support all my efforts and partnership with Jenson USA, so thanks in advance! bit.ly/JensonU...
Big thanks to Industry Nine in their support with more amazing Enduro 315 Carbon wheels for 2022. Check out what they offer thru this link over to their page at Jenson USA: bit.ly/Industr... (affiliate link)
A big thanks to PNW Components for their support in 2022! Check out the PNW cockpit items here: bit.ly/PNWComp... (affiliate link)
I have a NEW supporter that I’m excited to announce- Remedy Supply Co! Remedy is an amazing company that makes delicious, ethically sourced coffee. Based in Auburn, CA, I am pleased to announce a promo code (JKW15) that will earn you 15% off your first order! Take advantage of that deal here: bit.ly/RemedyS...
Did you know I post a new riding tutorial every month? These are ONLY posted to my Patreon page, so join now to see these rad videos! Here’s the full list of my riding tutorials posted through June 2022:
Flat Corner Workshop: / 68552084
How to jump found gaps: / 67255256
How to stoppie turn: / 65842496
How to drop: / 64552391
How to LEAN in corners: / how-to-lean-in-63176556
How to Ride Light on the Bike: / how-to-ride-on-61941975
Riding technique differences between hardtails and full suspension: / 60435182
How to rut track: / 59366938
5 tips to make flat trails more fun: / 58058983
5 tips to improve bike control and balance: / 56839920
How to levitate out of corners: / 55607066
Three simple cornering tips: / 54371316
How (and when) to rock roll or drop: / 53126562
How to jump with fluidity- and not DEAD SAILER! / 51914476
How to Lanual: / 50695443
How to climb ledges without a bunny hop: / 49476021
Which brake to use when: / which-brake-to-48108425
Different bikes, different riding techniques: / 46925782
How to ride FLAT PEDALS through the ROCKS: / how-to-ride-flat-45662347
How to ride wet roots and steep chutes: / 44507851
How to ride with style: / how-to-ride-with-43349450
How to jump for height vs distance: / 42202183
Common manual questions answered: / 41006264
How to land jumps: / 39928153
My 3 favorite skills drills: / if-i-could-only-38809964
How to manual: / how-to-manual-37684861
Cutty: / 36579859
Manual a berm: / 35496772
How to ride in Sedona: / 34436065
Switchbacks: / 3-ways-to-33345804
Nosewheelie: / 32742504
Bump jump: / 31881231
Trials basics for trail riders: / 31145344
Tight berms: / 30389457
Aggressive braking: / 29579507
Confidence for mountain biking: / 28817411
Cornering: / 27981205
Flowing/pumping down the trail: / 27288868
Stoppie through turns: / 26296762
Technical climbing: / 25234847
Boost jumps: / 24161821
Bunnyhop: / 23396959
Utilizing the wheelie on the trail: / 23017910
How to wheelie: / 21879606
I'm surprised you can feel how good the fork is with the amount of time you have the front wheel in the air 🤣🤣🤣
I love how easy rockshox makes everything to service yourself at home. Large deciding factor for me between rockshox/fox.
ye, looked up the service manual of x2 and like... my god :D
Check out DVO, even better
Did a full service on my fork and shock with minimal tools
I am curious, what’s the difference you are talking about? Parts, manuals?
@@Skitzzz the dvo service manuals are step by step with pictures, and the tools don’t require $300 fox speciality tools or nitrogen
Every Rockshox I've worked on has been so easy to take apart, service, upgrade and put back together. With Fox, if you service it yourself it voids the warranty.
That's enough for me to choose Rockshox right there.
And Fox has issues with over greasing, so you likely need to service it out of the box.
Honestly?
Seeing your manual skills, you don't need a fork at all and no front wheel! You rock, dude!
Imho the best component reviews in the internet atm. Thanks for doing the extra effort of changing components back and forth between bikes. The fact that you understand the body to bike frame relationship so well and also know well the frames that you use as “test rigs” elevates your assessments on forks and shox to a whole other level then most reviews. Hmm yeah and you also double cross-check your riding perception versus the suspension data you record. Great job! Thank you!
New Zeb Ultimate on my '21 Trek Slash isn't exactly "reviving an old bike", but as a 225 lb. rider, I noticed that stiffness and support upgrade vs the stock Lyrik Select+ immediately, and I've been happily progressing hard all summer!
I have a 2021 slash 8 & just installed 23 ZEB Ultimate as well. What token, psi, rebound, HSC & LSC did end up liking best? Thanks for any info!😊
@@chrisburnell4861 I forgot to save notes for my current setup, but I'm at 15% sag, 2 tokens, less hsc, middle lsc, and somewhere in the middle on rebound.
Mainly on my lighter trail bike in the winter, the Slash just comes out for super gnarly days and will be out for bike park in the Spring!
I went from a Lyrik to a 170 Zeb ultimate on my Megatower last year and the biggest difference to me was the increased steer precision and how it no longer "tucks" the front wheel under braking or on extremely steep terrain. It's such a dialed, composed feeling fork and now I feel I'm missing balance compared to the X2 on the rear
Bello!
pretty much agree with everything here. I put the 2023 Zeb ultimate on my v1 Megatower and it feels a ton better than the previous generation Lyrik replaced. I have never really gotten along with how Fox forks feel so I cant comment one that One other thing I like about Rockshox forks in general is how easy they are to service, they clearly have the home mechanic in mind and their online service manuals are top notch.
Right on Mongo. I was not expecting the Zeb to be this good- it was certainly incredible!
Do you have the 180 or 170mm?
@@simonolofsson7488 I have a 170mm, even in the 180mm and maybe in 190mm it will be more than stiff enough even for bigger folks.
Man, a double upload!
Triple man. The dude’s not sleeping
I'd like to see you do a video comparing high pivot to a regular full suspension bike with similar travel and geometry.
That'd be super fun! That Norco Range gets a lotta love, and the new Spartan looks good. From popping around on a Forbidden, it felt poppy, where as the Spartan felt a lot more glued down. Would be neat to try them back-to-back!
Thanks for visiting Japanese Gulch Jeff! Let’s go for a spin sometime when you are in town!
Aaron
Those manuals! Looks so impressive
Just blew the rebound damper on my older Fox Talus 29. I couldn't find any parts, so I bumped up my travel from 140mm to 150 mm with a Rock Shox Pike Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2. It is really burly and stiff. I am impressed, and it mates well with my 130 mm Fox Float rear shock.
I happen to pop on a La Sal Peak the price was so good I couldn’t pass it up it comes with a full ROCKSHOX Ultimate package. I’m going to a Enduro Bike from a 34 Forked Trail bike so it’s a big change but all the new stuff here in Georgia is progressing with Jarrod’s Place and a few other great trails systems.
Really glad your saying it’s a very close competition make me happy. I’m also looking at TruTune activated carbon spacer to add to the fork in time. My weight ranges from 128-132 on average. So I might need to try a few spacers at some point. Thanks so much for post this made me even more excited to get the bike, 2 weeks.
This is a really interesting observation on the ZEB and Ripmo AF. That is my current setup. For the life of me I have not be able to make the bike feel balanced front to back in big chunk. I have the factory DVO Topaz, DVO Jade and Rockshox super deluxe ultimate rear shock along with a cascade link. Between all the combos in the rear I cannot achieve rear suspension that feels like it wants to charge the chunder like the front. I went out and bought a Shock wiz. It helped in the rear a lot. Then I made the mistake of using it in the front on the ZEB lol. Overall more confidence and charging harder but back to square one again. I should note I'm running the ZEB at 160mm as recommended as well. I thought I was crazy or doing something wrong but now my feelings feel justified some at least. Maybe what I'm up against is actually just needing/wanting more bike. The AF does it but just not quite how I want it to.
Having owned a Zeb ultimate and 38 factory on the same bike for about a year on each... one isn't better than the other performance wise. They feel different for sure, both are great. Seriously though the price and serviceability on fox forks is a huge bummer. Im still riding the 38 but if I had to make a recommendation, its zeb all day.
I hope this middle child doesn't get lost on the noise, awesome video
Thank you! Yeah the Zeb was incredibly good, I hope no one remembers to ask for it back for a while!!!
Was happy to see a 170 fork on the Chilcotin, I have a zeb on a 167 right now and it is so fun and boosts off everything. It's a '22 zeb that was first on a slackened ripmo v1.5 which felt wrong, then on a '21 Enduro that was soo fast, now the Knolly that loves to get airborn, I'd love to try it paired with their new coil rear.
The Zeb 170mm on your Fox dpx2 or Float X, I can't tell which one you have on your Ripmo, will way out perform those and would unbalance it. If you had a Fox X2, a DVO Topaz, or a coil shock, you wouldn't feel that way. The Zeb works really well on the Ripmo but it all depends on the rear shock you have on it. The Float X or dpx2 has a slimmer can and keeps the rear very poppy, where as the Float X or Coil shock will give you more plushness off the top with progressiveness and adjustability. Much closer to the Zeb, which is very plush off the top but progressive in its use of travel. I love the Zeb on Ripmo, I run it with the new DVO Topaz X.
thanks for this chill video. Amazing riding as always.
I'd say a shock has way more effect on how your bike behaves. I could pretty much put any decent fork on my bike and make it work...but the shock can make or break your love of a particular frame.
I feel like the realy improved with this iteration of their line up.
Jeff reviewing the fork and spends half of the video pulling a manual and the other half in the air. Joke aside, love the video and your style on the bike!
@6:50 that was more than a shoulder height :)
I left your channel for 2 years and voila .... you have a beard ! Excellent content as usual.
So….. a lot of people ask on the forums about the Ripmo AF being “flexy”, mostly based off your videos, but now we find out you have a pre production model! Haha. The frame isn’t inherently flexy. It’s a solid rear end with no pivots in it. Not much to flex there. It’s probably flexy to you because of your riding style, which isn’t like most mortal riders. That and maybe a preproduction issue. Like the rest of your setups, you seem to like really stiff progression, moderate dampening, lots of travel, really beefy tire casings, etc. to hold up to your riding style. A bit of flex isn’t even a bad thing. It can make a bike more comfortable to ride. Too much flex though yes, not good. Anyways, like your vid’s a lot. Thanks man!
Hey Jeff, you need to stop wheelies to test the fork, hee hee.
I've been eyeing the 25% off Ripmo AF too! Hurts to see since I bought the Ripley AF 6 months ago and paid $1000 more. I'm in Florida so the Ripley is awesome. At 25% off, maybe 2nd bike time! Awesome video. I really liked the end with you riding the Ripmo! Some stylish tricks!!
Downside is, the bait and switch they did with the fork. The DVO Onyx SC was quite literally the main selling point of the Ripmo AF.
Did you find the Zeb to spike much? My first impression was I'd get push back on bigger hits and I was running decent sag 20 percent. I ended up going back to my Ohlins fork. My impression was it wasn't a good fork. I personally think Fox and Ohlins are far better options.
Agreed, Fox for more downhill and enduro performance and Rockshox for normal trail
riding.
Your settings on zeb for HSC/LSC/pressure and weight ? just for the record
Reviews a fork and manuals through the whole video, haha. Impressed by your riding skills!
Fun watching you shred my local Gulch!
Thanks Mick!
Shoot, I ordered a ripmo af on that sale, it came with a bomber coil so I sold it and grabbed a 38 along with a 160 air spring, hopefully the shorter travel saves me the same experience of imbalance. I'm really not looking to have to blow another 900 cad on an x2 to try to balance the feel out.
X2's are one of the most notorious shocks on the market right now, regularly ending up with air where it certainly ought not be (and pressurized) in less than 40 hours of riding. Buy literally anything else.
I'm just waiting on a bunch of Ripmo V2 owners to sell their 38s based on this video haha.
He has a proto Ripmo AF. And has said he was thinking of selling it to buy the stiffer production version.
this is a great format
pls review like this the formula nero R dh fork, 3 air chamber.
Another awesome video Jeff! Just picked up Zeb gonna add it to a new Kingdom Void soon! Take good care! Btw I'm thinking of going to Arizona next month. Any trail suggestions? Thx bud!
Hey,
In order to review a fork, you'll need to periodically let her out of the manual and allow the front wheel to touch the ground ;)
If Ryan Reynolds ever can’t do Deadpool anymore, you can be his stand-in for the voiceovers.
Hi Jeff thank for your videos they are great , can you please do a bike test on the new Pivot shuttle sl ? thank's again!
Great video. Now you just need to get the new Zeb and do it all over again! LOL!
Should do a dvo onyx next
Great vid. Keep em coming
Thanks! Will do!
So do you think dropping a Zeb down to 160 and adding a cascade link to the back on the Ripmo would address the balance issue? I have the DVO Onyx on my Ripmo AF and even that felt unbalanced with the stock linkage, the cascade link was the single best upgrade I've done to it. I've also had the chance to ride the 38 and Zeb back to back on 160/170 travel bikes and I couldn't tell the two apart based on feel alone, and I'm a 200+lb rider who prefers a very progressive suspension.
Would really like to hear about 160mm Fork Zeb on Ripmo AF
How different really is this zeb from the previous zeb with charger 2.1 damper? It seems like it has the same adjustments and overall feel, just ever so slightly better high-speed chatter absorption and bleeders for altitude. I admit bleeders are nice, but the same effect can be accomplished by depleting and refilling the air chamber/spring right?
Zebs are a gr8 fork,I run them on my levo
Jeff how do you run your zeb at alive 60psi? When I try that at 165lbs I feel like I’m already halfway through the travel just standing on my bike and pumping into the travel…
ever experience a noise on the compression damper cap? Mine has it and it is embarrassing. The click noise of the cap is louder than my hub's sound.
Jeff just curious- what is you go to all around mountain bike?
Wow, that's a lot of testing!
Well, might as well, right???
"I'm testing out the front shock"
*Manuals over everything*
Great video, what would you think about a Zeb Ultimate vs a 36 Factory on a Stumpjumper Evo (160mm)?
Neither. Lyrik Ultimate, the old style on sale right now for $650. Great supple fork.
Hi Jeff, for a heavier rider would you go rockshox or fox? Cheers
I dont think it matters much, heavier riders are less sensitive as all of these forks offer more than enough damping for ~250lbs riders. Folks under 170lbs will have a harder time finding a fork that's not overdamped, and if you are over 250, a custom tune from Fox would be a great call!
@@JeffKendallWeed cool, ok. Thanks very much for the reply Jeff, safe riding👌👍
By rc2 on the fox did you mean grip 2 cuz I’m condused now
I’m pretty sure he must’ve as the rc2 is the rockshox damper
I been on a V1 Ripmo for around 2 years now. Initially I got a NX build with the Fox Performance 36 and eventually sold it to get another V1 with an XT build and Fox Factory 36. Me being an "Average Joe Rider" at best, I did notice Fox Factory seems more plush and it seems to be more planted and got more traction? I wonder if this is an accurate assessment of the difference between Performance and Factory? Unfortunately, I never tested the Zeb or other brands although I'm curious.
I notice that JKW seems to ride the Ripmo AF more than any other bike in his videos! He must really like it despite the "flexy" frame ( I probably wouldn't notice the difference) since he stated he wants to get another one..LOL. I am considering buying one as a backup to my V1 now that the prices are basically back to Pre-Covid. My only concern is how it climbs compared to my V1. I'm assuming the difference is marginal and would be happy with it. I did demo an AF once but the shop wouldn't let me take it in the dirt because it was a floor model. However, I did ride it up a paved hill and didn't think it was a big difference, although it would be best to try it in the dirt!
Yeah I really do think a more worthy upgrade for your riding style is a rear shock.
Already did that. Upgraded from the over damped, overly linear X2 to the more progressive air can, more open damping of the DPX2. An Ohlins TTX or a RS Super Deluxe would be nice too, but neither one would be as helpful as spending a couple days in Whistler every month.
@@JeffKendallWeed Well stuff me with cotton.
I just figured you spend a lot of time in unicycle mode. 😆
@JeffKendallWeed nice....why not a coil? Just asking. I'm thinking of a coil vs air. What's your take on the air vs coil?
Jeff has got to be the worst to do a fork review…he’s never on the front wheel! Ha! Keep up the content Jeff!!
🤣
Those are 27.5er bikes right ? Looks super playful
All 29ers, I quit riding 27.5 a couple years back.
when you buy your production ripmo af please review the DVO suspension they come with!
I could, but the Topaz that Ibis uses bottoms out WAY too easy, even with ~4-5 volume reducers in it. It's not really the right shock for me and my riding stye, something with a lower air volume generally works better. Maybe I'll get a coil just to change it up, but then I'll have a 10lb frame!
@@JeffKendallWeedfair enough, how about the onyx fork ? Just seems like no big reviewers have reviewed DVO’s stuff
The new AFs coming out all have the Z1 coil fork. No more dvo forks late summer on.
@@4drcanyonracer I wonder if they’re doing that to keep the price on the lower side? I have the ripmo af with the dvo suspension and love it. Almost didn’t buy it due to the lack of content reviewing their stuff. Been riding mostly fox with a couple rock shox mixed in for 15 years and am in love with dvo
Loving the beard 👍
Thanks! First beard in 37 years
Hey, I’m riding a Rocky Mountain instinct and it is a trail bike but I ride all mountain and I’m looking for a new fork. I’m debating between the zeb or ohlins and don’t know what one will be better for me I ride enduro and jump trials. What do you think would be best for me?
Can you test the New pivot shuttle sl ?
Is this the new ‘23 Zeb Ultimate? With the charger 3 and the buttercups.
Yes it is. Worked really, really well.
How do you like the Smith helmet compared to your old Kali ones?
It's OK, but I much prefer the Giro Tyrant (as long as it's not super hot out!). The Smith helmets don't deal with sweat very well, and they don't "feel" as safe to me as the "Spherical" technology that Giro uses. I also got a POC helmet, which is meh at best. My old Fox and TLD helmets have continued to be really good, too. But those Giro units are some of my faves.
Damn, you got a zeb, 38, ohlins, and dvo
You a straight up gangsta bro!
😎
I noticed your ripmo AF has a welded gusset at the bottom below the water bottle cage and the new frame does not have that is that important ?
His is pre-production, they made some changes to the frame to eliminate the need for that and made some additional changes to the 2021+ frames to strengthen that area further.
Hey Jeff, what kind of beard-roids are you shooting? ✌️😜
what the name of the trails in the lush forest?
Yes
@@JeffKendallWeed lol
Review lyrik 2023 next please
hey jeff a have another question far from the actually theme of your vid. I noticed you manualing very often with nearly extended legs, is this a special skill or maybe might you explain why you do this. I doing manual with more flexed legs and it feels better for me, at least i cant hold it for a long time when my legs are extended.
sorry for bad english hopefully you understand me lol
Hey Nilog, thanks for the note! I use my legs a ton to pump and balance when on one wheel. However, I keep a very straight back when doing anything on the rear wheel- my balance is pretty far back. That might make it look like the legs aren't bent for some reason. In general, Ive got an extremely low posture over the bike at all times, which is why my GoPro footage looks relatively fast.
@@JeffKendallWeed thank you so much. My manuals are far away from yours but I’ll use your content to learn and improve my techniques. Have a nice weekend
1:56 lmao
You can't test a Rockshox with a Fox shirt?
I have been 100% sold on a Fox 36 for my bike... Now I don't know what to do. The new Lyrik seems like such a good fork now. Granted it WAS already a great fork but the previous gen or the Lyrik just wasn't what I needed compared to the 36 with the GRIP2 damper. Now? Omg ... i have no idea what to pick. I'm getting a new fork and shock for my bike this Feb for my birthday but I really have a tough choice now.
I've LOVED the Zeb. It's legit. If you weigh less than 170 lbs, Rock Shox is slightly more suitable than Fox, but it's not a huge deal. I don't know much about the new Lyrics, so can't help there much.
Are you qualified to review a fork? It looks like you spend 90% of your time on the back wheel!
The 38 stantion fork are far stable then 36 chasis but i found there a trade of on the bump ridability i think just preference
I've found the Zeb and Fox 38 to have better small bump performance than the 36 and Pike.
A lot of that is just fox vs RS. I ride a 2022 Lyrik Ultimate normally and just demo’d a new Megatower with the latest 38 grip2 and even with the clickers full open, the 38 was a harsh and firm riding fork compared to my last gen Lyrik. Night and day difference. It’s not just the chassis size difference but mostly down to different dampening.
What settings did you end up with?
Forgetting off the top of my head here, but it's minimal damping- a few clicks of HSC, a couple of LSC, and totally forget the rebound. IIRC it has one or two bottomless tokens. I should probably remove them and go to a slightly lighter air pressure, but it already works so well, I'm not sweating it.
@@JeffKendallWeed psi and weight?
Compared to recommended psi and rebound?
Also, a few clicks of HSC, it's only 5 clicks. LSC has 15.
Does Jeff sound alot like Sonic from the movies?
Who is Sonic? What movie is she in?
@@JeffKendallWeed or is Sonic actually @jeff kendall Weed
The suspension wasn't on the ground mate 🤣
Fair point!
You could steal this guy's front wheel, and you would be long gone by the time he noticed. That thing is not seeing the ground much.
Please don’t steal my wheel!
There's no such thing as an "Olympic deadlifter". Powerlifting is NOT an Olympic event. That's why the clean and jerk and snatch are called Olympic lifts. Please get a clue.