New 2027 RockShox ZEB Ultimate on Test – The New Benchmark?

Not an update, but a complete redesign from the ground up. The new 2027 RockShox ZEB Ultimate promises a linear spring curve, more traction, less friction, and independent adjustment via the damper. Big ambitions – but how does RockShox’s new enduro fork perform on the trail? We’ve tested the new ZEB over two months on the toughest trails – with surprisingly clear results.

With the new ZEB and the revised Lyrik, RockShox are introducing two completely new suspension forks, each clearly tailored to its intended use. The RockShox ZEB continues to focus on enduro riding, while the new RockShox Lyrik is once again aimed at trail riders. However, the overlap between the two forks is now significantly broader – but more on that later. Of course, we also have a detailed test of the new 2027 RockShox Lyrik Ultimate.

The new ZEB now covers a travel range of 150–180 mm and continues to rely on the familiar 38 mm stanchions. Overall, RockShox invested around four years into developing the new models, revising or completely redesigning almost every component – except for the thru-axle. The main focus was on the new air spring, the casting, and the stanchions. The damper unit, on the other hand, was only partly revised – we’ll take a closer look at what that means in practice later on. Some of the new features are already known from the current RockShox BoXXer, but that’s far from everything the RockShox engineers had up their sleeves.

The clear goal of the development: a as linear as possible spring curve combined with minimal friction. Because only when the internal systems can operate freely do the air spring and damper reach their full potential – and this is exactly where RockShox are focusing with the new generation.

The new 2027 RockShox ZEB Ultimate in detail

First, let’s take a look at the air spring side. One feature that immediately stands out is the so-called “AirAnnex” – an extender placed at the bottom of the fork next to the brake mount. This increases the air volume in the lower leg, thereby reducing the progression of the air spring, which, in return,reduces the speed dependency of the air spring and allows rebound to be controlled more via the damper. This extension is only found on the air spring side. The reason lies in the fork’s design, as the air spring takes up more space inside the stanchion than the damper unit. As a result, the air volumes in the lower legs differ between the two sides. The AirAnnex compensates for this, ensuring both sides now have the same air volume in the lower legs. The AirAnnex extender itself is not replaceable – even though it’s only secured with two bolts. Whether different versions will be available in the future, or whether new – as yet unreleased – technologies could be integrated here, remains purely speculative.

The actual air spring unit – called LinearXL – has also been revised and is intended to contribute to a more linear spring curve overall. This is achieved, among other things, through a twin-tube design, which allows the piston diameter to be reduced and the ratio between piston and air shaft to be adjusted. At the same time, the diameter of the air shaft has been increased from 10 mm to 14 mm and designed as a hollow structure. This creates more volume in the negative chamber and ensures that force builds more evenly throughout the travel – with the goal of delivering a more predictable ride feel. The progression of the air spring can still be adjusted in the classic way using tokens.

At the end of the travel, the new Adjustable Bottom Out – or ABO – comes into play. While previous systems like the HBO (Hydraulic Bottom Out) worked hydraulically, RockShox now rely on a mechanical solution for the ZEB, though they have unified the nomenclature across all systems regardless of whether they’re mechanical or hydraulic. The ABO uses an adjustable rubber bumper that controls the last 7–17 mm of travel. Adjustment is made via 8 clicks using a 5 mm hex key. The adjuster requires slightly more force than the other dials, which is likely why it cannot be adjusted tool-free. A pyramid-shaped marking on the back of the stanchion helps with orientation.

Relativ unverändert zeigt sich die Dämpfungseinheit. Sie hört nun auf den Namen Charger 3.2 und wurde vor allem im Tune angepasst, um besser mit der lineareren Charakteristik der neuen Luftfeder zu harmonieren. Heißt konkret: mehr Dämpfung. Zwar ist die Kartusche rückwärtskompatibel mit älteren Gabeln, wirklich sinnvoll ist das Upgrade aber nur bedingt – es sei denn, ihr wollt bewusst mehr Dämpfung fahren.

The adjustment options remain familiar: 5 clicks of high-speed compression and 15 clicks of low-speed compression are available, all within less than one full turn of the dials. What’s new – and particularly well executed – is the revised graphic design of the adjusters. The new layout builds on an already strong design and makes it super easy to read your current setting at a glance. Each click is also clearly noticeable. The rebound adjuster is still located at the bottom of the fork and offers 20 clicks of adjustment. However, it lacks clear labeling, and RockShox – at least on the fork decals – don’t provide a recommended base setup – a pity. That would have rounded off the overall package and eliminated the need to use their TrailHead app, where you can find this information. The ButterCups are still in use, too. These small elastomers sit on both the damper and spring side and are designed to filter out fine vibrations and impacts before they even reach the suspension and damping systems.

The black stanchions also feature several interesting details. These include the so-called Breather Holes, which we already know from the BoXXer. These strategically placed openings increase the air volume in the lower leg during compression and channel air into the space between the stanchion and the LinearXL air chamber, thereby reducing the air pressure generated during compression. This, in turn, reduces additional progression caused by trapped air. On the damper side, the effect of these holes should be close to zero, as the stanchion is already open at the bottom. The openings on the new ZEB and BoXXer are slightly larger than on the 2023 BoXXer. Also new is the so-called ButterWagon technology, which was first seen on the current BoXXer. These are fine divots in the stanchions below the dust wipers, which pull oil from the lower parts of the fork upward during rebound. This is intended to improve lubrication and reduce friction. A small detail on the side: a matching ButterWagon logo on the stanchions is only visible when you remove them from the lower legs during service. RockShox have also updated the lubricants. The new MAXIMA 920 oil with 15 WT is now used, making it slightly thicker than before. Additionally, the oil volume in the lower legs has been increased to 30 ml per side, whereas previously only 15 ml was used on the air side. This is complemented by the new Maxima SG920 grease and revised SKF dust wipers, which are designed to deform less under increasing pressure inside the lower legs. All these updates aim to further reduce friction.

The fork crown is more massive and is designed to provide additional stiffness, thus ensuring more precision tracking due to its manufacturing process. The bleeding ports have now been moved to the crown. They’re significantly smaller than before but remain well protected and positioned at the rear. They still allow you to equalise pressure differences between the casting and the environment, as air now simply finds its way between the stanchion and the separate main air chamber or damper unit up to the new bleed valves. The casting itself is said to offer the same stiffness as its predecessor but features several detail changes. At the fork brace, there’s now a so-called arch cap – a black plastic cover to which the fender is mounted. To install the fender, you have to remove the cap and replace it with the corresponding fender. RockShox offer two versions: a mullet and a full-coverage fender. Installation is somewhat fiddly due to the small bolts, but once mounted, the fender sits securely and remains completely silent. Without a fender, the black arch cap neatly covers the grid structure of the brace, preventing dirt from entering the small openings – nice! Additionally, the cutouts in the casting stand out, as they are designed to relieve stress from the upper bushing area. Here too, the goal is clear: reduce friction and further improve sensitivity. Just below, you’ll find the brake hose clamp, made from a robust aluminium piece that secures the hose perfectly. Nothing to complain about here.

Models and prices of the new 2027 RockShox ZEB

The new RockShox ZEB will cover a travel range of 150–180 mm in the future. This expands its range of applications downward, offering for the first time an option for aggressive trail or e-mountain bikes with 150 mm of travel. In return, however, the 190 mm version has been discontinued – freeride bikes like the Propain Spindrift will now have to look for alternatives. In terms of offset, RockShox continue to use the standard 44 mm for the 29” version. A 27.5” version will also remain available, with either a 44 mm or 37 mm offset.

The flagship model remains the ZEB Ultimate, which retails at € 1,415and is therefore only slightly more expensive than its predecessor. At 2,540 g, it’s also around 200 g heavier. Visually, you can choose between “Electric Red” and “Ultimate High Gloss Black.” The new, significantly more minimalist graphics create a more modern look – a trend currently followed by many manufacturers. The decals are also placed under a clear coat, giving a premium finish while improving durability. However, this finish is exclusive to the Ultimate variant. There’s also a Flight Attendant version, which combines all the features of the Ultimate with an electronically controlled damper. Retail price is € 1,965.

Below the top-tier Ultimate variant sits the ZEB Select+, which is technically largely identical but lacks ButterCups and ButterWagon technology in the stanchions – and is not available as an aftermarket part, meaning that’s only available as an OEM component for complete bikes. This version is only available in black.

The ZEB Select is the entry point into the new platform and comes with the simpler Delta RC damper. Here, you only get a combined compression adjustment and a rebound adjustment. This model also lacks ButterCups and ButterWagon technology. While it still uses the Linear XL air spring, it doesn’t feature the adjustable ABO – instead, it relies on a fixed bottom-out bumper with no adjustment. The Select version is also only available in black and costs € 1,080.

The new 2027 RockShox ZEB Ultimate on test

We tested the new ZEB extensively over a period of around two months – on a wide variety of bikes and trails. In New Zealand, we were able to work directly with RockShox product managers, testing different setups and dialing the fork in perfectly. We logged countless laps in the Queenstown Bike Park, which offers a great mix of steep, blown-out tracks and flowy jump lines. We also had the chance to compare the new ZEB directly against the fork previously installed on our test bike – in our case, the FOX Podium USD fork, which provided an interesting benchmark.

We also put the fork through its paces during shuttle runs in Portugal, on our home trails in the Black Forest, and in a back-to-back shootout against the new FOX 38 Factory GRIP X2 fork. You can find the full shootout in this article. At the same time, we installed the ZEB on different bikes, including a Yeti LTE eMTB as well as two completely new bikes that are not yet on the market. We also had multiple forks in rotation, including models mounted on complete bikes, ensuring that not only the perfectly prepped test sample from RockShox performed well.

During initial setup, it becomes immediately apparent that the new Linear XL air spring requires significantly higher air pressures than its predecessor. Across the board, we ran around 60–80 psi more, and the maximum air pressure has been increased to 300 psi. The setup chart printed on the lower legs provides a solid starting point, though it doesn’t include rebound recommendations. If you’re looking for detailed setup guidance, you’ll find it in RockShox’s TrailHead app. The higher pressures also allow for more precise tuning. While previously a change of 5 psi made a noticeable difference, it now takes closer to 20 psi to achieve a similar effect. This gives you more room for fine-tuning.

The adjusters also have a noticeable impact on ride performance. Even in the base setup – with all compression settings at 0 – the fork rides relatively high in its travel. This immediately inspires confidence, especially on steep and technical terrain. The high-speed compression allows you to quickly and effectively adjust ride height – a single click makes a clearly noticeable difference. For example, you can quickly add a click of compression before a steep descent, and thanks to the revised scale, it’s very easy to keep track of your settings. While the increments aren’t quite as fine as on some competitors, we didn’t miss any intermediate steps during testing.

On the trail, the new ZEB generates an enormous amount of traction while feeling surprisingly lively at the same time. It almost sticks to the ground, yet still provides enough feedback to keep you in control. You get a clear sense of what’s happening on the trail and where the grip limit lies, allowing you to push right up to it. At the same time, the fork remains highly active and supports a dynamic riding style. The rebound is so well tuned that the fork remains very controlled over small impacts while still delivering plenty of pop for quick direction changes or jumps. This makes the new ZEB incredibly fun to ride and it pairs well with RockShox shocks, which also offer a very poppy ride character.

The Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) is a cool concept and works well in principle but also shows its limitations in testing. Most testers ran the fork with minimal adjustment – close to the 7 mm setting. Due to the linear spring curve, the relatively firm bumper can feel quite abrupt, as the difference in damping between the system and the bumper is quite large. Since there are currently no bumpers with different hardness levels, the usable adjustment range is somewhat limited in practice. With a slightly softer bumper – providing a smoother transition – the adjustment range could be used more effectively. Nevertheless, the ABO does a good job of preventing harsh bottom-outs, ensuring that big hits don’t go straight into your wrists.

Conclusions about the new 2027 RockShox ZEB Ultimate

The new 2027 RockShox ZEB Ultimate isn’t just an update – it’s a ground-up redesign. Less friction, more control, and a noticeably more linear spring curve were the targets, and RockShox nailed every one of them. The fork rides high in its travel, delivers huge grip, and still feels lively and responsive, making it an absolute blast on the trail. The redesigned adjuster dials make setup quicker and more intuitive, with each click translating clearly out on the trail. On top of that, every detail feels considered, and the fork runs impressively quiet, even when pushed hard.

For more information, visit RockShox’s website.

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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Sven Martin, Callum Wood, Peter Walker