Alongside the new RockShox ZEB enduro fork and the revised Lyrik trail model, RockShox are also launching two matching air shocks. With the new Vivid Air and the completely redesigned Super Deluxe Air, the range now covers everything from trail to enduro and downhill use. The Vivid Air continues to target hard use in the enduro and DH segment, though the new generation brings more of a refinement than a complete redesign. The Super Deluxe Air, on the other hand, is a different story altogether: it has been completely reworked and is intended to function as a versatile all-rounder across a wide variety of trails. As with the new forks, both shocks feature the revised Linear XL air spring. The goal is to reduce the air spring’s dependency on speed and create more predictable handling, which can then be fine-tuned via the damping.
The New RockShox Super Deluxe and Vivid Air Shocks in Detail
The new RockShox Super Deluxe brings a whole range of technical updates. At its core is the new RCT2 damper, which now works with a revised base valve. According to RockShox, this has reduced the forces in the IFP by around 40 % – without risking cavitation. In practice, this is primarily intended to improve responsiveness and give the shock more sensitivity.
When it comes to bottom-out control, RockShox stick to their proven concept. As with the previous models, the end of the travel is additionally damped by a needle-shaped pin moving into the flow port of the damper piston, restricting the oil flow and providing extra damping. Despite the new naming conventions used on other products, it remains the classic HBO (Hydraulic Bottom Out) here, as the system isn’t externally adjustable. By the way: on the new Vivid, the bottom-out also works hydraulically but is called ABO (Adjustable Bottom Out), as it can be adjusted.
Also new is the Linear XL air chamber, which marks a clear departure from previous retrofit solutions. It isn’t backwards compatible, as it’s designed to handle higher maximum air pressures and introduces an entirely new token system. Instead of traditional plastic spacers, RockShox rely on a clever sealing concept: a rubber seal can be positioned at different points inside the air chamber to precisely tune the air volume. This makes adjusting progression much quicker, and on many bikes, you won’t even need to remove the shock from the frame. For added clarity, RockShox label each position with a corresponding “token” value, making setup intuitive and easy to dial in.
RockShox have also improved service intervals: the maintenance interval of the new Super Deluxe has been doubled from 50 to 100 hours, as was already the case with the previous Vivid Air.
The Vivid Air, on the other hand, remains largely unchanged but receives some targeted, albeit minor updates. The hydraulic bottom-out is now also referred to as ABO, as with the suspension forks, since it’s adjustable. Additionally, the Vivid also gets the new Linear XL air chamber, which wasn’t available until now. Furthermore, the oil flow in the reservoir has been revised, too. The low-speed compression is now intended to act more like a mid-speed compression, which, together with a reduced IFP pressure, is meant to improve sensitivity.
On both shocks, RockShox have also revised the look of the adjusters. The knobs are now more clearly labelled, partly numbered, and therefore much easier to read – a small detail that simplifies setup.
All Prices and Models of the New 2027 RockShox Shocks
For the aftermarket – i.e. retail – both shocks are initially only available as Ultimate or Flight Attendant versions. So if you’re looking for the full feature set or electronic damping control, this is where you’ll find it. The Vivid is also available in a dedicated DH variant without a lockout lever. The more affordable Select+, Select and Base models, on the other hand, are reserved for complete bikes for now and aren’t available separately at retail.
The new Vivid is available with strokes from 55 mm to 75 mm, covering long-travel downhill and enduro bikes, while the new Super Deluxe, with strokes from 45 mm to 65 mm, is positioned more in the trail and enduro segment.
The new RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate with a 185 × 55 mm dimension now tips the scales at 548 g. In other words, it has gained around 100 g compared to its predecessor. By contrast, the new RockShox Vivid Ultimate with a 205 × 65 mm eye-to-eye dimension weighs 672 g, putting it on par with its predecessor.
| Model | Damper | Price |
|---|---|---|
| RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate Flight-Attendant | RC3 with HBO | €1,145 |
| RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate | RC2T with HBO | €765 |
| RockShox Super Deluxe Select+ | RCT with HBO | Not available in aftermarket |
| RockShox Super Deluxe Select | RT | Not available in aftermarket |
| RockShox Super Deluxe Base | R | Not available in aftermarket |
| Model | Damper | Price |
|---|---|---|
| RockShox Vivid Ultimate DH | RC2 with ABO | €850 |
| RockShox Vivid Ultimate | RC2T with ABO | €850 |
| RockShox Vivid Select+ | RCT with HBO | Not available in aftermarket |
| RockShox Vivid Select | RT | Not available in aftermarket |
| RockShox Vivid Base | R | Not available in aftermarket |
The New 2027 RockShox Vivid Air on the Trail
We were able to test the new RockShox Vivid Air over a period of just over two months on several bikes. It was mainly used on a Pivot Firebird – a bike we know extremely well and had previously been riding with a FOX X2 Factory shock. In addition, we also had a Specialized Levo, which we are very familiar with, equipped with the new Vivid Air. This allowed us to assess the performance well thanks to the rear suspensions we know inside out. However, this doesn’t apply to all bikes, as the ride characteristics of a shock always depend heavily on the specific rear suspension design and kinematics.
Setting up the Vivid is typically straightforward. The SAG markings are still present and provide good guidance, and if you want to be more precise, you can also use the TrailHead app. The low-speed compression is now additionally numbered, clicks cleanly into place and can be adjusted without the need for tools. The high-speed compression is still adjusted via the removable rebound dial, which is a bit fiddly with gloves but still effectively tool-free. There are no numbers here, but the position is still relatively easy to read. The Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) is also adjusted using the rebound dial, though depending on the installation, it can be somewhat fiddly to reach, as you often have to work between the frame and the reservoir. However, this isn’t an adjuster you change frequently. The rebound adjuster itself is therefore also a bit fiddly and not always easy to reach depending on the bike, but it has a clearly noticeable click. That said, the competition isn’t really better in this regard either.
Notably, the new Vivid Air shows noticeable and comparatively pronounced bobbing when climbing without the lockout lever. Even bikes like the Pivot Firebird with its DW-Link rear suspension, which were very pedal-efficient with the previously installed FOX X2, now require the lockout much more frequently, and we even had to reach for the lever on a relaxed road climbs. The same effect was clearly noticeable on the Levo, although it matters less on an eMTB. However, once the lockout is engaged, the suspension becomes firm and efficient as expected, allowing the bikes to pedal calmly again with only minimal movement to generate some comfort and traction. The lockout lever itself is located on the reservoir and is usually easy to reach, though it’s not always immediately distinguishable by touch. There’s an adjacent edge that feels very similar – so it’s easy to grab the wrong one. The haptic feedback of the lever could also be more defined, as it doesn’t always engage cleanly and occasionally sits between positions. There’s still room for improvement here.
On descents, the Vivid shows its strengths: the ride feel is pleasantly firm, direct and poppy. The shock offers plenty of support, encourages you to push the bike, and at the same time provides good feedback from the ground. Compared directly to the FOX X2, however, it lacks a small degree of sensitivity – especially under braking on loose terrain, where it feels slightly less grippy. The flex behaviour also feels marginally stiffer, although the difference isn’t huge and the FOX X2 excels in this area. Running the HSC and LSC in a more open setting noticeably increases traction without completely losing support or pop – at least on the Firebird. How effective this is, however, clearly depends on the specific bike and tune.
Even on long descents of over ten minutes, the Vivid shows no drop in performance. The damping remains consistent, indicating very good thermal stability, which was already the case with its predecessor. At the same time, the shock remains pleasantly quiet in operation, and showed no issues during the test period. In the end, however, as always with shocks, it must be said that the significance of these impressions is limited, and performance depends heavily on the specific bike and its rear-end kinematics.
The 2027 RockShox Super Deluxe Air on the Trail
We weren’t able to ride the new Super Deluxe for quite as long as the Vivid, but we did test it on two platforms we know well: a Pivot Trailcat as well as another bike with a DW-Link rear suspension, which we’ll be able to show you in a few days.
There are no surprises when it comes to setup, as the adjustment logic largely matches that of the Vivid. Accordingly, it’s quick and easy to get familiar with. The new rebound adjuster is particularly impressive, as it’s not only much easier to reach but also offers improved haptics. The lockout lever is also located on the reservoir and shows the same minor shortcomings: due to the mechanical stop and the small metal limiter, it isn’t always intuitive to locate by feel. However, its effect is all the more pronounced – once engaged, the rear end becomes noticeably firmer and the bike feels significantly more composed while pedalling.
On the trail, the new Super Deluxe quickly proves that it’s more than just an update. Compared to its predecessor, it responds much more sensitively to small impacts and delivers an overall finer response. At the same time, it retains enough support to prevent the suspension from wallowing, instead working actively. This is exactly where it strikes a very good balance between comfort and support. The new Super Deluxe also makes clear gains in terms of grip. Especially on technical trails, the increase in traction is clearly noticeable, giving you more confidence to let your fingers off the brakes in demanding trail sections. At the same time, the mid-stroke remains stable and well-defined – the suspension doesn’t sink but provides a solid platform that allows you to ride actively and generate clean pop.
The biggest difference becomes apparent when things get really rough. With hard hits and fast compressions, the new Super Deluxe feels significantly more capable than its predecessor. Particularly towards the end of the travel, it offers more reserves, clearly moving closer to the Vivid but without losing its trail DNA. The shock guides you in a controlled manner towards the end of the travel and conveys the feeling that there are still more reserves. Overall, the new Super Deluxe feels more robust, more composed, and gives you noticeably more control and confidence, especially at high speeds and under heavy impacts.
Conclusions about the RockShox Super Deluxe and Vivid Air Shocks
With the new Super Deluxe and the revised Vivid Air, RockShox clearly split the lineup into two distinct characters. The Vivid remains the go-to option for hard-hitting riding, offering plenty of support and excellent thermal stability, but it still shows its limits on the climbs. The new Super Deluxe, on the other hand, takes a big leap forward: more grip, improved sensitivity, and significantly greater reserves. The result is a seriously capable all-rounder that feels more confident across the board—and even holds its own on longer-travel bikes.
Tops
- Simple setup and improved readability
- Both shocks offer modern, predictable handling
- Super Deluxe with significantly more grip, sensitivity and noticeably more reserves
- Vivid Air with strong support and high thermal stability
Flops
- Vivid Air bobs noticeably on climbs and often requires the lockout
- Lockout lever on both shocks is not easy to locate by feel and lacks clear definition
For more information, visit the RockShox website.
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Words: Peter Walker Photos: Sven Martin, Callum Wood, Lars Engmann, Peter Walker