The Secret Behind the New RockShox Shocks: LinearXL Tech Explained

RockShox is starting 2026 with a heavy-hitting update to its suspension lineup and more. While we haven’t spent time on the dirt with these yet, the technical details released suggest a major shift toward two specific goals: making air shocks feel more like coils and ensuring your rear suspension talks the same language as your fork with the same LinearXL tech applied to both the Super Deluxe and Vivid Air.

The all-new Vivid and Super Deluxe families have been redesigned from the ground up, sharing a new architecture aimed at what RockShox calls “Predictability, Perfected”. Here is the breakdown of what is actually new.

The Common Ground: LinearXL and Suppleness

The headline for both shocks is the LinearXL air spring system. RockShox designed this to mimic the consistent, linear feel of a coil spring across the entire stroke. By increasing air volume and reducing speed sensitivity, the goal is a shock that doesn’t feel “hooky” or unpredictable when the terrain gets chaotic.

Additionally, both shocks feature a redesigned base valve that reportedly cuts IFP (Internal Floating Piston) forces by 40%. This is a massive reduction intended to make the shocks significantly more supple off the top, improving traction and reducing the “stiction” often associated with air shocks.

No More Counting Clicks

In a move that every rider will appreciate, RockShox is moving away from the “count from closed” guessing game. The new numbered compression adjusters provide clear visual indicators for settings. You can start at “0” and move into your “window of happiness” with intuitive, repeatable adjustments.

Vivid: The Gravity Specialist

Designed for everything from bike park laps to World Cup DH tracks, the new Vivid focuses on composure in big terrain.

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• Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO): The Vivid features a dedicated dial to adjust compression damping in the last 20% of travel. It offers five settings to customize how much “cushion” you have on those massive hits.
• RCT2 Damper: This new damper is specifically tuned to match the performance of the Charger 3.2 fork damper, ensuring the front and rear of the bike react in unison.
• Expansion: The Vivid line now includes several tiers, including the Vivid Ultimate DH, which ditches the threshold lever for pure gravity focus.

Super Deluxe: The Versatile Workhorse

The Super Deluxe remains the go-to for everything from “downcountry” to enduro, but it gains some significant durability and weight-range updates.

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• Increased Max PSI: To accommodate heavier riders and the high leverage ratios often found on E-MTBs, RockShox has increased the maximum PSI for the Super Deluxe.
• Doubled Service Intervals: One of the most practical updates is the air can service interval, which has jumped from 50 to 100 hours. That means more time on the trail and less time on the workbench.
• Hydraulic Bottom Out (HBO): Like the Vivid, the Super Deluxe utilizes a hydraulic cushion in the last 20% of travel to eliminate harsh metal-on-metal clanking.
• Flight Attendant RC3: The electronic version has been updated with a new main piston compression tune to match the Charger 3.2 forks.

Retail Availability

Both the new Vivid and Super Deluxe shocks are available starting this month, April 2026. If you’re looking to refresh your current ride, the Ultimate-level shocks will be the primary options available for aftermarket purchase.