RockShox is giving its enduro suspensions a major overhaul for 2027.

Here's what you need to know about the new RockShox ZEB fork and RockShox Vivid Air shock.

The new RockShox ZEB 2027

The ZEB changes almost everything except its wheel axle. The aim is to offer greater comfort ("sofa effect") without losing support.

• Chassis & AirAnnex: The bottom of the fork has a bulge on the spring side called AirAnnex. It increases the volume of air in the legs to reduce the natural progressiveness of trapped air, making the fork more linear and predictable.
• Charger 3.2 cartridge: An evolution of the Charger 3, reworked to be totally silent and offer truly independent compression settings (HSC/LSC). The knobs are now numbered to simplify adjustment.
• LinearXL spring: a new air spring system that seeks to mimic the linearity of a coil spring.
• ABO (Adjustable Bottom Out) stop: A hydraulic end-of-travel adjuster that hardens the last 20% of travel to avoid violent heeling.
• New tee: Wider and perforated for greater rigidity without adding weight. ThePressure Relief Valves are now located at the top of the tee.

2. The new Vivid Air 2027 shock absorber

The shock absorber follows the same philosophy: extreme sensitivity to small shocks and high absorption capacity.

• IFP pressure reduction (-40%): Thanks to a new Base Valve, RockShox has reduced the internal pressure required for operation by 40%. The result: much less friction and a rear wheel that "sticks" to the terrain.
• LinearXL Air Can: Increased air volume for a flatter suspension curve. Interestingly, the conventional spacers are replaced by a movable O-ring inside for easier volume adjustment.
• Simplified adjustments: as on the ZEB, the compression knobs are numbered. Rebound adjustment is also more accessible.
• ABO (Adjustable Bottom Out): Also present on the Vivid Air, with a 5-position knob to manage the end of travel.

In a nutshell

• Sensitivity: Both components are much "softer" at the start of the run to filter out vibrations.
• Consistency: RockShox uses a new Maxima oil and SG920 grease to ensure that the behavior remains identical, whether it's the first minute downhill or after 20 minutes in the bike park.
• Maintenance: If the complete overhaul intervals remain unchanged, the Vivid's air part maintenance is increased from 50h to 100h.

Tip: These suspensions are designed to work together. ZEB's Charger 3.2 cartridge has been specifically "tuned" to the Vivid Air's hydraulic operation, so that the front and rear of the bike react in perfectly balanced fashion.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main new features of the ZEB 2027?

The main new feature is the AirAnnex system (the bulge at the bottom of the forks), which increases internal air volume for greater linearity. It also incorporates the Charger 3.2 cartridge for finer, quieter adjustment, as well as an adjustable hydraulic stop (ABO).

What's the AirAnnex system on the fork?

It's an additional air chamber located in the fork legs. Traditionally, air trapped in the fork legs hardens the fork at the end of the stroke. AirAnnex increases this volume to reduce this parasitic pressure, making the fork much softer and "smoother" throughout its entire stroke.

What does the ABO (Adjustable Bottom Out) adjustment do?

It's a knob that allows you to manage the bottom out hydraulically.

• If you often heel over big jumps, you close the ABO.
• If you never use your full travel, you open it. This keeps the air spring soft for comfort without the risk of "snapping" on big impacts.

Why has RockShox reduced the IFP pressure on the Vivid Air?

By reducing the internal pressure by 40%, RockShox drastically reduces friction at the joints. The shock absorber releases much more easily on small impacts (roots, gravel), offering a rear wheel that literally "sticks" to the ground.

Can I upgrade my current ZEB (2023-2025) to the 2027 version?

The Charger 3.2 cartridge is backwards compatible with older ZEB chassis. However, the AirAnnex system and the new LinearXL spring are linked to the new 2027 chassis and cannot be installed on older versions.

Are adjustments complicated on these models?

On the contrary, RockShox has simplified the interface. The high and low speed compression knobs are now numbered. This makes it easy to find your settings at a glance, or to follow the recommendations of the RockShox TrailHead app.

What's the difference between the LinearXL spring and a conventional spring?

The LinearXL has a much larger negative chamber. This makes the start of the stroke extremely smooth (ease of release) and offers a suspension curve very similar to that of a coil spring, while remaining lighter and adjustable via a high-pressure pump.

Is maintenance more frequent on these new suspensions?

Good news: RockShox has optimized sealing. Maintenance of the Vivid Air's air section has been increased from 50h to 100h of use. For the ZEB, the intervals remain standard, but the use of new Maxima lubricants and SG920 grease guarantees longer constant fluidity between overhauls.