#RockShox

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RockShox Introduces 2025 Charger 3.1 Damper and Vivid Coil, and Updates Pike, Lyric, Zeb, and Super Deluxe

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RockShox Introduces 2025 Charger 3.1 Damper and Vivid Coil, and Updates Pike, Lyric, Zeb, and Super Deluxe

SRAM and RockShox always do this. They collect a bunch of minor and major innovations within a given product line, throw in a new model or two, and unleash it all at once on an unsuspecting public. I suppose it beats the alternative. If we had to wait several years for a component to get a top-to-bottom rebuild before any improvements could be made, we’d miss out on the types of innovations RockShox collected today for the 2025 model year. They’ve improved the bushing design on the Pike, Lyric and Zeb forks, revamped the damper in the Super Deluxe air shock, and introduced an entirely new Vivid Air dh-oriented coil shock. They’ve also updated their TrailHead tuning-guide app, which should help with my favorite news of the day, an updated Charger 3.1 damper.

I’ve actually got a new Pike featuring a Charger 3.1 in for test. I just haven’t had enough time on it yet to bring you a thorough review. But on the one ride I’ve managed to squeeze in between installing and writing, it’s already changed my mind a little about the compromises we’re used to making when setting up our suspension. No spoilers, but this is the first fork where I’ve increased high-speed compression damping and not paid for it with a significant increase in harshness. Again, I’ll save that for the review. For now, here’s what’s new in the news.

The RockShox Rudy XPLR Gravel Fork and SRAM AXS XPLR: John Reviews His Sklar Gravel Bike

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The RockShox Rudy XPLR Gravel Fork and SRAM AXS XPLR: John Reviews His Sklar Gravel Bike

We joke that time is a flat circle in cycling all too often. Gravel bikes are just ’90s mountain bikes, etc. Yet, we have to accept that we’re in an era of electronic shifting and yes, suspension forks on gravel bikes. This tech, however, is nothing new especially not for RockShox, who for the 1994 Paris Roubaix unveiled a suspension fork on team Lemond GAN’s bikes. In that same year, Mavic even had some Zap electronic groups on the exact same bikes.

Now, 27 years later, we have my Sklar gravel bike which is familiar to most of you, with a suspension fork and electronic shifting, under the banner of SRAM and RockShox’s new XPLR lineup (explore, not explorer). While I haven’t taken on the Hell of the North, I have spent a lot of time being a weirdo in the woods on this kit and have a really fun review to share with y’all, so read on below.

The New RockShox Reverb Stealth Gets a Port at the Post Head

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The New RockShox Reverb Stealth Gets a Port at the Post Head

Your RockShox Reverb dropper is going to need service at some point and with the new Stealth Reverb design it’s easier than ever. With RockShox’s new Reverb Stealth port design, you can now remove the saddle, depress the valve, compress the post and reset. The result is the air is channeled back into the chamber leaving the oil where it is supposed to be. The Reverb Stealth post body is now shorter too. Head on over to RockShox to see more.

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The Updated RockShox Pike

My favorite fork got an upgrade by the fine folks at RockShox. The new and improved Pike now features a lighter chassis, with a 150g reduction, a Charger 2 damper with OneLoc remote compatibility, a new DebonAir spring and will fit boosted, plus sized 27.5″ tires (up to 2.8″). Expect these to hit retail shelves this month with an MSRP of $875 – $1,000. See more at SRAM.

RockShox Brings Back the Judy with 27.5 / 29 Boost Compatibility

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RockShox Brings Back the Judy with 27.5 / 29 Boost Compatibility

Sometimes the classics are worthy of a resurrection. The RockShox Judy Gold RL gives you the options for a 2.8″ tire on either a 27.5+ or 29+ platform and 80, 100 or 120mm of travel. The new and improved Judy uses Motion Control RL damping, Solo Air springs and OneLoc remote compatible. Expect these to hit your local dealer in April with a retail of $380-450. Check out more at RockShox.

Geoff McFetridge for RockShox

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Geoff McFetridge for RockShox

You may or may not remember this project. RockShox reached out to a handful of artists back in 2011 to design decal sets for their forks. Geoff was one of them, bringing his playful typography and animals to the design palette. You can see the other artwork over at PinkBike.

Great find, Tracko!

Six Months With the Surly Ice Cream Truck: A Three-Season Review

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Six Months With the Surly Ice Cream Truck: A Three-Season Review

Six months ago, I hung up my modern mountain bike and began riding a fat bike with thumb shifters and cable brakes as my only bike. Accustomed to the niceties of lightweight wheels, four piston brakes, and an 11-speed drivetrain, I’ll admit I didn’t have a lot of faith in this experiment. I had a feeling I would be itching to get back on my other bike long before the snow melted.

You see, not especially long ago, I held some fairly strong opinions about fat bikes. I worked in mountain bike media, had access to all the newest technology, and was convinced that fat bikes were so far outside the realm of acceptable mountain bikes that I chose to write them off. To me, it seemed that fat bikes were being marketed as mountain bikes but were really just inflated touring bikes. That is, until I had the chance to spend six months on the Surly Ice Cream Truck with a RockShox 100-millimeter travel Bluto fork.