170mm RockShox ZEB mounted

[rsutton1223]

I got the 170mm RockShox ZEB mounted up on my 9.8. I can already tell from the parking lot test that the ZEB is a lot plusher up top than the Lyrik was. I am also surprised on how the crown looks. I was expecting it to be more inset to the frame since it is not the e-bike specific one. You can barely tell unless you are looking for it. I think I am going to really end up liking this setup over stock. Next up...rear shock...brakes...and possibly wheels.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

How you find the 170 rides vs 160?

 

[rsutton1223]

How you find the 170 rides vs 160?

Rob, I should have a better idea later in the week. Rain here the past couple of days and we can't ride wet trails thanks to the red clay base.

Are you in the low or high setting with the ZEB? I saw you liked the slacker setup with the ZEB thanks to the increased a to c measurement.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Rob, I should have a better idea later in the week. Rain here the past couple of days and we can't ride wet trails thanks to the red clay base.

Are you in the low or high setting with the ZEB? I saw you liked the slacker setup with the ZEB thanks to the increased a to c measurement.

In the low setting. Found the 170mm it lost a bit of the handling. I’ll move to 160mm amd see how it goes with that.

 

[rsutton1223]

In the low setting. Found the 170mm it lost a bit of the handling. I’ll move to 160mm amd see how it goes with that.

I'll hit you up after some more ride time and let you know what I think.

 

[datonetti]

Looks good from this angle. Would you mind taking a couple more photos of the crown area and posting them. I have a 170 ZEB Ultimate arriving this week for my Rail 9.8XT.

 

[rsutton1223]

Looks good from this angle. Would you mind taking a couple more photos of the crown area and posting them. I have a 170 ZEB Ultimate arriving this week for my Rail 9.8XT.

Yeah I can do that later today. It looks a lot better than I thought it was going to.

 

[rsutton1223]

Looks good from this angle. Would you mind taking a couple more photos of the crown area and posting them. I have a 170 ZEB Ultimate arriving this week for my Rail 9.8XT.

 

[datonetti]

View attachment 53296

Thank you. i can live with this.

 

[rsutton1223]

@Rob Rides EMTB

So for the first ride, I took the new 170mm ZEB to a local trail called Stanley Gap. It is probably the most technical climbing in our area with super rocky/rooty/steep sections that turn into a hike-a-bike for most people. Those are of course followed by blazing fast, technical downhills as the most technical of the climbs are an out and back.

So first the climbs. The front end does feel a little lighter but it isn't over powering. I am pretty used to running long forks and a little weight forward and body english makes a big difference. I find that in really technical climbing, that is needed anyway so you really don't notice the difference as much and sometimes it is actually a benefit as it is easier to get the front wheel over roof/rock shelfs. I can see where it would be an issue on steep, smooth climbing where you really want to sit back in the travel and keep the front wheel planted. Where we ride is almost always tech riding so I won't run into that issue very often.

The descents were MUCH more stable. This fork tracks exactly where you put it and does not deviate from that line. It really does remind me of the Totems that I used to run back in the day. The top half of the travel is much plusher and more predictable than the Lyrik as well. The slacker head angle (with the bike in the low position) was great in the really steep tech. Overall, the bike is just more stable and stays where you put it much better. You do get a little bit slower turning in the really tight stuff but that is the tradeoff for slacker angles.

I really think it comes down to what kind of trails you ride and what is available to you. For our big mountain style of riding, the slacker geometry seems to work out perfectly. I found the ability to get the front end of the bike up and over trail obstacles to be a good thing for here given the bike's weight. That might not be the case in other areas. I also took it to a FR/jump trail with my son yesterday and noticed no change in that area. The bike still jumps and drops the same way it did before.

Side note...I think I am going to upgrade the rear shock now. It has trouble keeping up.

Axle to crown difference is 586 vs 571 (15mm)

 

[Stanpipe]

I was lucky enough last year to receive a warranty replacement for my Trek CSU Lyriks. They exploded. Sram couldn’t source any Trek CSU Lyriks to replace so I got sent a pair of Zeb Select+ with Trek CSU.
Anyways, I actually found them a little too firm on my hands. Don’t know whether it’s cos I run an Ohlins 22 ttx coil and front couldn’t keep up, but I’ve now done a Smashpot Coil conversion on the Zebs. Mahoosive difference. A lot more plush, even better small bump sensitivity, the front feels as though it’s offers endless grip and all while balancing out its workload with the rear.I can’t convert back to air now I’ve done it but I can’t ever see why I would want to! Awesome fork!