Changing from Suntor XCR to Rockshox zeb fork

[jimbob]

My bike currently has a suntor XCR air fork on it. It's fine for bridleways or some light downhill in the local woods, but after a day in a bike park my hands and arms are in bits.

I'm tempted to upgrade to a Rockshox Zeb (just the basic one), but thought it was worth checking first if I will really see a noticeable improvement?

 

[Planemo]

but thought it was worth checking first if I will really see a noticeable improvement?

Yes! Alternatively, if you wanted a 'lesser' fork but with better damping you could consider the Lyrik Ultimate for around similar money as the basic Zeb I think. I would go with the basic Zeb if I was looking to upgrade it later, if not I would go for the Lyrik.

Just a thought - what travel do your XCR's have? Both the above start at 160mm I think...

 

[jimbob]

Yes! Alternatively, if you wanted a 'lesser' fork but with better damping you could consider the Lyrik Ultimate for around similar money as the basic Zeb I think. I would go with the basic Zeb if I was looking to upgrade it later, if not I would go for the Lyrik.

Just a thought - what travel do your XCR's have? Both the above start at 160mm I think...

Thanks. The current fork is 140mm travel, but the same frame could also be bought with a 160mm fork, so think it should be ok.

I was looking at the zeb as I can always upgrade the damper later as you say. And its whats available at the moment! I would have gone for the mid range, but just can't find then at the moment. And I'm impatient.

 

[maynard]

I think that's pretty normal even with an expensive fork . Gotta build up those muscles also technique . My arms are pretty wrecked after I do stromlo bike park in Australia. And I have a rockshox pike fork . And that's just one lap . Not shore of your experience level . I'm an experienced biker yet an amateur/intermediate mtn biker .

 

[Planemo]

Thanks. The current fork is 140mm travel, but the same frame could also be bought with a 160mm fork, so think it should be ok.

Did the 160 version still have the same rear suspension?

I was looking at the zeb as I can always upgrade the damper later as you say. And its whats available at the moment! I would have gone for the mid range, but just can't find then at the moment. And I'm impatient.

Well if you can stretch to the Zebs, and have the financial ability to upgrade later, you would end up with a great fork that will have you covered for many years

 

[jimbob]

Did the 160 version still have the same rear suspension?



Well if you can stretch to the Zebs, and have the financial ability to upgrade later, you would end up with a great fork that will have you covered for many years

It has a different shock, but same travel. From what I've read, increasing a fork by upto 20mm should be ok, although I'm far from any expert on suspension.

Like so many people say, you're better off from a financial suspension just buying a decent bike in the first instance, but part of the fun is upgrading I guess!

 

[Mikerb]

I would think the Zeb is overkill for your needs. It is heavier (38mm stancions etc v Lyric at 36mm) and more expensive. The Lyric Ultimate is a bout the same price as the base model Zebs and is a fantastic fork for moderate trail/all mountain type riding. I used one to great effect on a Levo Comp. Super plush with plenty of ramp up .

 

[Doug Stampfer]

Yes! Alternatively, if you wanted a 'lesser' fork but with better damping you could consider the Lyrik Ultimate for around similar money as the basic Zeb I think. I would go with the basic Zeb if I was looking to upgrade it later, if not I would go for the Lyrik.

Why would you go with a basic Zeb over a top spec Lyric?

 

[jimbob]

Why would you go with a basic Zeb over a top spec Lyric?

The thought being;

a) I can upgrade the Zeb at a later date
b) I can buy the Zeb at the moment, whilst I can't find the Lyric in stock (may be available, but couldn't find them last week when I looked)

I'm starting to do quite a lot more bike park riding now, although they may well be overkill for the type of riding I do. That said, I can't see the extra weight being too much of an issue on an Ebike? Think they're lighter than the current forks anyway.

All good thoughts though, thanks.

 

[Mikerb]

Have you seen the cost just to do an upgrade of the damper? !!!

Plenty of Lyrics a bout...not sure whether you want 29 or 27.5

RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2 Crown Boost 51 mm MTB Fork Black, Bikeinn
RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Charger 2.1 RC2 Susp. Fork 27.5" Boost 160mm TPR 37mm DebonAir red | Bikester.co.uk

 

[Doug Stampfer]

The thought being;

a) I can upgrade the Zeb at a later date
b) I can buy the Zeb at the moment, whilst I can't find the Lyric in stock (may be available, but couldn't find them last week when I looked)

I'm starting to do quite a lot more bike park riding now, although they may well be overkill for the type of riding I do. That said, I can't see the extra weight being too much of an issue on an Ebike? Think they're lighter than the current forks anyway.

All good thoughts though, thanks.

I'm just thinking that although the Zeb may look cooler & beefier the performance would be way below that of a Lyric ultimate- especially for bike parks where you need that HSC. The 2.1 damper & seals are what sets it apart & as Mikerb says are an expensive upgrade.
Bear in mind if you are replacing the front fork you will have to replace the rear shock as it will be shown to be quite lacking once the front is feeling good so don't go thinking you've finished upgrading

 

[jimbob]

I'm just thinking that although the Zeb may look cooler & beefier the performance would be way below that of a Lyric ultimate- especially for bike parks where you need that HSC. The 2.1 damper & seals are what sets it apart & as Mikerb says are an expensive upgrade.
Bear in mind if you are replacing the front fork you will have to replace the rear shock as it will be shown to be quite lacking once the front is feeling good so don't go thinking you've finished upgrading

Thanks. I wasn't aware that the damper made that much of a difference. I assumed that a lot of it was the adjustability of it, which I wouldn't get the most out of, so something to look at.

You've all certainly given me food for thought, and will now either look at the Lyric or Zeb ultimate instead. I know if I got the basic fork I'd end up upgrading the damper in time anyway.

I'll look at the rear shock in time, for now I don't find it too bad (and a massive upgrade from a hardtail!).

 

[Mikerb]

When I changed the rubbish Revelation 150 fork on my Levo to a Lyric Ultimate I had the Rockshox Deluxe RT s a rear shock. It was OK but no way I could set it up as plush as the fork so subsequently changed that for a Fox DPS. That combination worked well both in the fully open shock setting and the mid setting ( the shock has 3 compression settings lever).

 

[Doug Stampfer]

Thanks. I wasn't aware that the damper made that much of a difference. I assumed that a lot of it was the adjustability of it, which I wouldn't get the most out of, so something to look at.

You've all certainly given me food for thought, and will now either look at the Lyric or Zeb ultimate instead. I know if I got the basic fork I'd end up upgrading the damper in time anyway.

I'll look at the rear shock in time, for now I don't find it too bad (and a massive upgrade from a hardtail!).

I too was satisfied with my basic rear shock until I upgraded the yari forks to ultimate spec. The front became a beautiful plush fork that could take drops & rock gardens in it's stride however it highlighted the rear shock banging its way down not being able to keep up with the fork.
I upgraded my forks just before the zebs & 38s came out & now there are many new complete lyrik forks on the 2nd hand market (over here) for not much more than the upgrade kit as many people are upgrading to the Zebs.