2023 Rockshox Zeb Ultimate 6 month review

The big hitting 2023 Zeb Ultimate has been on my bike for a little over six weeks now (jan 2023), I,ve put it through as much hardship as I possibly can.
Take 5 mins and have a look .

[@torabora851]

Nice review! Short and detailed at the same time. Thank you!

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Thanks Max 😊

[@sans_2031]

Very nice video!

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Thanks 😊

[@tasso478]

I have your exact ZEB and I think is harsher than the previous version. To get the suppled feel, they modify the damper and now is stronger to send it full travel.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Really? Was there a problem with the damper? Was it faulty?

[@tasso478]

@@PedalhoundsTV I had a defective fork but in general the fork is harsher than the previous model

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@tasso478 I haven't felt that in mine, it has been great.

[@tonystone3397]

Nice one

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Thanks Tony

[@BH-cy9tb]

Just bought a 2023 zeb select plus 160mm When I put in serial number it says it was a ultimate with buttercups. Anyway first ride I set it up to rockshox recommendations 78 psi and 8 rebound.They gave no settings for hi or low speed compression. First ride sucked was not any better than my previous fork Suntour durolux 170mm .Did some research and lowered psi to 60 hi speed 1 click low 3 rebound still 8 1 token .Holy 💩is this fork good. I was really surprised that I was able to feel the stiffness between 36 and 38 mm stanchions . Gives more confidence going into turns at high speed. Small bump feel is great and fork does ride high in it’s travel which I like because you don’t get brake dive when hard on brakes. I’m 175 all geared up . I might try with no tokens. I’m running the fork on my 2021 trek rail.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Sounds like you got a bargain. I'm currently running 60 with no tokens, 6 low speed and no high speed, feels fantastic.

[@j.albertogratacos2076]

@@PedalhoundsTV How much do you guy weight?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@j.albertogratacos2076 82kg, about 84kg with kit

[@mdgeroy]

For sure. Take out the token if you have not bottomed the fork out. I’m 180 geared up and run 55 psi and no tokens. 1 click - off centered on low speed comp. 6 clicks from full open on rebound and 1 click from full open on hi speed comp.

[@yourdayscontentvlogs4373]

Nice review Mr. Gary

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Thank you my friend, hope you are keeping well?

[@yourdayscontentvlogs4373]

@@PedalhoundsTV everything is great in my side of the world Mr. Gary. Thinking of upgrading my rig 😁

[@yourdayscontentvlogs4373]

@@PedalhoundsTV thank you,,hope you are doing great

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@yourdayscontentvlogs4373 ho for the Cannondale Jekyll, you'll love it 👌

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Nice review, thanks! I have the Zeb Select on my Reign E+2, is it much different than the one you tested (ultimate)? Cheers!

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Hi Jeanmarc Thanks for the comment. Everything is different in this fork apart from the chassis (and I think that is a little stiffer). The air spring is a lot more supple but the biggest difference is definitely in the 3.0 cartridge over the select cartridge. You get high speed and low speed compression with a better range of rebound. I really notice the difference on my enduro bike because of less weight over my Reign E, the extra sensitivity really helps. If I'm being 100% honest I wouldn't change the select on my Reign E for the ultimate, I would probably just upgrade the damper, the only real noticeable difference you would find would be in the low speed compression for slow speed weigh shifts like berms etc, you would have less dive etc, the weight of the Ebike makes the select feel pretty darn good anyway, unless I race the ReignE full time I won't be changing anytime soon. Hope this helps.

[@jeanmarc_in_Hudson]

Very much so... Thank you!

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@jeanmarc_in_Hudson no worries 😊

[@ab_mtb]

Great vid. Its interesting ur using a token in the new air spring but not in the old one as the new spring is supposed to be more progressive. Food for thought

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Since the video a few things have changed, I'm still on the same fork and still using one token but I have changed the oil in the damper from 7WT to 5wt, it makes a massive difference. The biggest problem with the Zeb is the damper tune, it is a bit firm. You can go one of two ways, tune the stack or change the oil, I did the easy option and man it made a difference. It really frees up the fork.

[@ab_mtb]

@@PedalhoundsTV great information, thanks

[@ab_mtb]

@@PedalhoundsTV I've read that one of the causes of the "firmness" is the dished piston the charger 3 has. A few companies have started producing their own version including wps at j-tech. Supposed to make a huge difference

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@ab_mtb yes I've heard that, would be interesting to try one out

[@brettclark3885]

Looking at that slowed down motion with you riding, coupled with your approximate weight I'm shocked you have a token in there. I would think removing the token and and adding 5psi sort of thing would feel so much better. It seems to have a lot of travel displacement for those sized rocks. The bike would be more composed too.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Hi Brett Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty happy with the setup this way but I'm not against trying out peoples suggestions. Do you run the Zeb?

[@brettclark3885]

@@PedalhoundsTV no, a Fox float 150mm currently. If you are happy don't change.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@brettclark3885 have you ever tried the Zeb?

[@lucifuge1968]

@@PedalhoundsTV not yet

[@chrisburnell4861]

Good video! I just got this fork & I’m currently working on getting it setup 🤞. Looks like you had 60 psi, 1 token… what did you like best for Rebound, HSC & LSC? Thanks 🍻

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Hi Chris I'm running 10 clicks lsc(from fully closed) and HSC fully open. On rebound I run it fairly fast, it's just a personal preference for me, it keeps the fork nice and sensitive and active feeling without being a pogo stick. This works for pretty much 99% of my riding style but If it gets pretty rowdy I can always add a click or two of both rebound and hsc to suit. I'm currently dropping a lot of weight through training so my pressure might change a bit soon but not by much, maybe a pound or two, these forks are very sensitive to small pressure changes. After a run I would always have about 10/15mm of travel left on the for which for me is a bit of a safety net for the times when I run out of talent 😂.

[@j.albertogratacos2076]

@@PedalhoundsTV How much do you weight? I took all tokens out on my Zeb '23 and set sag all the way to 30% with about 73 psi and still can only get like 65% of travel. HSC fully open now.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@j.albertogratacos2076 I'm 84kg with kit. Have you re-greased the airshaft? Makes a massive difference. Also so I found out that the compression was tuned a little firmer just before production for some reason, they had been testing it with a lighter tune, the guys at TF tuned gave me the low down. TF tuned or similar can re-valved the damper if it is harsh, they also told me that they bleed the damper with 2.50WT oil instead of the recommended 7.5WT, it makes a huge difference.

[@paulhusky580bts]

I got those forks now on Ebike got in Spain as £100 cheaper than here even with import added

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Bike inn?

[@paulhusky580bts]

@@PedalhoundsTV yes Bike Inn £795 here £895 to £1000

[@user-nn4wj8gk9s]

Rs can’t supply these to me in giants new frame standard.only giving the new 1.8 inch taper steerer to manufactures as oe and not selling to the public yet

[@PedalhoundsTV]

I was lucky enough to get those ones, I have 5 sets on backorder for the shop and the date keeps getting pushed back, been on order for 7 months now.

[@StokedExplorer]

So I have a OG ultimate Zeb and I am more curious in the new buttercups system in the airspring than the damper as my 2.1 works great and I do not need markings. I was curious if you know if I could just order the new Airspring version and throw it in my older zeb to get buttercups?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Yes you can get the newer air spring and swap it over, just one thing on the damper though, the thing which really impressed me was just how silent it is, no oil noises from the rebound etc, it's class, makes the ride seem so much better

[@StokedExplorer]

@@PedalhoundsTV I could see that but I am not concerned about little noises especially when you can learn what they sound like functioning properly then when they fail you know for sure. I have a EXT coil that is noisier than some would like but I love it. I figured I could just do the air spring swap. Probably going to do that on next service if I can find one in stock

[@paulhusky580bts]

My Haibike Allmtn got Zeb ultimate & Haibike Alltrack Hardtail got Pike Ultimate the Pike Forks from UK where only £35 Cheaper than Zeb forks from Spain they where £760 & £795

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Some great deals to be had online at the moment, unfortunately the UK is getting screwed on prices.

[@paulhusky580bts]

@@PedalhoundsTV we are Screwed here see those Forks where £795 even with £132 import Charge can’t blame Brexit as my old Bike had some thing I got from Germany it was £130 cheaper in 2019

[@worldstallestmidget]

I don’t really know if those butter cups really make a difference. I can’t tell a difference

[@PedalhoundsTV]

Personal I think the best way to reduce trail chatter is to drop tyre pressure by a couple of psi, much cheaper to

[@Stockfish1511]

I currently bought trek rail 9.8 and it came with 2023 zeb select+ 160 mm teavel. If i want to change to ultimate and 170 mm. Do i need to change entire fork or changing damper to to 170 mm ultimate and the work becomes the ultimate? Or should i change the entire work. The forl on the bike is ebike tuned

[@PedalhoundsTV]

You can just change the damper and airshaft, I have done the same on my Reign E which had the Select, it's a game changer

[@user-vv4bs8fb2r]

How reliable is the zeb, I’ve heard about the lowers having misalignment issues and the bushings inside would wear down the stanchions. Have you had any bad experiences with the fork?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

No never had any issues like that, the only thing I had to do is re-grease the airshaft, too much grease in it blocking the negative transfer port. That is the only real issues, the older version had problems with binding but very few.

[@user-vv4bs8fb2r]

@@ziplockk do you know the exact oil that you use? i've heard the oil from sram isn't so great.

[@daviddoornenbal44]

Do you know how the zeb feels against ohlins? Got the new zeb but had to have it warrantied 2 times within 8 months so i might want to switch to ohlins

[@PedalhoundsTV]

I don't at the moment unfortunately but I have a set coming. I have heard that the Zeb is plusher off the top but the Ohlins feels way better through the mid to end stroke, we will see when they arrive 👍

[@Mark26879]

How much sag are you using also was it harder to set sag as the markers have been removed from the station

[@PedalhoundsTV]

I'm currently running pretty standard sag at 20%. It's pretty simple to set without the markers, just measure the stantion and calculate your sag preference from the travel, i.e 170mm - 80% = 34mm, measure the red ring from the seal and add/remove air until you get the sag 😊

[@j.albertogratacos2076]

@@PedalhoundsTV With 60 psi you get 20% sag?? Do you open everything up before setting sag?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@j.albertogratacos2076 yes everything open, one thing I must point out though is since this video I have stripped and re-greased the air shaft (fork actually serviced 3 times since) and the difference is night and day, so much smoother off the top, it would be a good idea to do the airshaft before any setting, it really does change the for sensitivity for the better.

[@tw1npe4ks]

What fender you have bolted on?

[@PedalhoundsTV]

It's the RRP Pro guard, works really well.

[@MrFuckinlogin]

Got mezzer pro and its really harsh. Is zeb more plush??

[@PedalhoundsTV]

It's extremely plush, it's an excellent fork

[@MrFuckinlogin]

thx :)​@@PedalhoundsTV

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@MrFuckinlogin also worth noting is that you can fit the new damper/air shaft with the buttercups to older Zeb models, handy if you can find a cheap 2nd hand set.