How to setup Rockshox Fork/ Charger 3 Zeb

Watch this if you have a Zeb.It is pretty simple this fork needs a SUPER fast rebound
Tools to tune
top cap tool amzn.to/4c2t2rx
Digital shock pump amzn.to/3yAcvfQ ( this is a good one goes to 350 psi
allen keys to save your bolts amzn.to/4bYhZPE
Suspension nerd starter kit amzn.to/41NwxOi
Useful stuff
DMR stem with low rise for short steerer amzn.to/3ViP832
Best fender ever !! amzn.to/3WZnbhY
Suspension nerd starter kit amzn.to/41NwxOi

[@chrisbennett5796]

Haven’t tried this yet, because the trails are a swamp, with the rain here on the East coast of Australia. The thing is, I’m just about to pull it apart and do a 200 hr service and also do the 3.1 upgrade. I really like your logic though and will be trying this method for the setup. Thanks for the great info!

[@panhandlemtb4308]

Wow, this video popped up somehow and its just in time! I threw the new zeb on my Levo yesterday and went out for a ride. I replaced the stock fox 36 rhythm fork and this zeb is night and day better. Damn thing is like floating across roots!! I am going to head back out Saturday and set it up the way you did. Makes complete sense after watching your video. Thanks man! New sub here!!

[@craigmckinnon242]

I agree I had a 36 on on a bike and I didn't like it whatsoever the Zeb is terrific Fork

[@mac0perator]

Thanks for this video! Finally I understood the „how“ and „why“ of these settings, something that many other expert channels failed to do so and left me behind clueless.

[@OtterMTBtech]

Awesome, everyone tells me I am to technical

[@nathanbaldwin9712]

Took my one token out and ran just under 20% sag,no high or low compression and 8 from closed on the rebound. It's working brilliant now on fast rough and steep terrain whilst still supportive in the corners. Thanks otter mtb!!!

[@su1raM]

I'm so glad that i'm same weight as you so I just set up everything same as you and ready to go. Thank you

[@OtterMTBtech]

Let me know if it works

[@johnnydoeboy9301]

Not always the case. Every fork/shock is tuned depending on the bike you are on

[@YTOnlineReviews]

Always your videos are very helpful for all. Thanks for shear with us.

[@OtterMTBtech]

😎

[@thelifeofjessejames]

I always run everything wide open and work from there. Never done the scientific route like you’ve done in the past but I’ve never had a really nice fork like this one so I’m excited to mess around with the settings and see how I can make it feel. Already feels awesome but maybe I’m not getting its full potential 😅

[@OtterMTBtech]

Just try a faster rebound than you think possible and it will reward you

[@thelifeofjessejames]

@@OtterMTBtech I went on the site and it recommended 60 psi and -14 clicks so I’m gonna try that out after work tomorrow and fiddle with the compression as I’m riding. My last fork was a Marzochi with the Grip Damper so this is much more adjustable but I really just wanted the larger diameter stanchions and overall nicer fork

[@MTBActionCam1]

Really good tips. Your videos have been super helpful!

[@YTOnlineReviews]

True. That was really good.

[@OtterMTBtech]

😎

[@mickeymouse9654]

Excellent video!!! 👌 Thanx!!! 👍

[@OtterMTBtech]

Glad you liked it!

[@kiethpederson7558]

I just upgraded my pike with the charger three damper I only seem to have four total clicks on the high-speed compression meaning two one-way to the other

[@OtterMTBtech]

That’s correct, all new RockShox have the same clicks. Use it full soft first

[@lukelackermayer]

New Zeb or 38 for racing? I love how simple it was to setup my zeb select plus. But I have money to try a 38

[@OtterMTBtech]

38 all day

[@santiagofuenzalida5168]

Hello, I have a Rockshox Zeb R 2021 that only has rebound adjustment. It seems like the internal bushings are so tight that when I compress the fork and release it slowly, it extends in jerks, and I feel it lacks sensitivity to small bumps. I thought it could be the hydraulic cartridge. I tried removing the hydraulic cartridge, and it still behaved the same way. Could it be the bushings, the air spring, or the urgent need to use Maxima Oils Dynamic Light oil and Rockshox Dynamic Seals grease? I used Slickoleum grease and Maxima Oils W15-50 oil in the air chamber. And the same grease and Fuchs Silkolene 10wt oil (which, according to the technical data sheet, is very similar to what the manual recommends) in the lowers. I weigh 72kg, and according to Trailhead, I should use it with 54psi. Greetings, and I hope for your recommendations.

[@YTOnlineReviews]

Hello.

[@OtterMTBtech]

I had one, same problem. Over stroke it 20 mm longer air spring drop the pressure down, so you have allot sag to take up the extra travel. It will feel alittle off with 20 mm longer travel. slow the rebound down, add a token or 2. The Zeb R is completely different animal, than the one in this video. I had one it felt good for the first couple months then it started doing exactly what you said, possible the crappy damper is blown, check to see if the damper retracts after you push it down I ran mine with 20mm longer air spring for while with better results, over stroke compensates for cheap damper Option 2 which I prefer shop Facebook for a fox 36 Rhythm and add 10mm travel. Feels like 80% as good as fox 38 with the longer sir spring. I have found those forks for $200.

[@santiagofuenzalida5168]

@@OtterMTBtech I'm sure the problem isn't with the hydraulic system. Because I did the test of removing the hydraulic da"I'm sure the problem isn't with the hydraulic system. Because I did the test of removing the hydraulic damper, and it still had the same feeling of friction and jerking."mper, and it still had the same feeling of friction and jerking.

[@OtterMTBtech]

Did you grease the inner stanchion on the air spring side. Saw that in the directions. Saw some people complain about the bushing making it sticky too.

[@santiagofuenzalida5168]

@@OtterMTBtech That's right, I went to talk to the mechanic in charge of rockshox representation in my country and he gave me the reason saying that indeed the problem was the bushings. I delivered the fork to where I bought the bike and yesterday it went to rockshox for service. Later I will tell you what happens. Cheers. Post data: yes I had greased the inner tube.

[@ziggy_rampage]

cheers for the video mate, but I'm confused about the bleeding part? did you put more air in after you bled the chamber?? cheers

[@OtterMTBtech]

No just made sure there was not air trapped in them.

[@ziggy_rampage]

@@OtterMTBtech oh OK, so bleeding them doesn't affect the psi already in the fork? I just bought a rail 9 and this is all new to me

[@OtterMTBtech]

Yes it just bleeds the air that got trapped in there from pressure change

[@KiwiInGermanyMTB]

75ish kg here and found the zeb not super plush, I tried no tokens but found it nicer with less pressure and one token.

[@OtterMTBtech]

To each there own. I didn’t like any tokens in shock felt like a brick wall.

[@federicomarmolejo1952]

Hi : ) Can I used this settings on my Pike with a charger 3 ? I have struggle to find the sweet spot on it, thank you.

[@OtterMTBtech]

Yes same deal, but the pike is not as progressive air spring

[@aidavcomedy]

4:01 umm interesting background there.

[@OtterMTBtech]

🍆

[@Mark26879]

My ebike is 32kg And me being 92 kg No tokens was blowing too much throu the travel and had too much mid stroke support Added a token and its dealing a bit better I still need to adjust ass the bike only 2weeks old Rear shock is a super dulixe ultimate With 1 token I trued it with 2 but then it was too stiff My frame has a very progressive back end so I may end

[@OtterMTBtech]

Charger 3 damper?

[@Mark26879]

@@OtterMTBtechyes charger 3

[@OtterMTBtech]

You have to ramp the rebound up to run no tokens, also A+ level rider probably not watching a setup video, they would possible need a token(s). i I say remove tokens because the trail head app air a pressure is based on zero, it through me for a loop when it had 2 tokens in it.

[@su1raM]

​@@OtterMTBtechis it true that when setting sag, all dials should be full open?

[@ashvince3044]

If you want your fork to feel softer you turn the dial counter clockwise? I think your diagram at the end is wrong

[@OtterMTBtech]

Yeah, it’s it’s tricky editing it says minus hard to mess up

[@mickeymouse9654]

😃 👍

[@zebbenbrown1301]

I removed my tokens as well. I then added a Trutune carbon cartridge. Super plush.

[@OtterMTBtech]

Just looked into that. Looks rad. Thanks

[@pbls43]

do you feel much difference? i cant achieve near full travel without tokens and using 20% sag,does the trutune sove that? thanks

[@OtterMTBtech]

I have not tried one. There is a couple aftermarket products to fix it. Luftkappe, Dsd Runt, and I am working on a hack job fix for Lyric. I am on 59lb eBike and weigh 225 lbs and can barley use the travel the Zeb. @@pbls43

[@zebbenbrown1301]

I have a Turbo Levo with 180 travel and the terrain I ride is hard packed chunk. I was looking for it to be more small bump sensitivity and supple off the top. It does the job. I love how fast I can hit the trails and how it just feels so smooth while hitting the chunky stuff. Just eats it up.

[@STSmithable]

True tunes are great

[@KotakMeister]

Would this be the same process with the Pike?

[@mrvwbug4423]

Not quite, you're going to leave the tokens in unless you're a really light rider. The Pike and Lyrik are not as progressive as the Zeb, but the rest of the setup process is the same, except you don't add an extra 5psi, that part is incorrect.

[@realchrisslater]

lyrik is super progressive dude...@@mrvwbug4423

[@KotakMeister]

So i do everything except removing the tokens? Ok got it! Thanks. Tbh, i just followed the recommended setup from Rockshox straight out of the box and I've never tinkered with it cos i legitimately didn't feel the need for it...until now cos this video popped up. Thanks again. (Edit: i didn't even know there were tokens IN the forks cos i didn't check. I will now though 🤣)

[@OtterMTBtech]

😎 may not come with tokens

[@MrFuckinlogin]

Hello. My zeb show 160mm of travel when the spring is 170mm. No tokens 71 psi. Why ?

[@OtterMTBtech]

There is 5mm bump stop in every fork and shock.

[@PedalhoundsTV]

You have too much air in the negative chamber, easy solution, hold the wheel down and pull up on the handlebars hard until you hear a small hiss, this will release any over filled pressure in the negative chamber, cycle the fork a few times and you should be ready to go, back at full travel. Most likely cause is too much grease in the air shaft blocking the transfer port. If it happens again strip and re-grease the airshaft.

[@OtterMTBtech]

Wrong, I rode many Zeb's. I watched your Zeb video. Great video, but you are clearly not using all the travel, take the token out and move rebound faster, like my video says. and try a 38 @@PedalhoundsTV

[@PedalhoundsTV]

@@OtterMTBtech not at all, you don't have to use full travel ALL the time, as for the fork being very progressive, every air shock/fork is progressive by nature. I run mine firmer at the top for the BIGGER hits so I don't bottom out. If you really want to get a super super plush ZEB then you need to change the damper oil from 7.5 to 2.5WT as TF tuned do in the UK, makes the fork so much better. As for the fork sitting down in its travel by 10mm, it is definitely a negative air chamber issues, we have this issue come into in our shop on a regular basis. Not trying to piss on your parade bro, just trying to give help and advise. Good work by the way.

[@OtterMTBtech]

I didn't read the first comment about travel being stuck down. I had that happen on a 36 I just pulled on the arch and it returned to 170. Frustation is in the Rockshox product not your input cheers. @@PedalhoundsTV

[@sammyfo1]

So dont run volume spacers in the zebra

[@OtterMTBtech]

Try it with none first