RockShox releases new Boxxer & Vivid Coil
When redesigning the Boxxer and Vivid Coil, RockShox says it narrowed the brief to three priorities – all rider-focused rather than headline-chasing.
First: composure. The idea is straightforward – a calmer rider sees better lines and wastes less energy. To get there, they’ve built a better system to isolate impacts and trail chatter more effectively; reducing the physical noise without dulling connection to the ground.
Second: predictability. The new Boxxer is designed to be more linear and consistent through its travel, with that same balanced character carried into the Vivid Coil. The aim is a matched front-and-rear feel that behaves consistently, every time you push into it.
And finally: simplicity. Setup has been stripped back to the essentials, with things like clearly marked adjusters that show actual settings. No more counting clicks in the pits – just faster, repeatable tuning.
Overview: New RockShox Boxxer Linear XL
There will be two variants of the new Boxxer, Ultimate and Select. Both are offered in 27.5 and 29-inch sizing, with three offsets. The new air spring, LinearXL, has a position-sensitive linear curve. RockShox says it’s supple off the top, supportive through the mid-stroke and has a jounce bottom-out system for confident end-stroke control.
Basically, the AirAnnex on the lower leg increases the lower leg air volume, which reduces the progressivity and speed-sensitivity inherent to traditional lower leg designs. Transforming what was previously uncontrollable speed-sensitive progression, into linear predictability.
Also new, RockShox has added strategically placed breather holes in the stanchions allowing the lower leg air volume to increase as the fork goes through its travel. RockShox says it’s a small feature that works in a big way to decrease breakaway force and increase fork sensitivity throughout the travel.
Re-tuned for the unique position-sensitivity of LinearXL, the new Charger 3.2 damper features fully independent High Speed and Low Speed Compression damping. Stanchion size remains at 38mm. The ButterCups, introduced on the previous generation of Boxxer to isolate the air spring and damper shafts from trail chatter, are carried through to the new model. The seals are also new, RockShox worked with seal gurus SKF to develop an exclusive wiper seal design that cleans the stanchions without ‘grabbing’ the upper tube.
Overview: RockShox Vivid Coil
Designed for Enduro, eMTB and Downhill bikes, the new Vivid Coil is designed to work as a system with the fork and Charger 3.2 damper by matching the mid-stroke support. RockShox has redesigned the base valve to reduce IFP forces (by a claimed 40%) and they say this is now the most-supple shock on the market.
End of stroke support can be adjusted using the ABO (Adjustable Bottom Out) that has five settings to customize the support in the last 20% of shock travel. Other features include a new damper with independent compression high-speed and low-speed compression circuits, 20 clicks of rebound adjustment and a bearing adaptor for standard eyelets. More: sram.com //