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RockShox Zeb Charger 3 Upgrade - worth it?

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#42 ·
half_man_half_scab said:
Looking at the charger 2.1 cartridges , I don’t see any reference to 29 or 27.5. Are the carts the same across wheel sizes for the Zeb or in general?
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Since Charger2 they have been the same size for 27.5 and 29, but different between models.
I.e. 27.5 and 29 Lyrik is the same, but Lyrik is shorter than ZEB or Boxxer, which are again both diffrent from each other.
 
#43 ·
Had my first lowers service on the zeb ultimate 3 and what a difference. Added some lighter weight oil, slick honey on the stanchions again and good to go. I've been testing the trutune and each ride has gotten a little better, much more linear feel and very soft off the top now. Ended up not increasing the psi much more than prior to the trutune.
 
#47 ·
azdog said:
Had my first lowers service on the zeb ultimate 3 and what a difference. Added some lighter weight oil, slick honey on the stanchions again and good to go. I've been testing the trutune and each ride has gotten a little better, much more linear feel and very soft off the top now. Ended up not increasing the psi much more than prior to the trutune.
Click to expand...
What oil did you change to ? I know Rockshox recommends Maxima Light oil but interested to hear what oil and how it feels compared to the stock oil.
 
#49 ·
mastakilla said:
so if you were to put a 2.1 damper in a new zeb, then you would just a buttercup on only 1 side? wouldnt that be a lopsided situation doesnt seem right
Click to expand...
Yes. You can put a Smashpot in the other side and delete that butter-cup too!
 
#52 ·
Hi, my understanding is that in general current 2.1 owners are advised to keep their forks, potentially tune them, rather than upgrading to the latest fork with the charger 3. Is that the case for shocks as well?

I'm shopping for a new bike, and was wondering, in the case where I'm happy with the rest of the builds and it's just down to the suspension, would the same advice be given if I was to choose between two bikes, one having 2022 Ultimate Zeb/Deluxe and the other 2023 Zeb Ultimate with the latest shock from RS? I'll be saving some money with the 2022 as well, but I'm after what would perform better.

Thanks
 
Discussion starter · #53 ·
Fundabidozi said:
Hi, my understanding is that in general current 2.1 owners are advised to keep their forks, potentially tune them, rather than upgrading to the latest fork with the charger 3. Is that the case for shocks as well?

I'm shopping for a new bike, and was wondering, in the case where I'm happy with the rest of the builds and it's just down to the suspension, would the same advice be given if I was to choose between two bikes, one having 2022 Ultimate Zeb/Deluxe and the other 2023 Zeb Ultimate with the latest shock from RS? I'll be saving some money with the 2022 as well, but I'm after what would perform better.

Thanks
Click to expand...
OP here - I would also like to know the answer to this question. My 1st gen Zeb came with the steerer cut a tad too short, so I've been considering whether I should go through the pain of a CSU swap or just buy a new Zeb. The reports of the 2nd gen Zeb being "overdamped" have put me off a bit, but my riding weight is around 205 lbs these days, so this may or may not apply.
 
#54 ·
Dabs For Everyone said:
OP here - I would also like to know the answer to this question. My 1st gen Zeb came with the steerer cut a tad too short, so I've been considering whether I should go through the pain of a CSU swap or just buy a new Zeb. The reports of the 2nd gen Zeb being "overdamped" have put me off a bit, but my riding weight is around 205 lbs these days, so this may or may not apply.
Click to expand...
If you buy the new zeb, and don't like it, you can swap the CSUs around, and keep the one you prefer. You can actually buld one with new CSU, old damper and new air spring, ans sell the other one, as an old version with upgraded damper. :D Zebs chassis didn't change for M 2023.
 
#55 ·
I have a 2.1 and upgraded from the Debonair to the Debonair + and I prefer the new air spring. Seems to offer more midstroke support and small bump compliance. Before I upgraded the spring I upgraded to the HC97 and that was a big upgrade for tuning. So for those asking, mixing different versions of spring and damper doesn't seem to be a problem and neither is having one buttercup, if they do anything anyway :)
 
#56 ·
Dabs For Everyone said:
OP here - I would also like to know the answer to this question. My 1st gen Zeb came with the steerer cut a tad too short, so I've been considering whether I should go through the pain of a CSU swap or just buy a new Zeb. The reports of the 2nd gen Zeb being "overdamped" have put me off a bit, but my riding weight is around 205 lbs these days, so this may or may not apply.
Click to expand...
The overdamped reports seem pretty isolated, my charger 3 works as expected (and I dont see many complaints about them). I cant compare the 2.1 to the 3, as I never rode a 2.1 but, the Zeb with old spring and charger 3 has lots of support when compared to the rebound only cartridge, it works well and in isolation I have no major complaint with the Charger 3. I still prefer my 38 Grip2, but we arent talking night and day here.
 
#57 ·
McShred said:
The overdamped reports seem pretty isolated, my charger 3 works as expected (and I dont see many complaints about them). I cant compare the 2.1 to the 3, as I never rode a 2.1 but, the Zeb with old spring and charger 3 has lots of support when compared to the rebound only cartridge, it works well and in isolation I have no major complaint with the Charger 3. I still prefer my 38 Grip2, but we arent talking night and day here.
Click to expand...
What terrain do you ride in?
Preloaded circuits like the Charger 3 feel fine on more rolling terrain. It's rocky and choppy terrain that they really suck in.
 
#59 ·
It's definitely confusing to me - all big reviewers out there say the 2023 is a serious improvement over 2022. When reading on forums however, it's either super mixed or people prefer 2.1

I'm 70kg, aggressive rider and like to ride steep and tech + fast with big hits. I want something that would perform well on long and rough descends, without breaking my hands and my understanding was that the 2023, with the butter cups and the rest of the improvements is the way to go. But as mentioned above, the more I read the more confusing it gets. I'm currently riding a 2018 Yari, so I do appreciate that anything would be a massive step up anyway.
 
#60 ·
Fundabidozi said:
It's definitely confusing to me - all big reviewers out there say the 2023 is a serious improvement over 2022. When reading on forums however, it's either super mixed or people prefer 2.1

I'm 70kg, aggressive rider and like to ride steep and tech + fast with big hits. I want something that would perform well on long and rough descends, without breaking my hands and my understanding was that the 2023, with the butter cups and the rest of the improvements is the way to go. But as mentioned above, the more I read the more confusing it gets. I'm currently riding a 2018 Yari, so I do appreciate that anything would be a massive step up anyway.
Click to expand...
The reviewers can't be totally transparent or they would be out of a job. Every tuner (worth speaking to) that I have spoken with have all stated their absolute dislike of the charger 3 damper and how much it is a step backwards from the 2.1. My ride experience certainly seems to back up their findings.

I'm sure there will be pistons and different tunes available soon though..
 
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