RockShox Boxxer World Cup - First Ride

Apr 17, 2018
by Mike Kazimer  


It was ten years ago that RockShox launched the first Boxxer with 35mm stanchions, ushering in the next era in the fork's storied history. Over the course of the years that followed its the internals were upgraded as new technology, namely the Charger damper, emerged, but the chassis remained relatively unchanged. Even with the introduction of 27.5” wheels the overall design didn't stray too far from the look of that 2008/09 model.

Once it became clear that 29” wheels were going to become common on the World Cup DH circuit, RockShox began weighing their options. Would creating new lowers and calling it good suffice, or was it time for a more extensive revision? It was the latter option that prevailed, in order to make sure that the final product was fully optimized for the latest crop of downhill race machines.
Boxxer World Cup Details

• Charger RC2 damper, Debonair air spring
• Adjustable rebound, high- and low-speed compression damping
• Travel: 200mm, 190, 180 (29"), 200mm (27.5")
• 20 x 110 Boost spacing
• Offset: 48mm (27.5"), 56mm (29")
• Weight (claimed): 2656 - 2615 grams
• MSRP: $1,699 USD
www.rockshox.com

The resulting Boxxer World Cup has a new crown and lowers, the new Charger RC2 damper, and an updated air spring. In short, there's not much that hasn't been modified in some way versus the previous model. 29” wheels were the priority for this project, but 27.5” wheels haven't been neglected either – the fork is available for both wheel sizes.


RockShox Boxxer

RockShox Boxxer
RockShox Boxxer
The pewter-colored flat crowns may look like an aftermarket upgrade, but in reality they're the stock configuration.



Chassis

Last year a number of RockShox's athletes raced on what was referred to internally as the 'Lyxxer' – a Boxxer that was running 29” Lyrik lowers. And yes, that means some of the hardest chargers in the world were racing with a 15mm thru-axle. In fact, there were serious discussions about using a 15 x 110mm thru axle on the new Boxxer, which would have allowed riders to swap wheels from their trail bike to their downhill bikes.

In the end, the 20mm thru-axle won out, although it is a little different than the 20 x 110 spacing that's been the standard for years. The new Boxxer uses Boost 20 x 110 spacing, but before you pull out too much hair, if you have a non-Boost wheel that you're dying to use, all that's required is a 5mm spacer behind the rotor to make it compatible.

With the new lowers, RockShox spread out the bushings as much as they could in order to increase the amount of overlap. Big wheels, slack head angles, and steep tracks put a lot of force on a fork, and better bushing overlap helps ensure that the fork keeps sliding smoothly even when subjected to high loads.

It was the pewter colored flat crowns that first caught the attention of eagle-eyed observers over the offseason. They have the look of an aftermarket item, some sort of custom upgrade, but that's the stock configuration. The new fork has longer upper tubes than before, which made it possible to create a fully flat crown. For the longer-limbed riders out there who are looking for a taller front end, a drop crown option is also available.

The offet of the Boxxer is determined by the dropout profile, not by the crown shape like it is with many single crown forks. There's all sorts of offset experimentation going on in the trail bike world, but for now the Boxxer will be available with 56mm of offset for 29” wheels, and 48mm for 27.5” wheels.



RockShox Boxxer
There's plenty of tire clearance for meaty DH rubber, even when a fender is installed. There's also a nice new brake line guide.


Internals

The Boxxer World Cup uses the same Charger RC2 damper that's found in the new Lyrik, although it's obviously longer, and it's tuned for that extra travel. The damper gives riders five potential settings for the amount of high-speed compression damping, a feature that wasn't present on the previous version.

On the air spring side, the fork received a new Debonair spring, again, very similar to what's found in the new Lyrik, but the amount of negative volume has been greatly increased. Compared to the prior Boxxer World Cup, the negative volume has increased by 91%. That was done in order to give the fork as close to a coil-like feel as possible, which is a good thing, because there's no longer a coil sprung option in the Boxxer lineup.

According to Jon Cancellier, RockShox's product manager, “Coil is the buzzword right now, but I think we can really make an air spring that rides like a coil, but then you have the ability to fine-tune it in one, two psi increments, and play with tokens without needing to play with oil volumes or complicated bump stops.” Only having air sprung options also makes it easier for shops, especially ones that do a high volume of rental traffic, to ensure that customers have a proper setup.


Boxxer


Boxxer RC
The Boxxer RC will retail for $1309 USD.


Boxxer RC

The RC is the slightly more affordable counterpart to the World Cup version. It's still air sprung, and equipped with the Debonair air spring, but it uses a new Charger RC damper. Rather than having an expanding bladder to compensate for the displaced oil that occurs during compression, the Charger RC uses a spring back IFP, a design that seems to be experiencing an upswing in popularity – multiple suspension manufacturers are now using it throughout their lineup.










I was able to get in two days of riding on the muddy, slippery, and extremely entertaining trails in Windrock, Tennessee. My arrival coincided with one of RockShox's tuning camps, where World Cup and EWS athletes were getting accustomed to their new suspension in preparation for the upcoming race season. It was a little intimidating heading up in a shuttle packed with some of the fastest riders in the world, but it was also interesting to witness the dynamic between riders and their mechanics as they discussed settings after each run, and collaborated to figure out what would work best for the first race of the year.

As for myself, with the air pressure set to my liking (the new air spring does require more pressure than before, somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 psi higher, a necessary step due to the altered spring volume), and the rebound and compression dials twisted to where I wanted them, it was time to start knocking out some laps. For the most part, I stuck to the same three trails in order to keep the things consistent – as fun as it would have been to explore every single offshoot, that would have meant I was focusing more on learning a new track, rather than on how the fork felt.

RockShox Boxxer
Connor Fearon digging into that Southern slop.

So, how did it feel? Very similar to the new Lyrik, which is a good thing. The 200mm of travel is well managed – it's nice and supple off the top, but even when I was dropping into wheel-sucking, goop filled ruts there was plenty of support to keep the fork from diving too deep into its travel. I ran the high-speed compression dial one click in from fully open due to the super soft conditions, and a few clicks of low speed compression, which left plenty of range left to stiffen things up for higher speed, more hardpacked trails.

The wet and sloppy trails made it a little tricky to see how the fork handled fast, really high speed hits, but on the whole, the new Boxxer's performance was extremely consistent, and it didn't take much fiddling to get the fork dialed into a place that I was very happy with. The level of small bump sensitivity and overall grip that the fork provided was excellent, and nicely complemented the Intense M29's overall performance. I'm sure there will be riders who will bemoan the lack of a coil-sprung option, but I honestly never found myself thinking "If only this fork had a coil spring..."

We'll be spending more time on the Boxxer to really dive into its ride characteristics, as well as overall durability - stay tuned for for a more in-depth report later this year.







Author Info:
mikekazimer avatar

Member since Feb 1, 2009
1,716 articles

281 Comments
  • 528 16
 15x100mm and 20x110mm has a 15mm disc offset.

15x110mm Boost has a 15mm disc offset.

But why does the 20x110mm Boost have a 10mm disc offset?

Are you engineers legitimately retarded? You think placing flanges 5mm wider is worth an entire new "standard"? Why don't you offset the way the hub is mounted in the lowers and give it better spoke triangulation? Holy shit

But loving the new Boxxer.
  • 57 20
 Meant to upvote. I give permission to downvote me into account hell
  • 15 1
 @chillrider199: happens to all of us
  • 5 3
 @LindLTaylor: Sadly its true...
  • 6 1
 there's that 29" Kona operator
  • 4 0
 @chillrider199: are there any sponsored goods we can exchange for votes? As far as I know none, so I would recommend paying less attention to the votes.
  • 14 3
 NEED CROATIA DH CONTENT PLS.
  • 7 2
 @eugen-fried: How else are we suppose to show and tell to RockShox/Sram that they are actually suffering from severe case of being really f*cking stupid?
  • 7 1
 I logged in just to upvote.

Side note — is it possible to create some kind of reducer shim to go from 20x110 to 15x110 to allow wheel swapping?
  • 3 1
 @hostforaxenomorph: you would bolt these on a capra ? why ?
  • 10 11
 @konacyril: Because a current Capra is more capable than most DH bikes of 5 years ago?
  • 12 7
 @endlessblockades: DH Bike 10 years ago ? yes , five years ago ? no
  • 3 0
 i've done the math, it checks out
  • 3 0
 @konacyril: OK 7.5 years?
  • 6 35
flag rippersub (Apr 17, 2018 at 14:59) (Below Threshold)
 @chillrider199: Who do people apologize for downvoting? Nobody knows you've done it.
  • 19 0
 @robaussie99: oops, sorry about that
  • 6 3
 @robaussie99: I feel guilty. I could kill a man and feel less guilty about it over accidentally downvoted a good comment on PinkBike.
  • 11 2
 At least it's not 4.99mm
  • 2 3
 Severely underrated comment @Bahh:
  • 1 0
 @I-want-your-bike: ...and it's carbon. Smile
  • 1 0
 They should put the upvote button on the right. Most people are right-handed. Is this a pinkbike conspiracy to create more drama in the comments section?!! (read in crazy voice)
  • 2 0
 Boost 20x110 and boost 15x110 have the same disc spacing and same hub shell. The sram 900 boost front hub can be converted from boost 15x110 to boost 20x110 just by changing end caps
  • 426 5
 "there were serious discussions about using a 15 x 110mm thru axle on the new Boxxer, which would have allowed riders to swap wheels from their trail bike to their downhill bikes. In the end, the 20mm thru-axle won"

YO, why not make single crowns 20x110, so riders can swap wheels too, but still mantaining the stiffness?? f*cking genius, I know.

I'm open to job offers, industry Wink
  • 29 1
 I can't upvote this enough.
  • 24 1
 @Spittingcat: Upvoted on your behalf...
  • 8 1
 That's been in the pipeline for some time now. SR Suntour even sells trail bike forks with space to be drilled for 20x110...
  • 5 0
 my slayer came with a 20 mm fox 36
  • 26 0
 Why not make all mountain bike axles the same dimension with lighter gauge used for bikes that need to save weight? I think it's referred to as a standard in some industries.
  • 9 1
 20MM FOR LYFE!
  • 15 2
 Dude it's SRAM, they are the king of bullshit like this not sure what you expect anymore @ismasan
  • 3 0
 @maxgod: went to buy a new 36 with 20mm and they discontinued them Frown
  • 11 2
 @poozank: 15mm axles was nothing to do with sram.
  • 1 0
 @maxgod: Fox's top tier 36's are supposed to have the option for 20 or 15 from the reviews on youtube I seen.
  • 6 0
 Oh man. The axle debate. Can't wait for that to come back.
  • 6 0
 @taletotell: You mean it left?
  • 5 0
 I'm still running my 20mm's from 07, in a few years when they're tired i reckon it would have come back around by then hehehe :pinkbike:
  • 7 2
 Can't wait for the 18.99mm axles on next year's pike!
  • 1 0
 Is Fox 36 not 20mm anymore? Mines a few years old but I didn't think there was a lack of availability for single crown 20mm forks....
  • 1 0
 @BrigadierBuege: the last few years you could get 36’s that you could run a 20 X 110 or 15 X 100 by removing spacers but they ONLY make boost now . . . Sad
  • 1 0
 Formula has single crown 20x110.
  • 1 2
 @poozank: well, I have high expectations from sram, and they never dissapoint Wink
  • 2 1
 My 26" Spicey runs a 20mm axle on 2014 lyrics! #26aintdead
  • 2 0
 In fact, there were serious discussions about using a 15 x 110mm thru axle on the new Boxxer, which would have allowed riders to swap wheels from their trail bike to their downhill bikes.

I feel like we are going round in circles. What about the weight? SAVE THE GRAMS! No, you want stiffness. 15 was meant to replace QR, not 20. Aargh!
  • 2 0
 @foespower: As much as I like to blame Sram I have to back this up, I remember RS trying to push the 20mm Maxle light on the early Psylo if I remember correctly. Then some retards from Fox I believe thought let's save 2g and create 15mm axle. Then RS went into it and Sram started to do this whole new standard madness. Somebody showed them the way and they went all in Frown
  • 2 0
 @Balgaroth: even up to recently, most of the rockshox fork catalogue was available with 20mm as an option. I guess no one took them up on if for OEM, so with the new castings they didn't bother.
  • 7 1
 @Balgaroth: it Was Fox in conjunction with Shimano who they tend to buddy up with on OE stuff - Shimano struggled with 20mm due to their continued use of cup and cone bearings. As a result 15mm gained tracrion despite not really being lighter than 20mm and not as stiff. Nuts.

SRAM are to blame for a lot of silly stuff, but not 15mm.
  • 1 0
 @mindmap3: “shimano struggled with 20 mm”? I got a couple of XTR 20 x 110 hub and they are good. Not sure who’s to blame for 15 mm?
  • 1 0
 @MX298: I know my first OEM 15mm fork was fox. I feel like RS released them a year later. Was that 2010?
  • 2 0
 Makes too much sense. They don't want to roll it out until everyone has finally upgraded to 15 x 110 though.
  • 1 0
 @foespower: They don't have any consistency and love getting behind whatever hairbrained standard because it means more OEM sales for them. They suck.
  • 5 0
 @MX298: It was Shimano and Fox. Shimano were in the middle of their 'centrelock this, rapid rise that, Octalink cranks and dual control for everybody!' phase and their 'standard' centre lock rotor doesn't fit around a 20mm axle. They had a 'Saint Standard' extra large centrelock as well, but instead of going XL centrelock on everything they pushed through 15mm axles for forks instead. It was the time when Shimano seemed to be addicted to complexity, a time that allowed SRAM to get it's foot properly in the door and ironically a lesson SRAM apparently leanred nothing from.
  • 1 0
 @taletotell: Fox 15mm forks came along in 2006/7.
  • 1 0
 @Fix-the-Spade: okay. I think I got mine in 2010 is all. It was also when a lot of Fox 32 forks with 150mm travel were being slapped on 6" travel bikes, which flexed in a very uncomfortable way under real stress.
Let's all take a moment just to recognize how much better bikes and forks are now. Thruaxles are the norm front and back. 35 or 34mm stanchions are expected. You don't have to go a size up and buy an aftermarket short stem to get a long bike, and you don't have to buy a free ride machine to get something that is at home hitting the jump line.
  • 71 4
 Man, forget the fork. How's the m29?
  • 85 1
 Long and fast. Very, very fast. We’ll have a full review a little later this year.
  • 7 0
 read that and had to go back and look Smile
  • 12 2
 If i read everything correctly between the 2 forks,thats a $400 HSC knob that was left fully open?
  • 10 1
 @scary1, not exactly - along with not having externally adjustable HSC, the RC model uses a different damper than the World Cup - it's an IFP-style design rather than an expanding bladder.
  • 2 1
 @mikekazimer: How about a first ride report on the M29 in the meantime?
  • 6 0
 @mikekazimer: so possibly more reliable and easier to service in exchange for a small loss in sensitivity?
  • 3 14
flag Rider656 (Apr 17, 2018 at 21:05) (Below Threshold)
 29ers overrated and not as fun to ride. I will never own one again. Had hardtail and fs and been riding/racing for years. Please do your self a favor a stick with 27.5, cost me so much money to learn this lesson.
  • 4 0
 @Rider656: weird because I have plenty of fun hucking my fuel ex around
  • 1 0
 How has no one said anything about the M29 yet...... oh... wait
  • 2 0
 @mikekazimer: I don't know if I missed it in the article, but do you know if the HSC is a poppet valve or a shim preload?
  • 1 1
 Wasn't there an article about the new Foxzochi 40 last week? Good luck selling boxxers in the aftermarket next year Sram, you bunch of poopoos!
  • 1 0
 I saw Jack Moir's 29ner with the boxers' at Thredbo last week, ..sweet looking setup!
  • 3 0
 @Rider656:
you mean having a bike that actually fits you is not fun and overrated? you know what cost me so much money? buying xxl frames that are too small for me
  • 2 0
 How tall are you? 700ft?
  • 2 0
 @Waldon83: almost 2m tall, but i unfortunately have unproportionally long legs and arms which makes even big frames too short for me
  • 2 0
 @ORTOGONAL555: It uses a shim preload - here's a photo of the Lyrik internals where you can see the mechanism (the one on the right): www.pinkbike.com/photo/15708531
  • 67 7
 Will wait for the 26" version
  • 33 4
 I’m also part of the 26 isn’t dead crew
  • 18 17
 @BCtrailrider:
It is unfortunately very dead. The used market for 26" has tanked. Similarly spec'd 27.5 bikes will easily bring $1,000 more than it's 26" counterpart.
  • 8 0
 @sunringlerider: Which means if you have a kid moving up from 24" wheels whom you're looking to get onto a full suspension bike for the first time, you're golden. I found a 2009 Stumpy for my 12 year old last year that was almost ridiculously cheap. It had been on consignment at this local shop for months at what I would have considered a fair price (but too expensive for a kid who'll just outgrow it in a couple years). Seller got frustrated and cut price in half. Consignment dude says that's pretty typical - 26" stuff sits forever, then finally clears after being put on firesale prices.
  • 13 2
 It's interesting that 26 is dead. I won some 27.5 wheels at the weekend racing enduro on my 26er (1st enduro and it was fun but very hard). The wheels are boost so not compatible with the likes of a 2017 mega! Lol
Gonna sell them and buy some tanked 26 price wheels.
They did say I could trade in my bmx wheels now that I had some real wheels. Made me giggle.
  • 14 0
 @sunringlerider: I'm a little unsure of the current market but I've been buying up 26" futures at a very attractive rate lately.
Just like Ti cranks have come back around and so forth I know 26" will be back around and I'll be awash in profit.
  • 3 0
 @sunringlerider: And I'm frigging loving it! So many good deals to be had right now. Smile
  • 4 0
 @g-42:
That is exactly what I'm saying. I wish I was a kid now getting my first Dh. There are wicked deals out there.
  • 4 7
 @betsie: Nobody is saying you cant ride 26" wheels, it just wont be very fun when there are no good tyres available and you are at a race or out riding for the weekend and split your tyre / mash your wheel without a spare and nobody can help you out because 26.
  • 13 1
 @Racer951: not too worried. Millions of 26ers out there and Maxxis has even been releasing new designs in 26. It's not like all those bikes suddenly disappeared. The LBS sold a lot of 26ers and those people still need tires. Sure there will be lots of new designs that never come out in 26 but that's okay too.
  • 10 0
 @sunringlerider: he's right. i threw some 650b's on my huffy and it sold for $1020.
  • 1 1
 @gtrguy: how about that track side support?

Just walking into a lbs for a wheel / tyre when you need one out on a trip, getting a spare from a friend or being at a race and needing a replacement there and then?

Pretty tough when the majority are on 27.5 and 29.
  • 7 0
 thankfully no one told my 26" bike she's dead, so I still ride ride the shit out of her.
  • 4 3
 @Racer951: That's not true. I have yet to see a 29 in the wild. At first I thought 29 was just a PB april fools joke that I missed but here we are years later and there isn't a single person actually riding one of those clown shoe'd bikes in the real world. The move from 26 to 27.5 was a fairly quiet one that most of us didn't even realize until we were haggling over boost accessories.
  • 5 0
 @Racer951: Not a concern, I don't race and have no interest in it.
  • 1 0
 When it comes out my kids will be teens who start b*tching and moaning about a "new" standard. . .
  • 6 0
 @hbar314:
You've never seen a 29er on the trails? I really hope you are joking. Seriously?
  • 1 1
 dont forget me.
  • 1 0
 @Racer951: I still have tyres on my bike that are now around 3 or 4 years old and still going well (I don't ride a massive amount these days and the compound is quite hard being a Minion/HR2 combo with EXO casing).
On my Dh bike I will always have spares, I even have some new Kaiser project 2.4's in the shed for one day in the distant future when the current ones are too worn out, no bike parks here and its all push up so tyre on the ground time is reduced compared to if I lived somewhere with uplift and a season pass (oh I can dream).
  • 1 0
 You guys do realize that you can put 26" wheels into 27,5" lowers without any problem? I have 26" front in 27,5" Domain RC fork and it works just fine.
  • 1 0
 @PaFelcio: They fit but the increased fork offset may make your bike handle a little 'funny', I personally hate high offset forks with steep head angles but have no problem with higher offset forks if the HTA is suitable.
  • 1 0
 @PaFelcio: Messes a bit with your axle to crown. Not a ton, but you want to keep geometry in mind when you mess with stuff like that.
  • 55 4
 No coil option you say, challenge accepted we say!
  • 5 6
 any chance to get a spring for a Lyrik?
  • 7 0
 @WAKIdesigns: We have something on the way, taking its time but should be a nicely priced conversion with some pretty trick springs!
  • 2 0
 @RaceOnlySprings: And Fox 36?, Ive been hitting refresh on your site for a loooong time
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: The old domain coils probably still do the job if you are cool with weight suitable to a large boat anchor.
  • 1 0
 @taletotell: domain doesn't have charger damper. But it still weighs less than Marzocchi 66 Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: I was suggesting buying a domain spring for your lyrik, but now I think the thicker walls of aluminum stanchions mean the spring won't fit. Might be worth doing some research.
  • 37 3
 Boost 20x110 lol
  • 7 0
 At least we are now sure about one improvement MY2020 long travel single crown forks are about to get this time next year
  • 36 8
 2 steps forward, one step back. RIP coil Boxxer.
  • 1 0
 Right! So does the difference in price come down to adjustability? I'm guessing having a bunch of springs made for 29" would have made things more expensive. I'm glad there's finally one available to the public, should be interesting to see if other manufacturers offer coil sprung versions.
  • 14 2
 Everyone is going back to coils, RS and FOX are still sleeping playing with coloring books.
  • 33 9
 How Come the stanchions arn’t 38.99 mm thick? It would have been 15% stiffer right? Lol
  • 4 13
flag MysticMCyclist (Apr 17, 2018 at 10:57) (Below Threshold)
 If they are 35mm dia how wouldypu make them 38.99 thick ... it would give a negative hole ?
  • 6 1
 i would have guessed 34.99mm in order to shave 0.1 gram.
  • 2 0
 @cuban-b: .01 grams
  • 20 3
 I use air suspension, but I think it's strange to say that the LACK of a coil option makes it easier for shops to ensure that customers have a proper setup. If your customers rent from you, use the air. A coil version EXISTING doesn't prevent you from doing that.
  • 18 3
 Still no built in fender mounts? WTF?

It's mind boggling that a $1700 MSRP fork requires zip ties if you need to run a fender. There's got to be a better way.
  • 6 1
 I returned to see how people agreed or disagreed. Baffling there isn't more interest! Moto guys aren't using zip tied fenders and we shouldn't be either. Mark my words, someday one of the major players will offer a proper fender and mount. Reviews will be uniformly positive and the other companies will have to match that as a feature. It could be threaded bosses for screwing on a fender. Or maybe snap on latches. Zip ties are just idiotic on something costing well over a thousand dollars.
  • 2 0
 I agree. Seems overlooked in general, but DVO offer a bolt on fender for the Diamond. For some reason doesn't look like they do on the Emerald tho.
  • 1 0
 Powa make the dfebder that attaches to the lower leg crown...
  • 2 1
 I don't think you could have come off as any softer with that complaint. Like, Crosby level soft.
  • 12 0
 So the biggest thing I got out of this article is: The RC models don’t absolutely suck anymore? The damper actually does something in those now?
  • 3 0
 So true....
  • 2 0
 were they overdamped as they were in the pike RC?
  • 3 0
 @SickEdit: No, they just literally don't have a damper. The "damper" on the previous RC models is just a plastic tube that goes inside the upper leg of the fork, just a chamber for the fork oil to flow into as the fork cycles through its travel.
  • 1 1
 Bag of dicks, Sram?
  • 16 4
 No 26" option??? But what will I put on M3? Ermahgerd
  • 9 1
 Bro, 26 aint dead... It's in the ICU on life support.
  • 15 0
 26" should work fine in a 27,5" fork
  • 13 0
 You rock old coil 888s that will outlive everything.
  • 6 4
 @racecase:
Not even sure if it's on life support anymore. I think it just hasn't been buried yet.
  • 7 0
 goo.gl/1S7XL1
Here you are, grey crowns, red leg, black stanctions and 26".
  • 22 1
 26" FFS theyre bringing out another wheel size?
  • 1 4
 @BryceBorlick: I hope that was a joke
  • 28 0
 @BryceBorlick: yes. Apparently it's lighter, stiffer and more responsive than the current standards.
  • 4 1
 @gibbon-on-an-orange: it also accelerates much faster, and a lot more flickable in the air and does not have its own gravity field thing going on. (I saw some spy photos in the newest mag while I was on the shitter, oh wait, nope, thats an old issue)
  • 1 0
 and don't forget they appear to be stronger too!
  • 1 0
 @Boardlife69: It also catapults you much faster over the bars.
  • 1 1
 @BCtrailrider: Things really fly over your head don't they?
  • 1 0
 @cdmbmw: I said that as a joke
  • 3 0
 If apple made forks, you would need new tools for each model, year and colour, not to mention that incompatibility with any bike that inst specifically apple brand. They would make it so that after a year of use the seals would decompose and you wouldn't be able to fix it yourself, you would need to pay apple an ungodly sum of money to fix it for you (which bike shops couldn't do). So its really not that bad that there's 5mm of offset.
  • 8 1
 That top crown makes me think of a motorcycle top yoke. ME LIKEY!
  • 9 0
 Forget the top crown; the machined chamfers and angles on that lower crown are just pure industrial sexiness.
  • 9 3
 I would love someone at Rockshox to explain me why they won't use Boxxer legs for Lyrik...
  • 6 0
 Bye SRAM. Some of it's been fun. Some of it's been infuriating. I'm out.
  • 2 0
 Interesting read. Really liking the new design of the crown! Unfortunately, I'll have to wait awhile before I can upgrade. On 26" still....2013 Wilson with the RC2C. Love the coil sprung fork. That being said, my trail bike is air sprung front and year (Revelation Ti and Monarch RT) and that thing is butter smooth. Eats up anything I throw at it. Still prefer a spring fork as it's less maintenance in terms of checking the pressures in the chambers regularly. Minor gripe but for riding, they both perform well that I wouldn't have any issues using air or spring.
  • 7 5
 I hope it feels better than the previous (coil) versions, which, in my opinion, always felt too damn stiff with the recommended spring rate. I'm 200lbs, and the light coil still beat me up. Additionally, I laid my bike down once on a jeep road, and the crowns twisted in a way that I never would have thought possible for a dual crown fork. I've been a Fox guy since my Boxxer experience and have never looked back. Still, the recent improvements entice me to give 'er a go again.
  • 2 1
 Were you using an RC or Team? I'm 210lbs on a 2016 Team and have the black spring in, still feels good
  • 2 1
 @dingle485: I had the RCT3 with a blue...then red...finally yellow (soft). I'm an aggressive rider too, and I wasn't using all the travel, and the small bump was horrible compared to the Fox 40. I'm sure they've come a long way since the 26" version of the RCT3 I had...nevertheless, that was my experience.
  • 7 1
 Lol... I have always ran a spring setting above my recommended weight, different strokes I guess.
  • 5 0
 @steveczech: interestingly I still have 2013 boxxer r2c2 coil in 26... buttery smooth..
  • 7 3
 @cdmbmw: not different strokes, just plebs that claim to be aggressive.
  • 2 1
 @nvranka:
Maye aggressive as trowing your bike around when you dont get your KOM
  • 4 3
 @nvranka: Yeah...good one. Talking the poopies without any justification. Let me introduce you to a new diet--it's called the Etadik Diet.
  • 6 2
 @steveczech: "Talking the poopies" ....cringe...you're disgracing my czech heritage.

200lbs on a yellow spring, enough said really.
  • 2 0
 @nvranka: bez do prdele.
  • 2 0
 @nvranka: Lol everyone in the comments section is a pleb eh?
I like my bikes to ride certain way, sorry if that offends you.
  • 4 1
 @cdmbmw: you do you realize I was agreeing with you, right? Guess not.
  • 1 1
 @nvranka: Definitely not, my bad.
  • 2 0
 Me too. Threw in the charger damper and it works great. Still isn't anywhere near as good as the fox or dvo @Lagr1980:
  • 3 0
 Love those crowns and the look of the new chasis, really hoping SAR, push, and other companies will release a coil conversion. Now I just need a DH bike to throw this thing onto!
  • 9 0
 We'll be slamming a coil in there at the first opportunity
  • 2 0
 Amazed I didn't find anyone pulling Mike up on the historical inaccuracies, the first 35mm was MY2010 but was available 2009, April iirc. So not 10 year anniversary I'm afraid. As for the fork, foolish to drop the coil option. Being able to run coil is extremely high on priority list, as no matter the spin marketing put on an air spring, it never, never, feels like coil. As for the damper, you can keep the expanding bladder design, fox's attempts with the fit4 was dismal, orginal charger left a lot to be desired, and marzocchi patented it in the first place, in 1998, but never used it for good reason. Imo intend's variation of self bleeding dampers looks like the way to do. No chance of rs getting my money any time soon.
  • 2 0
 Anyone confirm or deny the boxxer will have an air spring upgrade like the lyrik? These new air springs sound really promising and can’t wait to try it on my lyrik but I’m doubtful the boxxer will be upgradable. Sounds like with the longer stanchion and a 91% increase in neg volume we are looking at more than a simple travel rode and lower seal head. That’s a bummer if I’m right. I’ll hold out on the hsc Charger 2 and see when the IFP version replaces it as that seems to be the better direction (oil under pressure for more room to use better mid valving and no cavitation).
  • 3 0
 I really don't understand the 56mm offset for the 29" fork. I thought pretty much everyone was in agreement that shorter offsets felt better with 29" forks.
  • 3 0
 It does seem a bit strange, slacker headtube == more trail, bigger wheel == more trail, bigger offset == less trail? If you're running big wheels and slack headtubes for stability at speed why not go all the way and run a shorter offset?
  • 1 0
 Who's everyone? Pro MTBers did the testing on this no? We don't trust their judgement?
  • 1 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: Actually it's the manufacturers that are being driven by the OEMs. Frame guys appear to way behind putting fork guys way behind. Fox had a partnership with Transition who pulled the concepts from Chris Porter. Pro's can ride anything if you haven't noticed, and they have a huge conflict of interest $
  • 1 0
 I find it humorous that they are calling 20x110 "Boost" since the old 20mm axles were 110. I have an old 20mm Reba 29er take-off fork sitting around, so the other day I put a 2.75+ wheel in to see if it cleared the fork legs. It worked. Maybe I can cobble together a poor man's Boost with some left over 20mm hubs and such.
  • 4 2
 I actually like the idea of "swapping wheels from trail bike to downhill bike". Wonder if a 15mm version could be available later? And what could be the downside of running a reducer to fit a 15mm axle on the new Boxxer?
  • 6 0
 Maybe for the front wheel, but if you switching the front then you'd probably want to do the same with the rear and the setups for a DH rear wheel and trail bike rear what are very different. If you ran a reducer you'd lose some rigidity there as well as from the smaller axle. With a properly designed one it probably wouldn't be that bad though. Of course if you broke something they might not want to warranty it.
  • 3 0
 I do the swap for when I throw my dual crown fork on my trail bike
  • 3 0
 @kleinblake: I can't tell if you're serious or not haha
  • 3 0
 @taquitos: could be srs, I did some physics and concluded that these are some pretty lightish forks
  • 1 0
 @taquitos: .......... Super Boost aka 157Trail FTW
  • 1 0
 @jm2e: So a 157 hub with eagle and a 200mm rotor. 12 speeds on the DH bike and way more braking power than the trail bike will ever need. Maybe this could go a step further and the suspension linkage could be reconfigured on different frames so you'd only have to buy front triangles.
  • 1 0
 @taquitos: Well, I addressed your statement which specifically addressed the mismatch between trail bike and DH bike hub spacing. The new Pivot and Knolly frames essentially have DH rear hub spacing, so you can swap to your hearts content. If you want to switch to rotor size and cassette choice, that's a different discussion for a different day.
  • 1 0
 @jm2e: And I guess my point is it gets stupid eventually... or right away.
  • 1 0
 @taquitos: I actually am serious, but I just run a different front wheel. I’ll throw my 40 on my 6 inch bike for certain downhill events, and probably again when bike park season rolls around since I don’t have a downhill bike this season
  • 1 0
 "For the longer-limbed riders out there who are looking for a taller front end, a drop crown option is also available."

Same as Fox then, apparently also available but impossible to get one unless you're name is Greg Minnaar!
  • 5 1
 The old RC was like half the price of the new one, I see where this is going...
  • 5 2
 Pros: "No thanks. The air works great. It's lighter. Easier to tune."
Keyboard MTBers riding at half the pace: "Coil is so much more sensitive! I need a coil fork! Now!"
  • 2 1
 Yeah, except for all those pros who are quite happy to be able to finally go back to coil if you take a look at the enduro guys. It´s not black and white. And do not even get me started on how many WC pros do run a coil in that WC chassis.
Also, they get paid to ride. Wonder why none of them publicly complains about the shortcomings of their suspension components.
My sissy hands need all the comfort they can get to survive a weekend on a rough track. Again, i´m not getting paid to do this shit, i am paying to be able to do it and i wanna do it as comfortably as possible without needing physical therapy on monday.
  • 3 0
 Doesn't matter if you're a pro or not, coil forks need less frequent service and are way more consistent if you change elevations frequently.
  • 1 1
 @Loki87: Pros change spring depending on the track right ? And the best functionning fork last year (read Loïc's öhlins) was an air fork.
I never get why people are so fond of spring, i tried a fox 36 van long time ago and it felt like shit. It was on a bike of a guy that was maybe 6 kg more than me, (so the same spring should have been ok ?), and at least at the time, oil had to be changed quite frequently ?
Did coil fork improve since ? What fork should I test to change my mind ?
  • 2 1
 @zede:
Well, i'm 100% sure Loics fork being the best performing is only an assumption on your part and not based on any facts.
Coil being better is based on simple physics. Less friction and a linear spring. There's however a lot more to a fork than only the spring and if the damper is f*cked then of course the fork is gonna suck. I can't comment on the fork you tried. For what it's worth it may just have been bad setup or just not how you prefer your setup or maybe even bad maintenance.
In my personal experience every coil fork i tried had always noticeably better small bump sensitivity and better midstroke support.
The subject of maintenance isn't about oil changes. If seals suck they suck on coil and air just the same. It's about no extra seals in your spring which need maintenance. Just something more that can potentially fail.
If you wanna see the difference try identical forks with coil and air. Like Boxxer WC and Team. Do not compare an old damper design from manufacturer A with a new one from manufacturer B because the results will most likely be irrelevant.
  • 6 3
 "According to Jon Cancellier, RockShox's product manager, “Coil is the buzzword right now"

Let's agree to disagree.
  • 4 0
 Also "bumpstops" are "complicated"
  • 2 0
 @NebulousNate: yeah dude bumpstops are like rocket science they can get energy and fly to the moons orbit
  • 2 0
 @AMGoran: don't forget that moon is flat too, so it has no orbit
  • 1 2
 @zede:
Omg noone can even fly to the moon rofl. Obviously the moon landing was a hoax. Look into it sheeple.

The weight of the bumpstops will obviously slow down how fast you can turn the fork and bars due to heightened inertia. SRAM most likely will release boost bumpstops with a 0.019 smaller diameter to reduce weight and gain a quicker steering response.
  • 1 0
 The thing i don't get with all this moon landing hoax stuff is, is they have telescopes that can spot stars millions of light years away, why don't they have a quick look on the moon to see if some footsteps are still there?!
  • 1 0
 @freeriderayward:
The thing is, the people in charge of those telescopes know what´s up. They´re not the ones requiring proof. The nutjobs who deny it are the ones asking for proof, but even if you were to show them a guy up there waving back at them they´d just go "yeah, obviously fake. You guys probably drugged me while i wasn´t watching."

Also, i´m pretty sure footsteps are not something you can spot with a telescope. Those pictures you´re probably referring to are taken by probes i think and those are not as easily available i guess.

Wait, how did we get from bumpstops to space travel?!!?
  • 1 0
 @Loki87: Sorry for the bad joke about moon being flat, let's go back to the initial topic : bumpstops are heavy, complicated and anti-aerodynamics...
  • 1 0
 @zede:
Haha,i can support that. Bumpstops are the one thing holding back progression on downhill bikes for sure!
  • 2 0
 @freeriderayward: They actually have. Tire tracks from the vehicle they drove on the moon can be seen.
  • 1 0
 @Loki87: I made something up and the moon was the first thing i thought of
  • 3 0
 will the crowns be an after market part, as they are stock, because they look naughty
  • 3 0
 I figured we'd see wider diameter stanchions from these guys by now. 35mm is so 2010. Bring on a 29er Totem or Totem DC.
  • 2 1
 Why? My 35mm boxxer is tits
  • 2 1
 @cdmbmw: If you weigh 240 with gear like I do then a boxxer world cup is flexier than a control tech.
  • 5 0
 @BEERandSPOKES: I think we need to blame a different kind of fork for this problem...
  • 1 1
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: lmao.. Wow he went there. (Or maybe blame beer as per his name?)
@BEERandSPOKES: At 160 lbs, I now understand why you might feel that way.
  • 2 0
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: Even I have to give you that one. Sadly no, the joys of being 6'6".
  • 1 0
 @BEERandSPOKES: Less beer = less flex
  • 2 0
 All new chassis, yet sticking with the old 35mm stanchions? Shame to re-tool without completely re-tooling. SRAM's racer boys and girls gotta be bummed.
  • 13 9
 no coil, no from me
  • 5 3
 What until you feel the stiffness and mid-stroke support of our all new boost 20x110 MAXLE!!
  • 3 0
 Any word if the new debonair is backwards compatible?
  • 1 0
 It is on the single crown forks, haven't heard if it's the same on the boxxer. Don't see why it wouldn't be.
  • 1 0
 I’m wondering the same but I’m thinking it’s doubtful. Longer stanchion so it can use flat crowns also means it has more air volume so the air spring has more room to add that 91% negative air increase. I’m really hoping I’m wrong because the change on the lyrik sounds impressive so can’t wait to change my lyrik and boxxer but I’m doubtful on the boxxer.
  • 3 0
 amazing crowns!! great CNC right there
  • 2 0
 When everything is black, raw metal is the new black Big Grin
Nice chamfers though
  • 6 7
 Boost is for wide range one by drive trains yes?
This is for DH bikes no mistaking that.
You need perhaps seven speeds with a short range for DH.
So the boost is compleatly useless!
Obviously the marketing team tells the engineers what to do for Rock Shock.
Must keep the stock holders happy.
SRAM is rapidly loosing all my respect.
  • 7 3
 The fork and the drivetrain are at opposite ends of the bike. Fork boost is supposed to make the front wheel stiffer. Nothing to do with gearing. Constantly changing standards aren't great, but if you're going to slag something off, at least slag off the right thing for the right reasons.
  • 4 7
 Boost was created specifically do deal with short chainstays and one by drive trains.
A Ten mm wider hub is not going to be significantly stiffer.
SRAM loves people like you now go buy that new and improved fork!
BTW they make a 15 mil axel too.
Stiffer ???@codfather1234:
  • 28 3
 @Sshredder, are you writing poems? I'll play.

Wider hubs should allow wheels to be stiffer
But user experience may differ
Boost isn't just for drivetrains
Or for marketers to make it rain
Yes, it can be frustrating
But there are probably more important things to be hating.
  • 2 2
 I can't take that seriously its a clown look at it it even has a mismatched crown why is the top part the same colour as the lower even why stick to one colour when you can have them all
  • 3 1
 Just double checking Vali Höll isin't yet available in the fantasy league...
  • 8 1
 Give her another couple years and then you can fantasize all you want.
  • 2 0
 Coil option where are you!
  • 3 0
 #275aintdead
  • 1 0
 I wonder if they considered upping the stanchion diameter to account for the longer tubes and bigger wheel?
  • 2 0
 That top crown's flatter than the earth!
  • 2 0
 888 RC3 ti > boxxer world cup
  • 2 0
 2 aluminum tubes and a bolt > boxxer world cup
  • 1 0
 Vali shredding Windrock Bikepark on her YT Tues!!! The future of WC women racing looks bright!
  • 1 0
 They should of kept the 26 option for some people who still rides 26 it's sad all fork company have discontinued 26.
  • 2 1
 COME ON! it's only April 2018.. SRAM is always ahead of time, but FOX always putting Gwin on top step
  • 4 0
 im pretty sure he can ride either one and still win
  • 6 4
 a new rock shox noodle! awesome!
  • 2 0
 That thing is as long as a 12" travel Marzocchi Super Monster-T, rofl.
  • 2 0
 Am I the only one to notice a 29er yt?
  • 1 0
 Yes. I saw it! Or maybe she's on a red 27.5 Tues and she's not super tall.
  • 3 0
 $1700? :0
  • 2 0
 Article says 58mm offset. Spec sheet says 56mm.
  • 1 0
 Good catch. It should be 56mm - it's been updated.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: 48mm is more progressive than 52mm on the 40; but all dual crowns need to reduce their offset more.
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer: Is the new Lyrik BOOST 15 or 20?
  • 1 0
 Same size as the 12” travel marzocchi Monster T! Someone bring that back!w
  • 2 0
 No thanks. Better & cheaper options available in the marketplace.
  • 1 0
 You sure the debonair is backwards compatible with your boxxer @theminsta ?
  • 3 2
 That offset made me throw up in my mouth.
  • 2 0
 good, that's weight savings.
  • 1 0
 At 0:45 it's an Intense frame? Valy Höll - WTF?
  • 1 0
 its a YT Tues
  • 1 0
 how the hell do you tighten the fork crown bolts?
  • 1 0
 There's this tool called a 5mm hex wrench, I hear it has untold tightening powers
  • 1 0
 @YouHadMeAtDrugs: haha yeah, but there is a secret tightening sequence technique.
  • 1 0
 It's only taken 10 years to stick a cable on the boxxer lowers
  • 3 2
 ok but where is the m29 release
  • 1 1
 Omg stop with compression settings.
  • 5 7
 The lack of a coil option also makes it easier for shops, especially ones that do a high volume of rental traffic, to ensure that customers have a proper setup.
  • 2 0
 If you're a shop renting multiple bikes, just make sure you order your bikes with air forks ffs... Don't keep everyone else from having the choice to go coil tho
  • 1 1
 Holy Conspiracy Theory Batman!

Pros (ie the people that push the gear to its limits) don't want it...

Maybe that's the answer.
  • 1 0
 @Adamrideshisbike: what are you on about?
  • 1 0
 @mollow: Sorry Frown

I didn't read your comment. I thought you were someone moaning about no coil option. I need the riding season to start so I can get off the internet.
  • 1 1
 Amazing shit !! ????
  • 1 2
 Tapered steerer tubes aint dead
  • 1 0
 They don't make sense on DH forks though.
  • 1 2
 Hawt fya!
  • 7 10
 $1,700... if you really need this fork.... your sponsor would pay for it
  • 14 1
 A Fox factory 40 is the same price.
  • 5 4
 @bman33: again, if you're that good to need it, someone else is writing that check
  • 7 1
 why i can't just pay for it myself?
  • 5 3
 @Asmodai: The point he is making is that if you ride fast enough to warrant having a $1700 fork you don't need to pay for it yourself. You have a sponsor footing the bill. If you have to pay for it yourself, chances are you will be fine with the lower cost options.
  • 7 1
 @Patrick9-32: his point is dumb, I'm free to buy whatever i want especially that there will be difference vs cheaper forks even if i ride way slower than pros
  • 5 0
 @bman33: the new foxzocchi is $600 cheaper than the new boxxer rc!
  • 2 0
 @brassinne: Yep, and Fox is making that a 'budget' brand in the end.
  • 3 2
 @focofox37: True. However, what is the problem with someone buying one if they like? Nice to know those high end options are out there. I can afford a Ferrari. However, I am glad they exist and if I had $250k or more for a car I wouldn't mind having one. PB bitching is just getting out of hand. Some of the most negative cry babies I have seen.
  • 6 2
 @Asmodai: Of course you are free to buy whatever you want. Your money might be better spent in other areas though. A $1000 fork and $700 worth of coaching is going to make you a lot better, faster rider for instance than a top end fork. Or a lower cost fork and a trip to your dream mountain bike destination with it. If you are in the fortunate position to afford to do all of those things and buy the best equipment then good for you, most people are not in that position.
  • 6 0
 @Patrick9-32: a 1000 fork anf 700 in whiskey will make me so damn happy for the riding season
  • 1 2
 I didn't say you can't buy it... but ask the guy who tracks a McLaren how it feels to get blasted by a guy with a Honda. The six sigma levels of improvement put into this fork will not make most riders measurably faster. However, the status symbol of the fork will put a huge target on your back at the bike park. Especially with the poor kids who ride hard and kitted like Shawn Palmer.
  • 3 1
 @focofox37:
>but ask the guy who tracks a McLaren how it feels to get blasted by a guy with a Honda.
couldn't care less, thats my bike/car, my fun, my performance and my budget

and what target? someone gonna shoot at me because i have nice bling bike and i cant ride as fast as pros? seriously i dont get why would you ever care how and what others are riding???
i was poor for good 1/3 of my life now i can afford stuff and it just feels good to own nice things that are the best in the class (not to mention that usually they last a lot longer than cheap stuff)
  • 1 0
 @Asmodai: I second what you said. I was broke half my life. I can know afford most of the cool bike goodies I want, not everything. In addition, In my early 40's I can still ride with most younger guys at the bike parts and jump parks around me. Will I will a pro DH race? No. However, I have been riding/racing in some for or another (BMX, XCm DH, Enduro) since the mid 80's. Let them 'target' me all they want. I am having a great time still.

Rubber side down gents.
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