Spotted: A New RockShox Vivid Air Shock?

Feb 9, 2023
by Seb Stott  
photo

A reader sent us this video that appears to show Jack Moir riding in Finale with an unreleased air shock.

The shock is clearly branded with RockShox logos, but while all of their current air shocks have the air can positioned at the same end of the shock as the piggyback reservoir, the shock Jack is riding has its air can at the back, opposite the reservoir.

photo
The 2011 RockShox Vivid Air
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The old Vivid R2C had separate rebound adjusters at both ends of the shock, but from what we can tell, the new shock appears to have just one rebound adjuster at the head of the shock by the reservoir.

This is a design we haven't seen from RockShox since the Vivid Air, a twin-tube that so far hasn't been revived since the switch to metric shock sizing. Since then, RockShox has only offered the Deluxe and SuperDeluxe air shocks for everything from trail to downhill duties. So perhaps a dedicated gravity air shock is on the cards.

Don't expect a review tomorrow, but the shock in the video doesn't look like an early-stage prototype to me, so keep an eye out when the race season starts.



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124 Comments
  • 252 14
 Down with the X2, Long live the Vivid Air
  • 18 2
 If they just add a climb switch and HSC adjustment to the old Vivid Air it will be a winner. Compression and Rebound adjusters that don't fall off every 10 clicks would be nice too.
  • 95 3
 My X2 is the best shock I have ever ridden til it carbonates the oil after one ride.
  • 16 1
 @zyoungson: Double Bubble toil & trouble......
  • 5 2
 @zyoungson: The compression range is not there for the X2 shocks. They cant get that precise tolerance on the vvc leaf springs, so it usually ends up being way too soft.
  • 3 0
 Shoxing!
  • 9 0
 Vivid Air were notorious for leaking air - so bad that Fluid Function will not service them anymore. Im sure this new version is a massive improvement in reliability but it hasnt always been that way.
  • 2 0
 @8a71b4: You mean vvc forks? I have no issues with compression on the x2 shock and am 100kg+ riding pretty hard
  • 2 0
 You mean "done" with the X2?
  • 1 0
 @zyoungson: bubbly is all the rage this year
  • 8 0
 Manitou Mara Pro
  • 1 0
 @zyoungson: Kinda sounds like my Monarch....should probably get that checked out
  • 3 0
 @zyoungson: hard riding doesnt require lots of compression. The issue is when you start wanting to jump or pump out of berms. The x2 at full compression closed on both dials is softer than other shocks, especially ohlins.
  • 2 2
 Every rockshok product I have used has had problems. Hope they fix it.
  • 1 0
 @8a71b4:
I see you,too, have seen actual dyno charts of the X2 and Grip 2 damper…
  • 186 4
 RS must have been jealous of all the success Fox is having with the highly reliable Float X2.
  • 15 0
 Lol
  • 38 4
 X2 is easily the least reliable bike part I own.
  • 131 1
 I don't always own an X2, but when I do it's mixing oil and air.
  • 35 0
 @learmiller: it even managed to defeat old model Reverbs in the unreliability department. Quite the achievement.
  • 13 0
 My X2 is taking up space in the trunk of my car. I threw a coil on one day at the bike park and never looked back. There's almost no point in even trying to get it fixed. Even if they claim it is good to go I don't care to run it only to be disappointed in the middle of a big day, and I certainly can't sell it since no one will buy the thing. A huge waste of money.
  • 20 7
 My 2021 X2 has been flawless Smile
  • 67 0
 @kobold: you fool, you pretty much guaranteed that it'll blow its guts out next ride
  • 2 0
 @kobold: You said flawless, but what you meant was 'on the ground, in my spares box' ?
  • 3 0
 @pisgahgnar: definitely sellable
  • 2 0
 @pisgahgnar: how much you want for it
  • 3 0
 Only person I personally know running the X2 hasn't had a problem since buying the bike. Being a 120 pound girl and relatively new to the sport might be helpful info.
  • 4 0
 Personally I love it when my X2 pisses oil out of the valve when I hook my shock pump to it. Keeps me humble and grounded....quite literally
  • 1 0
 @JSTootell: I’m 220lbs male, riding my kenevo SL 3x a week, 820m of descent a lap. Shock is almost too hot to touch at the end and I have put one service kit through it in the 5 years and 2 bikes it’s been on. Mine is the older X2. Never had an issue, with it and technically run it with more air pressure than max.
  • 2 0
 @JSTootell: I bought one last year and have been riding flawless since. It even handled a Whistler month. Am I just lucky?
  • 5 0
 @mr-fabio: You should probably buy a lotto ticket. I'd like 10%.
  • 1 0
 @pisgahgnar: Mine is taken halfway apart, sitting in bags because I lost motivation to rebuild it due to the absurd expense of the tools, oil, and rebuild kit. And the fact that I know that even if I keep it, it will be back to screaming infidelities in 6 months or less
  • 1 0
 @bonfire: It's the 2021+ models that have problems
  • 1 0
 @nickfranko: hey I can help you put it back together if you want. There are cheap tools on eBay
  • 94 23
 Spotted. Pink bike reading two week old vital forum threads.
  • 9 1
 haha exactly. Nothing new here
  • 1 0
 You doing the Pisghah enduro
  • 2 0
 @itslightoutandawaywego: No. It's the same course every year and two days of the same tracks. It would be nice if someone held a race in Pisgah that was on some other trails and mixed it up. Enduro/Downhill Southeast is the better gravity race circuit. I'll be at Kanuga for the enduro this weekend.
  • 63 1
 Spotted: Zero dollars in my checking account.
  • 45 0
 Just release the new boxxer. Thanks.
  • 6 0
 Man that’s what I’m sayin
  • 30 2
 And the Totem!
  • 9 1
 @TahoeEbikes: That fork was so badass back in the day! 40mm stanchions for Freeride !
  • 4 12
flag BoneDog (Feb 9, 2023 at 11:11) (Below Threshold)
 @t-rick: it was a piece of junk. more CSU replaced under warranty then the pike. The air version had zero ramp up just one big linear sack of balls. coil was "okay" at best,
  • 4 1
 @t-rick: AND wicked graphics!
  • 2 0
 @Sea Otter
  • 20 0
 SuperDuperDeluxe?
  • 10 0
 I would go for the SuperDuperDeluxe Ultimate +.
  • 3 0
 @rcrocha: + Debonair ?
  • 14 0
 You can tell it's a Vivid too because of the way it is...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXe1PkslirY
  • 12 3
 Every Sram tech just died a little inside...
  • 8 1
 Let's hope this twin-tube technology is more reliable and easily serviceable than the X2.
  • 5 1
 Rockshox usually is more of those things than Fox (not saying all Fox stuff can't be reliable or serviced easily though) Hopefully Rockshox took their time in order to ensure that.
  • 2 0
 @gravitybass: my original vivid air was a nightmare in reliability so I don't know about this one either. Seems that sram and fox are so obsessed about low friction that they forget to make their seals seal
  • 11 3
 coil for gravity. always.
  • 1 0
 Thats my thought. Big fan of the Super Deluxe, but if you wanna go any bigger why not just coil at that point?
  • 4 0
 @yoimaninja: Jumps feel much better with ramp up of the air shock.
  • 11 5
 There is a reason old-new-stock vivids still go for like $700 - probably still the best air shock I've ridden.
  • 5 7
 There is a reason there are still old new stock Vivids... Old Vivids make most bikes feel dead. Totally not awesome in any way.
  • 3 0
 I don’t get why someone would upgrade to this rather than the super deluxe coil that for the price is pretty amazing, I always loved air until I tried good coil on great bikes, another world
  • 3 1
 It has to be said that SRAM are, by and large, killing it these last several years.

They've managed to innovate products across their range, become the defacto standard in drive trains, suspension and wireless component spec, and they've managed to beat out shimano at dealing with manufacturing and supply chain recovery in the last 18 months (despite the fact that SLX/Deore is much better than lower-end SRAM offerings).

If they were to come along and simply knock off Trickstuff/Radic/TRP brakes for their next iteration of the Codes (i.e. more power AND maintaining good modulation) while reducing the cost of AXS components and improving the value proposition of their lower-end spec (NX, SX), they would have it locked down.
  • 4 0
 for what it's worth...I had zero complaints with the old vivid...so here's hoping the new iteration is quality too.
  • 1 0
 How can they see it is "not an early stage prototype"? I always have the feeling that most of the new technology of rear shocks is internal and as so many interfaces have tight tolerances, most of the external surfaces are machined anyway. As machining can be done at any stage of the development and as you can't really see the internals in pictures like these, I wonder how someone could tell how much finished the product is. Other than that of course you won't really let someone ride it unless it is half reliable. But it doesn't even have to be durable or mass produceable at this stage. Which for the final product of course, should be a major quality for a company like SRAM.
  • 5 2
 X2's should be 1/2 the price to allow for the servicing! RS far more reliable
  • 3 0
 If you blow your crappy x2 up under warranty they extend the warranty 6 months after every service. I've never had to pay for mine to be serviced since it never lasts longer than 6 months to blow up. So at least it's always free
  • 6 3
 If Moir can ride what he wants without sponsorship, why is he on a RS prototype?
  • 2 0
 sram sponsorship coming up?
  • 5 1
 If I was offered the chance to try out a prototype in the off season it's an easy "yes" for me.
  • 4 1
 Of course he is sponsored by RS. To make it "his choice" even more appealing... They all seem to agree to ride RS suspensions also for these.. having factory suport is key.
  • 5 2
 @Gristle: sure, but why should a company give out prototypes to riders that may ride a different brand in 6 months?

he has a long relationship with RS and is obviously happy with them, that makes the YT mob statements just weird though...
I also can't believe someone of the caliber of Moir would give up the highest level of factory support like the black box program with custom cartridges and prototypes
  • 11 0
 I think people are misinterpreting "Ride what he wants without Sponsorship". Jack can choose to ride a component and YT will pay for it, but he can also approach or be approached by a company and be paid to ride the component as well. For Jack things like RS Black box program or the new custom painted FOX helmets would also come with sponsorship $$.
  • 3 0
 The original fat daddy air can
  • 3 0
 at least they're testing it on a strut bike, so props there.
  • 2 0
 if you're gonna be dumb you gotta be tough
  • 1 0
 @knarrr:
  • 2 0
 Similar graphics being used on the new Sid that the Scott Sram XC team has been running lately.
  • 2 1
 Could be a marketing ploy like the new xx1 "leak" and since sram is rockshox, they would probably do the same thing
  • 9 0
 Nothing wrong with a little pre-release hype lol
  • 1 0
 What about that dropper remote? Looks very different than the normal axs dropper remote.
  • 2 0
 Let’s hope it works as well as the new super deluxe !
  • 2 0
 So Jack rides Troy Lee clothing with Fox helmets?
  • 1 0
 Why not?
  • 1 0
 i think he is off TLD because he is also wearing Fox Gloves.
  • 1 0
 Also note in the linked video he is riding the new SRAM direct mount derailleur.
  • 1 0
 He is riding that derailour from september/october last year. Check out his videos from finale Ligure.
  • 1 0
 Looks Like they still have many vivid spare parts lying around to be used :-)
  • 1 0
 www.instagram.com/p/CiJg8QvBVce/?hl=en could easily be this now that he not officially sponsored by Sram.
  • 1 0
 Pinkbike! when is a release date of this shock!?
  • 1 0
 "You gotta a Rockshox hip hop air shock never stop!"
  • 1 0
 I hold my breath till they release it
  • 1 0
 Small hex adjustment is visible, HSC ?
And blue knob - LSC
  • 1 0
 It does say R2C on the sticker, so that would make sense
  • 1 0
 Of course, I'm an idiot - that's the sticker on the old Vivid...
  • 1 0
 @mountainsofsussex: yeah, i spotted it on an old Vivid....
  • 1 0
 Posted like 4 weeks ago on vital.
  • 1 0
 Elastomer rear shocks. Come back kid…
  • 1 0
 I think reverbs are more reliable than X2's... thats not good
  • 1 0
 Zebedee laughs a such a creation.
  • 1 0
 Erlkönig
  • 1 1
 As if that was “spotted,“ potatoes be taking too good of photos now
  • 3 0
 smartpotatoes?
  • 2 0
 When you feel like you're looking at one of those wacky pictures that 3D pops out a pirate ship, but it's a 'spotted' photo of Jack Moirs air shock.
  • 1 0
 Now with reliability*
  • 1 4
 The vivid air was the most unreliable air shock released before the x2 took its title. So it comes back to retake the throne. I’ll be skipping both thank you.
  • 2 3
 Air shocks are cool!
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