Spotted: A RockShox Blackbox Shock on Trek's High Pivot DH Bike

Mar 11, 2021
by Daniel Sapp  
photo

Speculation and rumors have been ramping up about Trek's new DH bike. First spotted a few days ago at Windrock Bike Park, we've received another photo of the bike that reveals a few more details.

The high pivot bike that we're seeing is most definitely an alloy frame, with welds clearly visible in places on both the front and rear triangles. While this may not be the final version, it sure looks polished.

Taking a closer look at the rocker pivot - there's a pinch bolt which is an interesting thing to see there. It likely just indicates the bearings are in the main frame rather than in the link, and the pivot axle is fixed by the bolt, but could it be something else? Additionally, there appears to be a mount under the top tube, possibly for telemetry, as there's not a ton of reason for a water bottle in that location on a DH race bike. In the original photo (below) it looks like both brake and shift routing go down the back of the seat-tube, so maybe that mounting hole is related to that.

photo
In this photo, we can see the bike ridden with a coil shock and what appears to be a cable close to where the holes in the top tube are.

On to the shock. There are a few things to note here. The BlackBox labeled shock is certainly a prototype as SRAM/RockShox use the Blackbox label on parts that are still in development but not quite yet available to the public. Potentially an evolution of the SuperDeluxe, the shock has a slightly different aesthetic. Most notably, the compression dial seems to be on the side now instead of the top.

We've reached out to RockShox for more information on the shock and will provide an update when we hear anything.

Regions in Article
Windrock Bike Park

Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Spotted DH Bikes Shocks Trek RockShox Trek Session


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151 Comments
  • 153 1
 When are you gonna post the pic of the new AXS GX?
  • 315 5
 When NSMB says it's okay
  • 30 0
 $500 I heard.
  • 10 0
 Can't tell if you're joking, but I hope you're not. Is there a leak on this? Link anyone?
  • 13 0
 @KJP1230: There is a pic floating around. Its on Vital and a Norco FB page.
  • 46 0
 @KJP1230: I have a copy of the photo on my PB account. It was originally from a Norco Facebook group.
  • 26 0
 @boozed: lmao shhh, they might write an article about hurt feelings!
  • 3 0
 @huckle-to-buckle: You're the man (or woman).

Any idea of pricing?
  • 2 0
 @huckle-to-buckle: that looks sick, do you know how much it costs by any chance?
  • 7 6
 haha gx axs
  • 4 5
 Finally had a chance to try a bike with AXS over the weekend, wasn't really a fan. Maybe if I used it for more than a day I could get used to it, but I'd prefer X01 currently.
  • 3 0
 I've got a couple order sheets for 2022/2023 and GX AXS is coming. Lower priced but on some brands not too far away from a regular X01 AXS. More and more bikes will have them equipped next year......thats from what i can tell now. Sometimes specs are changing.......
  • 17 57
flag owlie (Mar 11, 2021 at 21:23) (Below Threshold)
 @HB208: you cant use those terms anymore. they, them, theirs
  • 1 0
 @boozed: did NSMB get mad about a leak? I've seen a few comments about them but don't know what happened
  • 3 0
 @bikehard11: in pinkbike's podcast about spy-shots. they make a response to NSMB's article which accuses there distribution of spy-shot's as immature.
  • 1 0
 @bikehard11: it was the subject of last weeks podcast, NSMB wrote an article criticising pinkbike for breaking imbargos by publishing spy shots.
  • 20 10
 @JamesE420: I really really like NSMB reviews and such, but they disappoint me each time they go into the poetic or social justice rant rabbit hole
  • 3 0
 @HB208: in Europe its €620
  • 1 0
 @brtski: that is abouth what you pay for x01 or xx1 if you shop around/get lucky, mech, shifter charger and battery
  • 2 6
flag hitarpotar (Mar 12, 2021 at 1:07) (Below Threshold)
 Why talk about the GX AXS under this article? Is there a GX DH AXS expected, connected to the rumor of the HP Session?
  • 1 0
 @hitarpotar: I just mentioned it because the leaked image of it is floating around at the moment. Also I don't think there going to release a DH AXS from what I've heard, However I'm pretty sure you can swap the cages on an AXS mech to get a DH version.
  • 1 0
 @huckle-to-buckle: with what? Is there a short cage available from SRAM?
  • 3 0
 If one goes to one's local bike shop, it is believed said shop can order GX AXS with no confirmed delivery date.
  • 6 12
flag kcy4130 (Mar 12, 2021 at 4:33) (Below Threshold)
 @DoctorWatson: Honestly, I don't get the excitement over axs. A wireless gx would have to cost less than a cabled gx before I would even consider it. I mean, if I accidentally go one ride too many without lubing my chain, my chain still functions. Sure it might make a bit more noise and wear faster, but it doesn't ruin a ride. A dead battery would pretty much ruin a ride.
  • 3 1
 @kcy4130: I just like the idea of a clean bar myself
  • 4 0
 @bikehard11: a website with 1/1000th of the users got butt hurt when it found it that it's late to the game content couldn't compete against a spy shot of bike that got posted on PB.
  • 1 0
 @huckle-to-buckle: ah gotcha.. I'm a couple episodes behind so I'll have to go give it a listen
  • 2 0
 i wonder how much the upgrade kit is going to be. if it's 400 or under, 100% buying it
  • 1 2
 @timotheysski: Someone above mentioned it was 620 euro, but US and European pricing can differ a lot. We shall see. I am sure it will be more affordable regardless. Ultegra wireless is relatively affordable now on the roadbike side (I know that is Shimano) and that was pushed down from higher end groupsets.
  • 1 0
 @huckle-to-buckle: I am not an expert on the axs setup but dont know if putting a shorter cage would work because spacing on the cogs is still different, Unless you use Srams 12 speed road cassette.
  • 1 0
 @HB208: there is an ultegra wireless?
  • 2 5
 @jaame: Yeah, there has been for a while.
  • 4 0
 @HB208: No there isnt DI2 is wired at the moment
  • 2 0
 @ols532704: Oh, you are right. Sorry.
  • 1 0
 @noplacelikeloam: is it the only axs "upgrade" parts, or the entire drivetrain?
  • 2 0
 @BillyBoy0519: upgrade
  • 96 0
 If the spy shot doesn’t have terrible lighting or a grainy mess of a photo, it must be at the worst angle ever.
  • 24 0
 I'm sure it would be really hard to get a good picture of a bike just lying on the ground in the dry leaves.
  • 3 0
 @A-HIGHLY-EDUCATED-PROFESSIONAL: if the person who took this walked literally three steps to the side it would have been like, 680% better
  • 7 0
 @A-HIGHLY-EDUCATED-PROFESSIONAL: Hmmm imgur.com/gallery/3OeQgNJ
  • 1 0
 @ja90: wow this should be higher
  • 1 0
 @ja90: Looks like the lower shock mount has a flip chip to alter the progression?
  • 92 2
 Cant believe the measure GT is taking to disguise their new Fury and the new Fox Float X3
  • 1 1
 Was I living under a rock how’d I miss a new fury?
  • 1 1
 Fox Float X3? Are u sure it is called X3?
  • 52 3
 I happen to think a bottle on a DH bike makes sense. If you're doing park laps you still have to hydrate and sticking a water bottle down your pants is stupid. Let's be honest when you're stoked to do a bunch of laps or the lines are long you don't stop all that often to drink water.
  • 5 2
 Got to agree,for normal shuttle days a bottle mount would be perfect.
  • 4 27
flag SupraKZ (Mar 11, 2021 at 23:38) (Below Threshold)
 Drill your frame if you want to. I don't want ugly bottle mount holes on mine. Drink water at the bottom or in the shuttle. How are you even going to drink mid run?
  • 9 0
 Yeah, not all DH bike owners are just racers
  • 2 0
 @Dustfarter 100% agree that sticking a water bottle down pants is stupid!

Intrepid DH riders drink their own urine.
  • 43 0
 That idler and chainguide arrangement looks so neat. All tucked away nicely (probably a pain to keep clean though).

The mounts are definitely for bike-packing though. Who doesn't want to go bike-packing on a DH bike?
  • 63 1
 Can't believe I didn't think of shuttlepacking.
  • 2 1
 @brianpark: definitely should be a thing.
  • 1 1
 @brianpark: I'd love a bottle mount on my DH bike. Just to bring a bottle up to the top and stash it there for long days in the park without having to ride with a pack.
  • 45 5
 Hell Ya more spyshots!!!! Luv it! Keep it up guys- Haters suck it
  • 7 1
 I get way more excited than I should about seeing these
  • 31 0
 New Super "Dub-luxe" with 54.99mm stroke length?? Sign me up!
  • 3 8
flag Xanderxcl (Mar 11, 2021 at 17:11) (Below Threshold)
 This is the best comment I have seen in a while.
  • 2 1
 @Xanderxcl: this is one of the most pointless
  • 1 0
 And super beefy 28.99mm piston.
  • 30 5
 Is it just me or everything Sram makes looks , cheap and plastic-y ?
  • 10 0
 Yes to both
  • 7 0
 Your not wrong
  • 9 0
 KardashiSram
  • 18 0
 Tell me when they come out with Bicycle 2, we've been on the same generation for decades
  • 5 16
flag Mattysville (Mar 11, 2021 at 17:55) (Below Threshold)
 They have them..... you just have to turn off the ebike filter.
  • 9 0
 What is the benefit of that lower pulley attached to the bash-guard? I thought those weren’t necessary with clutch-based derailleurs?

Edit — Perhaps it’s necessary because the chain line up to the top pulley means very little chain is in contact with the chainring and more prone to falling-off?
  • 13 0
 Yep you nailed it with your edit. High pivot bikes have a lot less chain wrap on the chainring, so they sometimes use lower pulleys. This one looks pretty slick.
  • 7 1
 @brianpark: There's also the much less talked about lower chain growth. The deraileur cage can only take up so much slack.
  • 1 0
 @zacjob: yep, that's why Balfa and the like used chainguides in that configuration.
  • 1 0
 @zacjob: I can second this. Had to go to a long cage derailleur on my high pivot due to chain growth in the bigger cogs.
  • 14 4
 they painted TREK down the side of the downtube. lmao

Can you call it a spy shot when she's got her skirt hiked up and slowly bends over to pick up a pencil???
  • 10 0
 Or they are releasing a dh specific shock?

slapping a "dh" to super deluxe isn't the best idea i guess
  • 27 0
 Rockshox Super DHux
  • 1 0
 They already sell one
  • 5 0
 @fisc2307: Rockshox Super DHucks
  • 1 0
 thru shaft coming to session ?
  • 1 0
 @uponcripplecreek: beat me to it
  • 7 0
 Pinch bolt on the link..? @mikekazimer @brianpark
  • 7 0
 The new Super Deluxe Ultimate Platinum Hyper Superlative
  • 4 0
 Having read that a couple of times now: I think telemetry is absolutely not the right term to use here. But you can not go wrong with „data acquisition“ for example.
  • 3 0
 They are going to release a new DH shock in a 250x75mm but it will be a trunnion shock just to frustrate everyone wanting to change to something else.
  • 1 0
 So it will be a 225x75 size? Big Grin
  • 5 1
 Some RockShox athletes are running a blackbox fork at the moment too
  • 1 0
 Dual crown or single? Share some pics!
  • 2 3
 @haen: in the recent nukeproof Giga vid Sam Hill was riding a Zeb with Blackbox stickers.
  • 5 0
 @melonhead1145: that video is nearly a year old
  • 2 0
 @alexisalwaysonfire: Really? ok that makes sense then. It was only just released.
  • 1 0
 @alexisalwaysonfire: the video was filmed last year around august/September/October. Were the Zebs released by then?
  • 1 0
 @vandenr2: to the pros? , yes. They generally get new goodies wayy before the product gets released to the public. Hence the blackbox stickers etc
  • 1 0
 Compression dial on the side of the shock instead of the top it a Huge benefit if you want to mount the shock upside down (like on a Norco Optic) as the dial is still easily accessible.
  • 4 4
 Telemetry is the in situ collection of measurements or other data at remote points and their automatic transmission to receiving equipment (telecommunication) for monitoring. The word is derived from the Greek roots tele, "remote", and metron, "measure".
  • 5 0
 Not sure why where the word came from is important. Can we get the origin of the words “chain-guide” please?
  • 4 0
 Even prototype trek looks better then half of another bike manufacturers
  • 4 0
 thats a retail ready frame
  • 1 0
 Dear Trek riders,

Your old Session is now outdated and no good. I have one Biden Stimulus check in my pocket and will graciously take it off of your hands for the more than generous price of $1600.00 USD.
  • 3 0
 Companies copying other companies. It is starting to get incestual. Lol.
  • 1 0
 Dial looks bigger and knurled like a HSC adjuster on a charger. Wonder if we’re finally getting a non digressive valved super deluxe with HSC instead of a useless lockout.
  • 2 0
 It seems pretty damn close to the final production frame for me, cant wait for it to be released.
  • 1 0
 This has to be a Rock Shox Trek bike, not a TFR bike since the tire are Maxxis. Maybe the Vali Holl, Shandro team are going to be on development parts...
  • 1 0
 if you look closely at picture 2, the coil shock also seems to have a similar compression dial. New Super Deluxe Coil as well?
  • 1 0
 What’s the point, when one bike company does one thing they all copy the idler on their bikes. No one wants to do their own thing or something. Seems lame
  • 1 0
 Wonder if they’re developing some version of the Reaktiv system to compensate on more pedal-intensive tracks?
  • 2 0
 But will it still break super easily?
  • 3 0
 Loris + this bike = $$$
  • 1 0
 Why wouldn't you reach out to Trek for more information too, oh right, yeah I get it now.
  • 1 0
 im ready for GX AXS! i dont fiddle around with those DH bikes in central TX, i will f around with some electro shifting!
  • 7 0
 Rumor has it that SRAM will be releasing a high end singlespeed AXS just for downhill bikes
  • 1 0
 @dave-f: and every time you click the switch it electrocutes your for being dumb enough to buy a singlespeed shifter? Smile
  • 1 0
 This pivot doesn't llok as high as the Commecal's... Less rearward axle path?
  • 1 0
 Pivot bearings in frame > Bearings in linkage plate. My Reign EATS them. Too much side to side force blows them.
  • 1 0
 I'm more fired up about that Bontrager rally shoe colorway.
  • 1 0
 its been 6 years and theyve finally done something
  • 2 0
 Ride on Time...
  • 2 1
 Oh no. It doesn't look like a Session.
  • 2 0
 I was gonna post the same thing. Thank god for ctrl f Wink
  • 3 1
 Looks like a Shore ...
  • 1 0
 Smart to have the swing arm as a chain guide with the high pivot
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Session? I'm sorry.
  • 1 0
 New high volume air shock to replace the vivid?
  • 1 0
 Sram finally offering hsc on a rear shock for once?
  • 1 0
 This promo courtesy of SRAM.
  • 1 0
 I saw one of these being tested in the wild last August.
  • 1 1
 I really hope some troll painted his GT and put some sticker on the shock. It would be freaking awesome!
  • 1 0
 Instead of "Looks like a Session", now we should say "Looks like a Fury"
  • 1 0
 I’m really not surprised. We all knew it was coming. Right?
  • 1 0
 Looks like a Fury!
  • 1 0
 Looks like a DPX2?
  • 1 2
 Other than the vertical piggy back.
  • 1 1
 I can't believe "high pivot" is a thing.
  • 1 0
 High pivot suspension (HPS) since the release of Cannondale EST and Trek 950
HPS with iddle pulley since...Balfa
?

The old return as new!
  • 1 0
 Have you ridden a new one? Didn't think so.
  • 1 0
 Sniper spy shot
  • 1 1
 Spotted?
This shits tiresome.
  • 16 17
 Full review tomorrow?
  • 28 5
 No.
  • 24 7
 @mikekazimer: Today?
  • 15 0
 @mikekazimer: judging by response speed, I’d bet you were just waiting for that very comment! Smile
  • 6 0
 @CircusMaximus: he had the whole reply typed out ready to copy paste
  • 1 0
 @L0rdTom: lol
  • 1 0
 @L0rdTom: One less keystroke. This man is an efficiency machine!
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