Matching the upgraded performance of their new forks, the Rockshox Deluxe and Super Deluxe rear shocks go under the microscope to gain incremental improvements that should add up to big gains in small bump performance.
The main update these two shocks concern their manufacturing process to make the air sleeve more perfectly cylindrical. The goal was to make the current platform better by making things more perfectly round, which would reduce friction. So, they developed new, proprietary measuring tools that allowed them to map out the interior surfaces more completely and find areas where it could be optimized.
That led to new manufacturing tools and processes, which led them to improving the internal surface finishing process. That lets it hold oil better where the piston and can slide across each other, so it stays smoother.
Next, they refined the process for making the dimple that lets air transfer from positive to negative air chambers. The original process was simply like punching a hole into the metal, a movement that could alter the roundness of the can…basically denting it. The new method required a new tool that’s more like a router and effectively machines the dimple out. They say it’s now much more uniform, and there are three dimples instead of two, all perfectly matched and leaving the rest of the can perfectly round. And you won’t seem them on the outside of the can anymore.
Improved rebound controls
For these two and the Super Deluxe Coil, the rebound damping tunes have been modified to open up the range for a more open “open” and slower “slow”. Plus, the increments for each click are more uniform now, making it easier to know how each click will change performance. The middle position is now a true middle setting equally between the most open and firm settings.
All three are available in April, pricing as follows:
- Deluxe RT3: $409 / €439* / £389*
- Super Deluxe RC3: $529 / €589* / £529*
- Super Deluxe RCT: $579 / €639* / £569*
- Super Deluxe Coil RCT: $549 / €609* / £549*
- Super Deluxe Coil RT Remote: $599 / €659* / £589*
*includes VAT
