RockShox has announced several updates to its products for the 2016 model year. The changes see the company's upside-down RS-1 fork scaled down to take 650b wheels and sport a new white option. Next year's lineup also includes the introduction of a new lightweight tooled axle for many RockShox forks and a new front shifter-mimicking fork remote adjuster to replace the firm's PushLoc system. The Monarch RT3 shock has also been tweaked with changes to its damping. Catch it all in more detail below.
RS-1 goes 650b
RockShox' unique RS-1 upside-down cross country fork has now been scaled down to fit 650b hoops. It's currently only available in 29er configuration, and the shorter RS-1 can surely only do good things for stiffness – something we found was lacking in our review of the existing fork. It'll save you a bit of weight too, a bit being 20g from the 1,666g claimed weight of the 29in version, according to RockShox. Like its bigger brother, the 27.5 RS1 will be available in 100mm and 120mm chassis options – both will use a 42mm offset. For the first time the RS-1 will also be available in a gloss white option in both 27.5in and 29in versions.You should be able to get your hands on them from June 2015.
Maxle Stealth
The Maxle system is great, its tool-free operation providing rapid and painless wheel changes for countless riders out there. However, for those who would rather save weight SRAM has introduced this Stealth version. Dropping almost 50 percent of the weight of a standard Maxle Lite, the 37g Stealth Maxle does away with the quick and convenient cam system of a regular Maxle in favour of a simple 6mm allen key slot. It'll happily slot into current SID, Reba, Revelation and Pike forks while a 15x110mm BOOST and 15x150mm version for the Bluto fat bike fork will also be sold. You'll have to wait until May for these
OneLoc Remote
The front shifter is slowly but surely becoming a thing of the past – something that's only becoming more apparent with releases like this, RockShox's new OneLoc fork remote. Superseding the PushLoc remote, this new part mimics the operation and placement of a front shifter and as a result will integrate nicely with a Reverb remote and/or a GripShift. The OneLoc is compatible with suitable current SID, Reba, Recon Gold, Revelation, Sektor Gold and Bluto forks.
Monarch RT3
The popular Monarch RT3 in all its configurations, including the awesome DebonAir unit, has seen further revision for 2016. A new compression piston has been used that's said to reduce compression forces at high shaft speeds. This increases oil flow, and according to Rockshox makes for a smoother feeling and better controlled unit on the trails. There have also been changes to the shock's poppet valve which are claimed to make for a 'more refined lockout feel'. Lastly, changes to the rebound shaft port and its dual taper needle mean that the range of rebound adjustment has been increased, resulting in more precise control over a broader range of riders' weights.
Pricing
ITEM
MSRP USA
MSRP EUR
MSRP GBP
RS1- all configurations (includes service kit, bleed kit and shock pump)
1,865
1,946.00
1,492
Monarch RT3 (includes service kit & shock pump)
370
386.00
296
OneLoc - Left/above, Right/below (includes remote, cable and housing)
75
78.00
60
OneLoc - Right/above, Left/below (includes remote, cable housing)
75
78.00
60
Maxle Stealth Front MTB, 15x100, Length 148mm, Thread Length 9mm, Thread Pitch M15x1.50 (not compatible with RS-1), Standard
39
41.00
31
Maxle Stealth Front MTB, 15x110, Length 158mm, Thread Length 9mm, Thread Pitch M15x1.50 - Boost Compatible
39
41.00
31
Maxle Stealth Front MTB, 15x150, Length 198mm, Thread Length 9mm, Thread Pitch M15x1.50 - Bluto
39
41.00
31
Array