LONGTERM RIDES

Team bikes ridden hard for a year

LUKE'S CANYON STRIVE CFR UNDERDOG £4,799

A new fork is highlighting the rear shock's deficiencies for our technical writer

HIGHS

• The new DebonAir+ spring is a worthwhile upgrade for existing RockShox users
• The Strive keeps on trucking, not letting mud and gunk slow it down 

LOWS

• The shock needs some attention so it can keep up with the fork

This month, I've been enjoying the ZEB fork I fitted. If you're looking for more mid-stroke support and firmer progression from your RockShox fork, then their latest DebonAir+ spring is what you'll want. Compared to the previous-generation ZEB, the 2023 model rides noticeably higher in its travel and offers ample support when charging into rough trails and more stability in turns. There's also plenty of travel left in reserve to deal with harsh compressions.

The ZEB isn't at the top end of the supportive spectrum, like EXT's ERA for example, but it has moved towards it. Fortunately, it's still plush and supple through the initial part of its travel, too. DebonAir+ certainly feels like an improvement over the older spring, and the good news is that it can be retrofitted in all ZEB forks. I reckon it's a worthy upgrade.

Improving the front suspension has highlighted how underwhelming the rear end can feel through slow but rough sections of trail. Even with its compression damping left fully open and its rebound set fast, the Fox Float X2 Performance shock doesn't feel as composed and plush as the fork, making me think it may need a retune to get more from it. It comes alive when riding hard, but I've tested bikes with more lively Fox shocks.