Best upgrades to Zeb base model?

[Saddlerags]

Curious what everyone’s thoughts are on the best bang for the buck to get a performance upgrade to the rock shox zeb base fork, which comes on the bike I’m interested in getting.

I’m considering everything from getting a dumper upgrade, to getting a vorsprung smash pot, to selling it and getting a zeb ultimate.

I ride a variety of terrain and hit bike parks a few times each season along with local chunky trails, nothing too big.

Help me explore my options a bit.

 

[John_likes_bikes]

Upgrade to the 3.1 and you basically have an Ultimate while spending the least $$$. Main thing then missing are the butter cups on the spring side but that's not substantial. Then I'd look at a custom tune if you really want to have the best fork possible.

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

Curious what everyone’s thoughts are on the best bang for the buck to get a performance upgrade to the rock shox zeb base fork, which comes on the bike I’m interested in getting.

I’m considering everything from getting a dumper upgrade, to getting a vorsprung smash pot, to selling it and getting a zeb ultimate.

I ride a variety of terrain and hit bike parks a few times each season along with local chunky trails, nothing too big.

Help me explore my options a bit.

I think you've kinda hit the nail on the head. Either a Smashpot or MRP Lift damper will be good. The Smashpot is impressive with the basic damper, and the Lift damper is better the the charger 3.1.

 

[pdqmach26]

Curious what everyone’s thoughts are on the best bang for the buck to get a performance upgrade to the rock shox zeb base fork, which comes on the bike I’m interested in getting.

I’m considering everything from getting a dumper upgrade, to getting a vorsprung smash pot, to selling it and getting a zeb ultimate.

I ride a variety of terrain and hit bike parks a few times each season along with local chunky trails, nothing too big.

Help me explore my options a bit.

This is what I did

RockShox Zeb A1 Charger 3.1 Damper Upgrade Kit w/ButterCups (Includes Complete Right Side Internals, 2021+)

Built with input from the world’s best riders, Charger 3.1 RC2 is a brilliant evolution of our proven damper platform. With increased damping range and High Speed Compression (HSC), Low Speed Compression (LSC), and Low Speed Rebound adjustments, Charger 3.1 RC2 smooths out the roughest trails...

www.probikesupply.com

 

[VWsurfbum]

TruTune?

 

[Svarun]

Put Smashpot in mine, rides OK but not on the levels of Fox 36 Factory with Smashpot from my old bike. So I'm looking to upgrade damper as well, the base model is really... basic. Charger 2.1 is a cost-effective option and still worlds better than basic damper (it's pretty much a hollow rod with a hole), also looking into MRP Lift but there are conflicting reports on it on mtbr.com.

 

[Sherman]

Full service and SKF seals.

 

[deertrackdoctor]

Just fitted a zeb charger r basic OEM from merlin £275 and Habe a MRP Lift V2 arriving any day now
With discount code from MRP works out £525
Looking forward to setting up on local test track

 

[crisillo]

I just received an MRP Lift damper (v1 at a good discount ) for my Zeb Base. I will install it and report back

 

[Onetime]

MRP lift v2 damper and SKF green seals. It will be much much better.

 

[hainman]

Would the smash loot fit on a set of Domains??
Same chassis as the Zebs I think

 

[CarolinaCrawler]

Would the smash loot fit on a set of Domains??
Same chassis as the Zebs I think

Yes, the Smashpot will fit the Domain, but the Lift damper will not.

 

[leftside]

I had the Zeb Select and put in the Vorsprung Smash Pot and upgraded to the Charger 3.1 RC2.

This was always going to be my plan when I purchased the bike with the Zeb Select, as I maxed out my bike budget at the time.

 

[sgtcurry]

I hate the charger 3 and 3.1 damper. I put the mrp lift and a smashpot in my zeb. Its now my favorite fork. Im probably converting all my ebike forks to this combo.

 

[leftside]

I hate the charger 3 and 3.1 damper. I put the mrp lift and a smashpot in my zeb. Its now my favorite fork. Im probably converting all my ebike forks to this combo.

I will research

 

[sgtcurry]

I will research

I've used the same fork on an Ibis Oso and a Forbidden Dreadnought. I've done a lot on it and nothing ever makes the fork even flinch these days. The small bump sensitivity while having that big hit performance is pretty insane to me. I just bought a DH bike with a base boxxer 200mm and this zeb feels better. Its forced me to think about it on every new bike I buy. I'll be doing the same thing to my Vala and Druid Core when I get them.

Do note, though that if you end up going this route if you like a plusher ride I would go one spring rate down on the smashpot because the MRP lift has quite a bit of compression.