Pivot AM / AMPD - What is the effect of the progressive Fox vs linear ZEB ?

[Bmin]

Hello,
I hope for some advice on the suspensions offered by Pivot, progressive Fox and linear RS ZEB.

Being interested in the bike I tested the AMPD, came with the Fox (Factory) 38. It was fun to ride. My current bike has a Fox Float 36 and I do not need the Factory version, that would be the top version pf the AMPD and coming a.o. with carbon rims and cranks.
Spec wise I tend to the GX/Pro but don‘t know what the effect of the linear ZEB could be, besides easier setup. I know the diagrams and that a progessive system is increasing the resistance while the linear does not.

After having watched videos, read a lot of test of the AM and AMPD as well as comparisons of the Float via the ZEB I still wonder what is the reason for Pivot offering the bikes with both types of suspension.

What will be the difference in riding it with the ZEB instead of a Fox Float?

 

[irie]

What is a "linear RS ZEB"?

 

[RustyIron]

I still wonder what is the reason for Pivot offering the bikes with both types of suspension.

What will be the difference in riding it with the ZEB instead of a Fox Float?

Pivot offers both flavors because customers sometimes want one or the other. I can't offer you an exact apples-to-apples comparison, as my experience has been with my 2024 AM and 2026 AM.

As you know, the 2024 came with the Fox 36 and the Float X. I immediately bought an X2 shock, and had to send it to Fluid Focus to make it acceptable. On the fork, I was chasing small stutter-bump compliance. When the X2 damper came out in early 2025, I immediately upgraded. The new damper was better, but not all I had hoped for. On bigger hits, the suspension was great.

On the 2025 bike, I went with Rockshox. It has the Zeb on the front, and I upgraded the Super Deluxe to a Vivid. Both are stone stock. The Vivid is brilliant, but I'll not get into that because you're asking about the fork. The Zeb is an improvement over the Fox 36. It gives superior small bump compliance, and it's always there for the bigger hits. In regards to performance, there's no comparison between this and the old 36. The thing about the Rockshox is they're a little easier to service.

I've not ridden this bike with a Fox 38, so I can't comment on that comparison. My homeboy rides an LT with a Podium. When we trade bikes, I feel that the suspensions and handling are really close. He feels the same about my bike. So it would seem that the suspensions are both pretty good on the 2026 bikes. Personally, I'm happy wiht the Vivid/Zeb setup and there's nothing on the market that would make me change.

 

[Bmin]

Pivot offers both flavors because customers sometimes want one or the other. I can't offer you an exact apples-to-apples comparison, as my experience has been with my 2024 AM and 2026 AM.

As you know, the 2024 came with the Fox 36 and the Float X. I immediately bought an X2 shock, and had to send it to Fluid Focus to make it acceptable. On the fork, I was chasing small stutter-bump compliance. When the X2 damper came out in early 2025, I immediately upgraded. The new damper was better, but not all I had hoped for. On bigger hits, the suspension was great.

On the 2025 bike, I went with Rockshox. It has the Zeb on the front, and I upgraded the Super Deluxe to a Vivid. Both are stone stock. The Vivid is brilliant, but I'll not get into that because you're asking about the fork. The Zeb is an improvement over the Fox 36. It gives superior small bump compliance, and it's always there for the bigger hits. In regards to performance, there's no comparison between this and the old 36. The thing about the Rockshox is they're a little easier to service.

I've not ridden this bike with a Fox 38, so I can't comment on that comparison. My homeboy rides an LT with a Podium. When we trade bikes, I feel that the suspensions and handling are really close. He feels the same about my bike. So it would seem that the suspensions are both pretty good on the 2026 bikes. Personally, I'm happy wiht the Vivid/Zeb setup and there's nothing on the market that would make me change.

Thank you very much for the detailed feedback. There may not be that much difference in riding the bike. From what I read in the web I understood the linear systems („Coil Springs“) are more used for the heavier enduro rides and travel on fork >160mm.

The bike is mainly used for all mountain / trail riding but no parks and I am not a jumper. I rode the test bike on my home trail and can compare. The bigger fork was giving me (at the heavier end) more stability and precision, it was setup for me by the Pivot crew arranging the test ride. The guy said, and as you mentioned, that if changing the rear damper it would need to getx a special tune. Unfortunately they have not had a bike with a ZEB available.

What is a "linear RS ZEB"?

The RockShox ZEB 3.2 is said to have a linear damping rate:
„…we’ve tweaked and shaped the air spring curve to be more linear and consistent, so you can predict exactly how the fork will feel regardless of where you are in travel.“ (RockShox website)