We're guilty of using the "turning the suspension world upside down" line more than once in discussion of RockShox's revolutionary new RS-1 fork platform. Why? Because the new XC/trail-focused fork is just that: an inverted, motorcycle-style fork chassis that utilizes cutting edge technology to create the ultimate suspension experience, and the RockShox RS-1 120mm 29in Fork with X-Loc Remote you see here is the longest-travel version currently available. RockShox didn't follow any rules when designing the RS-1, and the result is a product for the consummate 29er devotee. As mentioned, it's an inverted chassis, in which the tapered steerer tube and crown are a single piece of carbon, which is then bonded to carbon legs. Housed within are the new remote-lockout Accelerator cartridge damper and Solo air-spring. Moving down from the carbon crown and legs, the Fast-Black coated stanchions are 32mm wide. Because of the inverted nature of the fork, the stanchions slide effortlessly -- the oil, being above the bushings, provides constant lubrication. Although the carbon fork is stiff and durable, RockShox wanted to ensure that the robustness extended through to the steering and that flex would not be an issue when railing a banked turn. To that end, working with SRAM, it created a hollow 27mm Torque Tube axle that works in conjunction with a standard 15mm thru-axle, creating a new, 110mm axle spacing. The Torque Tube spans the distance between the dropout faces with no endcaps, meaning that once the Maxle is tightened, the serrated ends "grip" the dropouts. This effectively makes the axle, and thereby the wheel, a structural part of the fork. This system was given the name "Predictive Steering" and it keeps the stanchion tubes locked in place. This move makes them torsionally immovable so that you won't need to worry about flex. SRAM (RockShox's parent company) has not licensed the Predictive Steering technology.
- With Solo Air you add air to your forks through a single Schrader valve, filling both the positive and negative air spring chambers simultaneously
- Weight: 1666g
- XLoc remote (lockout and floodgate) and Beginning Stroke rebound
- Accelerator (with Dig Valve and Rapid Recovery rebound tune)