Rock Shox Zeb - Ultimate by Name and by Nature?

RockShox Zeb Ultimate Review

Why the Swap?

When I first got the Levo, the stock Fox 36 was the weak link. The bike itself is a beast, but the fork just didn’t match the rest of the package. It felt nervous when things got steep and chunky, and I found myself holding back instead of letting the bike do its thing.

Enter the RockShox Zeb Ultimate in 160mm. Honestly, the difference is night and day. The very first ride had me thinking, “Ahhh, this is what the bike was missing.”

Performance

The Zeb is big, burly, and unapologetic about it. Stiffness is the first thing you notice — the front end just feels planted. On steeper tech descents, instead of the fork flexing and making me second-guess my line, the Zeb tracks straight and holds on like it’s got something to prove.

Small-bump sensitivity is excellent, and it handles rough chatter with ease while still giving plenty of support deeper in the travel. The Fox 36 is still a great fork in its own right, but once you ride the Zeb, it’s hard to compare — the extra stiffness and capability put it in another league, especially on an e-MTB.

Cornering also feels sharper and more controlled. Where the 36 could feel a little out of its depth when pushed hard, the Zeb keeps things predictable and gives you the confidence to push into rougher lines. It genuinely changes the way the whole bike rides — I’m hitting stuff faster and with way less hesitation. I noticed a few times when cornering in loose conditions the 36 fork was wandering and the front wheel was making a chattering noise due to the weight of the bike pushing it forward. solution? Zeb....

Tuning & Adjustability

One of the best bits about the Zeb Ultimate is how easy it is to dial in. The Charger 3 damper gives heaps of adjustment without being fiddly. A few clicks and you can really feel the difference — no “is it doing anything?” moments.

The ButterCups (those little vibration-damping pucks) sound like marketing fluff, but on long descents you can tell they take the edge off. Less hand fatigue, more smiles.

I’ve been running it pretty neutral — close to RockShox’s recommended pressures with rebound in the middle of the range — and it feels bang on. It’s one of those forks you don’t have to overthink to get good performance out of.

Verdict / Who’s It For?

If you’re on an e-MTB or a big travel rig, the Zeb Ultimate is a no-brainer. It’s stiff, confidence-inspiring, and makes the whole bike feel more capable with marginal weight penalty.

For lighter riders or mellow trail use, yeah, it’s probably overkill. But if you’re pushing into steeps, rock gardens, and chunky descents, the Zeb is the upgrade that turns your bike from “pretty good” to “let’s party.”

Bottom line: if you’re after a fork that will transform your ride and sits firmly on the burlier side, then the Zeb is your jam. Is the Fox 36 a bad fork? Not at all, but on a full powered e-bike the Zeb really shines.