For 2023, RockShox gave its Super Deluxe shock a big shake-up adding new dials and internals, which has culminated in an excellent rear damper with a very useful range of adjustment. As a result, it combines coil-like small-bump sensitivity with the progression expected of its air-sprung design. While faults are few, its high-speed compression adjustment requires a tool and, in certain frames, it can be hard to reach but remains one of the best rear shocks for mountain biking money can buy.
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RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock - Technical details
For this iteration of the Super Deluxe Ultimate, RockShox has changed almost everything including bestowing it with a brand-new damper. Much like what we saw on the ZEB Ultimate’s Charger 3 damper, the RC2T damper offers rebound and compression adjustment with no cross-talk. This means that any tweaks to the rebound, for example, shouldn’t affect your compression settings and vice versa.
And those dials are well within reach as its low-speed compression dial has moved onto the side of the piggyback reservoir which is joined by a slightly redesigned lockout on the opposite side. The high-speed compression dial is found on top or at the front (depending on how you orientate it) and is tweaked using a 3mm Allen. As for the single rebound adjuster, that’s the usual dial at the top of the can that we’ve come to expect from RockShox shocks. The Schrader valve for inflation is located just under the low-speed compression adjuster.
The Super Deluxe Ultimate benefits from the DebonAir+ air spring which allows the user to tune the negative and positive air volume. This latest version of the air spring has been tweaked to offer improved small-bump sensitivity but also more support throughout the travel and to keep the ride height higher. There’s also RockShox’s Counter Measure tech that is said to minimise the force required to get the shock moving which is another bid to increase small bump sensitivity.
To offer smoother performance when the shock bottoms out, there’s a castled bottom-out bumper and also like the brand’s latest forks, the shock is complete with an increased bushing overlap which we’re told boosts small bump sensitivity.
An optional extra that was introduced with the latest lineup of RockShox dampers is a Hydraulic Bottom Out. This is similar to a second compression circuit that activates when the shock is deep into its travel. It uses a needle that enters the damper piston in the last 20% of the travel which blocks a port to create more pressure and more damping. These shocks still get a bottom-out bumper inside, but instead of smashing straight into it, they reach it much more gradually. The Super Deluxe Ultimate’s Hydraulic Bottom out isn’t adjustable and isn’t included on the test sample we’ve got here.
RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock - Setup
Installing and setting up the Super Deluxe is a simple task mostly thanks to RockShox’s work in redesigning and relocating the dials and settings. The low- and high-speed compression dials get markers that align with markings on the shock body which gives a visual reference of where that dial is in its range. This is incredibly useful as you’ll always know what your settings are by simply glancing at the dials.
It’s not the same for the rebound, however, but there are 15 clicks of adjustment on offer, which means multiple rotations of that dial, so it’s not as easily achieved here. Most of the adjustments are within easy reach, so tweaks can be made out on the trail without too much issue, however, the high-speed compression requires an Allen key. For many, this won’t be an issue but if you ride a bike with the shock mounted horizontally in the frame, standard multi-tools may not fit with clearance between the frame and shock, which is the case with my Canyon Spectral. To dial this setting in, I had to carry a standalone 3mm Allen.
Each of the dials is super tactile and features a knurled edge, apart from the high-speed compression adjustment and they all get a definite and confident click. The lockout dial is pretty stiff, however, but it’s rare I ever reach for it and this stiffness means that it won’t shake itself into an undesired setting.
As usual, there are sag markings on the shock’s shaft which makes reaching accurate sag as simple as it can be. The Super Deluxe’s Schrader valve is fairly tucked away, however, which is great for clearance and durability reasons but, if you use a shock pump with a chunkier and/or angled valve head, there may be clearance issues. Using my Topeak Pocketshock Digital posed no such issue.
RockShox Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock - Performance
I installed the Super Deluxe Ultimate onto my 2021 Canyon Spectral after a rather lovely period testing the Ohlins TTX22m.2 coil shock. As small-bump sensitivity was something that RockShox was looking to improve, it worked surprisingly well as a comparison. After my period with the Super Deluxe, I can confirm that its performance over small bumps is rather good.
How it delivers its travel is silky smooth. The small-bump sensitivity comes as a result of all of the sweet new features with damping quality that allows the rear wheel to effectively track the ground and improve control.
The start of the stroke feels like a coil shock, blending that with the progression of an air spring. When pushing through berms, it helped to keep the bike held up in its travel and a click or two of low-speed compression only aids the cause. Here, where the shock and a bit of low-speed act to limit the compression, there’s an extra hint of efficiency and free speed that comes as a result.
Even though this model doesn’t come with the Hydraulic Bottom Out (it's an optional extra), it does a great job of masking the distinct clang of a bottom out. Throughout the stroke, the Super Deluxe is smooth, refined, and comfortable.
Each click of adjustment provides a very real and tangible difference and the range of adjustment is plentiful but this shock is tuned for my bike and is something every rider should consider before taking the plunge.
All of RockShox’s changes have worked to great effect. The coil-like suppleness at the start of the stroke as well as the mid-stroke support and smooth bottom-out resistance makes it a great option. As a package, the shock boosts control thanks to the refined delivery of its damping.
RockShox Super Deluxe rear shock - Verdict
A real benefit of the Super Deluxe is its price point. Its direct competition is Fox’s Float X Factory which will set you back £679. It may come with Fox’s Kashima coating but it’s missing a high-speed compression adjustment. Its Performance Elite model is even pricier at £600. It gets all the bells and whistles of the Factory shock but without the Kashima paint.
Cane Creek’s DBair IL G2 sits at £650 and it offers more adjustment with a similar cross-talk-free design. For the extra cash, you a high-speed rebound adjustment as well as tech that’s designed to offer similar performance benefits to the Super Deluxe.
The RockShock Super Deluxe Ultimate rear shock provides adjustability and performance at a competitive price. It offers superb small-bump sensitivity and stroke support. It’s a shock that increases control and comfort on the bike while offering easy-to-reach adjustments that make a tangible difference to its performance. However, its high-speed compression adjustment requires a tool and it can be tough to reach and adjust depending on your frame.
