We are excited that there are even more ebike specific forks coming out to the market. We cannot wait to start using them in our next production cycle!
Does RockShox’s budget fork concept work?
With the Domain, RockShox are offering an attractively priced alternative to the ZEB. The simple damper makes setting the fork up relatively easy and doesn’t overwhelm beginners. But if you’re going to ride both flowing trails and rough singletrack, you’ll have to adjust the air spring pressure to suit the terrain. Since weight doesn’t play a significant role on an eMTB, the savings from the slightly heavier fork crown and lower legs are a sensible way to lower the price. The Domain can make for a good upgrade if you have a “skinny” fork such as a Yari or Pike fitted to your eMTB.
Conclusion
The Domain is back and it’s better than ever. Based on the ZEB’s thick 38 mm stanchions, the Domain offers plenty of reserves and a lot of stability on the trail. The damper works well for flowing trails. However, it reaches its limits in steep and rough terrain. To keep the price attractive, RockShox cut costs sensibly, relying on lower grade materials for some parts. Overall, the Domain is a good option for beginners and a solid entry-level fork for less than 600 Euros, offering eMTBs added reserves and stability.
Tops
38 mm stanchions offer a lot of stability and stiffness