{"id":230286,"date":"2026-02-24T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/new-rockshox-boxxer-gets-linearxl-bump-out-stanchion-breather-holes-butterwagontech\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T15:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T15:00:00","slug":"new-rockshox-boxxer-gets-linearxl-bump-out-stanchion-breather-holes-butterwagontech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/24\/new-rockshox-boxxer-gets-linearxl-bump-out-stanchion-breather-holes-butterwagontech\/","title":{"rendered":"New RockShox Boxxer Gets LinearXL Bump Out, Stanchion Breather Holes & ButterWagonTech"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Today, RockShox releases suspension offerings geared toward DH racing and riding at the highest level. New for the upcoming DH race and bike park season are a Boxxer and a Vivid Coil.<\/p>\n

And, it looks like RockShox will not be selling these products on eBay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A New RockShox Boxxer<\/h2>\n
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\"New<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

RockShox\u2019s philosophy was threefold. First, they knew that, above all else, the fork needs to be composed, recognizing the connection to overall speed. Secondly, the new Boxxer\u2019s design focused on enabling the air spring to perform at the highest level possible.<\/p>\n

Lastly, RockShox wanted the setup to be easy; no more counting clicks.<\/p>\n

LinearXL Air Spring<\/h3>\n
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\"The<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Okay, let\u2019s get it out of the way. You might have seen it teased on pro racers\u2019 bikes, and you for sure saw it on the eBay post. The new Boxxer is sporting a LinearXL air chamber at the bottom of the fork lower. This is thanks to new lower legs and a completely new air spring that work together to provide ride characteristics reminiscent of a coil.<\/p>\n

RockShox accomplishes this with the AirAnnex, which is the protuberance on the fork’s lower. And, as you have probably guessed, it increases the air volume of the lower leg. The increased air volume reduces the air spring’s progressivity and speed sensitivity, which are common in air fork lowers.<\/p>\n

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\"LinearXL<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"LinearXL<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Basically, the result is a more linear fork. RockShox engineered the new Boxxer with a position-sensitive linear curve, meaning that the rate of increased force doesn\u2019t change as the fork moves through the travel. This linear take creates a fork that is incredibly predictable. It is supple at the top of the travel, supportive in the mid-stroke, and ends with mechanical bottom-out support to protect against heavy impacts.<\/p>\n

Apparently, the DebonAir+ air spring is also still an option, perhaps for those who don\u2019t want such a linear fork. Looking at the spec sheet RockShox provided showing all the new Boxxer fork options, there are choices of LinearXL or DebonAir+ air springs.<\/p>\n

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\"RockShox<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Another factor keeping the Boxxer incredibly sensitive during travel is the breather holes on the stanchions. According to SRAM, “the \u201cbreather holes\u201d equalize air pressure in the lower legs and the overall fork chassis. This helps further reduce the ramp-up effect caused by lower leg pressure at the end of fork travel.”<\/p>\n

New Bushings and Seals<\/h3>\n
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\"Boxxer's<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Helping to keep the Boxxer running supple and smooth is a redesign of the fork\u2019s bushings, thanks to RockShox\u2019s ButterWagonTech. This is a pattern of divots on the stanchions that carries Maxima oil to the bushings with every millimeter of travel.<\/p>\n

Because lubricated bushings are happy bushings.<\/p>\n

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\"RockShox<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"RockShox<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

RockShox also worked with SKF to design wiper seals with less friction. Unlike typical wiper seals, those on the Boxxer do not deflect into the upper tube when the lower leg is pressurized. This deflection increases friction. Rather, the SKF design keeps dirt out without grabbing the stanchion, resulting in far less friction.<\/p>\n

As with the previous Boxxer, this latest iteration also features Buttercups, reducing vibrations up to 20%.<\/p>\n

New Charger 3.2 RC2 Damper and Easier Setup<\/h3>\n
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\"RC<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"numbered<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Paired with the new LinearXL Air Spring is RockShox\u2019s new Charger 3.2 RC2 damper. This new damper offering has increased damping (compared to Charger 3 or 3.1) to match the characteristics of the LinearXL air spring.<\/p>\n

The new damper is silent, ensuring the only noise a rider experiences comes from the trail. <\/p>\n

RockShox designed the new 3.2 RC2 damper with fully independent high-speed and low-speed compression and low-speed rebound. These dials now feature an incremental number range, along with dashes, for easier, quicker setup.<\/p>\n

While not new to the platform, the new Boxxer carries over crown-height gradients to ensure everything is clamped with perfect alignment. Numbers indicating chassis torque and sequencing are also indicated.<\/p>\n

New Boxxer Details<\/h3>\n

Two levels of the new Boxxer\u2013Ultimate and Select\u2013are available. Ultimate sees a completely new and simpler look, with \u201cRockShox\u201d on the outside of the fork lowers and \u201cBoxxer\u201d on the inside. There are also two color options: Electric Red or High Gloss Black.<\/p>\n

The Boxxer Select is only offered in the High Gloss Black. It also features a slightly different damper with the Charger 3.2 RC. This damper features independent compression and rebound adjustments, but lacks the separate high- and low-speed adjustments.<\/p>\n

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\"Boxxer<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"Boxxer<\/a><\/figure>\n
\"Boxxer<\/a><\/figure>
Boxxer Ultimate (left and middle) and Boxxer Select (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

RockShox also leaves the Boxxer Select \u201cbutterless\u201d as it doesn\u2019t utilize Buttercups or ButterWagonTech. <\/p>\n