RockShox Charger 3.1: The new standard in MTB suspension damping

Suspension is the heart of a modern mountain bike: it allows us to tackle roots, rock gardens, and landings without losing control and traction. But if the spring is what absorbs bumps, it's the damper that decides how we feel them on the handlebars. And that's where the new RockShox Charger 3.1 comes in.

🔧 What is damping and why does it matter?

Each suspension is made of two elements:

• The spring (air or steel), which stores energy.

• The damper , which controls the rate at which the spring compresses and extends, using oil and valves.

Opening the damper means letting the oil flow more freely → softer and more sensitive suspension.
Closing it means narrowing the passage → more supported and stiffer suspension.

There are two main adjustments:

• LSC (Low Speed ​​Compression) → controls slow dives, such as when braking or cornering.

• HSC (High Speed ​​Compression) → controls fast impacts, such as rocks, roots or drops.

🚨 The problem with old dampers: cross-talk

In traditional systems, LSC and HSC aren't truly independent. Adjusting one inevitably affects the other.
Result: you close the HSC for more support and end up with a fork that dips too much in the corners. Not exactly ideal.

⚙️ Charger 3: the revolution

With the Charger 3 , RockShox introduced a sealed cartridge damper with an Internal Floating Piston (IFP) spring.
The real news? Independent HSC and LSC.

• The oil flows sequentially: first into the HSC, then into the LSC.

• Each register actually does what it's supposed to, without interference.

For the rider, this means being able to find the perfect setup for every trail: more support on fast sections, more comfort on rough terrain, without compromise.

🚀 Charger 3.1: even better

The new Charger 3.1 is the natural evolution, with three clear goals:

1. More sensitivity when opening

   • The LSC now allows 68% more oil to flow when open.

   • Result: freer suspension, improved traction, comfort on small bumps.

2. More support at the end

   • The HSC has been redesigned to provide more strength when closed.

   • Perfect for those who push hard on drops and rock gardens without ending up flat.

3. Lighter overall compression

   • By default, Charger 3.1 starts with less damping than Charger 3.

   • This means a smoother fork right from the mid-range setting, without sacrificing control.

To top it all off, a new, stiffer IFP spring ensures consistency and control even in the toughest conditions.

🔄 Easy Upgrade

The best part? If you already have a Charger 3 , you can upgrade to a 3.1 by swapping out a few components, without having to replace the entire fork. RockShox has also introduced Shim Tune Kits to further customize the compression and rebound curves.

🎯 What it means for the rider

• More traction on rough trails.

• More support during strong compressions.

• Clear, independent adjustments : every click does what it's supposed to.

• Total freedom: you can open everything, close everything or find your balance… and the fork always works well.

🏆 In short

The Charger 3.1 isn’t just an update: it’s a step forward that makes RockShox suspension even easier to set up and more capable on the trail.
Whether you're an enduro racer or a rider who wants more grip and control on technical terrain, the new damper lets you tune your fork like a musician with an instrument.

Source of photos and information: sram.com
Renderings by Ray Bach. Photos by Mason Mashon and James Stokoe