Normally manufacturers make the most fuss about their new downhill or XC race forks, but Rock Shox made a point of pushing the middle ground Duke line first and foremost every time we saw them. We reckon they’ve got good reason too.

After the success of the neat travel adjusting U-Turn system on the Psylo, it was only a matter of time before Duke’s got the system too. It appears on the SL, XC and C coil versions but as Duke is designed to be more all terrain rather than big terrain, the spring stack is shorter, with adjustment between 63 and 108mm.

Like all other 2003 U-Turn forks they now get travel markings down the side of the stanchion as well as a removable plastic sag / travel checking clip. The on leg graphics also include Easton aluminium logo’s where appropriate and air forks get a quick reference air chart on the leg too. Before you ask no you can’t peel the ruler and other stanchion markings off, but although RS assure us they’ll last at least a year we’ll have to see if that means a year including a British winter.

They’ve also added ‘Santoprene’ rubber inserts for extra grip and protection of the plastic leg top knob. The SL and SL U-Turn fork get the new lightweight Pure DeLite damping system, while the new HC2 oil damping is used on Dukes XC and C.

We certainly ran into no problems with the SL’s we got to ride, even on long stepped sections. Compression was smooth and eager with no spiking even on big drop ins and the wide range of rebound adjustment was easy to balance between chatter and packdown. Although (as usual) we just left the travel long for climbs and descents some folk will love the ‘dial a travel’ option.

The air sprung side of the Duke line also gets updated. The ‘Race’ gets the option of either ‘Climb-It’ lockout control or the new remote lever as well as a bossless disc option. Meanwhile the 80mm SL is the lightest (3.4lb) Duke thanks to the Pure DeLite damper and Easton upper tubes. It’s good to see the Duke C getting proper damping and U-Turn travel adjustment too, after this year’s hyperactive performance.

Psylo is now in it’s third year of development but doesn’t get too many changes for 2003.

The big difference is that the Race moves to coil springs and everything gets 80-125mm U-Turn adjustment. Race and SL get the smooth, lockout equipped Pure damping system, with a remote control lever for the Race. XC gets HC2 damping for better heat absorbtion as well as external rebound adjustment while the C gets U-turn and a non adjustable version of HC2.

We reckon the most exciting thing about them is next year’s colour selection which includes a superb ‘raw’ lacquered magnesium finish as well as ‘Anthracite’ grey and ‘Army Green’. Kurt Cobain would have been proud!

Rock Shox have also introduced a whole new “value” range just above Judy. The Pilot forks are based on old SID castings but use the same air assisted coil spring system as the 2002 Judy SL and XC and new HC2 oil damping. Weights are around the 4lb mark and pricing should be very competitive. Expect to see them as original equipment on a lot of race styled bikes next year.

Last up Rock Shox have got into the adjustable travel rear shock game with a ‘U-Turn’ version of their SID.

Essentially they’ve just put an expandable threaded air can on the outside letting you twist the shock longer and increase air chamber size by half an inch. As the same air still fills the chamber, pressure is reduced but Rock Shox say that’s intentional to create a softer spring rate in longer travel settings.

We rode it on a Scott Holeshot bike, which definitely benefits from the short sharp shock on long climbs and a more relaxed ride on the descents. Whether we’d be arsed to get on and off the bike to make adjustments if we didn’t feel we had to is another matter, but hey, it only adds 50g to the shock weight and again we’re sure some people will love it.

Next from the Garda File: Initial impressions of the Santa Cruz Blur, and the joys of the Maverick floral dance.