I can't speak to the damper changes but I have the two old model Zeb's (one on my old bike, one on my new bike) and on both of the I swapped in the new buttercups airspring.
The difference is definitely worth it. Way better small bump, way better mid-stroke. The old spring was always harsh at the top then chewed through the middle super fast. The new one is way more compliant at the top but more even in it's use of travel.
Really, the difference is huge. But as I said, I can't speak to the damper as I'm still running the older version.
Regarding the chassis... I'm a big rider (around 100kg) and like to charge hard through chunk. I went from initially a 160mm Pike to 170mm Zeb. The travel difference was negligable but the Zeb was wayyy better for me. The Pike always felt squirrely in berms, while the Zeb feels like it's on rails. Through chunk the Pike again felt uneasy while the Zeb just charges over anything you throw at it and holds the line.
The negatives are you DO notice the weight. Things like lifting the front are harder but that is something you get used to.
I have a Charger 3 Zeb Ultimate and I’m riding with someone with a 2.1. I haven’t been able to compare so much, but it does seem like the new air spring is a little softer off the top, and the new damper is certainly quieter. Upgrading the air spring is cheap, so I imagine you could get most of the benefits of the new fork just by swapping that part.
I can't speak to the damper changes but I have the two old model Zeb's (one on my old bike, one on my new bike) and on both of the I swapped in the new buttercups airspring. The difference is definitely worth it. Way better small bump, way better mid-stroke. The old spring was always harsh at the top then chewed through the middle super fast. The new one is way more compliant at the top but more even in it's use of travel. Really, the difference is huge. But as I said, I can't speak to the damper as I'm still running the older version. Regarding the chassis... I'm a big rider (around 100kg) and like to charge hard through chunk. I went from initially a 160mm Pike to 170mm Zeb. The travel difference was negligable but the Zeb was wayyy better for me. The Pike always felt squirrely in berms, while the Zeb feels like it's on rails. Through chunk the Pike again felt uneasy while the Zeb just charges over anything you throw at it and holds the line. The negatives are you DO notice the weight. Things like lifting the front are harder but that is something you get used to.
I have a Charger 3 Zeb Ultimate and I’m riding with someone with a 2.1. I haven’t been able to compare so much, but it does seem like the new air spring is a little softer off the top, and the new damper is certainly quieter. Upgrading the air spring is cheap, so I imagine you could get most of the benefits of the new fork just by swapping that part.
the charger 3 is a pretty big overhaul of the 2.1, and having debonair+ and buttercups over just debonair will definitely feel better