Gravel tires are getting bigger, and so is the travel of the suspension designed to support them. Front suspension on gravel bikes may still divide opinion, but Sram is doubling down with the launch of the RockShox Rudy XL—a fork with up to 60mm of tunable travel and clearance for 2.25” tires. The aim is obvious: to add comfort and control for riders eager to push drop-bar bikes onto rougher terrain.
From smooth gravel to singletrack
The Rudy XL builds on the original Rudy Ultimate XPLR, which Sram introduced in 2021. That model brought suspension to gravel in a lightweight package with 30–40mm travel. The new Rudy XL goes further, offering 50mm and 60mm options, a stiffer chassis, and bigger tire clearance. In practice, it blurs the line between gravel and XC setups, providing enough travel to take the sting out of chunky gravel, rutted farm tracks, or light singletrack.
There are two versions of the Rudy XL. The Rudy XL Ultimate is the premium choice, fitted with RockShox’s lightest damper, the Charger Race Day 2. With two compression settings—either open or a firm lockout—it allows riders to switch between compliance for rough surfaces and maximum efficiency on smooth tarmac. The standard Rudy XL uses a simpler rebound-only cartridge damper, but it retains the same Solo Air spring that has been tuned for short travel.
Both share a 45mm offset and clearance for tires up to 2.25” tires. The setup can be completed with an integrated short fender. For those who want to make a visual statement, the Ultimate is offered in a striking Electric Red as well as Gloss Black, while the standard model sticks to black.
Not every gravel frame will accept the Rudy XL. It is designed for suspension-corrected geometries with a 1.5–1 1/8” tapered steerer tube, and riders may need to confirm crown race compatibility with their headset manufacturer before ordering.
At $929 / €1,010 for the Ultimate, the Rudy XL is positioned as a premium upgrade aimed at riders who value comfort and performance over the simplicity of rigid forks.
As gravel racing becomes more competitive and gravel adventure riding more demanding, suspension forks are slowly moving from niche to accepted. Whether it becomes a mainstream solution or stays the choice of a dedicated subset, the Rudy XL underscores just how fast gravel equipment is evolving. With bigger tires, longer travel, and an increasingly blurred line with cross-country mountain bikes, the category is pushing well past its early definition as “road bikes for dirt.” The future of gravel, if forks like the Rudy XL are any indication, is one where versatility takes priority, even if it means upsetting a few traditionalists along the way.
