The two suspension forks resemble each other like two peas in a pod. Black casting, black 35 mm stanchions and even identically positioned Rockshox logos. Only the small lettering on the fork crown and the damping adjustment knob make it clear that these must be two different forks. On the left: the Rockshox Lyrik RCT3 for 1124 euros. The Lyrik is the spearhead in the enduro and freeride segment, is beaten over the trails by the fastest riders in the world in the Enduro World Series and has up to 180 millimetres of suspension travel. On the right: the 360 euro cheaper challenger called Yari, which has identical casting and an identical air unit, but with simpler damping. To check whether the extra cost is really worth it, we put the two taped forks into two identical enduro bikes and set off with three testers to the selective Tschilli trail in Latsch. None of the test riders knew which fork model was fitted to which bike.
Poetry against Yari: The theory
As the only difference between the two forks is the inner workings on the damping side and they have the same casting, there should be no noticeable difference in stiffness when riding. The test in the laboratory therefore produces identical values for both forks in terms of torsional and braking stiffness to one decimal place. The two candidates are also almost identical in terms of weight. The cheaper Yari even weighs 27 grams less with the same suspension travel. The main difference between the two forks is the damping system. While the Rockshox Yari with Motion Control damping, the Lyrik uses a Charger damper. The former system is an open oil bath with a larger amount of oil. With the more expensive Charger damping system, Rockshox uses a closed cartridge that is sealed by an expandable bladder (rubber bellows). The advantage: the system uses less oil and, by excluding air, prevents the oil from foaming up (cavitation) during fast spring movements, which should result in more constant damping.
Rockshox Lyrik versus Yari in a practical test
After repeated swapping and a few hundred metres of downhill riding, the impressions are confirmed. In a direct comparison, all three testers were able to recognise a subtle yet unmistakable difference between the forks. Number two responds very well, works with slightly more spring movement and therefore swallows even large individual obstacles very effectively and comfortably. On steep terrain and steps, however, it dips a little more than number one with the same air pressure of 60 PSI. Number one has a similar sensitivity to subtleties, but works with more counter-pressure, which gives the rider more feedback from the ground, but sacrifices some comfort. The fork is also higher in its travel on steep sections and feels a little "fuller" on fast sections.
The resolution: Poetry (No. 1).
WHAT THE BIKE TESTERS SAY
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TECHNICAL DATA
Rockshox Lyrik RCT3: 170 mm / 27.5"
Price 1124 Euro
Weight 2037 grammes
STIFFNESS
Twisting 31.3 Nm/°
Brakes 238.0 Nm/°
ADJUSTMENT OPTION
Spring stiffness via air pressure
Rebound, compression, progression via spacers (tokens)
Rockshox Yari RC: 170 mm / 27.5"
Price 764 Euro
Weight 2010 grammes
STIFFNESS
Twisting 31.0 Nm/°
Brakes 238.0 Nm/°
ADJUSTMENT OPTION
Spring stiffness via air pressure
Rebound, compression, progression via spacers (tokens)
