After Last year, Fox equipped the negative chamber of its suspension forks with the Evolution air piston Rockshox is now following suit. For 2019, from the Revelation to the Boxxer all suspension forks have a new Debon-Air air unit. The air volume of the negative chamber increases by 42 per cent compared to the current MTB fork models, which should significantly improve the response behaviour of the forks. The Debon Air principle of the enlarged air chamber has already proven itself in the past. proven in Rock Shox shocks. The new air piston of the Debon Air unit is also made of aluminium for the first time, rather than plastic as before. This allows for more precise production with less series variation. In previous BIKE tests, the different functioning of the same Rockshox forks was repeatedly noticed. However, you don't necessarily have to buy a new fork to benefit from the advantages of the new air chamber. This is because the new Debon Air air unit can be used in all MTB forks with 35 millimetre stanchions (PikeYari and Lyrik) can be retrofitted for 47 euros. Rockshox recommends the upgrade as part of a fork service anyway, Revelation and Sektor forks can only be retrofitted up to 2018. The inexpensive Rockshock Sektor fork was only recently presented a revised version.
Rockshox Lyrik is completely revised for 2019
In addition to the air chamber, the Lyrik enduro MTB fork is also getting a new damping cartridge and will be available in two different offset versions in future. With the new Charger RC2 cartridge you can still use the Low-speed compression stage adjustment. New for 2019 is the additional option of being able to adjust the high-speed compression stage to personal preferences. Fox offers these options on its 36 mm forks with RC2 cartridge for some time now. The rotary knob for this is located on the right fork leg and has an adjustment range of five clicks. The centre position corresponds to the compression stage of the 2018 Lyrik. The two clicks, which can be turned to the left or right, had a great effect on the first test ride. Above all, this makes the new Lyrik fork more versatile. The 2019 Lyrik therefore offers a wider range of use - from professional racers to comfort-oriented touring riders. Like the Debon Air air chamber, the Charger RC2 cartridge can also be retrofitted to all old Lyrik suspension forks for between € 260 and € 350. According to Rockshox, the weight of the new Lyrik fork remains unchanged at 2054 grams (Measurement from an old BIKE test). The new Lyrik and all upgrade options for old forks will be available in stores from April 2018. The new Lyrik costs 1109 euros and is therefore cheaper than the top-of-the-range Fox 36 model (RRP 1399 euros). A steel spring option, as recently offered by Cane Creek or Öhlins presentedwill not exist.
Rockshox responds to longer geometries with offset variants
Because the trend in the Enduro MTB segment is towards ever longer geometries (i.e. slacker head angles and longer main frames), Rockshox has responded with a shorter offset version of its Lyrik suspension fork. Previously, all Lyrik forks had an offset of 46 millimetres. From 2019, Rockshox will also be offering a version with an offset of only 37 millimetres on. This means that more modern geometries for enduro bikes can be better realised without increasing the wheelbase immeasurably. The steering behaviour should still remain direct. But what is the offset in a bicycle fork? Offset is the distance between the centre of the front wheel axle and the steerer tube, which is virtually extended downwards, measured perpendicular to the steerer tube axis. In the Lyrik, the different offset is controlled via the fork crown - and not via the fork dropouts as is usually the case. The fork is available for both 29-inch bikes and 27.5-inch wheels.
Rockshox dampers are also being revised for 2019
Compared to the suspension forks, the Rockshox shocks have only been given a small makeover for 2019. The rebound stage in particular has been revised. From 2019, every click you make on the rebound of a Rockshox shock should result in the same change in rebound speed. In the past, the middle range of the rebound adjustment in particular had little effect. The manufacturing process for the shock absorbers is also being improved. The equalising holes in the damper sleeve, which equalise the pressures between the negative and positive chambers, will no longer be punched but milled in future. As a result, the damper sleeve will be less deformed during production and the manufacturing process will be easier to control. The logical consequence: less series variation.
