When the first information about the new Pike reached the trade press in 2013, people were initially sceptical. The new enduro fork from the Americans was supposed to weigh less than 1900 grams and at the same time be stiffer than all competitor products. At the same time, Rock Shox promised an unprecedented response behaviour with good progression. Well, we thought. The usual marketing promises. But the first tests left the astonished test riders wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
The Rock Shox Pike revolutionised the enduro fork segment. Light, stiff, sensitive and always high in its travel - without becoming too uncomfortable. In our last two suspension fork tests (2/2014 and 4/2015), the Rock Shox Pike received the BIKE rating "super", even won the BIKE Tip "Price/Performance" in 2014.
However, the Pike was only available up to 160 millimetres. Above that, only the Boxxer was available as a double crown fork - clearly only suitable for the bike park and downhill - and the Lyrik, which has been in production unchanged since 2011. Definitely not a bad fork, in the FREERIDE 1/15 was even enough to win the test on the Kona Process 167, but we've been waiting for an update since the new Pike.
New Rock Shox Lyrik from October 2015
From October 2015, the time has finally come. Like the Boxxer and the Pike, the new Lyrik relies on 35 mm stanchions with a black anodised Rock Shox look. 160-180 millimetres will be available for 27.5 inches, while the 29-inch version is available with 150 or 160 millimetres. The new Lyrik also relies on an increased volume in the negative air chamber to ensure the same response behaviour for which the Pike is so well known. The weight will be almost exactly two kilograms. The high-quality Charger cartridge is a matter of course.
But all this comes at a cost. Especially as only the Lyrik RCT3 - the top model of the new Lyrik series - is available for the aftermarket. There will also be a Lyrik RC for 2016, but only for original equipment manufacturers. So if you want to buy a new Lyrik in October, you will have to dig deep into your pockets. The Solo Air version will cost 1075 euros, while the Rock Shox Lyrik Dual Position Air with lowering will cost 1158 euros.
New entry-level fork: Rock Shox Yari
However, Rock Shox is probably also aware that not everyone wants to pay over 1000 euros list price for a new fork. That's why the Americans are launching a new series. It bears the name Yari and is intended to be the entry-level model to the Lyrik, Pike and Revelation. The stroke of the Yari is between 120 and 180 millimetres for 27.5 inches. For 29 inch and B Plus, 160 millimetres is the end of the line.
But what is the real difference between the Lyrik and the Yari? First and foremost the cartridge, because while the Charger damping is used in the higher-end models, the Yari has to make do with the simpler, new Motion Control damping. The weight remains quite comparable to the Lyrik at 2050 grams (at 180 mm), but the Yari is available from 730 euros. However, there will not be a lowerable version of the Yari for 2016.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
