The new Rockshox Pike, Lyrik and Zeb forks are in the starting blocks. Just like the Deluxe and Super Deluxe shocks, Rockshox has also completely redesigned the forks for 2023. This is special because suspension fork development normally follows the principle of evolution rather than revolution: a new air cartridge here, a different damping system there, or small updates to the casting and thru-axles.
For the new products, Rockshox is now bringing everything together in one go and wants to have taken a big step forward in terms of trail suspension. The suspension specialist from Boulder promises more sensitivity and less rider fatigue with more control in difficult terrain. Only the SID and Sidluxe cross-country models and the Boxxer downhill fork remain untouched.
All new Rockshox suspension elements at a glance:
- Pike Ultimate (120 - 140mm): new casting, Debonair+ cartridge, Charger 3 compression stage. 1887 grams, 1189 euros.
- Lyrik Ultimate (140 - 160mm): new casting, Debonair+ cartridge, Charger 3 compression stage. 1196 euros, 2028 grams.
- Zeb Ultimate (160-190mm): existing casting, Debonair+ cartridge, Charger 3 compression stage. 1159 euros, 2341 grams.
- Deluxe Ultimate damperDebonair+ cartridge. 431 euros.
- Super Deluxe Ultimate damperDebonair+ cartridge, RC2T compression stage, hydraulic bottom-out (not adjustable). 648 euros.
- Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate damperRC2 damper, hydraulic bottom-out (adjustable). 594 Euro
Compression damping without shim stack: Now in Pike, Lyrik and Zeb
The biggest innovation on Rockshox suspension forks is the new compression damping. It regulates the compression movements in the new Ultimate and Select+ forks. The special feature: Rockshox has dispensed with part of the classic shim stack system, in which flexible metal discs control the flow of oil. Instead, several milled parts are used in the new Charger 3 unit in the top forks. This means that the high-speed and low-speed compression damping can be set completely independently of each other and no longer influence each other.
The same Charger 3 unit is used in both the Pike trail fork and the Lyrik and Zeb enduro forks. Apart from the stiffness, this should result in a comparable ride feel between the three forks. The adjustment knob for the compression damping has also been revised. Instead of the previous 5 clicks between open and closed, there is now a neutral position and two clicks more or less compression. This should encourage riders to stay in the centre of the adjustment range, where previous forks also worked best from a technical point of view.
Casting, air spring and butter cups: new Rockshox forks in detail
But even apart from the compression damping, the engineers have left hardly anything untouched on the new Rockshox forks. The Pike and Lyrik have been given a new casting, which now has small back-pressure valves on the dip tubes, as was previously the case with Fox. The Debonair air spring has been revised and is now called Debonair+. The result should be more sensitivity and better support on big hits.
All of the top suspension forks from the Ultimate series also have extended bushings for less internal friction and so-called butter cups at the bottom of the air spring and compression unit. The small elastomers are designed to dampen high-frequency vibrations by 20 per cent, which occur, for example, during fast, small impacts.
Newly launched: Dampers from Deluxe to Coil
In addition to the forks, Rockshox has also revised the dampers. Like its big brother, the Deluxe shock without reservoir has been given the new Debonair+ air chamber, while the top versions of the Super Deluxe with reservoir Ultimate and Select+ have a similarly sophisticated compression adjustment as the forks. RC2T is the acronym for the damping unit, behind which rebound (rebound stage) and two-way adjustable compression (compression stage) are concealed. As with the forks, high and low speed should no longer influence each other thanks to separate circuits. A new hydraulic bottom-out is designed to prevent hard bottom-outs by braking the last 20 per cent of the shock stroke more strongly ex works.
As with the forks, the compression damping adjustment on the Super Deluxe and Super Deluxe Coil follows the new logic: you start in a neutral position on the adjustment knob and can then set a maximum of two clicks more or less compression damping in the high and low-speed compression stages. The coil version of the Super Deluxe also has a fine adjustment for the hydraulic bottom-out, which can be used to adjust the damping hardness in the last 20 per cent of the stroke.
First ride impression of the new Rockshox suspension
Shortly before the launch of the new suspension elements, two shocks and matching forks specially designed for our test bikes arrived at the editorial office. On a combination of Lyrik and Superdeluxe (BIKE) and Zeb and Superdeluxe (EMTB), we were able to gain our first experience on the trail.
The forks have already demonstrated their fine response behaviour. The new compression setting is pleasing - the selected setup is immediately recognisable without annoying click-counting. However, our forks reacted quite sensitively to the right air pressure. The ZEB - set according to Rockshox's new Trailhead setup app - was initially sporty and firm, with plenty of counter-pressure and security on steep gradients, while the Lyrik was almost a little soft after the basic setup, but particularly comfortable. We will soon find out how the new suspension elements really perform in a duel with the most important competitors.
Interview: Moritz Dittmar on the philosophy behind the new products, retrofittability and SAG displays
BIKE: You've turned a lot of things upside down with the new products and spent a lot of time on the details on the inside. From the outside, you can't see much of it at first. What are the main benefits of the fork and shock in a nutshell?
Moritz Dittmar (Sram): More control on the bike, more performance, more self-confidence. Despite all the high-tech on the inside, a mountain bike suspension must ultimately offer safety and traction in the terrain and we are convinced that our new products have made a huge leap forward here. Many people believe that suspension has to be stiff in order to offer good control. But that is of little use if your hands hurt after two hours. The new suspensions absorb vibrations and shocks better, so that riders experience less fatigue after a long day on the trail and enjoy biking for longer.
There are considerably more setting options and setup variations with the new products. Doesn't that overwhelm customers and dealers?
Many adjustment options on the forks already existed in the past, but the customisation options on the rear shock have been expanded for the bicycle manufacturers. In close co-operation with the frame manufacturers, we adjust our shocks to the kinematics of the rear triangle and the desired riding characteristics, so customers and dealers don't have to concern themselves with this at all. The basic setup has become even simpler, as the high and low-speed compression damping now offer an intuitive scale with the centre position defined as the 0 position. This corresponds to the bike manufacturer's basic setup, allowing riders to increase or reduce the damping in both directions with two noticeable clicks.
The new forks come without a SAG indicator on the stanchions. Why have you omitted the assistance for the rider?
The SAG markings for different suspension travel on the forks have unsettled many riders. It is difficult to measure the SAG on the fork correctly, as it also depends heavily on your riding position. With our TrailHead app, we offer a very simple method for determining the right air pressure. Simply enter the serial number of your fork, your weight and the type of bike - the app then recommends the air pressure and the appropriate rebound setting, as this depends heavily on the pressure ridden. Of course, you can still adjust the pressure to suit your own preferences, but the recommendations are a very good starting point. Alternatively, the pressure recommendations can also be found in a small table on the casting, but the app is much more precise.
Until now, many riders have run their forks and shocks with the compression damping completely open. Is this different with the new generation of your suspension elements?
We believe that our new forks with Charger 3 damping perform significantly better when ridden with more compression damping. The new damping offers better support without negatively affecting comfort. This means you can ride with less air pressure and tokens without the fork diving or bottoming out uncontrollably. This in turn has a positive effect on traction and comfort. The new 0 position of the HSC and LSC settings emphasises this, because in this position the forks already offer significantly more compression damping than in the open position. If you prefer, you can also reduce the damping and ride with slightly more air pressure, but this is a matter of taste.
What about retrofitting? What can I retrofit to existing forks and dampers?
With the ZEB, both the DebonAir+ air steerer and the Charger 3 damping can be retrofitted - both with butter cups. Especially when a service is due anyway, this upgrade is a great option to bring your fork up to the current state of the art. Pike and Lyrik get a completely new casting; only forks from model year 2023 onwards can be upgraded, e.g. a cheaper Pike Select can be upgraded with Charger 3 damping and butter cups.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
