The Psylo myth: What cyclists need to bear in mind with this RockShox suspension fork

CONCLUSION by the BIKE editorial team

Not all Psylo models are the same! The differences between the two RockShox suspension forks, the Psylo Silver and the Psylo Gold, are far greater than the small suffix in their names would suggest. The Psylo Gold isn’t just significantly lighter; it also performs much better off-road. Whilst its big brother impresses as a serious trail fork, the more affordable Psylo Silver is clearly positioned in the entry-level segment.

Gold or silver? What at first glance appears to be purely a question of budget turns out, on closer inspection, to be a fundamentally different philosophy. RockShox has launched two suspension forks as part of the Psylo range, which, although they share the same name and are both based on the new 35 mm chassis, perform very differently in the real world of MTB riding. How can that be? We’ve taken a closer look at both forks.

​Before we look at the differences, it’s worth taking a look at what they have in common. Both forks share the new 35-mm chassis with redesigned stanchions, which are designed to provide functional stiffness and improved steering precision. Added to this are premium bushings for lower breakaway force, as well as Maxima Plush oil – used for both damping and as dynamic fork oil.

A significant difference

The Psylo Gold features 35-mm aluminium seat tubes, whilst the Silver model uses steel. Obviously, it’s a question of price. The difference is most evident in the weight: the spec sheet lists 2320 grams versus 2786 grams. That’s a whopping difference of 450 grams. You can really feel the difference even on an e-MTB, especially as the fork puts weight on the front wheel, making agile manoeuvres such as wheelies noticeably more difficult.

More than just nit-picking over grams

​But the question of whether to choose Silver or Gold is about more than just the material. For mountain bikers, the most crucial difference between the two forks lies in the compression damping. The Gold features the new Isolator RC system with a three-stage rebound adjustment – Open, Pedal and Firm. The Silver, on the other hand, relies on the revised Motion Control damping, an older technology.

​When it comes to air springs, too, the two forks take different approaches. The Psylo Gold features the DebonAir air spring, which is deliberately positioned higher in the suspension travel to make full use of the available travel. It is also compatible with Bottomless Tokens – a clear signal to riders who wish to customise their fork’s settings. The Psylo Silver, on the other hand, uses the SoloAir air spring, meaning it does not feature this more modern RockShox technology.

Differences on the trail

Air springs and damping determine how the suspension fork performs off-road. And here, terms such as ‘Debonair’ or ‘Isolater RC’ are more than just marketing buzzwords. The Psylo Gold impressed on various test bikes with really good damping control and rock-solid suspension performance. Even on downhill-oriented bikes with a good rear suspension system, such as the Santa Cruz Vala AL Deore (read the review), the Psylo Gold still cuts a fine figure.

Test bikes fitted with the Psylo Silver, on the other hand, were repeatedly criticised in our testers’ notes. The fork releases its travel too quickly and bottoms out rapidly on steps. As a result, the travel is not utilised as effectively as with the higher-spec Gold version. This costs you control and traction, particularly on tough trails and rough descents. Anyone who rides trails ambitiously will be able to tell the difference clearly.

Incidentally, the Psylo Silver is officially a “pure OEM product”. This means it is not available for purchase separately, but only as part of complete bikes from bike manufacturers. For cost reasons, it is often specified on more affordable bikes. Occasionally, however, Psylo Silver models do appear in online shops as retrofit products.