First Ride: 2016 RockShox Lyrik
Since its release two years ago, the RockShox Pike has been become a benchmark in the all-mountain category, a fork that forced other manufacturers to sit up and take notice. But the longest travel Pike currently has 160mm of travel, a number that left riders interested in a 170 or 180mm single crown fork looking elsewhere. That void is what the new Lyrik is intended to fill, taking the proven technology found in the Pike and packaging it in a fork that's claimed to be stiffer and plusher, as well as offering up to 180mm of travel.
To find out more about the newest addition to RockShox's suspension lineup, we headed to Retallack Lodge, a remote mountain bike paradise located 1.5 hours north of Nelson, British Columbia. Surrounded by the Selkirk Mountains and with a growing network of trails, including a 6,000 foot descent that's accessed by helicopter, Retallack is becoming a well known destination for riders seeking something different than the norm, a departure from the hustle and bustle of a bike park.
Revamping the Lyrik
Development of the new Lyrik began even before the Pike was officially released, but RockShox took their time and watched the market to suss out the direction that the sport was taking before committing to beginning production. While bike parks used to be the sole domain of downhill and freeride bikes, there's been a shift over the past few seasons, and it's becoming increasingly common to see riders getting in the lift line with their all-mountain rigs. Rear travel numbers have gradually gone up as well, with more and more 165 or 170mm 27.5” bikes hitting the market, a shift that helped convince RockShox that the timing was right to unveil a longer travel single crown fork.
Details
• Intended use: enduro / gravity
• Travel: 27.5": 160, 170, 180mm, 29": 150, 160mm
• Charger damper with new SKF seals
• 35mm stanchions
• 15x100 or Boost 110 options
• Weight (27.5"): 2005 grams (4.42 lb)
• RCT3 Solo Air MSRP: $1030 USD
The Lyrik isn't a dramatic departure from the Pike - as the saying goes, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' – but there's more to it than just increased travel and a different sticker on the arch. The two main differences, the ones that should be noticeable out on the trail, are the increased chassis stiffness and the larger negative spring that's designed to improve small bump compliance.
Development of the new Lyrik began even before the Pike was officially released, but RockShox took their time and watched the market to suss out the direction that the sport was taking before committing to beginning production. While bike parks used to be the sole domain of downhill and freeride bikes, there's been a shift over the past few seasons, and it's becoming increasingly common to see riders getting in the lift line with their all-mountain rigs. Rear travel numbers have gradually gone up as well, with more and more 165 or 170mm 27.5” bikes hitting the market, a shift that helped convince RockShox that the timing was right to unveil a longer travel single crown fork.
Details
• Intended use: enduro / gravity
• Travel: 27.5": 160, 170, 180mm, 29": 150, 160mm
• Charger damper with new SKF seals
• 35mm stanchions
• 15x100 or Boost 110 options
• Weight (27.5"): 2005 grams (4.42 lb)
• RCT3 Solo Air MSRP: $1030 USD
The Lyrik isn't a dramatic departure from the Pike - as the saying goes, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' – but there's more to it than just increased travel and a different sticker on the arch. The two main differences, the ones that should be noticeable out on the trail, are the increased chassis stiffness and the larger negative spring that's designed to improve small bump compliance.
A burlier arch, thicker walled stanchions, and increased negative spring volume differentiate the new Lyrik from the Pike.
RockShox stuck with 35mm stanchions for the Lyrik, which means the Pike, Lyrik, and BoXXer all share the same external stanchion dimensions, but the walls of the Lyrik's 35mm stanchions are thicker than that of the Pike, and the arch has been beefed up as well, measures intended to increase the overall stiffness of the fork. The legs are tapered and asymmetrical (the left leg, where the air chamber resides, is longer), and are compatible with RockShox's Torque Caps, oversized end caps designed to increase the amount of contact between the hub and the fork legs, a concept similar to what Specialized introduced a number of years ago in order to add stiffness to quick-release equipped forks.
Standard 15mm end caps work with the design as well, although it does take an extra second or two to get the front wheel lined up during installation, since the top of the hub end cap doesn't reach the upper lip of the dropout. Currently, Torque Caps are a SRAM product, and it's not clear if any aftermarket hub manufacturers will be offering them as an option.
The dropouts have enough room to accommodate RockShox's Torque Caps.
Torque Caps are oversized end caps designed to provide more contact between the hub and the dropouts.
When the news first broke about the new fork, there was a dull roar from riders wondering why there wasn't a 20mm thru-axle option. RockShox's reasoning was that they see 20mm axles as being reserved for downhill bikes, and didn't want to reintroduce the size for all-mountain bikes when there haven't been any issues with the current 15mm option. That may not make everyone happy, but realistically, at this point in time the vast majority of all-mountain and enduro bikes come specc'd with 15mm thru-axles, which means riders won't need to change their hub configuration if they purchase a Lyrik.
Internally, the Lyrik uses the same bladder-based Charger damper found in the Pike, but now uses SKF seals on the cartridge and for the fork's dust wipers. The rebound shim stack can now be adjusted as well, an option that was previously only available on the BoXXer. This allows lighter or heavier riders to alter the position of the shims to fine tune the range of adjustment to their liking. On the air chamber side, Bottomless Tokens can be added or removed to increase the amount of end stroke ramp up. The dimensions of the Tokens in the Lyrik are slightly smaller than those found in the Pike due to the fork's thicker stanchion walls, but in the near future all Tokens will be the same size to simplify things.
By changing the positioning of the shims seen on the right side of the photo, the fork's rebound damping can be custom tuned.
The center of the Lyrik's arch is 5mm thicker than the Pike's in order to add additional stiffness.
Bottomless Tokens allow riders to easily adjust how quickly the fork ramps up at the end of its travel.
Back to Back Testing
Quantifying the stiffness of a fork out on the trail can be difficult, especially when there are wide tires and 160mm of travel between you and the ground. In order to more clearly illustrate the difference between the Pike and the Lyrik, I spent my first morning at Retallack on a 160mm Pike RCT3, cranking out a total of four laps on two different trails in order to get a base line for comparison.
The Trails
Retallack's trails were purpose built for mountain biking by a dedicated crew of builders, and their dedication to perfection shows. If I was was to sketch out my dream trail network, it would look very similar to what the crew at Retallack have created. Berms, roots, rocks, jumps, tight turns, high speed straightaways – they're all there, perfectly placed for maximum enjoyment. They're not overly steep, but they pitch downward at just the right angle so that minimal pedaling is required, and going faster is simply a matter of letting off the brakes, turning off your brain, and hanging on for the ride.
With views like this, it's hard to keep your eyes on the trail.
Ride Impressions
After those first four laps, the Pike was swapped out for a 160mm Lyrik RCT3. Setting up the Lyrik is done in the same manner as the Pike – air it up to the recommended settings, adjust the rebound and low speed compression to your liking, then hit the trails. I ended up running 62 psi for my 155lb weight with two Bottomless Tokens installed, which is slightly more pressure than I usually run on a Pike.
I'd been skeptical about whether or not the Lyrik would actually feel any stiffer than the Pike, but as soon as I rolled through the first high speed corner my doubts disappeared. The difference was immediately noticeable – the front end felt more planted and locked into the turn, and was less likely to get deflected off course when plowing through the chunder. It's a feeling akin to switching to a carbon handlebar from an aluminum one – it's not a night and day difference, but it is significant. Of course, it is possible to have a fork that's too stiff, but RockShox seem to have achieved the right balance with the Lyrik, and I never felt any excessive feedback or harshness, even when picking the worst line through a rock garden, or pushing through a line of chunky roots. It's worth noting that some of this additional stiffness could be due to the Torque Caps, and further testing will be required to discern just how much of a difference the end caps actually make.
The Lyrik's more supple beginning stroke was apparent as well, which goes a long way to keeping the front wheel glued to the ground. The fork does seem to naturally settle slightly deeper into its travel than a Pike, but it never felt excessive, and there was still enough support to prevent it from diving. There were a number of short, steep sections that fell away into deep berms on the trail, features that had the fork using all of its travel, but there was no harshness when this happened, and the Lyrik felt composed the entire time. The fork was set up with two Bottomless Tokens, but it's a quick and easy affair to add more if additional bottom out resistance is needed.
 | For riders seeking something more robust than the Pike without reverting to a dual crown fork, the Lyrik fits the bill. It's plusher and stiffer, and imposes a minimal weight penalty for those benefits. The Pike will remain the do-it-all option in the RockShox lineup, but for those who constantly find themselves pushing the envelope, riding on the ragged edge between success and disaster, the Lyrik is going to be an appealing option.- Mike Kazimer |
www.rockshox.com, @SramMedia
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life passes me by in the bike world.
What about the guys who want a single crown on their DH bike ?
And when I look at the torque cap lowers, I'm thinking it's possible to drill it to 20 mm, put a threaded insert on one side and use a Totem axle. Anybody able to try and tell us ?
Good thing it still rips with a 26" fork (dropped to 80mm.)
Just like 650b forks work great on 26" bikes, but don't tell anybody, they'll lose their justification for their righteous indignation.
I'd also like to add: "Move along folks, nothing to see here."
[ ] WTF, no 26" option?
[ ] They just changed the standard to make more money.
[ ] There's no reason to replace my [Insert Component/Bike Here] with this trash.
[ ] Marzocchi lives!
[ ] What is this useless XC trash?
I'll bet we could bingo 5-comments into just about any thread.
My last bike was a 26" with a lyrik RC2L and I immediately missed the stiffness of the front end. I have last years 34mm trace and an OEM wheel that I'm not too impressed with. Maybe the next set of wheels will stiffen the front and rear end up enough to stick with the fork I have, but every component I've been upgrading has been to stiffen up the OEM noodle component it's replacing.
A fork with 180mm of travel would be exactly the kind of fork that would see some benefit to this. But no, we get torque caps instead.
From the above:
"...riders won't need to change their hub configuration if they purchase a Lyrik"
Except that according to RS....
"Based on what we received from Rockshox, the only hubs currently compatible with Torque Cap forks is the XO (front) and the stock hub on the Roam 40 wheelset." BIKE Magazine
So, that suggests consumers won't need to change their hub configuration....only the hub?!
Thanks for the clarification Mike.
I suspect that RS may even admit that consumers knowing such won't make them inclined to "trust" a hub / dropout interface that doesn't clearly 'click' into place; the average consumer has no other way of trusting products unless they 'look and feel right'.
I suggest too that it is in the industry's interests to browse the maestrom of TwInstaBook et al for reactions to their product launches since getting the message from the engineers at RS through to the consumer is tricky at the best of times, however it is increasingly even more so during these days of seemingly never ending changes to interfaces, sizes and compatibilities.
A crucial point from my personal perspective as a consumer of the products of the bike industry is this:
Regardless of the engineering / manufacturing benefits involved........if consumers end up confused about whether / why / how they may / may not need to change their set-up and whether / how / why it will bring worthwhile advantages, trust between the consumer and producer potentially suffers.
If leading journalists (yes, I am talking about the staff at PB who deserve being called so) feel the need to bring up such issues, it could be argued that it is a blind marketing department that takes no notice.
How much more does it cost and how much of stiffness they lose? I'm really very curious because from my long talks with engineers shows something rather different.
Besides RnD have to keep the Accountants and sales charts rolling with something..
but almost £900 for a dj fork...
I have saw a few triple clamp forks crack their arches in the park last year. So why would a park rider look for a 180mm fork with 15mm qr axle?
Why would a park rider care if his 180 fork has 20mm axle instead of 15mm? - for the similar reason XC enthusiast choses a 29er HT with semi-slicks and with narrow bars - lack of understanding, which is fine,sometimes I wish I knew less and rode more
I didn't crack my arch if you read it again, but have saw others cracked. A mate done his Bos triples in our group, not to mention a few single crown ones you see along the way. Nothing to do with make and infact the marzocchis are the least seen broken. how much is sram paying you by the way?
Well as a park rider who most of the 180mm market will be -
fact it doesn't have a 20mm axle and its only a screw in at that rules it off my list as others have this added strength.
Incompatible parts and hubs etc is one of the bad parts of being involved in bikes. Maybe the only bad part actually.
in fact, this could be using the same lowers as boxxer with a different decal kit, reducing their production costs, so seriously, is segmenting the market(20mm is ONLY for DH wheels) that important to these guys?
2) make a less shitty fork
3) make an average fork
4) make a little more than average fork
5)...
Step one was 1995.
This year is step 20.
SC Domain RC with a tuned MoCo Catrige 170mm
Boxxer RC with a tuned MoCo Catrige 200mm
Pike 29 160mm
I'll be honest here saying that I enjoy the first 2 forks better....
No such a bad plan then.
i just want to know if its worth upgrading my existing lyrik with the new charger damper or get a new fox or marzocchi fork in the sales
I ride 2011 36 RC2 and don't find it any worse than Pike.
totem, black, 160mm
www.pinkbike.com/photo/10964308
Please
Let's eat shit - millions of flies can't be wrong!
I guess for now, I'll stick with my Vengeance and stay 26forlife.
RS have just taken away our freedom to choose and stipulate their tech as choice. Its propoganda at its best and its so sad...
The grapevine has said that Suntours new 2016 will be similar to FOX, 20mm axle, adjustable travel, better, more user friendly compression/rbound. Its motive enough to sit back and wait.
RS have clearly not done their market research.
Would a SC Boxxer really not hit the mark? 180mm travel, 20mm axle, 36mm stantions, charger etc etc?
Now that sounds sexy - f*ck
I will Keep my Money running my good old totem, let it serviced every year by a really good man (flatoutsuspension), and work on my endurance to crank that thing up the hill. Going down with those spaghetti like forks couldn't beat the real 180mm fork.
I hope my totem still survives a couple of years (maybe the whole trend is going in the other direction at that time ;-)
Edit: Wait a minute...does the Lyrik use different air shaft lengths to change travel like the Pike does? If it does only the ATC comment will apply.
Plus, why wasnt it tested in 180mm? It is quite possible it would feel more flexible then the pike, there's leverge.
Bottom line is
I DONT BELIEVE YOU
forums.mtbr.com/knolly/anyone-else-find-their-kashima-coating-coming-off-726527.html
You tool!
I'm a company man am I? I run a 2009 coil Domain that I bought off pinkbike and a 2012 Fox DHX RC2. I don't even care haha!
Dude you need to slow down at getting your knickers in a twist before you wrote any more flippant comments that I will come and troll!
You wrote that it simply FELL off. BIG difference in definition(s).
You should stop worry about making the big-grand statement, and go out and get some life experience.
As for "big-grand statements"... did you forget what you wrote in your first comment?
Kind regards
I love RockShox products and I have all RockShoxs, Boxxer WC 2015 for my DH and Lyrik for my AM. Now, I'm gonna start shopping for other brands. They just screwed their loyal following. What a shame.
Pardon me for my rant. Need to get it off my back. My apologies if I offended anyone, but no apologies to RockShox, you deserve my anger and hatred. Screw you guys. F U!
1) Since when are they concerned about standards and it working with what you got? Not too long ago the industry standard for all mountain and through axles in general was 20mm.
2) Why not just designate the pike as a tail/lite AM fork with a 15mm and make the Lyrik the AM/park fork with 20mm axles? Kind of what the Revelation was to the Lyrik.
3) Why not just make the 20mm axle option like they've done in the past?
Seriously, how many are going to use this fork on the same bike they had the Pike on? The Pike is 150-160mm while the Lyrik is 160-180mm. I'm guessing most would build a different bike around this fork so the argument that it's a 15mm to work with your existing stuff is kinda flawed.
Torque caps?? I must have been under a rock - today I learn about them... and decide I don't need them!
The original 20mm QR maxle was bad enough, the 15mm definitely didn't appeal to me at all... and then I bought a 20mm maxle DH - fundamentally a big bolt (a bolt being a well established engineering solution!). Why is that not on here? It is the perfect solution. 20mm stiffness, 6mm allen key in each end, never works loose, easy to install, seconds to swap it with a DH wheel with a different tyre, and no levers and sticking out bits to get caught up in a crash (which was the death of two of my QR maxles!)
My pike charger cartridge head seal leaks like a sieve and I don't want to shell out $65 for the NS Dynamics version on amazon:
www.amazon.com/NS-Dynamics-Cartridge-Rockshox-Charger/dp/B00WHF3WF6
Especially interested in how to match the air pressure and the rebound adjustment (apparently RockShox will have some recommendation, but is this available for the general public, both for the Pike and the Lyric?).
Here's two options with a little more oomph than the new Lyric:
1. XFusion Metric. I was very surprised with the chassis rigidity, its very Totem like. After a long break-in, it feels great in all conditions and handles the over-shoot landings beautifully.
2. A rebuilt totem from suspension experts. Yes, he can get you a fresh Totem! mtbsuspensionexperts.com
Can I still use my regular front wheel with a normal 15mm Thru Axle? Or do I have to get a SRAM front hub (Which will not happen)?
might upgrade the guts of the fork in a couple years..might not.
The original Lyrik was fine w/me
The very talented 50cent went nuts, when he saw it
If you say you can feel a difference on an AM bike, you're lying to be cool.
Pros and cons?