ROCKSHOX LYRIK RCT3 FORK - Dirt

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ROCKSHOX LYRIK RCT3 FORK

The RockShox Lyrik RCT3 Solo Air is a fork that came back at the right time. With a need to equip longer travel all-mountain and enduro bikes, the Pike was looking a little on the lighter side of things and the arrival of the reborn Lyrik fitted the bill nicely.

With the Pike handling 150mm and under trail bike duties very well, this beefed up Lyrik was ready to steer the new wave of longer travel bikes with both 27.5” (160/170/180mm) and 29” (150/160mm) wheel options.

Once Fox had launched their revised 36 at up to 180mm travel for enduro style riding, SRAM needed comparable hardware for comprising big days on demanding terrain. A landscape that demands a little more than forks such as the RockShox Pike and Fox 34 are able to offer.

Obviously it’s a big question knowing when to reach for the Lyrik over the Pike because the latter is a proven performer and very capable for a huge range of trail/enduro style bikes. The Lyrik however, is one for the likes of the YT Capra, Mojo/Nicolai Geometron, Orange Alpine, or Specialized Enduro, the bikes pushing 170mm rear travel.

“It’s a big question, knowing when to reach for the Lyrik over the Pike”

What RockShox are offering here is 160/170/180 in 27.5” and 150/160 for 29” wheels. Staying up to date, they also spec a Boost (110mm axle spacing) option in 27.5” and 29”/27.5” + which will be of interest to those switching ‘Plus’ wheels with 29ers. With Dual Position and Solo Air options we tend to favour the latter, with the RCT3 version allowing fine-tuning of high and low speed compression, rebound and lockout threshold. Bottomless ‘tokens’ help with tuning further and as with the Pike are easy to work with.

The stout chassis doesn’t flinch when pushed into seriously choppy terrain and the chassis (with a taller brace and tapered legs) is very much up to the job. If you’re using a Torque Cap compatible front hub, the larger contact patch with the lower legs boosts stiffness up a notch too. The Charger damper is fitted to both the RC and RCT3 versions of the Lyrik and again helps with support and control in the heat of battle. At around 150g more than a Pike you’re not paying a huge weight penalty for this extra ability and confidence boost.

Performance wise the Lyrik has a rounder, slightly less sensitive feeling compared to the Fox 36. It’s a very close call between these forks and some will just go for the brand they prefer but ultimately with the Fox 36 nudging over £1000 for many versions, the Lyrik is just a shade cheaper for arguably very comparable ability.

PRICE: £952.99

sram.com

zyrofisher.co.uk

[monetizer101 search=’RockShox Lyrik’]

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