RockShox Lyrik RCT3 - 2016 Fork
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From Pike to Lyrik, Never going back
Rating:
The Good
Stiffer than Pike
Plusher than Pike
Good price right now with the 2018 models coming out ($700ish)
The Bad
Little heavier than Pike
Overall Review:

In order to properly review the Lyrik, a comparison to the Pike is necessary. Why buy a Lyrik when everyone already loves the Pike so much? For a while I was running a 160mm Pike up front on my Santa Cruz Nomad. It never felt quite right, coming from the old style (non-black stanchions) Lyrik on my previous bike. Smashing through rough rocky lines at high speed didn't feel right to me (in terms of how the front wheel got knocked off line). I read all the reviews online (of the 2017 Lyrik), which said that the Lyrik is more of a mini Boxxer than a beefed up Pike. This was exactly what I was looking for, so I went for it. The first thing I noticed was how much better the Lyrik held a line with the added stiffness over the Pike. This is a big deal for me and translated directly to more confidence on the trail. Next thing I noticed was the softer initial stroke of the Lyrik (due to the larger negative air chamber over the Pike). For me, these two characteristics made the Lyrik exactly what I was looking for, something for rough, burly trails, and something I could take to bike parks as well. Why upgrade? It may seem that the Lyrik wouldn't be much of an upgrade over the Pike, it sure looks similar, has some more stiffness, a little plusher, big deal right? I disagree, this fork has an entire different personality than the Pike, and rides much much better. It truly feels like a downhill fork on a trail bike, which is a great feeling!

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The best in class
Rating:
The Good
Smooth, controlled, easily tuned, supportive
The Bad
Slightly awkward if your wheels aren't torque cap compatible
Overall Review:

After trying a buddy's Lyrik, I replaced a 160mm Pike with a 170mm Lyrik on my Norco Range late last season. Not that the Pike is a poor performer in any way, but the Lyrik simply does what the Pike does just a little bit better in every way. The Lyrik definitely feels smoother and more plush off the top than the Pike and it has some added stiffness even without using the torque caps (more on those later). In the 170mm version, there is also the option of putting up to 3 tokens in instead of just 2 in the 160mm Pike. I find this makes it possible to run the pressure slightly lower, allowing for a smoother beginning stroke, but for it to ramp up and feel more controlled and supportive as it moves through its travel than even the mighty Pike did. Having an added 10mm of travel also slackens my head angle by half a degree and makes me feel better riding DH and bike parks trails, though it raises the bottom bracket slightly. The SKF seals so far have been impressive and contribute to the plushness felt in the beginning stroke. After 500 km, they still look and feel brand new with zero oil leaks or play.

Should you buy a Lyrik over a Pike? I do notice improvements in nearly every aspect when compared to a Pike, but if there's nothing wrong with your Pike, and you aren't looking for more travel, I'm not sure I would switch. The Pike is still an excellent fork and won't leave you wanting in any way. Just don't hop on your buddy's bike with a Lyrik on it, and you'll be happy. However, if you are building up a bike that will be headed up, up, up, and then down, down, down - the Lyrik is the way to go, even with the small weight penalty.

Now with the Pike, I used to have to stick a zip-tie under the seals in order to equalize the negative air chamber every so often or the stanchions would get sucked up about 10 mm or so and I would lose travel. So far, this has not been a problem on the Lyrik. Rockshox says they made a larger negative air chamber which improves small bump compliance and takes less force to get the fork moving, and it is noticeable in many ways, including not having to do the annoying zip-tie trick.

Personally, I have always preferred Rockshox forks to Fox ones. I liked the Boxxer over the 40, the Pike over the 34, and now the Lyrik over the 36. I find Rockshox easier to tune than Fox forks, and they just feel smoother and more controlled than Fox forks do throughout the stroke. I feel like Fox forks sometimes move quickly through travel in some spots at the beginning of the stroke and then really stiffen up to prevent brake dive and such. There will be amany that disagree with me, and I'm not taking anything away from a Fox 36, it's a fantastic fork, but I much prefer the feeling that the Lyrik provides on the trail.

Now if only they could figure out something to do for those of use who don't have Sram torque caps on their hubs. It is a bit of a pain to line of the wheel when installing it now. Its something small, and maybe takes an extra 3 or 4 seconds, but it is annoying and I wish there was a way to do something about it other than buy wheels with torque caps.

Overall, I find the Lyrik to be a worthy upgrade over the Pike. Small, but noticeable improvements in how smooth, supportive, supple, and tune-able (3 tokens instead of 2) the fork is make it the best in class. It is lighter than the Fox 36 and I feel like it is also easier to tune, and a bit smoother in its travel. Stick with your old Pike if there's nothing wrong with it, but if you are looking for an upgrade, this is the best you can get.

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Smooth as a Marvin Gay pickup
Rating:
The Good
Smooth, light-ish, range of adjustment, stiff
The Bad
questionable top cap adjustments
Overall Review:

The hype surrounding these forks is well founded, I have a set on my Stumpjumper and they are awesome! The small bump sensitivity is great, and the range of adjustment is insane helping these forks to excel in many different situations, but they really shine when hauling the mail down your favorite trail, even after all the braking bumps and potholes have appeared. My only complaint is about 20 hours into owning them the dial on the right side leg has gotten really difficult to turn, even after multiple rebuilds this problem still persists, but it doesn't stop me from really enjoying myself on these forks!

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Post a reply to: Smooth as a Marvin Gay pickup

Specifications

Product
RockShox Lyrik RCT3 - 2016 Fork
Riding Type
Enduro / All-Mountain
Freeride / Bike Park
Wheel Size
27.5" (650b)
29"
Travel
Option 1: 150mm
Option 2: 160mm
Option 3: 170mm
Option 4: 180mm
Spring Type
Dual Position Air, Solo Air Available Springs
Damping
Charger Damper (RCT3) with SKF Cartridge Seal
External Adjustments
External Rebound, Low Speed Compression, 3-Position Compression (Open/Pedal/Lock)
Crown
Single
Front Axle
15mm x 100mm
15mm x 110mm (Boost)
Brake Mounts
Post Mount, 200mm Maximum Rotor Size
Steer Tube Diameter
Tapered
Steer Tube Construction
Aluminum
Stanchion Diameter
35mm Tapered Wall Aluminum, Fast Black
Colors
Diffusion Black, Gloss Black, White
Weight
27.5": 4 lb 6.7 oz (2,005 g)
29"/27.5"+: 4 lb 7.7 oz (2,032 g)
Miscellaneous
15mm x 100mm or Boost 110 Options with SRAM 15mm Torque Cap Compatibility
Axle to Crown: 572mm - 27.5"/180mm Travel, 571mm - 29"/160mm Travel
Price
Lyrik RCT3 Dual Position Air: $1,110.00
Lyrik RCT3 Solo Air: $1,030.00
More Info
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