All Arround MTB

When RockShox’s latest Reverb works, it’s truly in a class of its own, and recent experience with multiple samples suggests that initial build quality issues are now behind it. Fully-hydraulic operation means the Reverb can cope with much more tortuous internal routing than the cable-operated competition. Lever feel from the new shifter-style ‘1X’ remote is fantastic too, although that adds $100 and 45g (with clamp) over the standard ‘universal’ push-button remote. The post now comes in a wide range of diameters and lengths, it’s short for its stroke and the twin-bolt saddle clamp is secure and easy to use. It’s impossible to ignore the initial build quality issues that saw B1 posts being slammed for widespread top-stroke bounce issues.We’ve had flawless function from our own long-term samples and the large number of Reverbs we’ve used on test bikes recently, though, so hopefully SRAM’s assurance that all new posts will be fine will prove accurate. Weight 695g Stroke 100, 125,...

RockShox’s enduro fork is now suppler and plusher The Lyrik is a very good fork – in fact, it won our recent grouptest. Nevertheless, RockShox decided it could be better still. Enter the ‘2019’ Lyrik, available (confusingly) fromApril 2018. Reducing friction was the first priority, so RockShox’s engineers redesigned the air spring, adding a low-friction bushing. Next, they wanted to make it feel more like a coil fork, so they increased the negative spring volume. They came up with a new damper option too – the ‘Charger 2 RC2’ cartridge, which offers high and low-speed compression adjustment but no lockout. (The ‘RCT3’ damper, with low-speed compression adjustment and a lockout, will also still be available). In a throwback to RockShox’s first suspension forks, the new Lyrik comes in bright red. But don’t fear, black forks will be available too.A version with a shorter offset will also be on offer. The updated air spring will be shared with 2019 Yari forks (the Lyrik’s mid-rang...

RockShox’s button remote for their Reverb dropper post has its fans, but it was designed at a time when single-ring drivetrains were less common. This new lever is designed to sit under your bar in place of a front shifter and deliver a more natural-feeling action. It’s easy to fit and the long paddle gives more positioning leeway than the old button, so it plays better with non-SRAM brake levers (a ‘Matchmaker’ clamp is included for SRAM brakes). Once in place, the ‘Bleeding Edge’ syringe tip (also in the box, along with a bleed kit) makes flushing air out of the system an easy process – just be sure to trim the hose to compensate for the remote’s extra length. In use, the 1x lever looks just like a SRAM trigger shifter. It has a much more ergonomic action than the button, and we found ourselves dropping and raising our posts even more regularly than usual. We just wish the return speed adjustment was still tool free, instead of requiring a T25 Torx key. That’s far from a deal bre...

RockShox have revamped the venerable Pike trail fork with a new chassis, damper and air spring. As well as shaving off a bit of weight, the new chassis makes the line-up far simpler – there are only two versions, one for 650b wheels and one for 29in. Both have Boost axle spacing, which is fine for new bike builds but a pain if you want to upgrade and have non-Boost wheels. They also both have clearance for up to 2.8in tyres, so you no longer have to opt for the 29er version if you want to use 650b+ rubber. The fork actually feels a touch stiffer than before, thanks in part to the beefed-up upper tubes (which mean the air spring can now only be tuned with RockShox’s smaller grey ‘Bottomless Token’ volume spacers). If you have wheels that’ll accept them, the dropouts can now house the brand’s oversize ‘Torque Caps’, which bolster stiffness that bit further. The new ‘DebonAir’ spring has a larger negative air volume, and the Pike gets the same ‘Charger 2’ damper as the 2018 Lyrik an...

The Pike is already one of our favourite trail forks, and the 2018 version looks even better. It’s got a new ‘DebonAir’ spring, first seen on RockShox’s rear shocks, with a larger negative chamber to improve small-bump sensitivity and mid-stroke support. This is controlled by an updated ‘Charger 2’ damper, with a lower-profile external adjuster that lets you click between three low-speed compression damping modes (‘open’, ‘pedal’ and ‘firm’), the first of which is adjustable. By offering the fork with Boost hub spacing only, RockShox have been able to maintain stiffness while shaving off a claimed 150g. Price $1238

If you’re looking for a massively user friendly, super-stiff, slam-proof fork that’ll take any terrain in its stride without demanding a degree in which dials do what, then RockShox’s Lyrik knocks it out of the bike park. The thick-walled, tapered 35mm stanchions made it the stiffest fork in our workshop torsion tests and it’s rock-solid accurate on the trail. It’s the only fork here that’s available in a 180mm-travel 29er format, which shows how confident RockShox are in its strength. Accuracy is increased further when it’s paired with one of SRAM’s ‘Torque Cap’ hubs, although the cutaway dropouts make it more awkward to refit regular wheels. That aside, the Lyrik is user-friendly bliss. The large-volume negative air spring automatically balances pressure with the positive spring. Add SKF seals and a stiff, non-binding chassis and it’s luxuriously smooth either side of the sag point. That translates to a seamless cushion of ultra-sensitive, ground-sucking grip even if the trail...

The Yari has a super-stiff chassis, a naturally supple, traction-rich action and excellent reliability. Simpler damping than RockShox’s flagship Lyrik fork means it feels rough when you start pushing hard though. With exactly the same taper-walled, 35mm stanchion chassis as the Lyrik, it’s rock solid, even in its longest 180mm travel format. At the longer stretches it’s a reasonable weight too, though it’s arguably overkill below 150mm unless you’re a regular nose diver. If you haven’t got a SRAM wheel with stiffness-increasing ‘Torque Cap’ hub ends, the cutaway dropouts make axle location a pain. It comes in a vast range of formats, including 29+ and a ‘Dual Position Air’ version with external travel adjuster. The long negative spring and SKF seals mean a really sensitive initial stroke, and ‘Rapid Recovery’ rebound damping helps it stay alert without topping out harshly. It’s stiff enough to stay fluid under heavy braking too, and reliability on countless sets we’ve used has bee...

ROCKSHOX’S PIKE IS as much trail fork as most riders will ever need, but there was a definite gap in their line-up for a gonzo fork to take on the Fox 36 for single-crown downhill domination honours. Rather than upsizing the outer diameter of the Pike’s 35mm stanchions for the Lyrik, RockShox have made them thicker throughout their tapering walls. They’ve also increased the depth and stiffness of the crown, and made the arch taller.The result is the stiffest fork in our static tests, even in 180mm format.

THE MORE AFFORDABLE of the two new big-capability forks from RockShox is a super-strong bomber with impressive high traction, big hit control for the cash.

In the most simplistic terms, the new Lyrik is much like RockShox’s renowned Pike fork, but better. While it shares the Pike’s Charger damper and SKF seals and sticks with a 35mm chassis, there are some subtle but significant differences that you can feel on the trail.

Waaaay back in 2002, RockShox revolutionized the suspension world with the release of its Psylo range of forks. The forks came with 30mm stanchions, a lockout/compression adjustment, the travel was adjustable from 80-120mm, and......wait for it, they came with a quick release 20mm through axle.

As a SRAM sponsored athlete, Andy Blair was one of the first riders in the country to bolt on a pair of RS-1 forks; here's what he had to say about the forks after nearly 6 months riding time on this revolutionary new suspension fork.

Despite being the cheapest fork on test, the Reba still manages to perform on a similar level, though there's more noticeable flex when pushed hard.

Shortly after being released two years ago, the Pike quickly became the benchmark fork for aggressive trail riders thanks to a supportive and tuneable air spring, well-controlled Charger sealed damper and an asymmetric 35mm legged chassis that is precise when pushed hard.

With its ‘upside down’ layout, full-carbon upper legs and exposed stanchions, the RS1 has raised a lot of questions about its longevity. We’ve had this RS1 in action for almost 10 months now, so let's take a look back at how it has fared.

SID has lost the RockShox race limelight to the radical RS-1 but it's still the lightest, easiest to tune and most cost effective speed fork in the SRAM suspension arsenal.

RockShox recently debuted the DebonAir, a new air can that works with both its Monarch and higher-volume Monarch Plus shocks. If ‘new air can’ doesn’t throw you into a geek-tizzy, we understand, but it should. DebonAir’s dual-chamber air sleeve adds volume to both the positive and negative air spring. Now it takes 25 percent less effort to get the shock moving through the frst third of its travel; that’s immediately noticeable. Small-bump compliance and traction on technical climbs are absolutely unreal with DebonAir.

This year’s lineup of forks is as outstanding as its bikes. Still, our testers found favorites in each, and the RockShox Pike was prevalent on both lists. This 35-millimeter-stanchion darling was introduced last year, and it has become more than just a hot upgrade. Given the range of bikes that come with Pikes nowadays, it may become the new standard across a variety of shred-worthy platforms.

The Travel-adjust version of RockShox’s benchmark trail fork delivers user-friendly damping and geometry control but it’s noticeably more linear than the Solo Air Pike.

WE'VE BEEN HANKERING after the new Vivid R2C downhill shock since its announcement, and we've finally got our hands on one.