The New RockShox Lyrik In The Lab
Sharing many of the technologies and advancements found on the new Boxxer, the RockShox Lyrik MY27 represents a big leap in terms of features and resulting performance. Designed to offer the ideal fork to take on any trail, Lyrik aims to strike the perfect balance between capability and low weight. Still using 35mm stanchions and now available in travel options from 140mm to 170mm, the Lyrik is the true all-rounder in the RockShox fork range.
LINEAR XL AIR SPRING
First introduced in the MY27 Boxxer, the Linear XL Air Spring aims to offer the best possible predictability through a consistent and linear air spring curve, and by reducing friction and damping effects from the air spring where possible.
RockShox now considers both the air spring and the lower legs to contribute to the overall spring force of the fork spring system. The ramp-up of the lowers – always present but previously not fully understood – increases the progression of the air spring and reduces the predictability of the system if not addressed. RockShox worked to lessen its effect, with a couple of never-before-seen features.
To obtain a more linear overall spring curve, RockShox produced a new cartridge air spring system for Linear XL. This allowed them to tune the positive and negative air volumes, using a smaller piston diameter. As a result, the air pressure required has increased significantly, giving improved adjustment fidelity. But crucially, the air spring curve is more linear overall.
The new cartridge air spring reduced the air volume in the air side lower leg. To address the effects of lower leg air ramp up, they had to add volume to the lowers, and so they added the Air Annex. This was tuned to deliver the same lower leg air volume as the damper side leg, giving a balanced overall spring response.
Reducing the effects of air becoming trapped in between the lower leg bushings, RockShox added cavities to the upper tubes to allow for equalization as the fork moves through its travel. This avoids pockets of air producing spring ramp-up or damping effects, improving overall fork consistency.
ADJUSTABLE BOTTOM OUT
The Adjustable Bottom Out (ABO) system is fitted to the Lyrik to provide support for the final portion of the travel, helping to take the sting out of the hardest impacts. This adjustable mechanical bottom-out system uses a height-adjustable jounce bumper, letting the rider choose where the bottom-out system takes effect, using an allen key in the bottom of the fork leg.
UPGRADED CHASSIS
RockShox gave the new Lyrik a full chassis overhaul, aiming to improve the stiffness-to-weight ratio to deliver the best handling balance. The lower legs get a buttressed lower leg design and wider crown, said to boost stiffness without adding excessive weight. After forging, the chassis is machined to remove any unneeded material.
The fork arch was given a new design to increase stiffness without sacrificing tire clearance. RockShox worked on a new fender mounting system to give a sleek integration, with a clean blanking plate offered when no fender is desired.
With the new air spring design, RockShox was able to move the bleeder valves from the lowers to the fork crown, giving easier access and cleaner looks.
RockShox continues to offer its TorqueCap system for the front hub, boosting front-end stiffness without adding the weight of a larger 20mm axle.
BUTTER ON BUTTER
RockShox sought to reduce the friction present in their new forks, beginning with a new technology called ButterWagon. This technology adds dimples to the fork stanchions below the dust seals, which are designed to transfer lubricating oil up the lower legs. With oil more consistently lubricating the bushings, the friction should be reduced.
RockShox continues to use its ButterCup technology, mounting the end of the air spring and damper on elastomers to reduce transmission of high-frequency, low-amplitude vibrations.
FURTHER FRICTION REDUCTION
RockShox moved to a new 15w Maxima lubricating bath oil to reduce friction, as well as the Maxima SG-920 grease, which they claim delivers significant friction reduction.
Working with SKF, RockShox developed seals that are designed to resist pressure buildup and avoid “squeezing” the stanchions under pressure. This ensures the fork remains smooth deeper in the travel, where pressures are higher.
CHARGER 3.2
RockShox tuned the new Charger 3.2 damper to reinstate the support that the more linear and smooth fork provides, but with improved control. The Charger damper architecture is mostly the same, but increased damping levels to improve the support and control on offer.
RockShox has updated the graphics on their dampers to make it easier to read where in the range the compression dial is set, with a numbered system now in place.
SPEC OPTIONS
- RockShox Lyrik Ultimate | The RockShox Lyrik Ultimate is the full bells-and-whistles spec, featuring the most adjustability through the Charger 3.2 damper with ButterCups. The retail price is $1,259, €1,375, £1,225.
- RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant | The RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant features the Charger 3.2 Flight Attendant damper, using an electronically controlled damping circuit to improve efficiency. The retail price is $ 1,699, € 1,855, £ 1,655.
- RockShox Lyrik SELECT + | Available OEM only, the RockShox Lyrik Select+ loses the Buttercups featured in the Ultimate level forks, but retains the full adjustability of the Charger 3.2 damper and Linear XL air spring with ABO.
- RockShox Lyrik SELECT | The Delta RC damper on the RockShox Lyrik Select fork offers only a single compression damping adjustment, and there is no ABO. It retains the same chassis, friction reduction measures, and Linear XL air spring. Retail price is $929, €1,015, £905.
- RockShox Lyrik | The OEM-only RockShox Lyrik Base fork features the same Delta RC damper found on the Select level fork, but uses the previous generation Lyrik chassis with the Debonair+ air spring.