As you may have guessed from the feature-rich look of the electronically controlled RockShox Flight Attendant series forks released earlier this year, they could soon follow refurbished suspension components without batteries. A new Pike and Lyrik chassis design arrives, full of some of the features of the flight attendant team, but the ZEB was not forgotten either. All of these forks also feature a redesigned shock absorber, in addition to the mechanical bonuses found on the flight attendant chassis.
Not limited to the front end of the bike, there are also plenty of rear shock absorbers on the 2023 menu, including a Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate shock absorber with a separate sill piston and its slbling DH with hydraulic bottom control externally adjustable. The most notable change inside is the separation of the high and low speed compression adjustments and a greater overlap of bushings, while externally the body of the coil shock absorbers is 21% stronger.
Fork chassis and overview
What’s different about RockShox Ultimate level forks now, other than the sharper lines of the lower leg set Pike and Lyrik and the crown steering unit (CSU) that mimic the ZEB? Basically everything. The technologies are the same in the Pike, Lyrik and ZEB Ulitmate series, however, there are adjustments to the air spring volumes and chassis design to adapt the rigidity of each fork to its ideal use case. Both the Pike and the Lyrik maintain their 35 mm supports, while the ZEB chassis remains virtually unchanged, with the exception of the pressure relief valves at the rear of the lower legs, which are now on all premium fork models.
To better differentiate the segments of each fork, RockShox limited the travel of the new Pike and Lyrik, which allowed them to optimize the stiffness and weight ratio of the chassis favorable to the types of bikes to be mounted, which also included the springs. of air. Travel numbers range from 120-140 mm to 140-160 mm in 10 mm increments and will require air springs of adjusted length to change course. Only the ZEB, where the chassis is transported and retains the widest support of 160-190 mm; just two years ago when he debuted.
Pike’s final details
• Travel options: 120, 130, 140 mm • Redesigned 35 mm strut chassis • Loader 3 includes a brand new internal floating piston (IFP) • High speed compression, low speed compression and low speed bounce • ButterCups air and shock absorber shafts • DebonAir + air spring with larger air volume • Ultimate Bushing package maximizes bushing overlap • Pressure relief valves release build-up air in the lower legs • Maxima Plush shock absorber reduces friction and silences shock absorber noise • Bright black or glossy signature silver colors • RockShox screw fender sold separately • MSRP: $ 1,054, € 1,139 * , £ 1,017 * (* VAT included)
Final details of the letter
• Travel options: 140, 150, 160 mm • Redesigned 35mm strut chassis • Loader 3 includes a brand new internal floating piston (IFP) • High speed compression, low speed compression and low speed bounce • ButterCups air and shock absorber shafts • DebonAir + air spring with larger air volume • Ultimate Bushing package maximizes bushing overflow • Pressure relief valves release build-up lower leg air • Maxima Plush shock absorber reduces friction and silences shock absorber noise • Bright black or Signature “Heavy Meadow” colors • RockShox screw fender sold separately • MSRP: $ 1,107, € 1,196 * , £ 1,069 * (* VAT included)
Final details of ZEB
• Travel options: 160, 170, 180, 190 mm • 38 mm chassis • Loader 3 includes a brand new internal floating piston (IFP) • High speed compression, low speed compression and low speed bounce • ButterCups at air and damping shafts • DebonAir + air spring with higher air volume • Ultimate Bushing package maximizes bushing overlap • Pressure relief valves release air buildup in lower legs • Shock absorber fluid Maxima Plush reduces friction and silences shock absorber noise • Bright black or gray signature slab colors • RockShox screw fender sold separately • MSRP: $ 1,159, € 1,253 *, £ 1,119 * (* VAT) included)
Charger shock absorber 3
RockShox started with a clear slate as they approached the Charger 3’s shock absorber design and favored the IFP style for its ability to purge oil through a shock port. This also allowed engineers to “disengage” high- and low-speed compression, keeping each adjustment independent of each other, “no compromises,” as they say. Normally, one would slightly affect the other and therefore change the characteristics that the pilots did not want to change.
All Pike, Lyrik and ZEB Ultimates and Select + forks come standard with the Charger 3. The shock absorber can be adapted to any ZEB because this CSU has not changed, but otherwise it will only fit the Pikes and Lyriks 2023. Hi There are 15 LSC clicks, 5 HSC clicks, 18 bounce adjustment clicks, and there are no custom adjustments available right now because RockShox believes that every click is a big enough change and the payback range is ‘will suit all weights and styles of riders. A lot of effort was also made to make the Charger 3 as quiet as possible and part of that success is backed by Maxima’s Plush cushioning fluid.
Although the bleeding procedure has changed due to the new shock absorber, no new tools are needed to rebuild the Charger 3 and all service tutorials can be found on the RockShox website.
ButterCups
These little magic elastomers sit at the bottom end of the shock absorber and air spring to smooth the transition of forces in these components as the fork begins to move along the path. They reduce high frequency vibrations by 20% and this is not a number that RockShox simply invented: the test team measured this with sensors.
The ButterCups offer 4mm plush movement on the suspension and are exclusive to the same fork grouping that fits the Charger 3: 2023 Pike and Lyriks shock absorber and 2021+ ZEB. A set of ButterCups adds about 40 grams to the fork, but the new Pike and Lyrik have lost weight overall.
DebonAir + Spring
Equipped with all the 2023 Pike, Lyrik and ZEB forks, the all-aluminum DebonAir + spring has a larger volume than its predecessor’s DebonAir C1 air spring with a focus on better shock absorption and more driving height. high. The new spring is loaded with a ButterCup bumper and can also be installed on the ZEB 2021+.
Pressure relief valves
These little trick buttons release any unwanted pressure built up inside the fork, either during the change in lift or temperature to keep things as sensitive as possible. Do you think your fork needs an eruc because it feels stiffer? Simply prick the valves with a cloth to absorb any residual oil and things should feel normal again. They sit above the top cap and are durable in the sense that they will not ingest dirt or water, in addition to the forks of the model 2023 Select and Base (Pike, Lyrik and ZEB) can be upgraded to accept the relief valves of pressure.
Pack of spark plugs and reinforcements for the final cube
At the Ultimate level, the length of the cap on the lower legs of the fork has been increased by 53%. It is said to give better support to the struts, reduce friction and distribute the load where the leg and cap are located. With that in mind, Ulitmate level bushings are dimensioned and factory installed for 2023 forks only, so you’ll need new rebates for a Select level fork to get this upgrade.
Paired lids are still in play with a larger, more specific RockShox standard machined surface, but for a smaller diameter, generic cube lids now have screw options to mimic that idea.
Overview of the shock
Within the RockShox family of rear shock absorbers there are four Deluxe Ultimate rear shock absorbers, two air shock absorbers and two coil rear shock absorbers. Ultimate basically means “available in the aftermarket” or is seen as an upgrade of the current bike, although some high-end bikes may even be equipped with these. Three of these are Super Deluxe that include added features like a high speed compression adjuster and both coil versions have optional Hydraulic Bottom Out controls with five adjustment clicks to smooth out the last 20% of the ride. Other attributes of Super Deluxe Ultimate Coil shock absorbers use a 21% stronger body with a larger coil overlay.
Luxury final details
• Independent low speed and bounce adjustments • DebonAir + air spring with adjustable negative and positive air volume • Wider bounce adjustment range than above • Bumper recessed at the bottom • Increased overlap of the nozzle • Lever switches between open and threshold compression pistons • Maxima Plush dynamic suspension Lubricant reduces friction • MSRP: $ 399, € 431 *, £ 385 * (* VAT included)
Final details of Super Deluxe
• RC2T shock absorber with independent high and low speed adjustments • DebonAir + air spring with adjustable negative and positive air volume • Optional hydraulic bottom • 15 bounce adjustment clicks • Recessed bumpers • Increased spring overlap • Independent and separate open and threshold pistons • Maxima Plush Dynamic Suspension Lube reduces friction • MSRP: $ 599, € 648 *, £ 578 * (* VAT included)
Final details of the Super Deluxe reel
• RC2T shock absorber with independent high and low speed adjustments • Optional adjustable hydraulic bottom with five different compression configurations • Redesigned chassis is 21% stronger • Increased bushing overlap • 20 bounce adjustment clicks Opening pistons and separate and separate threshold • External adjustments allow for smooth on-the-fly adjustment • BoXXer Red and Signature color-playing sticker options • Maxima plush cushioning fluid reduces friction and silences shock absorber noise • MSRP : $ 549, € 594 *, £ 530 * (* VAT included)
Details of Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate DH
• RC2 shock absorber with independent high and low speed adjustments • Optional lower hydraulic output with five different configurations • Redesigned chassis is 21% stronger • Increased nozzle overlap • 20 bounce adjustment clicks • Adjustments external allow to adjust without problems …