Market: Rock Shox has given its successful Pike fork a comprehensive update for the 2018 model year – lighter and with a new inner workings, the fork is now aimed more at modern trail bikes than before. There are also some innovations to be announced at Revelation, Lyrik and Yari.
When Rock Shox revived the Pike in 2013, very few people expected how much the all-round fork would define the suspension fork market for years to come. Low weight, high rigidity, very good damping - despite the increasing competition, the Pike is probably still the benchmark for a flexible and reliable enduro or AM bike fork for many. But despite the success, Rock Shox also knows that standing still means going backwards; True to this motto, a completely new version of the successful fork is presented for the 2018 model year: new casting, new damping, new suspension. The orientation of the fork, which was originally designed for enduro use, has also changed a little: With a lighter casting, the new Pike has been trimmed a little more towards the trail bike category that is so popular at the moment.
Rock Shox Pike 2018: The exterior - light casting and boost-only
Before we get to the exciting new inner workings of the 2018 Pike, we would like to say a few words about the exterior: At first glance, apart from the new decals, little seems to have changed here, but this impression is deceptive, huge even. One of the biggest innovations is the completely revised fork casting. Compared to the direct predecessor, you could save 150g in weight, but of course you stay with the massive 35mm stanchions and don't lose any stiffness.
The new Boost axle standard has continued to gain acceptance since its introduction, so it's not surprising that Rock Shox's new gem will only be available for the new, wider hubs. From the point of view of the Americans, this is certainly an understandable step, but it is a pity that one owner of high-quality wheels with a conventional 15×100 axle will look down the drain.
Rock Shox Pike 2018: The inner values - Charger 2 and DebonAir
It's the inner values that count - this wisdom even applies to suspension forks and this is exactly where things get really exciting with the new Rock Shox Pike. Both the air suspension and the damping have been revised. So the new Pike and its owner can enjoy the DebonAir technology, which one or the other probably already knows from the dampers from the same company. The name hides a larger negative air chamber, which improves the response behavior over the first few millimeters of spring travel - this means that the fork responds more softly to small bumps and waves and, conversely, can also be tuned so that it has more support in the critical middle spring travel range offers.
However, a gentle response and powerful air suspension are only half the battle: Especially with trail and enduro forks like the Pike, it is also important to have appropriate damping that can keep up with the trail. In 2013, the Charger damping was presented for the first time in the Pike, which has now been completely revised and is getting a successor as the Charger 2. In open mode, the new damping cartridge enabled a larger adjustment range for the low-speed compression stage, and fine-tuning was also carried out in the platform modes. In its latest version, the Pike is also compatible with the new OneLoc Remote.
The 2018 Pike is available for 27,5″ (120-160mm) and 29″ (120-140mm) and optionally with RCT3 or RC damping.
Rock Shox suspension forks 2018: spring cleaning and reorientation
So while the new Pike is now in the spotlight, it's just part of a regular "spring clean" at Rock Shox. Although all models will remain in the portfolio in 2018, they are being geared more clearly to their respective areas of application, thus creating a little more order and clarity in the range, which has recently grown significantly. In addition to the Pike, the Lyrik also gets the new inner workings with DebonAir and Charger 2, with a more robust casting and a spring travel of up to 180mm, it is aimed more at enduro and freeride riders.
Another old acquaintance is the Rock Shox Revelation and will also be available in the coming year. Gone are the days of thin 32mm stanchions; instead, the nee Revelation gets the pike casting along with the stiff 35mm stanchions. If 32mm is enough, you will be happy with the 2018 Reba or Recon, which were introduced a few weeks ago, as they are now available with spring travel of up to 150mm. Speaking of spring travel: The Revelation is available from 120 to 180mm, of course in 29″ and 27,5″ and also with the new DebonAir air suspension. When it comes to damping, on the other hand, the somewhat simpler motion control variant is used. The fourth fork in the group is the Rock Shox Yari: Here, too, there is a stable casting, spring travel of up to 180mm and the DebonAir air suspension. You only have to do without the Charger 2 damping.
In 2018, you get two pairs of suspension forks from Rock Shox for different requirements and budgets: Pike and Revelation appeal to trail bike audiences and light enduro riders, and Lyrik and Yari serve the 'heavier' device.
