New RockShox Lyrik suspension fork: 170 millimetres of travel are back, but what are butterwagons?

Conclusion from Max Fuchs, BIKE test editor

On paper, the greater travel range of the Lyrik offers the greatest added value in my eyes. The ability to switch back to the slimmer Lyrik for a smoother ride is a big advantage, especially for light enduro riders. In practice, the Linear XL air spring characterises the riding impression. The suspension travel can be utilised excellently and you always have the feeling of knowing exactly where you are in the suspension travel. Comfort and control? Check, better than the Vogänger! The response behaviour is first-class, the traction top. RockShox has also got the range of compression adjusters right. The 0 position is a good starting point for the basic setup. From there, every click can be felt on the trail, so you can quickly find the perfect setup.

Lighter, smoother - and again with 170 millimetres of stroke

Poetry has always been the lighter, smoother alternative to ZEB. And that remains the case: The narrower 35 mm stanchions save weight compared to the ZEB and provide a little more flex. In the Ultimate version, the 29-inch Lyrik weighs 2,280 grams.

What's new is that the Lyrik has regained its greater suspension travel range. The last generation offered a maximum of 160 millimetres - enduro riders who wanted more had to switch to the ZEB. The new Lyrik goes from 140 to 170 millimetres again. Enduro riders can now decide for themselves whether the lighter Lyrik or the stiffer ZEB is better suited to their setup. The prices: 1,015 euros for the Select version, 1,375 euros for the Ultimate model.

Technical data: RockShox Lyrik MY27

Linear XL air spring: constant instead of progressive

The inner workings of the new Lyrik have been completely rethought. RockShox lays the foundation with the Linear XL air spring unit in cartridge design - a system that aims for the most linear spring characteristic possible. In contrast to progressively tuned forks, the force required to compress the spring increases constantly over the entire spring travel. This makes the ride feel predictable and predictable, almost like that of a steel spring.

RockShox has created the technical basis for this with a smaller ratio between piston surface and air shaft. At the same time, the Americans create more air volume in the negative chamber - both measures that benefit a spring characteristic that is as linear as possible. The force required to overcome the breakaway torque of the fork is very low due to the large negative chamber, and the spring can work extremely sensitively at the beginning of the spring travel. In the middle, it offers a lot of support, and towards the end, a mechanical anti-puncture device protects against bottoming out.

AirAnnex: Same air volume on both sidesn

At the lower end of the air spring side is the so-called AirAnnex - an additional air chamber that equalises the air volume in the left-hand dip tube to that of the right-hand dip tube. This is necessary because the new air spring cartridge takes up more space than the more compact damping unit in the right-hand dip tube. Without this equalisation, the air would be compressed differently on both sides during compression, resulting in uneven progression.

Breather Holes: Even air circulation

Two small holes below the oil seals in each stanchion tube - the breather holes - ensure that the air in the casting can circulate quickly and evenly during compression. This also serves the goal of a spring characteristic curve that is as linear as possible.

All-clear for all those who prefer a progressive setup: the characteristic curve of the new Lyrik can still be fine-tuned with volume spacers. The new features in favour of the Linear XL air spring are only intended to prevent unwanted progression - targeted adjustments are still possible at any time.

ABO: Adjustable breakdown protection

A linear characteristic curve also means that the fork utilises the maximum suspension travel better and more easily than a progressively tuned model. The downside: it bottoms out more easily. The ABO (Adjustable Bottom Out) is the answer to this - a bump stop that can be adjusted using an Allen key. Depending on the setting, it engages on the last 7 to 17 millimetres of the suspension travel and absorbs hard impacts.

ButterWagon: Oil where it is needed

A second development focus of the new Lyrik is friction reduction. The ButterWagon technology is based on a network of milled recesses on the stanchions below the oil seals. With every spring movement, these recesses absorb oil and transport it directly over the sliding bushes. This automatic lubrication reduces friction during compression and contributes to durability. The system is supplemented by more viscous Maxima 920 W15 oil, revised wipers and new grease - all measures that further reduce friction in the system.

Charger 3.2: Firmer damping because less friction

Taking friction out of the system also reduces the natural damping. As RockShox has significantly reduced the friction losses of the new Lyrik compared to its predecessor, a new and stiffer compression tune is needed. Et voilà: the new Charger 3.2 damping cartridge with more damping in the system overall. This prevents the low-friction fork from sagging uncontrollably through its travel.

The setting logic of the compression adjusters is new: numbered, with 0 as the starting point, from which the damping can be gradually increased (+) or reduced (-). Rebound damping and separate high-speed and low-speed compression damping remain manually adjustable as usual.

ButterCups: Proven vibration damping

The ButterCups are not a new feature, but a tried and tested one: elastomers at the lower end of the air spring and damping unit support both units floating in the chassis and reduce high-frequency vibrations by 20 per cent, according to RockShox.

Improved bushing seat and maximum tyre clearance

At first glance, the AirAnnex and the so-called speed ports - struts on the front of the triple clamp that take tension out of the bushing seats under load and thus further reduce friction - stand out on the revised casting. The plastic cover in the centre of the triple clamp also conceals mounting points for RockShox's own mini mudguards, which are seamlessly integrated into the triple clamp without affecting tyre clearance.