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So disclaimer (a) I think I'm mainly being a tart. (b) This might end up being a stealth ad.
I've got a pair of those rhythm 34s from bike components, brand new un-opened so easily returned.
I'm tempted to get pikes instead having seen some 2017s at a reasonable price. (Still a chunk over double)
I'm conscious the 34s I've got are fox's budget option and having not ridden either the pikes or previous 34s (had 36 rc2 factory on the previous bike) I've zero point to start comparison from.
Are the pikes worth the extra cost or are the rhythms pretty darn good? Am i just being a tart?
Hmm... see I bought my Fox 34s from Mojo's sell off, so they are a 2018 Grip damper 29er model. I don't know how similar they are to yours - tried to find out on the website, but it's not clear.
All I can say, is I demo'ed a 27.5" hardtail (Transition Throttle) with Pikes and the Pikes felt quite a bit smoother. Better on the small stuff for certain, but overall I couldn't say whether they are worth [i]twice[/i] as much... I'd probably swap, given the chance, but definitely wouldn't pay another £400 to get Pikes!
Drat, that really doesn't help me not spend more money!
i have the same forks on my stage 4 and they are ok, for £187 they are flipping brilliant. if i had £500 quid lying about id defo get some pikes.
Well that answers well enough them i think...
Cheers for the (expensive) opinions.
I have the latest Rhythm on one bike and a 2017 Pike RC on another. The Rhythm is plusher than the Pike and seems to be just as laterally stiff. The Pike becomes marginally better with big hits but there’s little in it. The differences are less than those you’d get from spending time getting the forks set up for your terrain, weight and riding position. Interestingly, the Rhythm is significantly better than my 2014 Fox 34 Factory CTD, which shows how far forks have come in a relatively short time.
Depends which Pike really...
You could also get a custom tune or cart for the 34's
Pikes are easier/cheaper to self service if that makes a difference to you.
Is it a choice between those 2 only? I have a mattoc and it is far nicer than the pike rc3 I had on my previous bike.. Imo
Another vote for the Mattoc. A very underrated fork that’s a bargain to boot with good damping.
That's good to hear bwakel.
I think that's the way I'm heading Mike. Decided (a few times only to change my mind) the money would be better spent on other stuff today then upgrade the 34s (or replace) in a few months if i find them lacking.
Afaik bigyan the 34 rhythm are open bath so should be easy to service the whole shebang vs a sealed cartridge like the charger. That said they'll probably be sent away for damper services in practice with the intermediary ones done at home.
Tp i did look at the manitou stugf but it was actually notably more pricey and not as good a fit in terms of A2C and travel as either the fox or rs alternatives. Price i guess largely down to the other two being grey box gear, size was down to all the 29er options i could find being either long travel and/or 29+
I bike a 130 mm fox Rhythm and a 150 mm Fox Rhythm fork. The 130 mm forks feels a bit more "plush".
A biking pal has a high end 160 mm Pike on his bike. This fork might feel a bit more "plush" than my 150 mm Fox fork.
Downhill performance over rough stuff: strangely don't see any advantage of the Pike. The 150 mm Fox beats the 160 mm Pike!
But who's in the EWS top 10 on a rhythm fork eh? 😉
Downhill performance over rough stuff: strangely don’t see any advantage of the Pike. The 150 mm Fox beats the 160 mm Pike!
Have you tried both?
I have the 34 performance grip which is the one up from the rhythm but I think the same damper, it's very good but only had five or six rides on it so far, certainly no desire to try anything else. I think a newer version of the grip damper is now on higher end fox forks? I had a 26" pike rc3 three years ago and it was also very good. I'd imagine the pike is lighter, and has more car park/enduro credit which let's face it is the main criteria in modern mountain biking.
I’d imagine the pike is lighter,
Not by as much as I'd have thought it seems
and has more car park/enduro credit which let’s face it is the main criteria in modern mountain biking
And this is i think where my inner tart wants in, obviously for car park credit. If you can see me in enduro [s]I'm[/s] you're not going fast enough. But I've got troy lee grips, so that's enough brah.
FWIW I've got a 34 Rhythm (with grip damper) and I love it ... so plush. I have no idea how it compares to a pike though, so this is absolutely useless to you..
But who’s in the EWS top 10 on a rhythm fork eh?
Good question.
But as far as I know: no Pike and no Fox Rhythm.
Or?
I’d imagine the pike is lighter
That's a good point. I personally don't care about weight too much. All my bikes are on the heavy side...
For those focused on low weight: this is an argument for the Pike.
My Trek came with teh Fox Rhythm 34 Float and I really do like them a lot.
For me they ride really well, but I have not tried the Pike, but as I find the Fox very capable and does all I need it to do I have not had any reason to try anything else!
Good to hear plenty of good experience on the rhythms, gives me confidence that try-em and see for 6 months is the right decision.
I'm very pleased with my Rhythm, 95 percent of the time as good as pikes. The price has gone up so ride them and then decide, doubt you would lose any money if you decide to sell.