[Closed] Help! MRP Ribbon coil or Lyrik Ultimate 29?

I had a similar quandary last year when I built up my Banshee prime and ended up with the lyrik after all of the reviews that I read of the ribbon suggested that it's damping and small bump sensitivity was below par. As a current MRP stage owner on another bike I'm very happy with the lyrik.

Much appreciated. I think I'm leaning that way tbh, the allure of the coil is strong though! It would be great to demo them, now there's an idea ☺️

Firstly, they are both fantastic forks, you won't go wrong with either. I didn't have the Ultilmate, but the RC2, so the damping will be slightly different.

Contrary to above, I find the MRP damping to be most excellent. Better than my Lyrik and the Fox factory 36 which followed.

I like the grab and go ease of the coil, it is consistently good and I haven't fiddled with it since initial setup. I also like the tweakability of the air fork for different riding.

Not much help in choosing I guess! Again, you'll be happy with either

I had a similar quandary 18 months ago when my Avalanche Pike failed (on my AM9). I looked at a number of forks including coil options, but plumped for a Lyrik RC2 which I planned to upgrade with an Avalanche damper at a later date but I still haven’t got around to. I did fit an Ultimate damper last October though, which was a noticeable improvement, and I’ve been happy enough with the performance to not really think about spending any more cash on it. If you’re thinking of coil would a Yari and Smashpot/Push coil conversion not be a better solution?

Lyrik all day I think. Every review I read says the MRP flexes too much meaning it's a bit unpredictable in really rough stuff. The Lyrik might not be the exciting choice, but they are just brilliant forks. I went with an Ohlins on the new bike as I really fancied trying something new....now wish I'd bought another Lyrik!

FWIW, I don't think MRP make bad stuff by any means, I have a Hazzard coil which I am very happy with. Just that so many reviews seem to cite the same issue with the fork and that would definitely put me off.

Ribbon Coil owner here, never ridden a latest Lyric but I brought the Ribbon for lack of faf on my hard tail. I have had older Rockshox forks and I just wanted something that I didn't have to check the air on before every ride, more a squeeze the tyres and go type of thing.

The Ribbon is great for that, there really is only the compression dial to fiddle with as the rebound and ramp control usually get left alone as soon as I found the point I was happy with.

I find the damping fine for a hard tail, I personally don't think an average full suspension owner would find it lacking unless coming from one of the top forks like the Ultimate or high end Fox.

Being coil though the Ribbon is more linear. You can lesson the effect with the ramp control but I went up a spring weight to those recommended by MRP. That gives me loads of mid range support and strangely the small bump sensitivity doesn't seem affected or the ability to use all the travel on a nice big hit.

I'm sure MRP know what they are doing but to me it seems like their recommended spring weights are a segment too low against rider weight. I'm 13 stone kitted out and the heavy spring supplied with the fork is my preferred choice.

From what I have read it sounds like the Lyric will out perform the Ribbon Coil, the Ribbon has less adjustability but for lack of fuss it seems good to me. No worry about leaky air seals or station scratches and a nice simple open bath damper that works well enough for me.

Marzocchi bomber Z1 coil seems to get really good reviews, is that an option worth looking at if you want a coil fork?

“I just wanted something that I didn’t have to check the air on before every ride”

Why would you do that on an air fork? Every time you connect a gauge or pump you let some air out, so you force yourself to have to add air.

I’d only connect a pump if it’s feeling wrong and/or the sag is measuring wrong.

I just wanted something that I didn’t have to check the air on before every ride

Not something I ever do, gets checked once in a while or if I'm riding something very different and needs a setup change.

Lyrik is fit and forget, its very difficult to get the setup wrong. Your weight in psi, set the rebound to your preference and play with the compression to add extra support. Doddle to service, change travel.

New ultimate damper is a bit better than the RC2, finding the compression adjustment has a useful range, rather than running it fully open.

I have the 2021 Lyrik Ultimate on my main bike, having previously had both a Lyrik RC and an RC2.

The new one is a big improvement in support, while also being better for small-bump absorbtion. This has translated to me going faster, feeling more confident on steep sections and just not thinking about what the fork's doing.

Can't contrast with the MRP, but just thought it might be useful to note how good the new Lyrik is even compared to a 2018/2019 version.

Sorry just to clarify I have no hands on experience with the the current Lyrics or modern air forks for that matter. I moved onto the MRP from a 2012 air fork, and a dual air one to boot so there was usually a bit of re pressurizing the air springs to be done every couple of weeks- sometimes more often! When I was looking for a new fork I thought what's the least maintenance type out there and came up with coil. You can literally leave it in the shed for 6 months and not need to touch it when you wheel your bike back out- tyres yes forks no!

My comment about not needing to check it before every ride was a bit flippant to say the least and I fully accept that modern air forks are going to be a different kettle of fish to what I was used to

“... there was usually a bit of re pressurizing the air springs to be done every couple of weeks...”

I think that must have been faulty! I can’t recall having to mess with my old Reba’s or 32’s (2009 and 2010 ish) very often at all.

And with my more recent Pikes and Lyriks I hardly ever connect a pump in between services. Once you’ve got them dialled in, they’re set and forget.

I’m feeling a bit annoyed with my Lyrik RC2 because it just went in for a service and has needed the damper and CSU replacing. It’s only two months outside warranty but it still cost three hundred ****ing quid, despite them doing the new damper for free. Bloody good fork otherwise. I never heard it creak but they wouldn’t do the damper without the CSU replacement...

if the weight penalty of the coil is offset by its feel or can the RS match it for small bump sensitivity?

I think we all tell ourselves "stories" to enable us to make decisions. Do I deserve XTR?, will 12sp make that much difference..? Will you notice the extra 200g or so of the coil fork? Probably not. Will the coil feel "that" much better over small chattery roots? again, probs not so much that you'd notice after a while.  Buy the one you think will make you happy, they'll both do exactly what you want after all.

Haha... Thanks for that nickc! I concur entirely. The two forks mentions are obviously very good with advocates across the board. Think I'll chose the one that I prefer the look of in light of this then 😊

The Bomber Z1 is a bit beefy for me, 2600g compared to lyrik 2000g and RibbonC 2250g. Although a good fork from what I read, using Fox 36 infrastructure.

I looked at the Yari ACS3 conversion but cant seem to find a 150mm Yari anywhere? They were appealing due to the 42mm offset too.

I'll end up being predictable and going lyrik probably... Trying to find one might be a challenge tho. I hear lead times are long? Anyone seen any deals kicking about on either that might sway my decision?

Thanks for all the input 🙂

Starbike were the best price when I was buying.

In Germany though, so more complicated now.

I was considering a Z1 coil for my big bike but went for a Zeb instead as it came in longer travel and I fancied the stouter chassis. The Zeb is closer to a coil feel than the Lyrik IMO. Might be a good option if you are a heavier rider or a pinner?