I know no one will have ridden all these forks, I'm just thinking out loud while my credit card trembles in the corner. This is a 160mm fork for my 130mm, 29er, trail bike so I don't want Zeb's or 38's or similar. It's for big days out, pedalling up and down and all around. But, I do love a good plummet and some rock smashing which is where my current fork falls down.
Ohlins RXF36 m.3
I liked the old RXF36 and I love my current RXF38. The m.3 is newer so it must be even better right?
I like the way the Ohlins doesn't do more work than it has to. It just quietly absorbs big hits like nothing happened and it rides high enough when you're leaning on it that you don't feel like you're going to fall over the bars. I'm about 96kg so I don't suffer from the problems light riders have with them.
Formula Selva V
Never ridden one but I've always been Selva curious. The old design was getting on a bit but the new legs, arches and bigger brake mount look good. CTS valves are like custom tuning in the palm of your hand. Probably adjustable to just about any trail or riding preference.
2021 Lyrik Ultimate
The one I've already got. Plush, active, comfortable, lots of grip. Lack of support and wallowy. Scary on steep stuff. Moves around too much and I can't slow the rebound down any further. When I set it up for support it loses the initial smoothness and grip.
Can custom tuning from someone like J-Tech or TFT add compression to the Lyrik in a way that maintains that comfort off the top? I've never paid for tuning so I'm not sure what they're capable of.
I have a fox 36 grip 2
Plush,
active,
comfortable
lots of grip.
Lots of support
Not wallowy.
Reassuring on steep stuff.
Rebound and compression are good for me at 92kg with the damping mostly wound off.
Doesn't Move around too much
I can't speed the high speed compression up any more
When I set it up for support it just gets on with it.
Cheap at merlin for the version I'm on.
Serviced it for the first time in 3 years (oops) last month and it became even plusher.
I think any of your 3 options will be better than your ( I assume) not serviced for awhile current fork.
As for which is best I imagine they will all have their quirks and be slightly different. No really way without riding them back to back on your home trails. Are demo days still a thing? I can't think on another way to actually try that spread of boutique forks.
Incorrect assumption, sorry! Seals, oil, foam rings and slick grease in stock at all times. Lowers are always serviced.
The new Lyrik in electric red looks mint actually. Maybe I should consider those. Reviews are positive but I'm worried they'll not be 'better enough' than the old one..
There is a new zeb being teased over on pink bike.
Maybe it will be lighter?
I liked the old RXF36 and I love my current RXF38. The m.3 is newer so it must be even better right?
Sounds like that's the one you should get
What weight are you OP if you don't mind being asked? When I had my Lyrik 2.1 at 70/75kg they were ace but I was running almost full fast/minimum rebound. Yours being still too fast with max rebound sounds like something isn't quite right.
If it helps at all the 3.1 I have now are also pretty good
Tune the Lyrik. By a long way.
Or try to find a pre-X2 era Fox 36. Well, that's what I'd do (if needs to be an air fork)
I'd definitely start with a custom tune on the Lyrik. I have the same fork, dropped to 140mm and custom tuned by J-Tech on my hardtail and I can't fault it.
I'm around 92-94kg depending on kit and puddings and it's super plush, eats up big hits and never feels like it's diving excessively into it's travel or rebounding uncontrollably at all. In fact it thrives in these moments.
Post tune, all my damping controls are roughly in the middle too, so I've got further options in both directions for every function if needed.
Everybody has different needs and expectations of course, but I'd start there first before spending out on new forks.
I haven’t ridden a lot of different forks because I tend to keep stuff for quite a while and tend to blame my less than brilliant riding for any deficiencies. However… I’ve had two 160mm Lyriks for a while, one’s just over 3 years old and the other has been retired after 6.5 years - they’re both 2.1 dampers, older B2, newer C1 air spring.
Anyway, I always liked them and still do on the hardtail - the ebike’s set started creaking for a third time so I bought a very heavily discounted Fox 38 Grip 2. I think I’ve got them pretty well dialled in to how I like them, which is kind of how the Lyriks were - they’re all quite adjustable forks, especially as a middling weight middling speed rider.
As they’re set up, the 38s feel much deader, much calmer, much more muted. They don’t seem to bob as much when pedalling (I stand a lot) but I’m generally using a bit more travel. I like them a lot but it’s quite a different feel. When I get some time on some steeper stuff I suspect I’ll find they’re better at not diving when braking. Now I’m thinking about them, I’ve noticed I’m hitting the jumps on the way to work better, staying forward and popping higher rather than getting too far back and squashing / getting bucked. Progress!
Formula Selva V
Never ridden one but I've always been Selva curious. The old design was getting on a bit
I believe the Selva R remains the more advanced fork with its independent chambers. Pricing at Elro seems to confirm this - V £1070, R £1450 (discounted to £1170).
I find the R very comfortable, the Fox 36 Grip2 doesn't come close.
Chuck a trutune token in the Lyrik as well, got one in a Revelation and it definitely allows you to keep the initial stroke supple without losing support.
Have not all those forks won at WC enduro and similar? Therefore, in my view, it's more down to tuning and maintenance. I would throw a professional tune at your current Lyric.
I believe the Selva R remains the more advanced fork with its independent chambers.
Interesting. I guess they will roll out the new lowers on the C, R and S versions.
My 2penneth
They all have pretty good chassis and tuneable internals. Every fork is built to a price though, and there is always limitations at the factory as to the quality of the finished product… I have had my last 4 or 5 forks custom tuned from new or almost new now, and the difference over a stock fork is always night and day!
You’d do as well, if not better, paying to get your existing Lyrik tuned than you would spanking several times the cash on a new Ohlins RXF36 m.3…
Personally, if it was me… I’d buy a cheap GRIP2 Fox 36 off Merlin, send it to Sprung for a bushing hone, degrease and custom tune (zero volume spacers, 3 or 4W oil in the damper instead of 5) and be done…
Before buying a new fork you should definitely speak to a tuner and finding out if what you want the fork to feel like is possible.
i have had a selva S for 6 years or so. It’s a good fork. Easy to service at home so it’s easy to keep it feeling good. With the CST’s and advice you can get it feeling good.
