[Closed] Pike vs lyrik - real differences?

I’ve just moved from a 2017 Pike RCT3 to a Lyrik Ultimate. The difference between the two is night and day although I haven't used an up to date pike.

The Lyrik is more supple, stiffer and more responsive. Arm pump is massively reduced too.

If your budget can stretch, go for the Lyrik.

Edit after seeing your edit...... def go for the lyrik.

But aren't the lyrik and pike essentially the same internally? So it is just a matter of maximum desired travel and a bit of stiffness?

Or new lyrik Vs old, unserviced pike?

I'd suggest the lyrik if you need 150mm travel, just because of your weight.

OK, ta all.

S

What about the Ribbon? I met a guy about a month ago at Comrie with the Stage on a Banshee and he was very positive. Ribbons a good fork, I prefer the Lyrik for my riding personally but there isn't much in it.

I considered a ribbon but the damping is essentially the same as my stage which feels rather primitive compared to newer offerings from other companies.

Fair enough! Lyrik Ultimate RC2 here now, a decent fork but takes some time to get right. Still not sure on the optimum token/pressure combo but will keep working at it.

Eldest_oab went 150mm Pike rc to 170mm Lyric rc2.

Both take time to set up.
He claims to feel the difference in stiffness when *really* battering along.
He says the lyric are easier to get plush without diving/saggy.
He also prefers the red...

If you were lighter or on 27.5 wheels or with less travel, then maybe the Pike. But for the tiny amount of extra weight I’d say the Lyrik’s extra stiffness is always worth it.

Also the RC2 damper is easier to tune for gnarly riding, and I don’t believe that’s available on the Pike.

thought the -ve chamber was bigger on lyriks, for extra plushorama

True STW fashion ignore choices & recommend what you have the Manitou Mezzer Pro is a awesome set of forks 37mm stanchions so very stiff fork & a good performing fork for the heavier rider

14st on a Banshee Prime V2 with Lyriks and a Pole Taival with Pikes.

Get the Lyriks for stiffness. You can push on with Lyriks where Pikes start to get a bit twangy.

Cheers, now to see what deals exist for lyrik or mezzer.

“thought the -ve chamber was bigger on lyriks, for extra plushorama”

If it is, which I think is probably the case, it’ll be because they’re designed to be used at longer travel than the Pike (140-180 rather than 120-160).

I'd be looking at the manitou mezzer for a 29er

So, lyrik rc2 2 150mm to fox 36 grip2 150mm to pike ultimate rc2 140mm, 93kg....

Pike lesser in plushness, no.

Pike lesser in stiffness, haven't noticed. Bear in mind the lyrik chassis was last revised in approx 2016, the pike in 2018, the pike is only a couple of hundred grams lighter whilst having shorter sliders, my money is on a couple of years learning being incorporated into the pike chassis to gain stiffness but remain about the same weight. Just looked up the weight of 2016 pikes, pretty much same as the new ones.

I'll throw in a curve ball......

What not get a Yari (same as Lyrik but slightly lighter crown) and an upgraded air spring & damper - Fast Yari-up or Charger 2.1.

You can have almost the same as a Lyrik Ultimate but for less.

Looking on Bike-Components.de can all be had for £700. Might be able to find the bits cheaper on other sites.

Fawkes Cycles have the 150 Yari for £350

LEt me know if you want I an insane deal on Pike/Lyrik Ultimates. We at 2Wheelsonly in Tamworth can get some of these and sell them at around £625 if anyone is keen.

You can have almost the same as a Lyrik Ultimate but for less.

Just ordered new air shaft and damper to convert my 2016 Lyriks into Ultimates.

I’d be looking at the manitou mezzer for a 29er

Interested to hear how you are are getting on with the Mezzer?

Not got one yet. Getting a 27.5 37mm offset one when I can be arsed. current got a mattoc pro.

I'd be tempted to try a mezzer too. Manitou's HBO system is way better than air tokens. Had a mattoc before and loved the performance but found a bit flexy so the mezzer should fix that

@pbooker1995 Thanks for the offer, let me know what travel / offset stock you can get, confirmed price and when stock is available as may be interested.
Thanks in advance.

I also suffer with carpal tunnel and have swapped from a very plush pike with a TF coil conversion to a Lyrik ultimate. The difference is night & day. The pike was a great fork but the extra comfort and control I’m getting out of the lyrik is unbelievable. I can actually hold on for descents longer than about 3 minutes now. I’m guessing it’s the damper thats making the difference. The RC2 damper isn’t available on pikes as far as I know.

Another thing that’s helped my hands no end (actually more than the £1000 suspension fork) are Rev Grips. Might seem silly & expensive but try them. Game changing for people with hand / grip issues

That's interesting, so it's probably that you can go lighter on the HSC on the Lyrik? Assuming you had a soft enough spring on the coil Pike.

I find my Lyrik RC2 the most comfortable air fork I've owned. Would love to have a 29in version of the old Marz 55 RC3ti just to compare though.

Yeh I think less HSC is definitely part of it, I have it wound all the way off for anything other than BPW days when I’ll be hitting jumps. The Pike is an older RCT3 version and the HSC isn’t adjustable on that, I think it’s set pretty firm from stock as I very rarely bottomed it out with a softer spring than recommended. There just seems to be less stiction overall with the lyrik ultimate. Could be the updated seals or fancy maxima oil they’re using now. It just takes less to get it moving and it seems to recover quicker. On my regular Peak District rocky stuff it’s a magic carpet.