Any one run these forks? Is the Charger 3 damper a step up from the Charger 2.1 damper?
If you were purchasing a new 140mm trail fork would you take a deal on a fork with the old Charger 2.1 or spend out on a new Charger 3.
They are going on a New Scandal frame build and I am 75kgs. Usage will be long days out in the peaks, trail centres ànd general riding around.
This was dina-ti’s recommendation on another thread Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate 2023 Charger 3 150mm for £660 or apparently even cheaper if you phone up the store to avoid eBay fees
Many thanks but I am looking for a 130mm fork and as I understand it that would be a Pike.
From what I've heard the Charger 3 can be a bit harsh despite the other changes. I've been really happy with a Lyrik Ultimate Charger 2.1 for the last few years so when I needed a new 130mm fork I got one of the older Pike Ultimates from Birds eBay shop and I'm really happy with it.
I've seen some reports of the charger3 being harsh too.
Three Zebs with charger3 damper here and they're all really nice with no harshness at all.
Got a Lyrik with charger3 on the way so I'll see what that's like when it arrives.
I did this exact thing; researched the difference between 2.1 and 3 and paid the extra for the 2023 Pikes. I don’t own a 2.1 version fork so I can’t provide a comparison.
The 2023 pikes with charger 3 are epic in my opinion; I’m still messing around with the LSC and HSC to dial them in but they’re ace.
I’m running them on a Stanton Slackline
The new Charger 3 version has a couple of other new bits including elastomer 'Butter Cups' in the base of the lower legs and better bushings.
On reports of harshness - a lot of Rock Shox forks come bone dry from the factory with barely any oil and grease and from personal experience with the new SID they feel 100x better after an initial lowers service.
Many thanks can they be adjusted on the fly to soften up for downhill and firm up for fire road uphill ?
from what I’ve heard the Charger 3 can be a bit harsh
My Charger 2.1s were sooooo harsh…no suppleness in the midstroke at all. Changed em for Fox 36s which are superb. 130mm I’d go for 34s.
I can confirm that the Charger 3 in the Lyrik is as good as the Charger 3 in the Zebs I have.
I jumped on the Alpkit sale for a set of charger3 Lyriks at £600 via phone , at first they didnt feel anything like my 2.1 lyriks on the bigger bike. After around 10 hours now they seem to be just as good perhaps a bedding in process ?
I had this dilemma and had bad experiences with Pikes previously. Went for Lyriks that were 160mm lowered with a 140mm air shaft in them. Absolutely superb forks, running on a Stif Morf hardtail. Recommended.
(edit) These were Lyrik Ultimate RC2 DebonAirs.
I'm really liking my Lyrik with Charger 3 damper. Was a little concerned after reading about it being harsh but it's at least as good as the 2.1.
My 2023 Zeb needed to bed in, feels great now. Definitely better than the previous version.
The old Pike was great though. I have no plans to change the Charger 2.1 Select+ on my trail bike.