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I recently got a set of 2018 Revelations and I'm finding they feel quite harsh over repeated hits compared to my old 2015 Rebas. I'm 78kg and started off with the recommended 70-odd psi and a couple of tokens but it was no good at all. I'm now down to 60psi and no tokens but it still feels as though repeated rocky hits are overwhelming it (if that makes sense, it's the only way I can describe it, it just feels harder work than the old fork which used to flow more). I have one click of compression and the rebound set in the middle, is there something obvious I'm missing (super low pressure with one or two tokens?)?
When you say one click of compression I thought they were moco and didn’t have low speed compression? In which case whatever kind of compression dial you’ve got I’d leave it full open.
I’d then start with no tokens and see how you can get the fork running. Maybe try 30% sag and then not much rebound (so quite fast). Perhaps the fork is packing down over repeated hits if the rebound is too slow.
Also, with both Rockshox forks I’ve had in recent years, they’re much plusher once heyve had a lower leg service.
If none of that works then it’s damper upgrade time I’d say. I swapped out moco in my Yaris for a Lyrik charger damper and they’re so much nicer. Although I also popped in a 2019 debonair airshaft at the same time which will also have helped.
Let all air out, the fork should suck down.
When adding air make sure you only add a little then gently compress the fork to equalise the negative/positive chambers. I'd do this and then empty them again as often as it takes for them to suck down.
Have you read the instructions about putting the air in then compressing 5x then resetting the air? The instructions for my revs say to do this.
The motion control damper and revelations can be quite harsh over fast, repeated bumps, it's the only area they're not great though.
If you want that plushness over fast small-medium hits then charger 2 damper and 2019 debonair spring is the way to go.
how new are these forks?
IME, rockshox need a few miles in them and an oil change to loosen up.
Mid rebound sounds like too much for your lowish pressure. Try less rebound to see if it packs down less. Also make sure there's no air in the lowers. Burp them with a zip tie carefully past the wiper seals to check. Pressurised lowers feel very wooden if that's what has happened.
The motion control damper and revelations can be quite harsh over fast, repeated bumps, it’s the only area they’re not great though.
I find this. No matter the faffing with rebound, hours ridden and fresh oil, they seem to choke/struggle on repeated high speed hits. Three of our RockShox forks have same damper and issue - I just can't get them as I would like. Fourth set is a Pike on Charger damper, and it is lush. Meanwhile, Mrs_oab has a set of 2016 Fox 32 EVO and its reminded me how good my old F120's were for such a 'basic' fork.
Not much help but I’ve same fork and it’s utter ****. A major step backwards from anything else I’ve ever ridden. The rebound was so rubbish I got the lower assembly replaced under warranty but even after that it feels really harsh and uninspiring.
Get rid and get something else.
Thanks for the replies all, interesting that I'm not the only one experiencing harshness. I can't afford the better damper so I guess I'll try a lower leg service and a bit less rebound.
The MC damper in the Revelation just can’t handle fast repetitive hits. Oil doesn’t flow fast enough. Mine were great for flowy trails with larger drops. But as soon as it gets rocky, or any trails with lots of small/medium bumps, the fork feels very harsh and I feel like my hands are going to fall off after a ride.
First I put in a vorsprung Luftcappe. It made a bit of a difference. Then I replaced the MC damper with a Charger 2. WOW! A whole new fork. It’s now a Pike. Really plush over everything. Very happy with the upgrade.
Before I installed the charger 2 damper, I tried a 2.6” tyre with low pressure (18psi. I weigh abou 80kg kitted up). It made a noticeable difference but was still harsh.