For 2025 Pike, Lyrik, ZEB, and Boxxer forks, Rockshox’s high finish fashions will get a brand new Charger 3.1 damper that has a dramatically wider adjustment vary and softer total compression.
The objective was to cut back small “path chatter” vibrations and harshness felt by the hands with softer low-speed compression damping whereas additionally giving aggressive riders extra assist. However additionally they made the bushings higher for smoother motion, and added user-adjustable mid-valve tuning for much more customization. Right here’s how they did it…
Charger 3.1 RC2 Damper
Rockshox’s Charger 3.0 already had utterly impartial high- and low-speed compression circuits, letting you modify one with out affecting the opposite, which known as “cross discuss”. That independence additionally means Rockshox can change the damping fluid’s circulate administration in a single circuit with out affecting the opposite, and that’s precisely what they did.
The low-speed compression circuit is far softer, with 68% extra oil circulate. Meaning it gives a lot much less total damping within the center setting, so it’s higher capable of soak up the little stuff for a softer starting stroke. This additionally helps your tire monitor the bottom higher.
The high-speed circuit, nevertheless, enables you to go firmer than earlier than…in order for you. For actually aggressive riders, this helps them keep management on large excessive pace hits. For the remainder of us, relaxation straightforward figuring out that it, too, can go softer:
The general tuning vary of each high- and low-speed compression circuits is about double what it was once, so you’ll be able to extra simply discover the setting that works for you.
When you’re simply catching up, the “RC2” a part of meaning exterior low-speed rebound and exterior high- and low-speed compression adjustment.
Upgradeable, modifiable design
Like a lot of their latest damper and air spring updates, the Charger 3.1 RC2 cartridge ($358) is backward appropriate with 2023 forks. You may swap in the whole damper cartridge when you’re upgrading from a decrease degree fork…
…or simply order the elements package to transform your Charger 3.0 to a 3.1 damper. The $75 package contains the piston meeting, IFP spring, tuning shims,
and the Charger 3.1 Excessive Move Piston Software.
Simply wish to fiddle with the three.1 damper’s tune? Shim Tune Kits ($30) offer you an extra “Heavy” compression tune and two rebound tunes (Gentle & Heavy) can be found, letting you make inside changes, too. Inventory tune kits are additionally accessible in case it’s worthwhile to return to the unique setup and misplaced the elements.
New bushings & air springs
New bushings and new/improved manufacturing processes pioneered on the most recent Boxxer have now moved to the Pike, Lyrik, and ZEB, too. Rockshox says this reduces friction.
The Pike’s V2 Debonair+ air spring will get a hollowed-out high cap to extend the adverse air spring quantity for simpler journey initiation, higher small bump sensitivity, and improved traction. This half can be accessible as an aftermarket improve for 2023+ Pike forks.
Fashions & choices
ZEB
The 38mm-stanchion ZEB now is available in Boxxer, er, Electrical Pink. The Charger 3.1 RC2 dampers comes on the Final (2,341g, $1,159), which incorporates vibration-damping Butter Cups, and Choose+ (2,295g, OE solely), which doesn’t. There’s additionally Choose (2,309g, $896) with Charger RC damper, and a base mannequin (2,341g, OE solely) with their Rush RC damper. All can be found from 150-190mm journey, in 27.5″ and 29″ wheel sizes.
LYRIK
The 35mm-stanchion Lyrik will get the identical spec choices throughout the road for Final (2,028g, $1,099), Choose+ (1,968g, OE solely), Choose (1,928g, $843), and base fashions (1,973g, OE solely). Journey ranges from 140-160mm in each wheel sizes.
PIKE
For path riders, the 35mm-stanchion Pike covers 120-140mm journey with each wheel sizes and has the identical damper choices throughout the fashions – Final (1,887g, $1,049), Choose+ (1,828g, OE solely), Choose (1,778g, $790), and base (1,833g, OE solely).
