RockShox 2023 Pike and Super Deluxe Ultimate First Ride Review
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- RockShox have completely updated their Pike Ultimate fork and Super Deluxe Ultimate shock. So what's changed and what difference does that make when you hit the trails hard?
Thanks to Giro, Peaty’s and Crud for sponsoring the channel, SRAM for test equipment, Pace for the frame loan and to my Patreon supporters for their monthly pledges. If you like what I'm doing and want early, extended and exclusive edits, personal buying and tech advice and other Patreon perks click on the link here: www.patreon.co...
Any questions get busy in the comments.
Cheers
Guy
Another possible solution to help fix the harshness .
Release all the air from air spring , does the lowers bottom out agents the crown under the weight of the bike itself ? If not you possibly have air trapped in the lowers .
Press down on the fork and press both pressure relief valves on lowers to release any air trapped. The lowers should drop to the crown .
Now refill the air spring being sure to cycle it as you refill it .
This made a big difference on mine .
Before I did this I could run 15 psi below RS suggested psi and not bottom out , now using RS suggested psi ... I found I needed to add a volume spacer to help keep fork from bottoming out .
I made a big difference in performance of my pike . Hope this helps others .
Just in case anyone’s been in my shoes: I have spent the last 4 months trying to dial this fork in. The same harshness that annoys every bike reviewer out there, was present on my fork too. The solution was basically what Rockshox said in the beginning: forget what you “want” to do with the settings based on previous forks you have tried… and set up the charger 3 damper as per rockshox’ recommendations. If it’s too harsh this way, it’s not overdamped, but probably over-aired: the air spring is so progressive that with my weight, I can go 20psi below recommended pressure, achieving 25% sag and still resisting bottom-outs. With my 68kg weight, I use 53 psi, and the default, mid-strong LSC and HSC. Resist the temptation to run HSC wide open: that way the fork packs up and becones harsh on repeated hits. You can set in the dynamic ride height using theLSC dial. Now it’s super controlled, supportive enough, and both small- and lrge bump compliance are better than on the SID120 on my hardtail.
Thanks for the update Ferenc. I'm hopefully getting another Pike to use shortly and I'll definitely try that set up style. I tried lower pressure but it didn't seem to help the chatter. Maybe I didn't go low enough, so I'll try your numbers as I'm a similar weight. Glad you got yours working well anyway.
The only issue I see with that is 25% sag might make your bottom bracket too low and head angle too steep
Great review in incredible scenery! Always RockShox completely reliable and capable for even the rockiest descents.
One ask though: please add an apostrophe to your bar stickers so it reads 'Can't Quit'...the grammar error was so distracting...😏
I’ll have a word with Steve at Can’t Quit about that ASAP
Yeah I found that annoying too. Once seen……
Unless of course your surname is Cant (I have a friend with that last name) and it is simply telling you to give up. 😏
At first I also experienced harshness with the Pike Ultimate so I went the way of running less air pressure (as low as 75 psi) than the Trailhead app recommends as a starting point (84 psi). In doing so I ended up opening the rebound to -15 (recommended -9) which made the fork feel better. But still I was not 100 per cent satisfied as the fork felt short even with added lsc. So after a few months I thought what the heck, I’ll give the Trailhead recommended air pressure another try and omg how the fork felt good with almost the recommended rebound setting -11 (recommended -9). I believe the fork has loosened during a couple of months riding and is now very sensitive in small bumps. I have ended up with these settings: 86 psi, rebound -11, lcs 0, hcs -1.
Not missing my previous Fox Float any more.
Yeah I think you’ve nailed it there. Seems like there’s an issue with undersized bushings feeling super tight at first.
great review! Thinking of buying this fork and seeing you review it at a trail I ride a lot is amazing. Also you are bombing it! The camera doesn't do justice just how rough these trails are!
Glad it was useful. We've probably seen each other up at Stainburn if you're a regular so be sure to say Hi next time. If it wasn't totally clear from the video the new Pike doesn't actually perform that well on rocky, techy trails like Stainburn. I've ridden a few sets now and they all have a slap/choke issue that makes them really uncomfortable and tiring on janky stuff. I've not got to the bottom of it yet despite a lot of back and forth with RockShox. The good news is that the older Pike always felt great there and you can get great deals on that now. Alternatively the Fox 34 feels awesome on the boulders.
@@GuyKesTV cheers mate! I've only lived around here for a year or so, so I'm still getting used to it. The RC2 and 2.1 have fantastic reviews and are the angle I was looking at for a while. I'm building up a titanium hardcore hardtail and figuring to put 140 or 150mm on it. How would you favor the 150 RC2 Pike Ultimate against something like a 140m 34 Factory or even just performance? I was thinking for some reason the performance elites top out at 130mm?
@@103supra welcome to the area chief. Most of my vids are shot round here and there’s a 3 part Stainburn trail guide somewhere on the channel too. What bike are you building up?
@@GuyKesTV Thanks man. I've ordered a Titanium frame from Lynskey Titanium in Tennessee. I tried posting the link but that seems to be a no-no. Wanna build it up as a hardcore hardtail, so looking for like 140-150mm of travel on it. Was leaning hard into the Pike Ultimate but you've now got me considering the F 34. I have one of those on my Pivot 429 and it's amazing. I read the Performance Elite tops out at 130, would you recommend just the Performance for more travel or just splash cash for the factory/ Pike Ultimate?
@@103supra Mark Lynskey and his crew make awesome bikes, I've had several over the years. I'd go with the previous Pike Ultimate with Charger 2.1. They go for under £700 which makes them a proper bargain compared to Fox 34 and the ride is very similar. Performance is a decent fork but not as good as that Pike
these new forks are gonna lighten my wallet lol
Looks like these new Rockshox are very good, Shame I can't afford a set for all 3 bikes lol.
A shop told me you can use the 2023 Lyrik 150mm air spring on the 2023 Pike which would be awesome
I went all in w charger 2.1 and super deluxe ultimate 2nd to last model. Better price point, had already MegNeg can.
Hello, I just placed an order for for a 295 after watching your video, I'm very excited. I was wondering what tune you got for the after market RockShox and Fox socks you've been testing?
Thanks Again
- Nick
What shock/fork did your RC285 come with?
@@electricallergychanneleach3120 I'm running a RS Pike Ultimate and a Fox Float X
Nice riding and review! 👏 Where is that everything is so lush and green.
hey again guy - what about the sd ultimate air vs the float x? Do you think the sd ultimate is a better shock than the float x or are they very similar in terms of performance/damping/composure in rougher stuff? I have the option to have one or the other but can’t decide, does the sd ultimate feel closer to the x2 performance wise so a step ahead/upgrade over the float x you think?
I rode the new Zeb yesterday. I may not have the settings dialed completely yet, but it certainly doesn't ride as well as a Mezzer Pro.
where you riding there, those trails look awesome, sorry if you mentioned it in the video. Great video glad I just specked my new bike with the new forks
i also agree i think the 150mm pike will be missed, dont always think you need the extra weight of a lyrik
It’s shot up at Stainburn Forest in Yorkshire. Only short trails but still fun.
Could this be the start of an elastomer revival? I knew I should have kept those Quadras.
Do you know if any of the new fork internals can be retrofitted to the last generation Pike?
Keep rattling on!
No they can't be retrofitted.
Guy I saw you also got time on the new lyric, any thoughts on the pike against that in terms of feel. It's burlier but how much so?
Actually, the Lyrik / Zeb exchange duties at 160 now. So no 170 Lyrik, and there's actually a 160 Zeb.
How is small pump sensitivity and pop? I haven't heard anyone talk about those at all. Everyone's talking about the damper
Sorry W B, you’re totally right, Lyrik is now 140-160mm. Think i heard what I wanted to, not the actual numbers. Also I want to go head to head with previous Lyrik before I fully comment on pop. It’s super quiet and smooth over small bump though. Either blasting across roots and ripples or nursing steering traction on really techy, steeper climbs.
Were you able to get more plush essays out of the fork? Should I go 2022 or 2023 is worth it?
Great video, I’ve been looking at the pike ultimate to replace my bomber z2. Did sram ever get back to you on the harshness concern?
No not yet, but there’s a fresh Pike on the way so I’ll post a review as soon as I get some time on it. Glad the video has been useful anyway. There should be some good deals on the ‘old’ Pike Ultimate around soon too.
Sounds good.. Sorry if I missed the detail, but what travel is the fork offered in?
120-140mm. No 150mm any more 😢
Thanks for the great video I am thinking of getting that 2023 Pike.
Do you know if it would take 27.5 x 2.8 tyre , as that is what I have on my bike?
Maximum tyre width is 81mm according to the RockShox website.
@@GuyKesTV thanks for the reply. I greatly appreciate it. Thank you
@@fjwhbdnehdh no worries chief
How much of a difference in performance would you say there is between the Sid and Pike (120 travel for comparison), in 2023 guises?
Sorry, missed this one. I'd go for SID all the way here. Much more consistent feel from the damper and plenty stiff enough for 120mm
Hi team,
I put the pike ultimate 2023 on to my stumpy and set it up with 65psi. Is it normal that it already sits 2-4mm in its travel only cause of the bike weight?
How does the pike compare to the fox 34?
I still haven't got a straight answer on the chatter from the Pike and I'm riding another at the moment that's doing exactly the same so I'd say Fox 34 is the much better fork at the moment.
@GuyKesTV Shame. I was excited for the new pike. Been hearing a lot of the same stuff about it being harsh.
Anymore updates on the Pike? I was set on ordering one but after watching your review, I'm consider a Fox 34 now
@suney20 I ended up with a Cane creek helm mk2.
Do you think the SDU is overkill for the 2021 stumpjumper carbon non evo?
it'll add weight over an inline shock but the amount of tuning might be really useful as I took a long time tweaking the Stumpy I had to get it feeling sorted.
Hey guy, so would you choose a new 140mm pike over the old 150mm pike on an rc295? I’m about to order a pace and can’t work out what to do. Thanks
For smoother, flow riding I'd consider the new Pike but for more rocky, clattery stuff I'd stick with the old one. If it's an option I'd go new Fox 34 Performance Elite Grip2 though
@@GuyKesTV thanks for your reply, it’s much appreciated.. hopefully the fox fork would work ok with the super deluxe rear shock on the rc295?
hello, great video thanks, I have a fox 38 grip 2 and the problem is that on loose stone it is a bit dry and hard and I can't get it to go as I want, on fast sections of cambers and jumps it goes well, it is still hard but a little better, the zeb ultimate 2023 is more sensitive and smoother than the fox 38? I have also read that the old zeb is more sensitive than the 2023, it is more similar to the fox 38 for experienced pilots, what do you think? buy me a zeb?
Hi Joan, what weight are you? 38 is normally pretty sensitive
@@GuyKesTV Hello, I weigh 82 kilos dressed as a cyclist
How does the buttercup behave in really cold weather ?
I don’t know yet, but presumably they use chainsaws in cold weather too and that’s where the concept comes from. I don’t know if the materials are the same though. Soon as it goes sub zero I’ll let you know but hopefully that’s a few months away yet in the UK
@@GuyKesTV plenty of time Kes, I need a while to save up 😂
hey guy - question if you can answer please - do you think the new 2023 SD ultimate air shock is comparable to the float X2? x2 has more adjustment does the damping feel as good/controlled on the SD ultimate give its a bit ligther package etc? many thanks
Hey Didzy, I’d say the SD is more controlled than the X2 as the Fox tends to push through the mid stroke more easily. The X2 is slightly more sensitive in terms of traction as a result though. But yeah I’ve ridden the SDU on several different bikes now and been very impressed every time.
@@GuyKesTV ah thanks so much for that guy - really appreciate the insight - thats sold it for me - i thought it maybe more comparable to a float x than a x2 so was thinking it may be a down grade but sounds like your just as impressed by it and had no issues at all with it
What giro helmet is that guy?
It’s the Giro Merit. Great helmet with their twin shell spherical MIPS tech at a cheaper price than other SMIPS lids but you still pay for the privilege: www.bikeperfect.com/reviews/giro-merit-helmet-review-an-affordable-downcountry-lid
Do they still make a 150mm travel option on the 2023 model or did they drop that option and 140mm is highest option?
Pike tops out at 140 now but I’d go for the older Pike anyway
@@GuyKesTV they are saying the new buttercups massively improve trail chatter and vibrations is their a noticeable difference from the 2023 and the 2022 models?
@@waldowsxxghostxx8577 “they” aren’t always to be believed as any buttercup wins have been overshadowed by bushing related spiking on every new Pike I’ve ridden.
@@GuyKesTV so for example let’s say 2022 model is listed $749 and 2024 rolls around and new model replaces charger 3 and 2023 model is around same sale would you still get the 2022 over the 2023?
@@GuyKesTV have you tried 2023 lyrik ultimate is their identical issue with bushings?