New Products: Updates for Rockshox PIKE, Lyrik, Yari, and Revelation for 2018

Rockshox still the one of the most popular and consistent suspension product in the market, with their various products on both fork and shock for various scenes of mountain biking sport and now, for the upcoming 2018 Rockshox updates their high fork range, including the legendary PIKE, the Luxury Lyrik, new baby beast Yari and the revolutionary Revelation. Let's go to meet them..

The Legendary PIKE

Since the rebirth of the PIKE, this fork straight to get mass attention and getting very popular, both for fans and the pro-riders. And not stop here, Rockhox again gives the updates for this legendary PIKE, which claims now is lighter, smoother, and more stable. To be more trail-fork weapon, the new legendary PIKE 2018 is available on both 27.5 and 29er, and both of them are ready for the tire up to 2,8. As stated above that the new PIKE is lighter, it has now 1,841 g for the weight.

The updates including the re-developed the two damper for the wider rebound and compression. The bigger negative chamber makes the PIKE has better fork responsiveness. The legendary PIKE 2018 is also available two versions, the RCT3 and RC. Both are compatible with OneLoc Remote. Beside that, the new PIKE is also available in large range travel, from 100 mm, 110 mm, 120 mm, 130 mm, 140 mm, 150 mm, and 160 mm, with 15 mm axle.

The Luxurious Lyrik

Rockshox Lyrik has long known as one of the hardcore fork from Rockshox, and last year this fork is completely new. So, what about the Lyrik for the next 2018? The Luxurious Lyrik still be the one of the enduro weapon from Rockshox. It's still the flagship. But what Rockshox offers from the new Lyrik 2018 maybe is really amusing everyone. 

Charger 2 Damper unit, OneLoc Remote compatible, update Air-Pressure-Guide on the lower leg, and even with some guidances the Lyrik is also ready for E-MTB. The new Luxurious Lyrik is available in two models the RC (2,034 g) and RCT3 (2,040 g) with travel started from 150 mm, 160 mm, 170 mm, to 180 mm. Also available on both 27.5 and 29er, the price is about € 1,145–1,310.

The Baby Beast Yari

From those two forks above, the Yari is completely new fork from Rockshox but as it is new, the baby beast Yari is still a good fork and popular since its appearance and that's why the company continues the life of this baby beast Yari with some new improvements to give better performance. It has same chasis with its older brothers above, and Yari also shares the similar DebonAir or Dual Position Air.

The Yari offers some features such as rebound, slow speed compression, and also available for the EMTB. Compared to its older brothers, the Yari is a bit heavier. The weight is about 2,123 g but cheaper than those two, just about € 780–865. But the fans can choose the Yari as free as they can because it has large range travel, start from 100 mm to 180 mm. It also available in three wheels models, the 27.5, 29er and 29er +, but it only RC model.

The Revolutionary Revelation

Rockshox Revelation is also one of their great fork, used by many riders. But for 2018, the Revelation turns into bigger fork as the company puts a bigger 35 mm stanchion. Wow! Known as PIKE's sibling, the Revelation 2018 shares same chasis with its brother, and the same DebonAir. Available on both 27.5 and 29er (and 29+), the Revolutionary Revelation will accept tires up to 2,8 inch.

What next? The new Revelation will accomodate anyone who rides the bike from 120 mm travel to 160 mm travel, but lighter than the new baby beast Yari. The new Revelation offers about 1,951 g, and priced about € 720–800. For more information about those forks, please visit sram.com and find out which fork is suitable for you! All come in completely new decal and it looks sick!

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New Bike: Polygon Square One EX9 - How Its Perform?

All eyes now are seeing Polygon's new bike, the Square One EX9: most people said that this bike is a bit weird, or maybe different or out of the box. But, since its geometry is shocking most people, how about the bike's performance? Short explanation about the Polygon Square One EX9; the bike is adopting modern geomtry and using new suspension system called Naild R3act Suspension System. With 180 mm of travel, the bike is ready for both climbing and also descent.

Yes, this is not a prototype, but a bike that ready for daily riding and also racing. With radical geometry, the Square One EX9 looks very different than other bikes. This radical geometry looks complicated, mostly on the suspension system used, the Naild R3act Suspension. The one makes the bike different is the rear triangle. 

Talk about Polygon Square One EX9's geometry, sure it is really interesting as the bike adopts different approach on the tubing. The tubing is really unusual than others, the bottom bracket also unusual and different, but it said that this bottom bracket offers better impression. The company even claims that the rear shock is effective when the bike is riding the steep uphill section.

This performance can not be separated from the suspension system, the Naild R3act Suspension. This suspension system is the result of partnership with the Naild, and that's one of their strategy to expand their market. Polygon said that the Naild offers very interesting and out of the box suspension system, which is they called genius. 

Prototype Polygon Square One EX9

But for now, this Polygon Square One EX9 offers different and out of the box geometry, and this make people thought that this is an ugly bike, or weird. But it is not fair to judge a bike just from the appearance without testing the bike and its performance. So, let's wait for the review, and then decide about the bike. (pic; pinkbike.com - bikerumor.com)

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Look Closer: Calibre Bossnut - A Budget Trail Bike

When we're new to mountain biking and find that good bike has crazy price (most of them), a good hardtail can be good first decision before upgrading along with skills. But among the mainstream and popular brands, there are some good brands that build good bikes, and if someone wants to be anti-mainstream, underrated companies can be the option. Calibre Bossnut, really a budget trail bike anyone can buy.

A budget bike does not always the bike performs not good or equipped with second-class parts (for some, second-class parts is meaningless). So, what about the Calibre Bossnut's performance? First, let's check the appearance, in general. The Calibre Bossnut frame layout offers nice geometry for trail riding and have been tested in UK.

This is a trail bike, so the company puts a 130 mm travel for 27.5 wheelset, which is really nice combination as trail bike. Made of aluminum material, the frame has 67 degree of head angle, slack enough and that's reasonable reach to get best positioning when riding the bike. The bike also has large space to accomodate big tires.

What about the parts then? 

This a budget trail bike is using good parts from good companies. For the suspension system, the Calibre Bossnut is using Rockshox suspension, the combination of Sektor fork and Monarch shock. For some, these suspension maybe second-class parts, but they both are good suspension and perform well. For the drivetrain, when most bikes are using 1x11 or 2x11 speed, the Calibre Bossnut still using the Shimano Deore 2x10 speed, combined with Shimano Deore brakes. Is this cons? It depends on the users.

On the wheels, the bike is using the combo WTB rims 27.5 inch with Shimano Deore hubset, and laced with WTB Vigilante 2,30 tires. Ritchey will complete the steering parts, starts from handlebar and stem. The manual seatpost also stock from Ritchey, with WTB saddle. 

With little modification and upgrades, this budget trail bike the Calibre Bossnut will ready to blast most of trail riding, all mountain or even the enduro. Just add dropper post and put a shorter stem, the Calibre Bossnut is reall budget trail bike monster.

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Taipei Cycle Show 2017: New DVO Suspension and Production Privee

Taipei Cycle Show 2017 is on the way and tons of new product spread from parts and new bikes are there. While some new forks are currently released by several companies, another brand also showing up their new forks on the event. DVO brings two new forks to the event with Onyx and Beryl. While the popular steel bike maker, Production Privee releases their limited steel full suspension frame, the Shan Nº5. Check them out.

DVO Onyx and Beryl

DVO is one of the popular suspension maker, with its famous characteritics, the green color and use the name of precious stones, such as topaz, diamond, etc. And again, they are using another stones for their newest forks, the DVO Onyx and Beryl.

The first one, DVO Onyx is a downhill fork, with 203 mm of travel and the brand says that the Onyx is the bigger version of Diamond, their enduro/all mountain fork. But that's reasonable because the Onyx uses the same compression bladder. The Onyx has high-low speed compression damping, rebound damping, air volume adjust and their Off the Top adjuster. The OTT allows the riders to increase or decrease the suppleness of the fork. Sounds awesome, but the Onyx DC is priced about $1,700 which is pretty good if compared with Rockshox or Fox suspension. 

And what about the second one? The DVO Beryl (the original is Beryllium) is an enduro/all mountain fork, available for both 27,5 and 29 wheels, with 170 mm of travel. The Beryl is basically the Diamond, but with lesser feature; minus external adjuster. It has 35 mm black stanchion, which seems now getting popular, and 15 mm Axle. The Beryl is using the simpler damper which called the D2. On the market, the Beryl will be priced at $750, way cheaper than the Diamond, and will face to face with Fox Float 34 Grip and Rockshox Yari.

Production Privee Shan Nº5

Most people known the company as the steel hardtail maker, with their popular Shan, Shan GT, and another. But, the company just makes a big surprise few times ago when they build a full suspension bike prototype. And the show continues, they really build a full suspension bike and showing it in Taipei Cycle Show 2017, with the Production Privee Shan Nº5.

With the carbon trend on mountain biking industry, the steel bikes still there with their fans. It may heavier than the carbon, but surely the steel bike will be last longer than the carbon. For the Production Privee, this Shan Nº5 is really inspired by their hardtail Shan with more development in various parts. And the result, a 138 mm of travel suspension bike, all around bike, more fun, simple, and reliable. 

The Shan Nº5 is adopting the single pivot with Fox Shock DPS on the rear shock. The main pivot has the same size with the BB shell, pretty big and different than others. As all around bike, the Shan Nº5 accepts the fork from 140 mm to 160 mm of travel. The Shan Nº5 also compatible with 27.5 or 27.5+.  For the fans, the bike is available in frame only option to allow fans to build as they want, but it comes with Fox DPS Shock, about 1,899 Euro. For now, it only fifty frames to be produced for the first production, and it all come in Bahama Yellow paint job.

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New Forks: New 2017 Forks - Rockshox and MRP

The companies are busy, and some of them are building new parts and yes, it finally done. When the Taipei Cycle Show is happening now, some products also need to be seen. Rockshox, as one of the pioneer on mountain bike suspension once again give a life for their old product, the Rockshox Judy. But, not only that, another company responds the new competitor fork with their new product, MRP Ribbon. So, let's check them out.

Rockshox Judy

Yes, Rockshox gives a life once again for the Judy, one of their old product. Surely with many developments and updates, the Judy is now available in both 27.5 and 29 wheels. The brand says that the new Judy is stiffer and lighter, available in Boost which means ready for plus tires up to 2.8.

Rockshox builds the new Judy in two versions, the Gold RL and Silver TK. Both models are available in 27.5 and 29 wheels with Boost. The new Rockshox Judy Gold RL features such as: Motion Control

Oneloc

Solo Air

Boost

Maxle Lite/Stealth

Torque Caps

Judy Gold RL Details

• Intended Use: XC/Trail

• 80-120mm travel

• Fast Black aluminum upper tubes

• Performance-based Motion Control RL damper

• Compatible with OneLoc remote

• Solo Air spring

• 2.8” maximum tire compatibility for both 27.5” and 29” models (27.5”x3.0” tires fit in the 29” model) 

• All new Boost-specific chassis: light yet stiff 

• New low profile integrated remote spool

• New air pressure guide maximizes performance for E-MTB applications

• Availability: OEM only, select aftermarket options to be announced - price $380 - $450

Judy Silver TK Details

• Intended Use: XC/Trail

• 80-120mm travel

• Proven TurnKey damping

• PopLoc remote compatible

• Lightweight Solo Air spring

• 2.8” maximum tire compatibility for both 27.5” and 29” models (27.5”x3.0” tires fit in the 29” model)

• Steel upper tubes with Satin Nickel finish

• All new Boost-specific chassis: light yet stiff

• New air pressure guide maximizes performance for E-MTB applications 

with Poploc, Turnkey, Solo Air, Boost, Maxle Lite/Stealth, and Torque Caps.

MRP Ribbon Fork

Released at Eurobike last year, the MRP Ribbon is now available for the fans. Some things must be highlighted about this fork: high performance all mountain forks, most adjutability and features in class, and deliver jaw-dropping weight. The company tested this fork in Colorado.

MRP Ribbon Fork Details

• 27.5" Travel: 140, 150, 160, or 170mm

• 27.5+ / 29" Travel: 120, 130, 140, 150, or 160mm 

• Weight: 4.15 lbs. for 27.5", 4.2 lbs. for 27.5+ / 29"

• External Adjustments: Positive air-spring pressure, negative air-spring pressure, 8-position low-speed compression, 16-position Ramp Control, and rebound.

• Internal adjustments: Travel (in 5mm increments)

• Colors: All black chassis with 9 decal color options.

• Wheel size options: 27.5" or 27.5+ / 29”

• Boost spacing - 15x110mm

• MSRP: $989 USD

MRP puts some best features for this enduro-all mountain forks, such as the air spring, which offers negative and positive air chambers. This gives the riders more control. One of the technology for this air spring is Ramp Control, a part to adjust the forks based on the trail. While the damper, the Ribbon is using the EssenTTial damper, a twin tube damper that gives more advantages in performance, ride control, efficiency and durability.

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Look Closer: Meet the New Bird Aeris 145

Talk about unpopullar bike is always interesting. While many people talk about the same bikes everywhere, a good bike but not many people looking at is really interesting. The UK factory, Bird Cycleworks is one of them. They are about to release their new bike; the New Bird Aeris 145. This is a 150/160 mm travel bike on the front, and 145 mm of rear travel.

With that travel, the new Bird Aeris 145 is supposed to be all mountain/enduro bike. Despite the new Aeris is underrated bike, it equipped with best parts in class; the highest spec comes with SRAM Eagle. The bike will come in five different builds. To give different experience, the company also send the bike as frame only option. The frame only will be priced about € 1041 (£ 900), and the highest spec comes in € 4283 (£ 3700).

Bird Aeris 145 Update

145 mm rear travel, 150/160 mm front

All new 6066 tube set, designed to give best stiffness to weight ratio

New self-locking mini-collet axle system

One-piece hollow section yoke

148 mm boost rear end for maximum tyre clearance and stiffness

One piece brake/axle assembly for maximum precision and minimum squeal

Metric shock sizing

Double bearing shock mount, to give smoothest shock movement

One by specific rear end for maximum stiffness

ISCG05 mount

Bottle cage mounts

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New Product: Cane Creek Helm Fork

Rockshox and Fox Suspension have been dominating the mountain biking sport especially in suspension, mostly fork. It doesn't mean that another suspensions are not good, but it's something hard to explain. But as the time goes, there are so many good competitors for those two, and they deserve to be worried. After the comeback of SR Suntour a while ago, and another forks like BOS, DVO, Manitou, and the recent, the moto-suspension Ohlins, now another new competitor is coming: Cane Creek Helm fork.

Yes, Cane Creek gets massive success with their shock, the DB range and now they are producing the fork. Not only usual fork, but really high end fork to give serious competition not only in the track but also in the market. The Cane Creek Helm fork will face againts, such as the Rockshox Pike, Fox 34 and 36, and also the Ohlins RXF.

Cane Creek Helm Details

• Intended use: trail / all-mountain / enduro

• Travel: 100 - 170mm (internally adj. in 10mm increments)

• Wheel size: 27.5'' 

• Spring: air

• Manual negative spring

• Air volume adjustment for ramp-up

• Mono-tube damper

• Damper adjustments: low-speed compression, high-speed compression, low-speed rebound

• Stanchions: 35mm

• Steerer: tapered only

• 7'' post mount 

• Axle: 'D-Loc' 15mm QR Boost thru-axle

• Colors: black, blue (limited release option)

• Weight: 2,010 grams / 4.43lbs (w/ axle, 205mm steerer)

• MSRP: $1,100 USD

As listed above, for now the fork is available only in 27.5 inch wheels but the bigger one is also under development. To take the people's attention, Cane Creek builds the fork in two color; all-black and the combination blue-black stanchion. The second color is limited edition, but maybe one day the company produces this color for the fans.

But can this fork give serious challenge? The fork comes at competitive price and there are several forks at the same or similar price. But one thing, if your bike has Cane Creek Double Barrel, so this Cane Creek Helm will be good match for your bike. And the fork is now available on their website. More information about the fork, please visit Cane Creek Helm Fork.

(photo: pinkbike.com)

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