Review: the 2019 RockShox Lyrik DebonAir RC2 suspension fork
The new Lyrik RC2 is here and ready to take on all the bigger hits.
New and improved! I’ve been waiting for an update for the Lyrik for a while now, and I am so happy to finally have one of the best Gravity forks back on my bike. Many mountain bikers have been riding the Lyrik for years and getting their first taste for Enduro while using one. In conjunction with the reworked Pike, the Lyrik was also updated three years ago. However, in my eyes, the Lyrik lost a lot of its soul. It had roughly the same guts as the Pike and a functioning high or low-speed compression were now were to be seen. To get back to the true spirit of the Lyrik, RockShox has redone the entire fork from the bottom up.
That red turns heads.
First impressions
Just look at that colour! Those who remember the Judy DH know what I mean. Besides the boXXer red, which is a special 20th RockShox anniversary colour, the golden DebonAir logo on the left lower tube catches my eye. This shows that RockShox really did put a lot of work into updating the Lyrik. It can especially be seen when looking at the features:
Available in 29“ & 27.5“ |
150 / 160 / 170 / 180 mm travel |
A new RC2 cartridge |
Separate high and low-speed compression |
New DebonAir technology with a 42% larger negative air chamber, for a more coil-like feel |
The travel compresses less after successive hits |
Progression can be adjusted with tokens |
Responsiveness has been improved |
After looking at the updates, it’s clear this fork is a new beast. The new DebonAir air chamber / spring have reduced friction by 80 % and the larger negative air chamber gives a more coil-like, linear feel.
On the trail
I tested the RockShox Lyric RC2 in a new Transition Patrol. Because I’ve ridden previous Lyrik models in this bike, it made it easier to feel the differences. The first few metres really showed what the new Lyrik can do. The breakaway point is close to zero and it handles as if it was coil sprung. Adjusting the new high-speed compression is intuitive and the low-speed has 5 clicks, with the middle being the most common. The adjustability of the fork offers every rider the right kind of suspension.
After the first few trails, it was clear: this fork is something else! Buttery smooth response with improved feedback. As soon as the hits get big or the terrain gets steep, the Lyrik stays high in its travel. The harder the trail, the more impressive the RC2 cartridge preforms. It is a great cartridge for riders looking for something a little stiffer.
Summary
Why did RockShox take so much time to update a classic? Because they knew they had to fill the hole left between the Fox 36 and Öhlins RXF. With the feedback of the 36 and responsiveness of the RXF, what more could a rider want out of the Lyrik? That’s right, nothing!