RockShox Forks Best to Worst Review in 2023 – New Edition
Evidently, suspension is among the biggest factors for ride quality when you are talking about bikes and what affects a good ride. In this case, an air-sprung fork can help to enhance the smooth delivery of your bike. If you have a bike with a coil-sprung fork, you might want to opt for the air-sprung fork.
RockShox Forks are among the best units out there, and you can be sure of having a reliable fork that makes your bike rides smooth enough. In this article, we will be exploring the Rockshox Forks best to worst so that we can help you to know which one to go for first. Even the least-favorite Rockshox Fork still delivers better than most units out there.
RockShox Forks Best to Worst
There are several forks from Rockshox out there. Nevertheless, these five make the cut in our review today. Keep in mind that the ranking is based on our experiences. They may not be as per your expectations.
RockShox Judy Gold RL Suspension Fork
The best Rockshox Fork is this Lucy Gold RL, which comes in two versions for you to pick the one that suits you or your bike best. These suspension forks are not only cost-efficient but also of outstanding quality. You get the Gold SL and the Silver TK. With the Judy Silver TK fork, it is OEM only, and it is made of cheap steel upper tubes, along with a Turnkey damper.
On the other hand, the Gold SL comes with a lightweight alloy stanchion that is anodized black. This anodized black color gives the fork a nice mini-pike theme. Besides that, there is a motion control RL damper with lockout, along with a rebound and an adjustable compression. The compression knob has got the lockout option to make your riding uphill tracks an amazing experience.
The fork comes with 80mm to 120mm travel, and it’s also compatible with wide tires of up to 2.8 inches. You can get them in both 27.5 and 29 inches options. There are also some wider and stronger boost-specific chassis that help to better the overall ride. You will get maximum control over the fork and wheel adjustment. Also, the stiffness you will get is unmatched.
Plus, there is the Solo Air spring inside the left-hand fork leg, which allows you to make quick and easy spring pressure adjustments for different rider weights. This amazing feature will help you to ride smoothly on different terrains with comfort. Make sure the psi adjustment is correct too for better performance.
The right-hand fork leg then comes with the Motion Control RL damper. It comes with a blue lever on the crown that allows you to adjust the compression to the full lockout. On the other hand, rebound damping will be controlled at the base of the same fork leg. There are six different positions when it comes to rebound adjustment and you can definitely adjust them as per your requirement and speed.
All the features have made the forks durable and sustainable at the same time and you will feel your bike a lot lighter than before. So, with an entry-level budget, you will get the benefits of a high-end product for sure. The values you want in high-end suspension forks are already available in this one here. If you are a beginner, you don’t have to worry about forks at all, RockShox Judy Gold RL has got your back.
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Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate Boost Fork
This 29-inch boost fork claims second place, and it truly is among the best out there. It comes with the Maxima Plush oil that helps to cut down friction. In turn, this enhances the smoothness of the stroke. This is an improvement of the oil used previously.
Generally, the Maxima Plush oil will better seal lubrication. So, if you ride most often and the smooth ride you always wish for, RockShox Lyrik Ultimate will get you there. The fork will be able to ride higher in compression travel but will keep the tires firm on the rebound. And, let me tell you, you will surely love the control over the bike.
The fork comes with 150mm, 160mm, 170mm, and 180mm travel options. It is made of a stanchion material of fast-black coated aluminum. Note that, the lower is made of magnesium, while the crown is made of forged hollow 7050 aluminum. The glossy black color of the fork will give your bike a much cooler look than it already has. And, you will love it all together I can guarantee.
This one comes with an updated damper. The Charger 2.1 damper features advancements in its high-speed compression damping. With this, you can be sure of reduced harshness and change in the low-speed compression settings. In other words, you can run the highest compression amount and feel the benefits of an agile fork.
This independent compression adjustment is not only a great feature but also makes sure the ride safety at any cost. Without this adjustment, riders can face severe issues while riding a bike on various trails.
The fork has also got a DebonAir air spring which is a warrior in bump absorption and responds sharply under pressure. This spring is capable of reducing friction from any part that moves while riding. So, no chance that you will feel tired on a ride. Rather you will take up the challenge to hit the tough terrains.
RockShox never disappointed us by experimenting with new types of greases in the air chamber to make sure of long-lasting and better-performing outcomes than the previous years.
It comes with a rebound circuit that is updated to let the fork ride higher in its travel, especially when you are rolling across brake bumps and rocky terrains. Thanks to the 42mm and 51mm available offsets, you can pair up the fork with your steed for better compatibility on the trail.
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RockShox Yari RC B3 Suspension Fork
Yari RC B3 is the third-best suspension fork in our experience. It delivers decently, the price tag is not too high, and you can be sure of enjoying working with it.
In terms of looks, this fork combines the Pike’s and Lyrik’s looks which is quite classy. The chassis this model has got is actually derived from Lyric which is great. Like the other RockShox, this one has also got a new graphic package and the design look solid and cool at the same time. If black is your color, the model won’t disappoint we can assure you.
There is the Motion Control damper that comes with the Rapid Recovery rebound. Along with that, there is a high-speed compression circuit that is tweaked to match the Charger damper feeling. You also get a fast black coating on the upper tubes, which helps to enhance the durability of the fork.
Besides that, this coating helps to cut down friction. This fork also comes with a stiff 35mm like Lyrik, and it features the DebonAir spring as well. The DebonAir air springs are capable of providing a buttery smooth experience to the rider. Also, it never fails to give riders confidence in riding steeper trails as it can maintain higher ride heights all the time.
Even if your bike is heavy, these forks will not add much extra on top. DebonAir air spring is very lightweight yet is capable of tackling hit and change in road conditions.
Also, this model has got a bottomless token. No matter what suspension you prefer or what riding style you choose to have, you can fine-tune your air-spring performance. So, you don’t have to worry about different terrains or riding conditions as you got Yari RC.
With the Motion Control damper and wiper seals, you will have an easy time when setting it up. This Motion Control damping features low-speed compression adjustment which helps you while applying loads to your suspension. So, the shock shaft can compress the speed to the shock body in a more maintained manner.
The fork pushes the O-ring to the top of the stanchion. As a result, this makes it easier to see how much travel is used.
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RockShox Pike Ultimate Boost Fork
If we were ranking these suspension forks based on their looks, this one would be possibly the first product on the list. It comes with a glossy silver and black finish that makes it look cool on your bike. And, we have to acknowledge the fresh graphics that it comes with. The color and graphics together have made RockShox Pike Ultimate with an amazing-looking fork.
Besides that, this is a super-accurate fork that delivers maximum feedback and consistent geometry as well. It is a mid-weight, mid-travel fork that offers an easy riding experience. The fork comes with overhauled internals that assures you of incredible trail control without excess weight.
Yes, this fork is pretty lightweight but not a weak fighter at all. It can challenge the tough trails and risky climbs without giving a second thought.
Charger 3 of this fork features has got Internal Floating Piston (IFP) design that is new in the market. It confidently offers much more consistency when we talk about stroke and absolutely independent adjustments. The result is reduced harshness and increased overall control which you will love all we can say.
Also, the low-speed rebound along with high-speed compression and low-speed compression give this fork confidence in handling the pressure and speed in different road conditions. You can go for a mountain ride without worrying now with this model.
You can use a thick tire with this fork, thanks to the wide-arch architecture. There is a 35mm stanchion that gives the fork the ability to track predictably. The new chassis of 35mm is equipped with podium-proven technology which minimizes the vibrations made and gives more stability to your ride. With this fork, your ride will be light and satisfying amount of stiff and you will enjoy it definitely.
So, it will not bind or flutter, doesn’t matter what the riding condition is. Even in rough rides, and if the big brake rotor works hard, it will not bind for sure. ButterCups can block almost 20% of high-frequency “trail chatter”.
It reduces the vibrations so less that you won’t feel arm fatigue much and it will give you ultimate control. Limiting these vibrations massively reduces hand and arm fatigue leaving you feeling fresh with more control.
We would recommend this fork to riders that prefer slopestyle or speed or freeride events. It might not be the best pick among other RockShox suspension forks, but it outperforms a lot of forks out there.
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RockShox Recon Silver RL D1 Suspension Fork
Recon Silver RL D1 is the least-favorite suspension fork but might still work for some people. This is just a ranking based on our experience. If you are on a tight budget and you need a moderate suspension fork to fix on your bike, this fella would easily wear those shoes.
This air fork comes with a new design from its predecessors, and the delivery is decent as well. The look is decent enough and will go with your bike well. Some people may love the design and the color.
And, the fork comes with Reba S venerable crown and lower legs, along with Recon S bombproof steel upper tubes. In other words, you will be sure of having a long-lasting fork that can take a beating as you cruise those rough terrains.
The Motion Control damping features low-speed compression adjustment. This adjustment will give you more control over the force it can take while opening the low-speed oil flow path. The oil may move freely when needed and when not in need the flow might be controlled and it will eventually provide control over the movement of the chassis.
It has a 32mm straight wall steel chassis. The length from Axle to Crown is 539mm (130mm travel). The brake type suitable for this fork is post mount 160 and the lockout switch is crown. S.H.I.S. stem clamp diameter is 28.6. The steerer types it has are either straight or tapered, and the steerer tube length is 265mm. The travel you can choose is 100mm, 120mm, or 130mm.
Besides that, the fork comes with forged hollow aluminum corn for extra durability. This fork comes with shorter upper tubes that make it lighter and speed-friendly. You will get a fork that is supple over rough and rocky terrain, which then offers you precise and easy handling. There is a 32mm stanchion that makes the fork stiff enough to the front end.
Even though it is the least favorite on our list, it may win many people with its simplicity and affordable price.
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How to Choose the Best One?
When choosing the best RockShox suspension fork or a fork from a different brand, it is not only about choosing the highest-ranked forks. Rather, it is important to consider the major factors that make a good suspension fork for your bike. Here are the things to consider.
Travel
Suspension forks out there are designed for every type of bike. Some are suited for cross-country bikes, while others work well for trail bikes. When it comes to the travel of the fork, you need to consider the type of bike that it is meant for.
Cross-country bikes work well with 80mm to 120mm suspension travel. On the other hand, trail bikes range from 120mm to 140mm in travel, while Enduro and mountain bikes come with a 150mm to 170mm travel rating. Downhill or gravity rigs are rated between 180mm and 210mm. Always choose the fork with the right travel rating.
For the record, travel is the maximum distance that the front or rear suspension of the bike can compress before bottoming out when absorbing force.
Control
A higher journey will always mean that it will be harder to control. That is why you need good damping control. Ideally, go for adjustable rebound damping to allow the fork to return smoothly to its natural ride height. It will prevent it from bouncing back up with a clang. Check that the fork comes with a good compression damper that makes the spring slow down and absorb impacts.
Compatibility
Before you purchase the suspension fork, ensure that it is perfectly compatible with your tire and bike. Most suspension forks out there come with tapered steerer tubes that measure 1.125 at the stem and 1.5 inches at the crown.
Generally, ensure that you choose a fork that is perfectly compatible with the tire you intend to use. Furthermore, consider the weight or strength of the fork in relation to your riding needs. Cross-country riders and climbers tend to go for light forks, while progressive envelope pushers would do better with heavy forks. Above all, check that the price tag matches the value of the fork in general.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I pick an air or coil-sprung suspension fork?
Air suspension comes with a chamber of compressed air that offers the suspension, while coil-sprung suspension works around using a spring. With an air-sprung fork, it can be adjusted to suit the weight of the rider. Nevertheless, coil-sprung forks are best suited to heavier riders.
Are good-looking forks always the best?
Not exactly. The delivery of a suspension fork is not only based on its appearance. Consider the aforementioned factors when finding a good fork.
What brand is the best for a suspension fork?
There are multiple brands out there that make durable and reliable suspension forks. Nevertheless, RockShox, Bolany, Manitou, and FOX Factory are among the top brands to consider.
What is the highest-end RockShox?
Rockshox Lyrik Ultimate is the highest-end fork in this Rockshox lineup. It features the RC Charger 3 damper combined with DebonAir springs. The fork makes sure of smooth operation with its SKF wiper seals and suspension fluid. With this riders can fine-tune the compression to improve control without harshness.
What does RL mean on RockShox?
RL on RockShox means Rebound and Lockout adjustment which is basically a low-speed compression. When the rider presses down on the shock or stands up to pedal, low-speed compression helps the shock by absorbing his/her weight against gravity in a slow and controlled way. Overall it gives the rider more control over the speed.
Final Words
There goes our RockShox Forks best to worst review. We tried to cover the details of 5 RockShox forks and their features, benefits, and drawbacks. Also, a brief idea of how you can pick the best one was there to help you out. We have ranked these five forks according to our experience and research and it is very much possible that the least favorite one in our list can be your pick as it fits your purpose.
Taste and preference vary, and so does the budget plan of the user. This article will help you to understand which fork to try first and in what condition. Hope you find your best RockShox forks and have a great riding experience.