Spotted: New RockShox Pike Ultimate - Crankworx Rotorua 2019

Mar 22, 2019
by Daniel Sapp  
photo

Another upcoming bike check, another new product. This time we have what seems to be the new Rockshox Pike 'Ultimate' on the front of Unior Devinci Factory Racing's Keegan Wright's Django.

Sure, the Pike is a shiny new silver color we haven't seen but, if you look closely, you'll notice that it's branded 'Ultimate' on the label and there's a little more going on. The arch has an entirely different shape than the previous version, and it looks like there's now a high-speed compression dial, similar to what appeared on the Lyrik last year.

This isn't the first time we've seen 'Ultimate' on a Rockshox product this season. Kate Courtney's Scott Contessa RC that I did a bike check on a few weeks back had the new SID Ultimate. The internals on that fork had been revised to address some issues in the past, to help increase the service interval time, and there was also increased volume in the air side to help with the sensitivity.

Can we expect to see something from the Pike as well as the Lyrik that we've heard is floating around on several riders' bikes this weekend? I would suspect so.
Photo Paris Gore Red Bull Content Pool

With SRAM's brakes, the Ultimate designation is reserved for only the most premium level products available, which also carry a premium level price tag. What changes besides a lighter axle combination and potentially revised internals will we see with this name carried over to the Rockshox family? That's yet to be confirmed but, as with most products this far along, we'll hopefully have more details to share with you soon, so stay tuned!

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Reviews and Tech Crankworx RockShox Crankworx Rotorua 2019


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132 Comments
  • 137 6
 Coming soon to an over-exaggerated bike near you, a pike ultimate mated to a megatower.
  • 56 14
 Judging by the development of current downcountry standards, RS will have to make 180 Pikes and 140x35Monarchs Smile
  • 20 2
 Was hoping for a coil.
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Totally I don't know what's up with these stupid tiny shocks
  • 38 39
 @Whipperman: a down country should transform into 60mm travel in the rear and 180mm in the front... upfork! upfork!!! or better... 190mm Totem DC. Why 190?! because it is more of more and newer than 180 Lyrik, but 200mm would be stupid - why not use a Boxxer then? if people drool over ugly ass HT from straight tubes with 180 fork which messes up geometry in ever possible way, both static and dynamic, then a Single crown 190mm front with 60mm rear will be perfect for being woke as fuk in 2021.
  • 14 0
 @WAKIdesigns: just go manitou, they made a 203mm single crown travis model back in like 2005, way ahead of the curve apparently.
  • 27 23
 @thomas1965: you didn't pay attention. 200 is stupid, 180 is normal, if you want to shine on the trail, you need 190.
  • 66 0
 The Megatower does come with a Rochshox "Super Deluxe Ultimate"...I'm holding out for the "Ultra Mega Super Deluxe Primo Ultimate RSC3TWC" version though.
  • 6 0
 Time to bring back the TREK STP and a new dual crown SID "Ultimate" fork, frame with CM Doctahawk geo of course.

If you dont remember the STP- www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=158389
  • 2 1
 mmmmmm that XTR 952 though! Still the best XTR to date. You would have to add in the Moots YBB, cracknfail scalpel, litespeed obed FS, and the o.g. orbea oiz (scalpel and oiz much newer bikes obviously).
  • 1 0
 @jeremy3220: Ha! You forgot to add "squared." Only to be undone next year by "cubed."
  • 1 0
 @jeremy3220: You missed "Royal" and "Limited"
  • 10 0
 @jeremy3220: sick fork bro! Is that a Maxxis Assagi EXO 3C TR ZK DAFAQ tire as well? Sick.
  • 4 0
 If we could get a Megatower with a super deluxe ultimate and a super boost plus rear-end....that would not be mediocre.
  • 1 0
 @jeremy3220: What a coincidence Im waiting for the same just BlackBox Boxxer variant
  • 12 8
 @WAKIdesigns: For f*ck sake you and these 'down country' comments. Do us all a favour and give it a rest.
  • 2 0
 @PinkyScar: Ha! A dual crown SID! Love it. The more I think about it, that sounds awesome. Think of how much gnar UCI could add to the World Cup XC courses if every racer was sporting a featherweight hardtail with "dual crown SID" up front.
  • 8 8
 @StraightLineJoe: I want to see it happen - Pinkbike orchestrated trend. Same old sht, refried and repackaged, yet grabbing people by their hearts, making them feel they found a new niche, new group of friends, a riding style they always thought they were doing, suddenly someone gave it a name. More and more people are using the term, Gennie is out of the bottle...
  • 2 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Ha - more of more - that's what we need. Maybe newer than new as well.
  • 1 2
 This made me chuckle, well played
  • 1 0
 @DRomy: it actually was awesome back in the day! first gen sid there was a 100mm dc version. was actually a great fork as the sc 100mm version was flex af
  • 1 0
 @DRomy: goo.gl/images/GnDeMH
  • 2 0
 @PinkyScar: isn't that called a gravel bike now?
  • 3 0
 @jeremy3220: probably be illegal in California Frown
  • 1 1
 @WAKIdesigns: Or 190 Boost.
  • 3 2
 @WAKIdesigns: The name I have always gave it since the inception of all mountain is simply just mountain biking.. These niches are so dumb.. Only a matter of time before we have another name to fill the gap between xc and down country... Cuz u know.. We will need a gap filler for those now... Lol
  • 1 0
 So what event is he running a Django with no dropper post? It's a short travel trail bike right?
I've only seen him in the slalom & pump track races on hardtails & he's not using it in the Enduro, so what purpose does that bike serve?
  • 3 0
 @WAKIdesigns: how can there be a "BC" edition if there's already 190mm up front? Maybe the Pike Ultimate is actually a SRAM/Kona/Vecnum collab and it'll be 192.99mm travel.
  • 1 1
 With 111.99mm Turbo Boost Ultra Maximus axle spacing.
  • 1 0
 @StraightLineJoe: Agreed!
  • 6 3
 @DrPete: The real joke is what Jordan from Sick Bicycles told me. Companies should start making frames with 145mm rear end spacing. In this way your bike will accept both 142 and 148. Stays of nearly any bike have enough flex to successfully compensate for 3mm of hub width Smile
  • 1 2
 @WAKIdesigns: what about crosshill? Isn't that a thing now too?
  • 1 2
 @WAKIdesigns: I like it.
  • 4 0
 @DrPete: Surly already does it since a while ago
  • 3 0
 If you pop over to VitalMTB there is a thread thats been leaked about the new ultimate forks they just seem to have better seals and maxima fluids and well as an updated damper the ultimate is also happening with all rear shocks, in saying this from what I've read id still rather have my normal fork serviced by one of the bigger better suspension service houses and pay a lot less and it still prob turn put to be a better fork!
  • 1 0
 Seen so far:
• Lyrik Ultimate
• Pike Ultimate
• Super Deluxe Ultimate
• Super Deluxe Coil Ultimate
  • 3 0
 Found it on a Taiwanese website but the post seems to have been taken down. This looks like it's ready to go on retail soon.

Translation via google translate:

Lyrik Ultimate combines the thoroughly recalibrated ChargerTM 2.1 damping element, the new SKF earth seal ring, and Maxima Plush damping oil for smooth, smooth movement, allowing the front fork to maintain a high stroke during compression while returning Keep the tires close to the ground during the bomb, achieving unparalleled handling. With the new ChargerTM 2.1 RC2 damping element, riders can find the perfect adjustment settings for the riding environment.

Features / Benefits
. Newly recalibrated ChargerTM 2.1 damping element for higher level compression and rebound control
. New low friction SKF earth seal ring and damping pod seal ring
. New Maxima Plush damping oil reduces friction and improves smoothness
. New signature "BoXXer Red" color scheme
. New Ultimate High Polishing Sample
. ChargerTM 2.1 RC2 damping element with independent high speed and low speed compression damping adjustment
. DebonAirTM gas springs reduce the friction of each moving part and enhance the bounce absorption effect. Even under heavy load, the reaction is flexible and greatly reduces the rideman's control burden.
  • 1 0
 p.vitalmtb.com/photos/forums/2019/03/14/7830/s1600_190211411325.jpg
  • 1 0
 @heavyp: We've seen the Boxxer ultimate aswell, Vali Holl and Amaury Pierron are running them.
  • 3 6
 Just get a 36... you can service it yourself, saving up to 100$ a year. You just need own oil and crush washers. Lyrik still has a bladder and good luck with that at home garage for 99% of owners. That super oil in Lyrik is a laugh. You could get high fly oils and seals to pretty much any modern fork at any quality place.
  • 1 0
 @PinkyScar: had one. It was rad. I was able to swap the lower cup and run a tapered fork 120mm great on flow trails.
  • 2 1
 @heavyp: what about a Supreme collab?
  • 1 0
 @fruitsd79: hellyeah, more rich kids in mtb, just what we need Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @fruitsd79: Not sure if downcountry was even possible on 26" wheels...
  • 2 0
 @PinkyScar: Yes it was. I did downcountry on Blur TRc before Enduro was cool. Rode other bikes in the same category with 27,5" and 29" wheels, not much difference there: for me the rear can't cash cheques that front and the overall geometry are writing.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Surly calls that GnotBoost. My Karate Monkey has it.
  • 51 0
 spotted... propped against a post, with the pedals level.... lol


You forgot to put the valves at the top though Smile
  • 29 1
 I think it's pretty common knowledge that these things get "spotted" when the companies want them "spotted".
  • 2 0
 If it were zoomed in and out of focus that would make it more believable I suppose.
  • 3 0
 It says "upcoming bike check" in the first sentence....
  • 14 0
 @tom666: companies send their athletes to Crankworx on bikes and parts they want people to see.
  • 35 2
 All I read was " the pike wasn't expensive enough so they made some changes that nobody needs and made it 69g lighter in order to facilitate those who found the pike too inexpensive to put on their bikes"
  • 1 0
 Oddly enough, that might work for some.
  • 1 0
 Is it bad i just want the silver lowers? im good with my pike rct3 other wise
  • 23 1
 Well from looking at my screen the arch seems to be designed a lot stiffer
  • 42 3
 And from my screen it looks like the polished finish may shed around 28.99 grams off the pike.
  • 14 1
 @sebazzo: Yes but the shiny silver color reflects more photons which gives more recoil if you are driving towards the sun.
  • 8 0
 It looks like it will provide a little more support in the mid-stroke section as well
  • 5 0
 @YoungPineapple: reflection coefficient increased designed to maintain inner temperatures constant and blind your enemies. Also you can ride at moonlight without needing a lamp for ultimate weight savings.
  • 2 0
 @sebazzo: Yep agree and also its aerodynamic finish should improve max speed by 0,001 km/h
  • 8 0
 damn germans lol
  • 3 0
 @likehell: reminds me on a Volkswagen ad several years ago: German engineering in da houuuse Wink
  • 15 1
 looks like new chassis. so maybe "ultimate" stands for "we finally figured out how to make a bolt-on fender" Wink
  • 13 38
flag TheSlayer99 FL (Mar 22, 2019 at 4:36) (Below Threshold)
 maybe "ultimate" stands for "we finally figured out how to hire good engineers and make an actual race worthy product that's not just a piece of shit to make money"
  • 10 0
 I had a nice bolt on fender on my Marzocchi Z1 15 years ago... yet zip ties are the standard in 2019
  • 20 3
 @TheSlayer99: I love reading the comments of 18 year olds who have not a single clue about anything. Thanks!
  • 2 29
flag TheSlayer99 FL (Mar 22, 2019 at 5:06) (Below Threshold)
 @kmg0: I happen to also enjoy reading the comments of hypocrites and people who don't understand anything, and you happen to be both. Thanks!
  • 20 1
 @TheSlayer99: I worked at SRAM when you were 11 years old, calm down tough nuts.
  • 4 30
flag TheSlayer99 FL (Mar 22, 2019 at 5:27) (Below Threshold)
 @kmg0: A lot can happen in 7 years bud. Back then Avid made good products, Sram drivetrains weren't utter garbage and Rockshox made quality suspension. The fact Rockshox had to make an entirely new shock size standard to attempt to push out good products (which they're failing at btw) says it all. Calm down tough nuts.
  • 4 7
 @kmg0: I hope you didnt invent the DUB standard
  • 7 0
 @NotNamed: you prefer proprietary standards?
  • 4 3
 @TheSlayer99: sram drivetrains slay everything and my current lyrik far out performs my last float 36.
  • 1 0
 @lccomz: No but I dont like shady marketing claims and 0.99mm "tolerances"
  • 2 1
 @TheSlayer99: ya cuz sram drive trains really suck! No clue how anyone puts up with Eagle..or axs for that matter..
  • 1 0
 THAT WOULD BE PERFECT that way i dont have to modify to make a bolt on fender work
  • 8 2
 Love that crown, its like... 'we're trying to copy MRP, but also kinda don't want people to think that, so we're just going to put a little bit of webbing on the front, the x-ultimate superboost .99 model next year will have the full inverted arch webbing, which of course will be SRAM original concept..... Jk, fork looks awesome, can't wait to try one out!
  • 2 0
 I think it looks awesome also, but that crown reminds me of the earlier Marzzochi
  • 6 0
 Crown? You mean arch?

And yes, I immediately thought of MRP when I saw the lattice work on the front of the fork.
  • 1 0
 @ninjatarian: no ... I meant the crown, the arch (or brace) is the bridge between the lower slider casting (above the wheel) and the crown is the interface between the steer tube and stanchions

a href="https://www.marzocchi.com/support/forks/2008/2008-dirt-jumper-1.aspx?idC=62354&idM=19081-771-771&idMy=15633&idP=18665-352&idS=15762" rel="nofollow">https://www.marzocchi.com/support/forks/2008/a>
  • 6 1
 My guess:
They just bolted in a shorter stroke version of the Lyrik Damper so real high speed compression damping adjustment instead of 3 position "make my fork feel rubbish" lever.
  • 4 0
 Kinda what I was thinking - Pike RC2.
  • 4 1
 Who cares what's inside it or how it works... It's really pretty!

I've not spent enough time riding "Ultimate" parts.
This winter, I refurbished a tired set of 2009 Avid Juicy Ultimate brakes. Some new lines/fittings, SRAM grease, vacuum-bleed, and re-added carbon levers... Very easy and serviceable. No seals or MC or piston kits needed. They feel like new even though they are 10+ years on from the manufacturing date (even the bite/spacing adjustments work fine!!!).

It's almost a shame that I will surely smash them up in a park, on the streets, or at the track. Maybe then I will force myself to learn how to ride better brakeless Wink
  • 4 1
 As someone who has a bike with a Lyrik on order I really wish they'd just get on with it and release the details so I know what the differences between the RC3 are and if it's something I should care about or not.
  • 2 0
 You got fleeced with a less-than-ultimate Lyric that's basically unridable. Sell immediately and upgrade. You're welcome.
  • 5 0
 In my best Homer Simpson voice “it’s ultimate because it’s shiiiny”
  • 4 1
 We've already seen Lyrik ultimates no? Like on Yoann Barreli's commencal ? I may be a week behind which I know is like millenia in social media
  • 3 0
 Yes and someone found a Taiwanese description.

www.pinkbike.com/forum/listcomments/?threadid=212346

Revised Charger 2.1 damper. New SKF seals. Maxima oil.
  • 4 0
 Silver color looks to be the same as the original Pike Smile
  • 1 0
 These look more chrome to me, weren’t the original ones more metallic “flake”?
  • 1 0
 @spencer81: my totem had a "flakey" clear finish
  • 1 0
 Yeah that’s the colour I was thinking of @neorider:
  • 4 1
 Still waiting for a 26” 1 1/8, I know I’ll probably never buy a bike part again. Plus side I’ve save lots of money Smile
  • 1 0
 I'm going to bet there's titanium in there somewhere. Any level of price increase whatsoever can be justified with the replacement of just a single component with a titanium version.
  • 2 0
 But will it have Charger *3*??!?!

But seriously, it looks good. And whatever it's packing will trickle down soon enough. No need for hate.
  • 2 0
 Ok my friend: if it is faster and lighter, the new Pike might be the G.O.A.T- greatest fork of ultimate.
  • 3 2
 Please, fix the decals finally! Every single Rock Shox fork with those weird stickers. I thought with all the boost money, they could at least make a good decal.
  • 2 0
 Previous SID/Revelation Ultimate forks had a Carbon Crown/steerer. Does this?
  • 2 0
 pretty cool, excited to see if these will end up on Sam Hills bike for the EWS Season.
  • 3 0
 Here's a can of spray paint and a luftkappe..
  • 1 1
 This new fork solves some of the issues they had with the old Pike. How many years does it take to make a fork that works properly. ? Inspires me with great confidence that this new Pike is going to be the best Pike ever!
  • 1 0
 I'll be waiting for quad stanchion tubes. It's really the next step in fork design. We've been riding with twin legs for well over a century. Time to step it up RS!
  • 2 0
 "Unior Devinci Factory Racing's Keegan Wright's Django."

quite the mouthful
  • 2 0
 Arch loses 3.275 grams in material = $100 price increase
  • 1 0
 oh great- little nooks and crannies to clean on the front AND back of the fork! Ugh.
  • 4 2
 Looks like one HELM of a fork....
  • 2 0
 Well da*n I want shiny silver lowers for my pike i feel jipped
  • 2 0
 Only interested if it included an AXS lockout
  • 2 0
 Bringing back that Psylo look!
  • 1 0
 I’m going to hold out on buying for six months when they release the ultamatrer or maybe next year for the ultamatest.
  • 1 0
 That Pike would be perfect for a cross country frame. Then it would truly be a down-country bike.
  • 3 1
 The silver is heinous. Utterly odious. OVERTLY REPUGNANT!
  • 2 0
 Chasing Cane Creek's color I see, or the Fox 34 from a few years ago
  • 1 0
 That would look veeeeeery nice on my raw Edit V2...
  • 1 0
 Ive never Pike-ultimated anything in the solar sojurn
  • 2 1
 I would definitely buy, I really like my Pike.
  • 1 0
 The lowers look beefy, have they updated the stanchions to match?
  • 4 3
 MRP Ribbon Coil is still better.
  • 1 0
 RC2 for pike? Yes please, lockout is rubbish.
  • 1 0
 These forks are on a yeti on singletracks fresh foods Friday.
  • 1 0
 Starting to sound like levels of super Saiyan in the Dragon Ball series...
  • 1 0
 Will I get a refund if it doesn't transform my riding to "premium" status?
  • 1 0
 That is beautiful Drool the new arch bracing looks bad a$$
  • 1 0
 Martin Soderstrom was rocking them in the dual speed and style??
  • 1 0
 Reminiscent of the old Psylo casting.
  • 2 3
 The difference between pike and lyrik/yari is the same as between golf combi and passat
  • 1 0
 Pretty accurate, wait are you being sarcastic or not?
  • 2 4
 I'm still waiting for the come back of the upside-down forks
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