2016 REVIEWS ISSUE DATE: 11-03-2016
TEST CENTRE
RALEIGH CRITERIUM SPORT The Raleigh brand is nearly as old as cycling itself, and now it’s reinventing itself for a new generation. But can its low-budget road racer cut it for tri? WORDS JUSTIN LORETZ IMAGES THESECRETSTUDIO.NET
RALEIGH CRITERIUM SPORT £750 WWW.RALEIGH.CO.UK
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TEST CENTRE
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1 Shimano provide the groupset with their Tiagra, a step-up from the Claris often seen at this price point 2 Although own branded, the cushioning and support of the saddle was impressive 3 The standard alloy frame and wheel choice make the Criterium Sport a solid do-it-all bike for newcomers to multisport
L
ong before the ‘triathlon bike’ was even a thing, triathletes rode whatever bikes came to hand for the bike leg, dusting off regular drop-bar road racers like this sharp-looking Raleigh. So history suggests this model should do the trick for tri. But history is for books, while bikes are for riding… Visually, the Criterium Sport’s 6061 doublebutted alloy frame and straight-bladed Endurance carbon fork with alloy steerer cut a dash, in a grown-up, Ford Mondeo sort of way. Oversized, hydroformed main tubes are neatly welded and dressed in non-offensive metallic silver paint. Lifting the bike reveals that it’s a bit tail-heavy, though acceptable in terms of overall weight. A full 2015 Shimano Tiagra transmission provides slicker shifting than the Shimano Claris group (found on the £475 base Criterium model). We hit the gears hard – Bath’s many hills demand this – but we accessed each of the 11-32 SRAM rear sprockets with zero issues. The front shifting was fast and accurate thanks to redesigned (stiffer) 2015 Tiagra 50/32t compact chainrings. Historically, inexpensive alloy road bikes have had a bad rap for unforgiving ride quality and poor comfort, but as the test miles unfolded we realised that this bike doesn’t follow tradition. The ride was smooth and we finished laps of our 72km test loop on less-than-perfect Somerset back lanes fresher than expected. Sure, some clever carbon and titanium frames cheat road-buzz better, but you can add £2k to the price of the Criterium Sport for the pleasure.
serious handling skills. The short head tube and low front end mean you could add tri-bars to improve aerodynamics, helped by the long saddle. We practised dummy T2 ride-to-run transitions to assess its tri prowess. As much as running straight off the back of a hard ride is never totally comfortable, we felt able to get into our stride pattern without undue effort. In our equipment-obsessed sport it’s all too easy to pick holes in entry-level spec bikes, but that’s not really fair. The Criterium Sport
TECH
reminded us that whole standard road bikes, costing the same (or less) than a flash pair of aero wheels or carbon tri-bars, can get the job done in tri. There are additions we’d make – clip-ons, extra water bottle capacity – but most of all we’d ride it, a lot, and learn the specifics of a tri bike leg.
›› VERDICT
73%
A solid entry-level bike that could grow with your triathlon experience
CRITERIUM SPORT
Size tested 54cm Overall weight 9.7kg (without pedals)
FINE FINISHING
We liked the Raleigh saddle, with its good blend of support and padding, as much as we disliked the thin and badly-wrapped bar tape. The RSP alloy finishing kit is solid and well shaped, though a target for upgrade; likewise, the wheels are workaday RSP full-alloy sealed-bearing jobs. Spoke tension was a bit low, though they remained true and smooth, and Schwalbe Lugano/Kenda Kontender tyres gripped and rolled acceptably in both wet and dry conditions. By the end of a 155km ride, the Criterium Sport had proved itself to be a decent first road bike. It’ll also work well as a first race bike: it climbs, descends and corners without fuss or the need for
FRAME AND FORKS Sizes 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61cm Frame AL6061 double-butted alloy, internal cabling, tapered head tube, Endurance Race geometry Fork Endurance blend carbon fork with tapered alloy steerer TRANSMISSION Chainset Shimano Tiagra 4700 50/34 Bottom bracket Shimano Tiagra 4700 Cassette SRAM PG 1030 11-32t Chain KMC X10
Shifters Shimano Tiagra 4700 Derailleurs Shimano Tiagra 4700 WHEELS Front RSP AC2.0 Rear RSP AC2.0 Front tyre Schwalbe Lugano Rear tyre Kenda Kontender 700 x 26c COMPONENTS Stem RSP alloy headset Bars RSP alloy shallow drop Headset FSA Saddle Raleigh R1
Seatpost RSP 27.2mm alloy Brakes Shimano Tiagra 4700 DIMENSIONS 1 Head angle 73° 2 Seat angle 74° 3 Top tube 54.5cm 4 Seat tube 54cm 5 Standover 77cm 6 Chainstay 40.5cm 7 Bottom bracket 27.5cm 8 Wheelbase 99.2cm 9 Head tube 15.6cm
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for the fairly lean ingredients roster, though.
WIGGLE HYDRATION TABS £2.50 FOR 20
POWERBAR 5 ELECTROLYTES £3.99 FOR 10
OTE SPORTS HYDRO £4 FOR 10
Price per 500ml: 12.5p Type: Hydration tabs Carbs: 0.43g; Sodium: 0.9g ; Sugar: 0.1g
Price per 500ml: 40p Type: Hydration tabs Carbs: 0.5g; Sodium: 0.63g ; Sugar: 0.1g
Price per 500ml: 40p Type: Hydration tabs Carbs: 0.5g; Sodium: 0.93g ; Sugar: 0.1g
Wiggle’s own-brand nutrition range is built around mixes of basic ingredients at affordable prices. At £2.50 per tube it’s already good value, and that’s for 20 tabs not 10 or 12, so its price per 500ml works out at less than a third of the next best. Composition is almost identical to other high sodium mixes, with a couple of B vitamins thrown in too. Effervescent mixing is a bit slow and some testers reported feeling more gassy than with other tabs, but flavouring is palatable. Orange and strawberry flavours have now joined the original lemon and blackcurrant options.
As the name suggests, PowerBar’s tabs throw in a quintet of electrolytes to the standard mix – sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. Concentrations are relatively low, which means there’s little danger of nausea if your stomach is already feeling delicate, making them well suited to longer, lowerintensity rides. The fizzing tabs mix quickly and stay mixed, so you don’t need to worry about shaking your bottle or supping sludge. For an extra boost, the new pink grapefruit and lemon tonic boost flavours also contain 75mg of caffeine per tab.
Leeds-based OTE is a newcomer to the nutrition scene, but its products have already garnered plenty of praise. It takes a while for the Sports Hydro tabs to mix, but that minimises gassy after-effects, and it’s easy to drink given the high salt levels. The neutral pH balance won’t antagonise your stomach even when you’re sweating buckets, and the flavouring is refreshingly light. Three essential electrolyte minerals are backed up with B and C vitamins, making it handy as a sup-all-day health booster and useful for warding off cramp when training at high intensity.
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G EA R G U I DE
OTE ENERGY DRINK £25 for 1.2kg > Subtle tasting, but can it energise your riding?
WE SAY A subtle, electrolyteloaded mix that is superb for long, hard or hot rides
Price per 500ml: 89p Type: Hydration Carbs: 40g; Sodium: 0.9g; Sugar: 8g
BEST ON TEST HIGHS Very effective energy and electrolyte mix
LOWS Lacking in flavour; high in salt
OTE’s energy drink may have less flavour than most, and you’ll notice its high sodium level, but its carefully calculated pH-neutral formulation (to reduce the risk of stomach pain) and less aggressive flavouring come into their own in high-intensity hot or long rides where other drinks can taste sickly sweet. The high percentage of starch means a slower release rate, which is less likely to throw your blood sugar balance out, but the fructose content still gives a noticeable lift and improves gut absorption rates. It’s free of artificial sweeteners, colourings, preservatives and gluten, and is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
t
OTE SPORTIF EVENT PACK £20
TRAINING PEAKS 1 WINTER PLAN
$49.99 (
Size Box of 13 items
Fuelling on the bike and recovery postsession are almost as important as the pedalling itself over the winter. OTE’s Event Pack is ideal for longer training or winter sportives, and includes hydration tablets, three energy drink sachets (blackcurrant, orange, vanilla), three regular gels (blackcurrant, lemon and lime, orange) and two caffeine gels (pineapple). There’s also an anytime flapjack and chocolate-flavoured soya protein drink for recovery. The drink flavours aren’t overly sweet-tasting and are easy to down even when working hard. The pack also includes a bottle and draw-cord gym bag.
Length 12 Weeks
The Training Peaks 12-w designed to develop aero the winter and maintain fitness. Each week’s prog one long ride of three to with shorter sessions, int lighter load weeks to allo The aim is to steadily inc intensity, and sessions ar on a Function Threshold that’s determined at the Peaks plan is easy to use, aid for achieving your win and building a foundation
TYLE TECH S
POC ESSENTIAL RAIN JACKET £250 High on visibility, high on cost, but high on quality too
LUSSO NITELIFE BIBTIGHTS £79.99 These bargain-priced UK-made bib tights use soft Italian Roubaix-style fabric and multiple panels to create a superb fit with excellent comfort. Foot loops keep them in place, the generous bib warms the back, and they have a high-quality feel. Nitelife reflective panels on the outside of each thigh and from each knee down ensure excellent visibility, and the four-layer insert’s gel padding is very supportive. There’s also a version without the pad for £10 less.
LOOK AIRSPEED OVERSHOES £39.99 The Airspeed’s polyurethane outer is supple and stretchy, with a microfleece lining for temperatures below 10 degrees. The main ankle seam is taped, and they’re fastened by a water-resistant camlock rear zip with silicone gripper above. There’s enough stretch that they can be eased over cleats without trouble, and the reinforced toe and midsole sections are quite durable. Once on, they’re snug and articulate freely, with good rain protection, sleek looks and rear reflectives to aid visibility.
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Velcro-fastened cuffs, the adjustable hem has a high front to prevent bunching and a dropped tail to repel spray, plus a large flap-covered, zipped rear pocket. Arm articulation and overall fit is great, the collar and its comfy zip garage sealing against your neck when riding. It’s as protective as they come, but the wrist closures are an aesthetic compromise.
CASTELLI PASSO GIAU £150 The attractive Passo Giau is rated for temperatures from 6-15 degrees C, and is made using various versions of Gore’s excellent Windstopper fabric – thicker on the chest and shoulders, and lighter on the arms, lower torso and back. The underarms and side panels are made from a lightweight, stretchable and breathable material. And though water resistance isn’t a key feature, it fared pretty well in light drizzle. The close fit and high neckline stop draughts getting in, making it a good mid-season option.
Images Russell Burton
This rain jacket only comes in an eyewatering ‘Zink Orange’ with reflective logos on the tail and left sleeve. The fabric’s three laminated layers sandwich a waterproof membrane between a DWR-treated outer and a comfortable inner. All seams are taped, the zips are waterproof and the laser-cut ventilation holes under the arms work very well. Its long sleeves have angled,
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WE SAY
RSP CADENCE HIPAC CARBON
Uniquely user-friendly, top-value, highperformance ‘Look-alike’
£39.99 RaleighÕs take on the Look Keo-style pedal Weight 262g
This RSP-branded pedal is the best Look Keo-style copy we’ve seen. It uses a HiPac carbon composite body to keep weight low and to create a secure, damped feel underfoot. A laser-etched stainless steel tread plate increases longevity on the composite body and there’s an alloy version for £31.99. Both spin smoothly from new on a mix of roller and ball bearings and have so far shrugged off the effects of winter riding. Tension can be adjusted through a wide range and the easy engagement/release rivals the feel of Look’s own pedals. The Keo-style cleats use a unique two-piece design to guarantee accurate positioning.
HIGHS Light, smooth bargain with cunning cleats
LOWS Alloy version is even cheaper
MOON NEBULA £45.99 www.moon-sport.com
SHIMANO R540 LIGHT ACTION
BBB DUAL CHOICE SPD
MKS USL
Battery: USB rechargeable £39.99 Measured full-power runtime: 1h17m Weight 332g
Weight 342g
Weight 296g
It isn’t often we’re this impressed by a As you might have guessed from the rear light but when we turned Moon’s name this of Shimano’s SPD-SL Nebula upmember to full whack we had a family is designed to beAeasy to50 get into genuine ‘wow’ moment. total of and of.bang Binding adjustable tinyout LEDs out antension obsceneisamount of is bright redthan light, usual, makingso thiseven incredible but lower its light efective evenisn’t in direct sunlight. strongest setting much more secure Thankfully are more sensible than normalthere SPD-SL pedals at their modes available for use when it gets weakest. They also come with the tension dark. There’s an option for a remote set to minimum as standard rather than switch, too, and the mounting has two the more usual halfway. Thetocontact adjustable legs that allow you attach platform is narrower too, fix forit atomore it to diferent tubes or even your mobile helmet. Thefeels light clip on like the mounting action that more a Look Keo than can be rotated through 360them degrees and for a Shimano, which makes great tilted 20Bearing degrees,quality which meant there novices. and overall was nothing we couldn’t fit it to. reliability are excellent for the price, and there’s also a standard tension R540 for At full power the runtime the same price youbut want a firmer isn’t if great it’s so bright feel.
BBB’s hybrid pedal uses a minimalist cage with shallow alloy plates giving an adequate but certainly not generous pedalling platform when you’re riding in non-cycling-specific shoes. There are no reflector mounts, or even holes for them, though you could drill holes if you’re particularly safety conscious. The SPDstyle clipless mechanism is also minimalist, with separate toe hook and binding jaw pieces mounted directly to the cage. This makes it much lighter than the comparable System EX pedal and the clipless mechanism itself was consistently clean and positive throughout testing. The bearings are a lot smoother too, though you do pay a bit extra for the privilege.
These are designed specifically for easy entry and use a binding jaw that’s split into two halves so you can twist out faster and more easily. They’ll also engage from a wider range of angles, though that’s not as obvious as your foot tends to enter the pedal straight on entry anyway. The progressive exit means extra-low resistance at the extremes of the already reasonable float, which is great for dodgy knees. The bearings are sealed and the Japanese-made MKS pedals have always had a good reliability reputation. They’re not cheap, though, and don’t be tempted to use Look Keo cleats if you already have some – while they might look similar, they’re much harder to release.
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£46.95
£59.99
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CYP_311_100.pgs 17.01.2016 11:41
RATED
RALEIGH ROKER PRO WO R D S BY J A M E S LOV E PH OTO S BY A J WIL KI N S O N - ajwilkinson27. com A N D R O B M I TC H E L L
£2000 // WEIGHT: 9.07KG SIZE TESTED: 60CM WWW.RALEIGH.CO.UK
FRAME AND RIDE The Raleigh Roker Pro is from the company’s ‘gravel road’ line of bikes (and only available as this model in the UK) – designed to be a better fit for mixed surface, longer ride purposes. Well-considered features make it a versatile drop bar allrounder. There are three water bottle mounts, mudguard capabilities, and room between the stays and fork crown to fit higher volume tyres with plenty of clearance. So you’re good to go far, in all weathers, to explore off-the-beaten-path.
It is a fine looking bike – gloss black with sometimes sneaky, sometimes loud poppin’ orange graphics. It has a long ‘n’ low purposeful look, is muscular at the bottom bracket and headtube junctions – giving it some real ‘go’ and precision! Its lithe seatstays and a slender toptube shaped for comfort make the Roker ideal for haulin’ along the long haul. Compared to cyclocross bikes and road bikes, it is longer in the chainstay by an inch, the bottom
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bracket sits lower, the head angle is slacker, headtube length is longer, fork offset is increased and the overall wheelbase is longer. All these differences add up to deliver more stability. The Roker has great manners on both smooth and rough surfaces. The handling is assured and surefooted – you sit up a little more and the bike is not as upset by lumps and bumps. It is more easy going than a bike with cyclocross race geometry, remaining more composed on loose surfaces and dependable when pushing on. The bike manages to be both sharp and crisp feeling, as well as smooth and controlled with construction that damps vibration and quiets some of the surface chatter. Any flex is there purposefully, because it helps you keep in the saddle and pedalling when the road/surface is trying to bounce you around.
The Roker is, however, no slouch. Descending is rock steady and calm at speed. You can go faaasssst and loose and it feels good! With thru-axles front and rear uniting dropouts, braking feels solid and steering is precise. The layout of the bike puts the rider in a nicely balanced position ascending or descending. The well-supported bottom bracket area and deep section chainstays reward pedalling effort. It feels accurate to steer and is willing to get a move on, over the rough or smooth roads. At the same time it’s relaxed and compliant, thanks to some give in the seatstays and flex in the 27.2mm diameter seatpost. The underside of the curved toptube is flat and profiled for comfortable carrying, should you need to shoulder the bike.
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GEARS, BRAKES, BITS Stock tyres are a good mixed surface road/all-round option Schwalbe G-One in 35c width low profile and busy microdot pattern, a quick and easy roller with added grip over a slick. I fitted WTB’s 40c Nano to the wide, supportive, tubeless-ready rims of the American Classic TCX wheels for added float and capability. These wheels weigh 1,895g, have a 32 standard DB spoke build with a rim width of 26mm. Shifting is kept simple with a SRAM Rival 44T front ring and extrawide ratio10-42T cassette. This 1 x 11 speed drivetrain has proven to be quiet and secure with no chain loss over bumpy ground. While I’ve not lamented the lack of front derailleur and greater choice of gears or closeness of ratios, it should be noted that the stock front ring may not work for you and where you ride. My local loops feature some 15%+ grades – smaller front ring works better here. Cable routing is internal, and there is provision for front derailleur routing and mounting, as well as electronic shifting compatibility. SRAM Rival hydraulic disc brakes provide powerful and comfortable control, while Raleigh’s RSP house brand takes care of the handlebars, stem and carbon seatpost.
FIN I’ve ridden rough potholed farm doubletrack, cobbles, cobbles and more cobbles, singletrack, road miles, mixed surface rides…all with a smile. The Roker is at home in an eclectic mix of terrain, and if you prefer exploring off-road rather than race between the tape, the Roker is a better choice than a ’cross-specific bike. I found great joy and happiness riding it on both on smooth roads and B-roads or exploring/venturing off with enthusiasm.
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RATED
SALSA COWCHIPPER 2 WO R D S A N D PH OTO S BY G R EG M AY
£79 / €75 / $80 SIZE TESTED: 44CM // WEIGHT: 330G WWW.SALSACYCLES.COM
I think it’s pretty fair to say that I have a penchant for odd bars on my bikes. For years, I’ve been running the dependable Cowbell series from Salsa, a bar with a small amount of flare and a very shallow drop that gives more front wheel control to your ’cross bike. I have a particular fondness for drop bars on my Salsa Ti Fargo, a bikepacking/adventure/ gravel bike that was one of the first mountain bikes to be designed purely around riding with dropped bars. And yes, I have a beard and a flannel shirt. No sandals though. The stock bars that come with the Fargo are the Salsa Woodchippers. These massively flared bars turn eyes whenever they pass as they are so far from the norm for a drop bar that people can’t help but think you’ve ridden into a low gap in a wall with a pair of narrow bars and bent them outwards. For some people, the Woodchipper was too much. Too much flare. Too much
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of an inward turn of the hoods. Too much of a cramped feeling on the tops. I was not one of these people. I liked them, but always felt that they could be a bit better. I just didn’t know how. I’ve always loved both of these bars in their own ways, and for different reasons. When Salsa announced that their Cowbells and Woodchippers had been locked away in a room together with Barry White on the stereo and a few bottles of wine, I was eager to see the love child that would emerge. A few months later, and after eyeing them up on JayP’s bike at the Tour Divide, I finally got my sweaty palms on a set of Cowchippers. First impressions were to be lasting ones – off came my Woodchippers from the Fargo – on went the Cowchippers. The changes were noticeable. A wider hoodto-hood gap gave a more natural position riding on the tops. The
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slight inward turn of the hoods,
lose strength and slide back on the
rather than the radical turn that the Woodchippers offer, felt more natural when descending moderate terrain. A slightly shortened forward distance
Woodchippers. This is not something I’ve experienced with the Cowchipers. If anything, I can grip them with less force and still have as much control.
between the end of my stem, and the
Bonus points for not crashing.
hoods themselves. All minor tweaks, but ones that add up to give a big change in ride position. But the crux was in the drops themselves.
All of these things combined have had me playing with the Cowchippers across several bikes – from a 100% race-focused cyclocross
With a shallower drop, and a more pronounced catch in the
bike, to my daily bike – a Cotic Escapade where they will stay for
hook of the bar, the Cowchippers took away that one annoyance I had – fatigued hands sliding off the
now. I just need to buy another pair for my Fargo – where they will live for eternity while my Woodchippers
ends of the bars. On long rides my hands would eventually start to
gather dust.
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SALSA PONY RUSTLER Price: £1999.00 (Frame only), bike as tested approx £4,000.00 From: Raleigh UK, raleigh.co.uk
Frame Shock Fork Hubs
Rims Tyres Chainset Front Mech Rear Mech
Pony Rustler Carbon FOX FLOAT Performance FOX FLOAT 34, 27.5+ x 110, 130mm F: SRAM MTH 716, 110mm BOOST R: SRAM MTH 746 XD, 148mm BOOST WTB Scraper i45, 27.5+, tubeless WTB Bridger, 27.5 x 3”, tubeless SRAM GX1, 30T, BOOST N/A SRAM GX Shifters Brakes Stem Bars Grips Seatpost Saddle Size Tested Sizes Available Weight SRAM GX1 SRAM Guide R Salsa Guide Salsa Rustler 2, 750mm Salsa Backcountry Lock-On Truvativ T20, 0mm offset WTB Volt Comp L XS, S, M, L, XL 30 lbs
Salsa, and its stablemate Surly, has done more to legitimise fat and plus bikes than any other company I can think of. Surly’s original steel Pugsley fat bike was joined by Salsa’s aluminium Mukluk and suddenly fat bikes weren’t just the realm of the custom frame buyer. Joining Salsa’s fat bikes (aluminium, carbon, full suspension and ready for adventure fat bikes) is this sole plus bike – the Pony Rustler. The Pony Rustler has its roots in the 29er ‘hooligan’ Salsa Horse Thief that we rather liked a few years ago, so let’s see what this is up to. The heart of this beast is 120mm of Split Pivot rear suspension, combined with a similar travel FOX 34 Boost fork up front. The Split Pivot system has proven itself on other Salsa bikes, like the racy Spearfish and the monster truck Bucksaw. Our test bike is the Carbon GX1, though importer Raleigh is only bringing framesets in for the moment. Briefly, our bike has a very capable 1x11 SRAM GX groupset, complete with Guide brakes. There’s the rim that started it all: the Scraper laced to SRAM’s Boost hubs. The WTB Bridger tyres bring the 3.0 to the table. There’s also a mix of Salsa and WTB finishing kit, but unfortunately no dropper post at this spec, though there’s internal routing if you want to add one. The main frame is carbon, as are the seatstays, though strangely not the chainstays. Salsa could only send a large frame, but the fit and reach were fine for our 5ft 9in testers. The matt olive, black and yellow paint scheme looks great on the bike and slightly subdued, as if the bike is already ready to blend into the background on those overnight wild bivvies in the hills. Cable guides on either side of the big headtube junction bolt on and can accommodate British or US brakes without torturous hose routing. Moving back from there, there are flowing carbon frame lines that look organic without looking ‘melted’ as some carbon frames can do. The Split Link suspension also has very elegant lines to it, with a yoke that reaches round the seat tube to connect to the shock and that pivot point around the Boost/148mm rear axle.
The 1x11 gearing suits the bike well; you’re likely to find a chainring that suits your terrain and stick with it. Saying that, the chainset had a refreshingly non-macho 30T ring that never saw the bike run short on gears. Plus tyres are very happy at lower pressures and (after having to go out and buy a digital pressure gauge) you’ll need to do a lot of experimenting to find the right pressure – but it’s likely to be lower than you think. None of the bikes here ran more than 14PSI.
The Ride
The Salsa climbs in a very refined way. The power delivery is smooth and entirely bobfree. Moving to out of saddle efforts and the bike responds to the extra power with aplomb. Slower, smoother climbs were on the wandery side, but technical sections were enjoyable as the FOX 34s and 3in Bridger tyres took it all in. Travel is 130/120mm, which makes it the shortest travel bike on the test, but it feels like a well-planted trail bike on the descents. Sitting back and letting the trail come at you isn’t an issue and the bike does well at sucking up trail chatter. Slower turns had a tendency to tuck in and understeer unless you were really active in bossing the bike around. The Bridger tyres and Scraper rims provide a ton of grip and confidence right up to the point that you hit typically slick British mud, when all hope of control and steering goes out of the window and you’re reduced to being a passenger. This is true of all the bikes here and a reminder that none of the tyre or bike designers live in the UK. Keeping to predictable surfaces, though, the Pony Rustler did a good job of delivering a reliable, perhaps slightly earnest ride. I’d expected a lighter bike for the money and the carbon frame. While 30lbs is acceptable, there aren’t too many places you’re going to be saving weight on future upgrades here.
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A colour scheme that is forgiving of a lax cleaning regime.
The Pony Rustler blending into its surroundings perfectly. Notice the lack of dropper post, however. 77
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B R BRAND A N D NNEW E W KIT KIT
MOST WANTED
▲ FOR £75 MORE TRY: Fox 36 Float RC2 FIT £899 www.mojo.co.uk
ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT
▼ FOR £274 LESS TRY: Manitou Mattoc Pro £550 www.hotlines-uk.com
RockShox Lyrik RCT3 Solo Air fork £824
Fisher Outdoor Leisure www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk
IN THE MOST simplistic terms, the new Lyrik is much like RockShox’s renowned Pike fork, but better. While it shares the Pike’s Charger damper and SKF seals and sticks with a 35mm chassis, there are some subtle but significant differences that you can feel on the trail. Available with 160 to 180mm of travel (6.3-7.1in) in its 650b guise, this fork is going to be ridden hard. That’s why RockShox have beefed up the stanchions (they’re still 35mm in diameter but have thicker walls, so you have to use new, smaller grey Bottomless Tokens instead of the old red ones), beefed up the arch and used their new Torque Cap technology (wider 31mm hub end caps that
increase the contact surface between fork and hub) to improve stiffness and steering precision when tackling bigger, nastier hits. Another change for the Lyrik (and the cheaper Yari, which shares the same chassis) is that it has asymmetrical lower legs. This is because the side with the air spring in has been lengthened to accommodate a larger negative chamber, making the fork more sensitive at the start of its stroke. You can also tweak the rebound damping by adjusting internal shims, as on the Boxxer downhill fork. What about weight? The Lyrik is roughly 100 to 120g heavier than a Pike of the same travel, with our 180mm 650b sample
(29er/650b+ versions are also available) weighing in at 2.02kg. On the trail, it feels superbly supple off the top, tracking the ground’s undulations well and helping with front wheel traction on those flatter, loose turns that can prove tricky. It was through high-speed braking bumps that the fork seriously impressed us though. It remained so composed when tackling some seriously heavy, repeated hits and removed so much of the initial sting that our hands and arms could survive run after run – a real bonus on lengthy descents. Really hard hits are dealt with in a controlled fashion too, and although we managed to use all of the allocated travel on
more than one occasion, the bottom-out never felt harsh. As we’ve come to expect from the Pike, good mid-stroke support and effective low-speed compression damping adjustment lets you ride steep tracks with awkward chutes, compressions or catch-berms with confidence too. All in, the new Lyrik feels closer to the Fox 36 (although not as adjustable) in performance than the Pike. We’re now wondering why you’d buy a Pike if you’re looking for a hard hitting fork. ROB
Smooth, controlled and stiff hard-hitting fork. We’re big fans of the new Lyrik
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