Rockshox 2023 - Updated Pike, Lyrik & Zeb + Charger 3 Damper

Words by: Liam Woods

What’s New From RockShox for 2023?

It's that time again when we announce the latest slew of products for next year, and this time Rockshox made sure we have a lot to talk about. Here we have major updates to pretty much the entire trail and gravity-oriented suspension range from Rockshox. For model year 2023 (yeah, I know we are not even halfway through 2022), Rockshox made updates to the Pike, Lyrik, and Zeb forks as well as the Deluxe and Super Deluxe rear shocks. We’re not just talking about small updates that they’re calling a new model year. We have new dampers, air springs, bushings, and some new fancy technologies not commonly found in bicycle suspension. 

It wasn't too long ago when Rockshox dropped the Pike on the MTB world and elevated what a mid-travel suspension fork can handle and feel like. Since then, there have been a lot of variations and updates, but none as big as this. Rockshox’s goal? “How can we continue to elevate every ride?”. A new chassis designed with industry-first damper technology to help improve traction, mute trail chatter and inspire never before had confidence.  

New Fork Technologies:

• Charger 3 damper

Probably one of the major updates to the new forks is the addition of the Charger 3 damper, available in the Pike Ultimate, Lyrik Ultimate, and Zeb Ultimate. The Charger 3 damper of course takes what Rockshox learned with all the previous versions of the Charger damper but bumps it up a notch with fully independent high speed compression (HSC) and low speed compression (LSC), allowing riders to finely tune their compression to improve control without adding harshness. This is the result of a new Internal Floating Piston (IFP) that allows for unparalleled responsiveness on impact and enhanced consistency through travel. 

• ButterCups

Back in October of 2021, Rockshox released their Flight Attendant suspension system, an electronic system to work with a fork, shock, and bike to put your suspension in the right position from monitoring what type of terrain you are on. Well, it may have been overshadowed, but the ButterCups made their first appearance on the Flight Attendant lineup. Now, it's across all the new forks and is the magic behind reducing high frequency vibrations that creep into your hands and arms. A rubber puck located at the bottom of the damper and air spring helps reduce trail chatter by a claimed 20%. 

• DebonAir+ spring

The new DebonAir+ spring takes everything from the DebonAir technology and improves on that in every way, from the air chamber equalizing dimple, to the top out bumper, and the volume of positive and negative air. Each fork model has been tuned for its specific use to give each one a consistent feeling. The spring curve has been refined to have all the things you want. A large part of this is a softer off-the-top feeling while increasing mid-stroke support, allowing you to keep the fork higher in the travel without that dreaded fork dive. 

• Ultimate Bushing Package

The new Ultimate models feature lower bushings that are 53% larger than before, optimizing friction reduction and ensuring your fork can stand up to the abuse you put it through. From hours of trail beating and any debris from the elements that may work into your fork, these new bushings are meant to handle it. 

• Maxima Plush Dynamic Suspension Lube

Working closely with Maxima, Rockshox found the perfect blend to improve performance in the fork lineup. The new lubricant helps keep your suspension feeling fresher for longer, working better in a range of temperatures. 

• Pressure Relief Valves

Commonly found on motorcycle suspension, the new pressure relief valves do exactly what the name implies. They eliminate pressure built up in the lowers of your fork to help create a smoother and more consistent feel. From going up or down in elevation to a temperature change from when you first started riding to mid-day, tap the valves and get the consistent feel you want from Rockshox. 

• Hub End Cap Adapters

The last new technology they’re introducing is an adaptor to run on your fork to help better align your axle when putting a wheel in quickly. RockShox forks have the ability to use Torque Caps which can add 5% of torsional stiffness to the front end, but maybe your hub can’t use those. You found that with your stock 15mm end caps, aligning the fork is a bit tricky. Well, now these adapters can ease that wheel installation and take up the extra space that the Torque Cap would normally occupy. 

Pike:

As mentioned above, the RockShox Pike is truly an iconic fork in the world of mountain bike suspension. It changed how trail bike forks performed and honestly made the entire industry step up their game. Now, with another ground up design, the Pike is perfectly matched for the new aggressive, short travel bikes that are so popular right now. Ready for anything you want to throw at it: all day climbs, rocky trails, or send it off your jumps. The Pike is ready to push the boundaries on what a trail bike can handle. 

• Pike Ultimate Specs

Damper Type: Charger 3 with ButterCups

Spring: DebonAir+ with ButterCups

PRV: Pressure Relief Valves Equipped

Hub End Cap: TorqueCap compatible, hub end cap adapters included

Bushings: Ultimate Bushing Package

Wheel Size: 27.5”, 29”

Travel: 120mm, 130mm, 140mm

Fork offset: 37mm (27.5”), 44m (27.5” & 29”)

MSRP: $1054

Lyrik:

The all new Rockshox Lyrik is ready to tackle any terrain, and is made for the adventurer, freerider, and the all-mountain explorer. The Lyrik is packed with all the new Rockshox updates like the Charger 3 damper, DebonAir+ air spring, and on the Ultimate model, the ButterCups. The Lyrik is the most versatile fork in the Rockshox lineup, saving weight where it can while still remaining critically stiff to perform at the highest level. One new standout update for the Lyrik is the new color, Heavy Meadow. It’s exactly as it sounds: matching your local meadow in a slick, green color. 

• Lyrik Ultimate Specs

Damper Type: Charger 3 with ButterCups

Spring: DebonAir+ with ButterCups

PRV: Pressure Relief Valves Equipped

Hub End Cap: TorqueCap compatible, hub end cap adapters included

Bushings: Ultimate Bushing Package

Wheel Size: 27.5”, 29”

Travel: 140mm, 150mm, 160mm

Fork offset: 37mm (27.5”), 44m (27.5” & 29”)

MSRP: $1107

ZEB:

With the ZEB just coming out a few years ago, it's the newest fork in the RockShox lineup. It has already proven itself with tons of wins on the EWS circuit while also bagging a win at the largest freeride event in the world, RedBull Rampage. Brandon Semenuk piloted this fork to a win with heavy drops and jumps. Rocking a 38mm chassis, the ZEB gets all the new technology as the other forks while remaining unapologetically tough to perform in the roughest terrain possible. You get the Charger3 damper, the DebonAir+ air spring, Pressure Relief Valves and, on the Ultimate model, you get the ButterCups and Ultimate Bushing Package. Long on travel, short on excuses. 

• ZEB Ultimate Specs

Damper Type: Charger 3 w/ ButterCups

Spring: DebonAir+ with ButterCups

PRV: Pressure Relief Valves Equipped

Hub End Cap: TorqueCap compatible, hub end cap adapters included

Bushings: Ultimate Bushing Package

Wheel Size: 27.5”, 29”

Travel: 160mm, 170mm, 180mm, 190mm

Fork offset: 37mm (27.5”), 44m (27.5” & 29”)

MSRP: $1159

Fork Improvements Over MY22

To start, the Charger 3 damper is all new with the inclusion of the ButterCups on the Ultimate forks. The ButterCups also make it into the new DebonAir+ air spring, which is also all new and improved in just about every way possible. There is also the addition of the Pressure Relief Valves, hub end cap adapters and, on the Ultimate forks, you get the Ultimate Bushing Package. Check out all Rockshox Forks. 

New Rear Shock Technologies:

• RC2T Damper

The Super Deluxe Air and Coil for model year 2023 gets a new, cutting-edge damper, the RC2T. Now, you have a rebound adjustment, two separate compression adjustments (HSC and LSC) as well as a new Threshold adjustment to further help tune in your shock. The RC2T damper has been able to eliminate any mixing of HSC or LSC when adjusting one. This means that one click on either one of the compression dials won’t have any effect on the other compression adjustment, which can sometimes be a problem with other shocks and forks.

• Hydraulic Bottom Out/Adjustable Hydraulic Bottom Out

The Hydraulic Bottom Out adjustment, or the Threshold part of the RC2T damper, allows you to further tune in bottom-out resistance into your Super Deluxe Coil shock so you can have that supple coil feel without worrying about harsh bottom outs. On the Super Deluxe Air, the Hydraulic Bottom Out helps with those big hits in the last 20% of the travel. It works nicely with the bottomless tokens so you can fine-tune how you want your rear shock to react. 

• DebonAir+ Air Spring System

The New DebonAir+ air spring system for the rear shocks is all new, now offering two different air cans to better work with your bike and riding style. With Progressive and Linear air can options, you can choose which can might work best for you. You can even further tune that with positive and negative bottomless tokens to either add ramp up, remove it or adjust how your shock feels off the top. 

Deluxe:

The new Deluxe Ultimate is now ready to handle the rear suspension needs on your trail bike. With the new DebonAir+ air spring system you can finely tune in the feel you need on your shock while also having the LSC and rebound adjustments. The new Deluxe is designed to put out as much performance as possible in a nice and minimal package. 

• Specs

Damper Type: RCT

Hydraulic Bottom Out: No

Air Spring: DebonAir+ (Linear or Progressive)

MSRP: $399

Deluxe Coil Select:

All new to the RockShox lineup is the Deluxe Coil Select, an inline coil that takes inspiration from its older sibling, the Super Deluxe Coil, but packs a punch for a compact coil design. By eliminating the external reservoir, the Deluxe Coil is a great option to fit on bikes with tight clearance, E-bikes where you don't need any climb settings, or anyone looking to get on a rear coil shock at a lower entry price. 

• Specs

Damper Type: R

Hydraulic Bottom Out: No

Air Spring: N/A

MSRP: OEM Only

Super Deluxe:

The star of the show for rear shocks, the all-new Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T gets all the technology. With independent LSC and HSC adjustments, Hydraulic Bottom Out control, and the DebonAir+ air can, the Super Deluxe just became extremely tunable for everyone. It allows the rider to squeeze every ounce of adjustment out of this shock, giving you the chance to ride your best. Already collecting wins at the top of the sport, the Super Deluxe Ultimate RC2T is proven and ready for your next bike. 

• Specs

Damper Type: RC2T

Hydraulic Bottom Out: Fixed

Air Spring: DebonAir+ (Linear or Progressive)

MSRP: $599

Super Deluxe Coil:

Sharing almost all of the same technologies as the air version, the Super Deluxe Coil gets the additional adjustment of the Hydraulic Bottom Out. Not only does it allow you to add some bottom-out resistance on a coil, but you can also adjust it. Get the best of both worlds with the Super Deluxe Coil. It’s a supple coil feeling that is amazing while also having the bottom-out resistance to soften those big hits. 

• Specs

Damper Type: RC2T

Hydraulic Bottom Out: Adjustable

Air Spring: N/A

MSRP: $549

What's Worldwide's Takeaway?:

It's no doubt that RockShox is one of the premier suspension brands on the market with tons of wins at the top level of the sport, while also pushing the industry forward with the Pike about a decade ago. Well, they haven't stopped and have completely revised their trail lineup for forks and rear shocks. Upfront you have a revised fork lineup with the Pike, Lyrik and Zeb, each one getting new features like the Charger 3 damper, DebonAir+ air spring, ButterCups, pressure relief valves and new bushings. Looking to get every possible performance benefit out there? The RockShox Pike Ultimate, Lyrik Ultimate, and Zeb Ultimate are some amazing options. For the rear shocks, we have a similar story with new technologies that are set out to get the best feeling rear shocks on the market. The new RC2T damper on the Super Deluxe Air and Super Deluxe Coil now has independent HSC and LSC adjustments. Additionally, the air gets a hydraulic bottom out and the coil gets an adjustable hydraulic bottom out. For the air shocks, you'll also find a new DebonAir+ air spring system that now has two air cans to choose from. There are also both positive and negative bottomless tokens, allowing every rider to find their best setup. 

This article was written / authored by Liam Woods. Liam has been in the bicycle industry for over 10 years as a racer, professional mechanic, service manager and as of late, media and content creator. Liam has ridden thousands of different bikes, ridden countless components, tested endless MTB apparel of all kinds and written reviews on it all. He's a key piece to the Worldwide Cyclery "All Things MTB" content creation puzzle. He also makes consistent appearances on the Worldwide Cyclery YouTube channel and Instagram.