RockShox Lyrik Ultimate (2021) £929

Adjustment LSC, HSC, LSR, air-spring pressure, air-spring volume (spacers) Travel 140 180mm (650b, 29in); travel change requires new air shaft Offset 37/44/46mm (650b), 42/44/51mm (29in) Weight 2,019g (29in, 170mm)

The Lyrik has been our top-rated enduro fork for the past two years. It’s still a great option, but with a questionable update and stiffer competition this year, it’s no longer our outright favourite.

For 2021, it has an updated air spring where the transfer port (which allows air to pass between the positive and negative chambers) now sits right at the top of the travel, instead of a few millimetres into the stroke. This simplifies setup as both chambers inflate simultaneously, so there’s no need to equalise the pressures by pushing down on the fork after making an adjustment. It also means the fork extends further, so it provides all the advertised travel and stands a few millimetres taller when unloaded. But on the trail, we don’t think it’s an improvement.

At 85kg, we set the air spring to 95psi (5psi softer than the old spring to improve sensitivity), with a few clicks of compression (from open) to regain support. We left the rebound six to eight clicks from open – any faster makes it too lively and it can even top out if set very fast. Even with lower air pressure, the new spring is stiffer at the start of the stroke, so when rattling across rapidfire bumps off the brakes, it doesn’t track the ground quite as well as its predecessor. It’s a subtle change you’d be hard-pressed to notice most of the time, but the latest Lyrik is less ground-hugging than the new Fox 36 in some situations.

Updated spring aside, it’s a top performer – very supple once into the travel, saving your hands on long, rough descents, and remaining composed through repeated hits. Not only that, but it’s the lightest here, easy to set up and the range of adjustment is ample. It’s reasonably priced too, especially if you’re prepared to shop around online. www.sram.com