In the past, long-travel air forks have been harsh, but the Lyrik DH Solo Air is simply incredible. With 170mm (6.7in) of travel, a 20mm Maxle Lite axle, 35mm stanchions and various steerer options, it’s an incredibly stiff fork – both torsionally, and forwards and backwards under braking. So much so, that it raises eyebrows about the need for the burlier 40mm Totem fork.
Our tapered steerer fork weighed a shade over 2.2kg (4.9lb) once cut and ready to fit, which is a formidable weight given the fork’s capability. Damping is controlled by the same mission Control DH, Dual Flow rebound unit fitted to the high-specced Boxxer fork, and transforms the performance of what has been seen as a good long-travel air fork in the past into a truly excellent one.
Unlike many long-travel air forks, there is very little early stiction – it feels more like a coil fork’s initial movement – and the mid-stroke is surprisingly active. It holds up high in the mid-stroke too,avoiding the wallow you get with similar forks. Another nice trait is the lack of bedding-in time – just a few short rides were enough to feel the full suppleness of the fork.