RockShox has overhauled its Lyrik suspension fork, updating the air spring, damper and chassis, and adding new rider-focused features. Why the headline, though? Why is it so important? Well, in short, its because RockShox is bringing back its longer-travel, 170mm version of the Lyrik, killed off when it introduced the ZEB in 2020. Why do I care so much? Im not a big guy, at 172cm and 68kg. With a body thats probably better suited to hill climbs and grand tours, Ive never needed the stiffest, chunkiest forks on my long-travel enduro bikes. That's why I liked the previous 170mm-travel Lyrik so much. As someone who craves comfort over pin-point precision, the Lyrik always delivered, especially on longer, rougher trails. So, Im glad I can get my hands on a 170mm Lyrik once more. Read more: The radically redesigned RockShox ZEB is so good I'd buy it Confidently comfortable With skinnier legs than the burlier ZEB, the new Lyrik could be a great long-travel fork for lighter or smaller riders. SRAM RockShox refers to the Lyrik as the ZEBs little brother. Thats because it offers a little less travel and a skinnier 35mm chassis, compared to the 38mm legs youll find on the ZEB. However, for the 2027 model year, RockShox has decided to up the Lyriks travel, with this latest iteration topping out at 170mm. Thats great news if youre a smaller or lighter rider. Adding more travel means RockShox had to boost fork stiffness slightly, but it says it has still managed to reduce chassis weight slightly. The travel range now spans from 140mm up to 170mm. I've missed the longer-travel option, ditched in 2020. The last time Rob rode a 170mm-travel Lyrik, he loved it. Andy Lloyd / Immediate Media Thats because I always found the old Lyrik to be stiff enough for my needs. While both the RockShox ZEB and Fox 38 the two mainstream enduro forks youre likely to find matched to appropriately intentioned bikes have become suppler and more forgiving over the last few years, Im eager to see how the new long-travel Lyrik stacks up. Could it offer a little more compliance and comfort like the old one did? I hope so. If running the Lyrik rather than the same-travel ZEB offers me fresher hands and arms after a long downhill trail, Im all for it. Lets not forget, it was the fork of choice for Charlie Murray, Specializeds enduro specialist, for many races for a reason. He only swapped to a ZEB when he deemed it necessary. For those, like me, who are built more like a jockey than a heavyweight boxer, the new Lyrik in its longer-travel iteration could be the fork we've been waiting for. Total overhaul The new LinearXL air spring promises a smoother ramp-up towards the end of the travel for improved comfort and predictability. SRAM I've yet to ride the new Lyrik, but my hopes are high, simply because of how well Ive got on with the new ZEB. The updated 2027 Lyrik shares the same tech as that fork. That means its running the new twin-tube LinearXL air spring and features the LinearXL AirAnnex the lump in front of the brake caliper on the lower-leg casting. This is to add volume to the lower leg and prevent an abrupt pressure build-up, which can make the end of the travel feel a little harsh. This should help smooth out that final portion of the stroke, boosting comfort and predictability. If you want to tweak that final 7-17mm of travel, theres now the Adjustable Bottom Out feature. This enables you to alter the last part of the forks stroke externally by shifting the bumper up or down by 10mm. This can be tweaked with a 5mm hex key at the base of the spring side of the fork. Then, of course, theres the ButterWagonTech a series of dimples in the fork stanchions that fill with oil as the fork compresses and drag it back over the bushings to help keep them lubricated. Updated wiper seals and a change in fork oil and grease (still from Maxima) help to reduce friction further. RockShox has also updated the damper. The new Charger 3.2 offers a wider range of high- and low-speed compression and rebound-damping adjustment, but now has numbered dials to help you keep track of your settings. Numbered adjuster dials help keep track of settings. SRAM Look closely and youll see cutouts close to the new lower-leg arch. These help to reduce pressure on the upper bushings, boosting sensitivity further. Thats not all, though. The arch also features an integrated fender cap. This can be swapped out and two different fender options can be screwed into place. A new crown should help keep the Lyrik nice and precise. Once Ive tested the new Lyrik thoroughly, Ill let you know if it lives up to my expectations or if Id opt for the stiffer ZEB. RockShox Lyrik range overview RockShox Lyrik Ultimate Flight Attendant RockShox offers the Lyrik with its Flight Attendant system. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 Flight Attendant with ButterCups Spring: LinearXL with ButterCups Prices: 1,655 / $1,699 / 1,855 RockShox Lyrik Ultimate A new air spring, damper and a host of other revisions have been made to the Lyrik for 2027. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 with ButterCups Spring: LinearXL with ButterCups Prices: 1,255 / $1,259 / 1,375 RockShox Lyrik Select+ Although not available aftermarket, expect to see the Lyrik Select+ on a lot of bikes this year. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Charger 3.2 Spring: LinearXL Prices: Not available aftermarket RockShox Lyrik Select For those with a little less cash to spend, the Select fork could be a good option, although it doesn't come with the same damper found in the pricier equivalents. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Delta RC Spring: LinearXL Prices: 905 / $929 / 1,015 RockShox Lyrik The base model Lyrik uses a different spring from the other models in the line-up. SRAM Travel options: 140, 150, 160, 170mm Wheel-size options: 27.5in, 29in Damper: Delta RC Spring: DebonAir+ Prices: Not available aftermarket