Hi Damian! 550EUR for a Pike Charger 3 Ultimate is an awesome price! Congrats! Like my video saga painfully showed, I found the Charger 3 Pike Ultimate to be really hard to set up. So much so that I bought the FOX Factory 34 in this video. I ended up selling the 34 and going back to a second Pike Ultimate Charger 3 for my 2nd bike and I have been able to find a setting that works pretty well for me. I'm 215lbs and am using RS's recommended psi of 94 with no tokens. I have rebound set to RS's recommendation of 8 out from full closed. I have HSC backed off 1 click from center (softer) and LSC backed off 4 clicks from center (softer) and I am pretty happy.... still not as happy as I was with my Charger 2.1 though. I have since bought a 2025 FOX 34 Factory GRIP X to install onto my new frame when and if it ever gets here.... Let me know how you get on with your Pike!
Always want to try the new Rockshox stuff but I’ve just been so impressed with the grip2 fox stuff. I just wish they would lay off the grease on the air shafts from factory.
Hi Brenden! I have also seen and heard of the factory assembly horror stories for both Fox and RS and I am definitely curious what I will find on my first service of the 34. I will definitely do a video if I find anything way out of whack, but so far, so good... Thanks for watching and commenting!
You sound pretty happy with yourself to have found some relief 👍I'm with you, I think the black stanchions seem a bit 'classier' (as your bike always looks great and matching) , but if that coating is also helping with the comfort level, then it's well worth it. LOL Neighbours thinking...what's he doing now, he's obsessed with that bike!
Hey Colin!! I released this while you were sleeping, but I hoped you'd be here once the bottom of the planet woke up and it's good to see you!🙃 That was so hard filming and when my neighbors walked by, we made eye contact while I was talking to myself and now I won't ever be able to see them again without knowing that they think I'm crazy. I do wish the stanchions were black, but now I'm a baller rollin' up to the trail with gold! By the way, we have our tickets for December!! So freaking excited to see that country of yours.
@@ThunderStruckMTB Neighbours will be right, we all have our obsessions. Little do they know you're up with the RU-vid. I'm sure you will enjoy it here and great to see your family. Cheers
The kashima stanchions pair well with the frame color. Hope this fork works out well for you. My Pike Ultimate is sitting in the box waiting for the frame to attach to. Soon soon…
Sup Ray!! Thanks! The gold is definitely growing on me and admittedly it is a pretty lame reason to avoid a fork.😅 Don't let any of my videos on the Pike sway you and I'm hoping you get that thing setup where you are super happy with it as I'm sure there are plenty out there who absolutely love it.... I can't wait until your build is done! I'm like a kid on Christmas over here waiting!🎅Thanks for commenting my friend.
@@ThunderStruckMTB I recently had my WTB tire warrantied. Yes it’s a new tire for the new build but it was wobbling like crazy despite the wheel being true. Just installed the replacement tonight so I’ll check for wobble tomorrow. Very much enjoying your videos showcasing all the upgrades. Curious do you keep the parts or do you sell them afterwards? Too bad about Tenet. I was really hoping their stuff last long.
@@GokkunGuru I had the same thing happen on a Schwalbe tire and they took care of it as well. I'm actually surprised it doesn't happen more often since they don't mount them during QC. I have a video about my Tenets and I used you in it as another example and I hope that was ok! I sell the parts that don't make the cut and actually have very few laying around!
Very cool, glad its working out, wait till the seals have broken in, even plusher yeah!!!! After cleaning the stanchions you could consider lubing with Wet Seal or R.S.P Hyper Wiper ( fox racing team uses). Both are just as good.
Man, if it gets any plusher off the top I just might lose it! Thanks for the stanchion lube suggestions! I have never heard of those but they look promising. I usually use whatever lower leg oil is spec'd for the fork I have in an old eye dropper bottle, but I will definitely check those out.
Glad to hear this is working much better for you already. My only complaint about my 2022 Fox34 PE is it's a little flexy at 140mm travel over rocks n roots. I bought a 130mm air spring and will try it on my 2016 Fuel EX8 XC bike. Should be perfect for that bike. Bought a Manitou Mezzer Pro for my 2021 Devinci Django more aggressive trail bike. Was going to go with the Fox 36 but got a great deal on the Manitou and it has some really innovative useful features, lighter than the Fox 36 while being a little stiffer too.
Hi Frank! Man, I never even touched on chassis stiffness.... dang it! I will though in the follow up mid term update video, but right now I can't tell any difference between the 34 and the Pike both at 130mm, but I bet at 140mm it would be more noticeable, especially for a more aggressive rider than me. I really did consider a 2023 Manitou Mattoc and came oh so close to it, but the deal I got on my 34 was just way too good to pass up. Have you installed your Mezzer yet? If yes, what do you think? If no, I would love to hear your thoughts once you get some time on it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@ThunderStruckMTB 😂 I think the open garage door and neighbors threw you off. Haven't installed the Mezzer yet. I need to cut the steerer tube, install star nut, crown race and change travel from 180 to 150. First time getting a new fork so I'm trying to decide if I just want to have a shop do the steerer tube cut and star nut or get the tools to do it myself.
@@frankschock9981 Yes! It was the open door's fault for sure!!🤓I'm of course a big proponent of DIY and you can get the "Bike Hand" brand star nut setter and cutter guide (I have both and they work awesome for the money) on Amazon for $55 USD and if you already have a hacksaw, file and hammer you are set. You could also go with a pipe cutter, but for me that always leaves a significant flare at the cut which needs a lot of filing so your stem goes on and off without issue. I went with a Park Tool crown race setter (cried once on that purchase!) because I previously used one myself and knew the quality. I figured that just 2 fork setups at the LBS and I would be even Steven and only money ahead in the future..... But whichever way you go, I would love to hear a review once you get it all dialed in! I bet it's going to be butter.
@ThunderStruckMTB Hey I did take your advice and setup the Mezzer myself. It's a great fork! Fox 34 Grip2 is also a great fork though especially if you can get it cheaper. Mezzer is 50% off now. Mattoc is the direct competitor to the Fox 34 though. Has the same features as Mezzer just in a 34mm chassis. Damper is great and love the IRT air chamber to adjust mid-stroke and bottom-out support.
Hi Paul! For me, I think my 2022 Charger 2.1 Ultimate fork was better and I have regretted selling it from the 1st ride. I have been able to get my Charger 3 Ultimate to a pretty good setup that I am happy with, but I'd trade it for a new 2.1 any day.
I've got a 21-22 Lyrik Ultimate C1. It's a set and forget fork. Just got the new 23 Lyrik Ultimate with Buttercups. It's way, way worse. The stanchions stick and my palms are pummeled! Oh, and it weighs more "in the pursuit of perfection." Sorry, in the "pursuit of making money."
Hey Levi! Thanks for the confirmation! I had a '21 Pike Ultimate C1 before my '23 and I regretted the "upgrade" almost immediately. I don't know if it's a Charger 3 thing, the new air spring or both, but whatever it is made it a worse fork than the C1s. Thanks for commenting and good luck with your Lyrik!
Went for a couple test rides. 23' Fox 34 Factory Grip 2 and the 23' Lyrik Ultimate... Two different bikes because they are different travel, but essentially the same Headtube angle. I found the 34 to have sticky stanchions if I wasn't in the saddle. The Lyrik was buttery smooth, like too soft even at 85 psi. I put on my trusty 2019 800mm Bontrager 15mm rise carbon bar and didn't have any finger numbness what so ever. It's got me thinking I've been trying a 780mm Giant carbon SLR bar that's super light, but evidently has a weird angled backsweep. That's probably what I was feeling with my soar palms and numb fingers. Just writing back to offer an update and to admit I was wrong. That Lyrik Ultimate with Green lower is really truly a soft ride for me with the right bar. It was the first time my hands didn't go numb in about a month, FYI. I will certainly keep riding this setup!
@@TheNationalTrails Hi Levi! Man, thanks for the update as it will serve to help someone else down the road. I can also verify how big of a difference bars can make in terms of hand buzz and numbness. I'm glad you puzzled your way to your perfect setup and are digging your Lyric! I've got some now toys on route to install so there will be a few videos coming up on those once I get some rides on them.... thanks again and have a blast!
