On my last bike I ran a Pike RCT3 for 1,500 miles. I had one bottomless token fitted. They always felt great. Set the rebound and compression when I first got them and I don't think I ever fiddled with it again.
On my new bike I've got a Pike RC. I've put 350 miles on them, and I just cant get them to feel right. I've tried 1,2 & 3 tokens. I've tried setting the sag everywhere between 20% to 30%. I've tried playing with the rebound. I've tried every compression setting. I've tried every permutation of the above combined variations. Here's my list of complaints
*They feel very harsh
*They dive very, very easily under braking
*With the compression at fully "locked" I can move the forks very easily. I know it should move under hard pressure but on the old RCT3 they didn't move at all in the lock position. The RC is very easy to get moving
*The compression adjuster doesnt seem to do much but I have to run it at 7/10 clicks from fully open to stop it diving but even then I don't think there's that much difference between 1/10 and 7/10
Given I've got a lot of experience with the Pike, I'm at a loss as to why this one feels so bad. Before I send it back for a warranty inspection is there anything obvious to check myself internally? I'm more than happy servicing forks so no concerns about opening up and tweaking if it's a home fix
They could have a blocked air transfer port causing too much pressure in the neg chamber.
If you let all the air out do they sink into their travel significantly? If so then put the pressure up to 150psi and bounce on them a few time,let the air out and if they don't sink you've fixed them,if they still sink then time for warranty.
If you let all the air out do they sink into their travel significantly?
Nope, no movement at all
Google pike burp and check for high air pressure trapped in the lowers on the air spring side,it's very common
Oh and on the rc full compression isn't a total lock, just slow. I never used the total lock on rct so was happy with it
Take the lowers and take a look, and then put the right amount of the right fluid in.
I'd be first bleeding the lowers. Let all the air out of the air spring. The forks should drop to almost fully compressed. If not, use a small cable tie and push it down between the seal and stanchion on both the air and damping side whilst compressing the forks, do this for both sides.
When re-inflating the forks, make sure you cycle the fork through its travel periodically (I go for every 20psi) to balance the negative chamber
Check the top adjuster is actually adjusting something. Occasionally they break.