Fork lockouts/compression

Considering a new fork to go with (hopefully) a new hardtail frame for all-round riding (i.e. everything from a quick hour to bike packing). Probably 130mm travel.

Previously I’ve had a Fox 34 Rhythm with a Grip damper – no complaints. It’s simple, works well. It has a little lever-dial-thing to firm things up.

I’m a bit out of the game now and new forks (Pike Ultimate or 34 with Grip2 damper) don’t, to my eyes, seem to have an on-the-fly type lockout.  The compression dials they have on the damper look like you just set them and leave them. Or do you turn them on the fly to firm things up just the same?

Ultimately, if I get to a prolonged road climb, for example, is there anything I could with one of those forks to firm up so I can get out of the saddle without bobbing around?

Some of the forks like the new X2 damper have a final setting on the dial thats really firm, like a lockout, some don’t. They’re all a pain to use and a well set up fork doesn’t warranty fiddling with in my opinion. Personally I never touch mine.

You can wind on low speed compression. I believe the cheaper tiers of forks have less adjustment, and still have open/mid/firm dials.

However I’d suggest that if you’re looking to do a lot of out of the saddle climbing, you may be better off looking at a shorter travel hardtail.

Hardcore (120mm+) hardtails are great fun and pretty good do it all bikes, but front end bob kind of goes with the extra travel.

I wouldn’t say a lot of out-the-saddle climbing. I’m looking at a Solaris, so I’m confident I’m looking at the right sort of bike for doing everything. I could go with 120mm but think the question still stands as I don’t really want to go to an XC/32 style fork. Just not sure why the “lockout” seems to have been phased out – I find it quite handy.

I run a 170mm lyriks and coil deluxe on my bird am160 and notice a bit of movement when climbing out the saddle but not “Bob”, more just tracking.

Modern sus doesn’t really bob anywhere near as much as in the old days! Minimal compression damping here also

Yes, modern suspension is better than ever

No lockout option also means no accidental, jarring, descents that you get to the bottom on and then say ‘ah, now I see why that was bumpier than I expected’.

The SiD fork stock Cotic have still have the crown lockout (Ultimate with *35mm stanchions*, 120mm travel).

You can still get Fox34 forks with that ace Grip sweep damper you have as well… come in 140mm standard, but can be reduced to 130mm with an air spring swap:

https://www.silverfish-uk.com/products/VAR91021000_FOX-34-Float-Performance-GRIP-Tapered-Fork-2022-23

https://www.silverfish-uk.com/products/kw/fox%2034%20air/SPARES/Forks/VAR82002599KIT_Fox-Fork-34-Float-LC-NA-Air-Shaft-2-1-d-214-Bore

Good to know, thanks all. SIDs are appealing, if expensive. Will they require more maintenance as a race-orientated fork? Currently leaning towards what I know, but seems a shame to build a new bike and not take advantage of the newest tech. Argh, decisions!