Fox 34 Rhythm or Pike?

Probably been done before a million times but which would you go for and why? To my kind the Fox Performance is a notch or two above a set of pikes for outright performance, but how does the Rhythm compare with the Rockshox?

Also, I know RS occasionally change the chassis and innards.. is this the case with Fox too? I.e would a 2018 Fox 34 be very different from the 2021 model?

Are they comparable prices?

I know the Lyrik chassis has tested as stiffer than the 36. I believe people regard the Pike as being stiffer than the 34.

I have a 34 on my 29er HT and find it stiff enough. I also like the fact that it will take a bolt-on mud guard.

You’ll need to specify the exact Pike you mean for people to be able to compare dampers though.

The Pike is definitely a stiffer chassis than the normal 34. The Rhythm is heavier and therefore a little stiffer than a normal Fox 34 – but it has the least good damper that Fox do.

If you’re comparing to a Pike with a proper charger damper of any sort in it the Pike is a no brainer for me out of the 2.

In new speak that’s a Pike Select+ or Ultimate.

I think the Pike Select is the old Revelation charger RC. I’d still probably take that over a 34 (and definitely over a Rhythm) as it has an ifp type damper which is pretty good.

I’d pick the Rhythm, damping just seems to work better IMO.

I’ve got both, 34 on hardtail and pike on FS.

I prefer the pike all day long.

Are Fox’s as easy as the Pike to work on (for the home mechanic)?

I don’t have a problem with a yearly shop service, but because the Pike is so easy to do a lowers service it means I do them every few months.

What travel?

What travel?

And which Pike?

And what are the prices?

Although the chassis is quite basic o n the Rhythm (lower grade alloy tubes, heavier casting), the basic Grip damper is actually really really good – remember this is what is known as the sweep damper in the current Marzocchi range.

I rally liked my 34 Rhythm.

I put a 34 rhythm on my hardtail. Did jacobs loop on it yesterday. Really impressed with stiffness and control. Not ridden a modern pike but I only paid £375 for it which is revelation money not pike.

My girlfriend has a Rhythm 34 on her Liv Pique. I have a 2016 RC Pike on my Reign. The Rhythm definitely has much better small bump sensitivity.

In fairness the 2016 Pike RC is probably the charger 1 damper. The new Pike is on a charger 2.1 with less hsc on the open setting (ultimate has 5 clocks hsc adjustment), generally more slippery seals and fluid in it. I had a Pike of the same vintage as yours and found it ok – but not as plush as the charger 2 Lyrik on my other bike.

I’ve got a silver Pike Ultimate RC2 sat in a box behind me waiting for a new hardtail frame – I’m expecting this to be a step up over the older Pike I had. Interesting to see how it’ll fair vs the Lyrik rct3 on my fs bike. If it’s decent I could be tempted to get another to replace the Lyrik and save some weight on that bike (it’s 140mm forks – although can also take a 150mm one).