Fox 36, Lyrik or DVO Diamond?

Assuming cost is not important, which would you prefer and why?

Similarly, which shock: Fox DPX2, Super Deluxe or DVO Topaz?

As someone who has a DVO fork yet to be fitted mind as still awaiting a hub adaptor kit for a loooooooooooooooong time already would reccomend going fir DVO as the OTT neg spring feature sets them apart really plus the box and spares like mudhuard are a real nice touch.

plus at £700 for a set of Diamonds over a set of what are they now £1k 36s 🧐

Just try not to let their website put you off as it’s glitchy to say the least.

oh and what frame will it be going on out of interest? Colour choice? Or need I ask eg are you brave enough for the greeeeeen…

hahaha!

I have been looking into the same setup. Ocd means fork and shock have to match.

Im leaning towards the DVO diamond and topaz. Mainly because they are not rockshox or fox. But at this point I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

I went with 36s but lets be honest, they’re all going to be great. I chose the Foxes partly for ease of parts and aftermarket parts availability, and partly because I had a fox shock and it’s matchy.

Can’t comment on the dvo, but I have a 2017 lyrik 170mm rct3 and a 2018 fox 36 170mm rc2.

The lyrik is really sensitive over small bumps, and feels better in most riding situations except for when it starts the get really rough and it’s at this point that the fox 36 starts to feel better than the lyrik.

The fox are really expensive compared to the lyrik,and I’d say probably not worth it unless youre a racer , ride at full speed on rough stuff all the time, like having extra adjustments or simply don’t care about value for money.

If they were the same price I’d say get the fox 36, but they’re not so get the lyrik, 90% of the performance for 75% of the price.

Good stuff, but a few of you are straying into commenting on cost.  Please try to keep that out of you comments…

I have my reasons!

How off putting in the DVO green to people.  Not the green forks, but the green anodising.  I’s very hard to match to frame/component colours…

I’ve got a Lyrik – 2018 rct3 damper – 2019 airspring and the thing is awesome. The 2019 lyric has slicker seals and the rc2 damper with low and high speed compression adjustment.

I haven’t ridden the other 2, but I’ve read mixed reviews on dvo.

So it’d be between Lyrik and 36 for me. I think though from reviews that the best fox air shock is better than the best Rockshox shock. I don’t like the bling kashima costing so would avoid that though.

And your unproven opinion is just as valuable as real world experience in this case…

Out of the 36 and the Lyrik RC2 I have chosen the 36 Grip2. I have plenty time on both and the 36 just feels better to me. Yes the Lyrik is incredibly sensitive in the initial stroke but the rest of the travel just doesn’t feel that great.

DPX2 v Super Deluxe is pretty close, not much to choose between them, Fox sealing is always better and parts are available so if its out of warranty it can be fixed, RS its a disposable item.

Cannot say much about the DVO though I’m afraid.

I haven’t had lyrics but I’ve had dvo’s and 36’s

ive got 36’s on all my bikes now….

I had some problems with my diamonds and got not repose from DVO, the shop refunded me no bother, and stopped selling dvo, YMMV.

Interested to hear about these problems with DVO.

There was an issue with paint flaking off, dunno if it was just a batch or what, I’d if it’s still even a thing.

Ohlins?

Lyrik. My 2018 rc2 36 is harsh. Went off piste with xfusion before and parts availability is a pain, so would stick with the common makes.

I’ve had a 36 and currently on a Lyrik. Both MY2017, so not the latest version of either. I gave up on the 36 as I found I couldn’t get them set up so they worked well for me. When I got the “feel” good, which meant I could pump terrain, bigger hits were soaked up, and the fork sagged a reasonable amount then I could never get close to full travel. Only about 120mm of the 160 available. If I dropped the pressure or eased off on the damping then they felt like a saggy, divey mess but would go to full travel. I’ve often heard the line that the 36 works better when being pushed really hard but I’ve never found that. Without doing too much willy-waving, I think I’m a good rider of the sort that the 36 is meant for, I just never got on with them. Having said all that, I also used to ride the Marzocchi 350, which the new Grip damper is based on. That fork was great, so maybe time to try the Foxes again..

Okay, ignoring price and not having ridden any of the latest versions of what you list, I’d pick the 36 simply because of the 4 way damping adjustment. Having said that, it only counts for anything if you know how to use it, otherwise it’s just a fork with more ways to get it wrong.

Rear shock i’d have the DPX2 as every RS shock I’ve had has been poorer than the fox it replaced/was replaced with. That said I’ve not tried a Super Deluxe but i’m now not willing to unless it came with a frame.

Fork I would probably have a 36 as they’re great forks. Though not tried the recently released GRIP2 – which is interesting as the GRIP on the lower end forks was great. I do think them putting some gimmicky HSR adjuster on was unnecessary. By all accounts Lyrik’s are decent but all of the Pikes I’ve had haven’t been as robust as the Fox’s – paint flaking, stanchions chipping easily etc.

DVO is interesting – I would be interested in trying them and I like the idea they’re a smaller company but I’ve heard the stories too and wouldn’t risk my money unless I knew someone I trusted who had them or got a decent shot on a set. That goes for front and rear.

Cane creek helm (air or coil) should be on your list too.

I’m in the same boat as the OP, had discounted the DVO as heard of tyre clearance issues in anything above a 2.4.

ill be going for a 36 fwiw

.

Yes the Helm is a nice fork too, I have ride time on the air one but no time on the coil.

The old dvo diamond was narrow. Bu there is a new version called the diamond boost. I think a 2.8 fits in there now. All of the old issues of the non boost fork have supposedly been sorted on the new boost option.

Interested to hear about these problems with DVO.

I’ve got a 2016 set of Diamonds (non boost) which when sent for servicing last week have come back with a potential bill for £698 to make them into working forks again. The list of issues identified by a respected company is fairly extensive:

– Clip which holds OTT mechanism in place on air side broken off (not available as spare part) = new air shaft assembly @ £100 – (This was the reason for sending in for service/repair<span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>)</span>

– Stanchions are nearly worn through anodising, enough to cause wear to the bushings in the lowers, (bushings not available separately) = new CSU @ £265 + new lowers @ £160,

– Excess air working its way into rebound damper, likely due to damage to shaft from previous service (no spares available, complete unit only) = New rebound damper @ £78,

This is after only covering 200 (predominantly trail centre) miles in 12 months. The bike has been stored indoors other than when being ridden, with stanchions cleaned after every ride. Bearing in mind the published service intervals recommend a lower leg service at 50h, these forks have barely done 25h.

Unfortunately for me I bought them 2nd hand at 12 months old, so no warranty backup available. They may have had a very hard life prior to me buying them and perhaps I’ve just been very unlucky.

Don’t be put off buying DVO just because of me, just be aware of potential pitfalls (and the lack of small parts)

On the latter, whilst you’ve given them an easy time, the previous owner must have got some serious use into them for that long list of issues. With all the replacement bits listed won’t you basically have a new fork – what’s left original – just the compression damper and top caps?

Lyrik and super Deluxe

Simply because I already have 8 RS forks (2 are Lyriks) and 3 RS Air shocks (1 is a S.Deluxe)
Just makes it easier/less hassle setting-up, looking after and servicing.

Coil rear shock. I’d choose Fox though (but again because I have 2 already and have only run fox coil shocks for the last 20 years)

My new Fox 36 Grip2 is harsh as a badgers arse down Bunkers compared to the the Lyrik with the Andreani damper it replaced.  Talking of which, you out Friday’s anytime soon?   Ww

And your unproven opinion is just as valuable as real world experience in this case…

Did you ask in your OP if people had ridden them…?   No. I thought not.  B

Agreed!

we want i fo in what frame and what kinda riding you do to comment further.

no doubt you’ll go for kashiba coz u know GOLD and all tgat hyped up jazz

I don’t think the OP was being funny, he’s the Starling Cycles bloke and presumably considering what to spec on them.

I’d go DPX2 on the rear for sure, front either Lyrik or 36 – been really impressed with a Fit4 2018 Fox 34, but not tried the new Grip2 damper.

Lyrik is the safe bet, if the new air shaft replicates the effect of fitting a Luftkappe it’ll do the job fine.

I have the current DVO diamond and topaz shocks set up on my Trek Fuel Ex 9.9. I can not fault them. Super plush and as mentioned previously the OTT is great for getting the fork dialled quickly!!

ive had all the above mentioned competitors and am blown away with the performance of these 2 units for the money it’s awesome!!

I didn’t think he was being funny.  Rude, not funny.

I didn’t, I got the impression he wants to hear what appeals to people and why. Given his other comments it could be as simple as the colour rather than a thorough test of all available forks.

I have the latest Lyrik and it’s streets ahead of the 36 RC2 it replaced but is a 2016 model and have heard the new 36 is fantastic too. Can’t say I have noticed anything adverse about the Lyrik in any phase of the stroke. Not sure why some people would think a Fox fork is more robust than a Rock Shox, my 36s developed the creaky steerer and the anodising wore off despite 3 full fox services in 2 years and monthly lower leg service. Rock Shox doesn’t seem to need as much TLC to keep working well.

Rear Shox I find Fox best or did until I fitted a Storia to my bike!

No experience of RS or DVO, but I do have some 2018 Fox 36 Factory forx which I am VERY impressed with.  Very supple from the start and the NA2 airspring is streets ahead of the older NA airspring.  I had considered fitting a LuftKappe but after 5 days in the Alps, now see no point as they were consistently brilliant in stock-form.

Ok so i’ve recently gone for a DVO Sapphire(Hi tdog :D), for reasons that I thought it was time try something away from the main players, and backing a smaller company making good products suited the build i’m doing. With DVO now being distributed by Windwave and backing Giant team I thought they were moving forward.

I could’ve chosen a new Pike/Lyrik, cost didn’t enter into the decision. It’s a chance moving away from the big players, and i’m sure they’ve had issue’s in the past but i’m putting my faith in this being a good product. The build is still on going so I haven’t ridden them yet…i’m sure i won’t be disappointed.

I’m not brave enough to go for the green, I liked the brown..but couldn’t get those.

I’ve got the latest Lyrik on my Kenevo/ebike – it’s soooo plush and sensitive – feels way better than the 2016/17? set I have on my Capra and they are still good. They seem to match the Ohlins coil I have on the back pretty well