So my Pikes (2015 RCT3, Non Boost) have been ‘funny’ for some time, ramping up and failing to get full travel. Anyway, today I decided to have a look. So I let all the air out and I could only get about 2/3rds travel – It felt like hydro locking. So I gave them a good shove and there was a loud pop. And lo, they felt good again. Smooth, full travel, all good. After a while though, the magic fix failed and the rebound damping went awol. They top out badly.

TLDR: My charger damper went pop and needs fixing.

Should I pay for a service (£95 from J-Tech + undisclosed amount when they find the damage) or should I just buy a new damper unit (£££)? They don’t need a lowers service at the moment and I’m happy to DIY most stuff, but this is beyond my skillz to do alone.

is it the bladder that has gone pop?

Dunno.

My guess is no because the damping was working for a bit after the pop. But I haven’t taken it all apart yet.

Does sound like the same symptoms as my 2015 Pikes when the bladder leaked. Drop the lowers and see if the leg is full of damper fluid.

Could if be the seal head issue…or is that too old an issue for 2015 model Pikes? Mine were 2014 model Pikes and mine suffered this, symptom was they lost damping altogether, oil leaking into the lowers and a nice squelchy sound as I cycled the suspension from fully compressed to fully extended with the air out of the spring.

It’s not too difficult to DIY if you’re that way inclined. The YouTube video from SRAM is pretty comprehensive.

Bleed kit from epic and some oil from maxima plus a seal/service kit and you’re away.

I’d service myself.  Can’t see that you’d get a decent pair of forks for the cost of the service + repair.

I had similar issues although no pop. 2015 pikes. Suspected seal head but found to be a crack in the bottom of the charger damper body. Luckily was replaced under warranty

Thanks for the replies so far.

So I’ve taken them apart and the right leg emptied a lot of oil – so I guess maybe the bladder has gone?

Can the parts of the damper be fixed individually? Reckon I should send it somewhere? Any suggestions?

any decent servicing place will be able to replace the damper or seal head.  send it in for a service and get them to tune it while its apart.

You mentioned a service by J-Tech.  They have been excellent in my experience and I’m sure James will only replace what’s necessary – if you go down that route.

Go to SRAMs website and download the service guide for the charger damper and the spare parts catalog – you can get any part numbers from there and source them on the web.

They don’t need a lowers service at the moment

Bet you they do.

If you’ve got lots of oil in the right lower, your damper seal head has gone. Pretty easy fix.

Mini update: spoke to j tech. They’ll do the seal head as part of the full service (£95). If the bladder needs replacement then it’s an extra tenner. I’m gonna book them in for next week.

PS. I did a lowers service in the last 3 rides /6hrs of riding.

Is it possible you overfilled the lower? Iirc the seal head can Injest the excess causing the bladder to go pop.

The service kit comes with the bladder doesn’t it?